Day 1: from Marangu Gate to
Mandara Hut
The visit of the park
begins at Marangu Gate, 1,870 meters high. The first stage takes place in the
lush scenery of the rainforest and it takes about three hours to walk to get to
Mandara Hut (2,700 m). The characteristics of this retreat are similar to those
of the next who will meet on the Marangu road: it is a refuge very
"spartan", able to accommodate, in dormitories promiscuous, about
sixty people. The dinner is prepared in a common kitchen where each group uses
their own supplies.
Day 2: from Mandara Hut to
Horombo Hut
The visit continues with
the second leg of your trip, early in the morning, the Mandara Hut. This stage
is much more challenging, winding through a steep path that crosses a landscape
in which the vegetation thins out as you go along: the rainforest gives way to
moorland, with patches of heather and typical groves of giant ragweed. After
about eight hours of walking you get to Horombo Hut (3,720 m) where we spend
the night. These dimensions can feel the first signs of altitude sickness (headache,
loss of appetite, insomnia). The temperature is lowered considerably,
especially at night.
Day 3: Acclimatization day
A too rapid ascension to
exacerbate the risk of altitude sickness. This is the reason why it is
advisable to arrive at this altitude, be a break for acclimatization. The
beauty of the places and breathtaking scenery make it a very pleasant stop. To
gradually accustom the body to the lack of oxygen guides recommend to make a
"Sgambati" to a height of 4,000 m, at the base of Mawenzi massif (the
second highest peak of Kilimanjaro) and then go down and spend a second night
at Horombo Hut.
Day 4: Horombo Hut to Kibo
Hut
Check out the early morning
hours, eight hours of driving in an increasingly "extreme" in which
the vegetation is disappearing, the landscape takes on a desert and desolate,
and the thin air makes itself felt more and more. "Pole pole"
(Swahili for "slowly") suggest the guides. In the afternoon you
arrive at Kibo Hut (4,700 m).
The opportunity for a few
hours of the austere reception of the refuge (no running water, no heating,
sanitation outdoors) to rest waiting for the final ascent to the summit. At
night the temperature drops significantly.
Day 5: ascent to Uhuru Peak
Around midnight we set off
for the summit. This is by far the most difficult stage: we proceed diagonally
along the flanks of the volcano sand, until arriving at dawn, at Gillman Point
(5,685 m). The spectacle of the sun rising over the glacier fully pays for all
your efforts! After a further hour and a half walk among the glaciers, with the
forces now reduced to the extreme and with temperatures that can reach - 30 °
C, we arrive at Uhuru Peak (5,895 m), the highest point on the continent
Africa.
Day 6: Return to base
Under the signboard of the
peak there is a register: it is a must affix his signature! Answered this
mandatory formalities and take the usual photos you begin the descent. First
stop at Kibo Hut to catch up on some 'of energies, then descend to Horombo
Hutdove, where you spend the night. The next morning only stop up to Marangu
Gate, where the adventure ends.
From 1500 USD per person