Kilimanjaro

Kilimanjaro

Sunset over Mt Meru

At 19,340' (5896 Mts.), Kilimanjaro, or Uhuru Peak, is the highest point in Africa, located in Tanzania. This extinct volcano rises over large game reserves and is certainly one of the world's most impressive mountain adventures we offer, taking place in one of the more diverse and fascinating regions of our planet.

Kilimanjaro is a non-technical climb, however many who attempt the mountain also underestimate it. Its altitude needs to be taken seriously. It is the easiest of the seven summits and a great stepping-stone for higher peaks. It is the perfect climb to prepare you for an expedition on Aconcagua, which is our specialty and a mountain we have guided on for over 20 years.

We will climb the Machame, or Umbwe, Route of Kilimanjaro. This is the finest route, and as part of our longtime philosophy we will encounter less crowds than in the overused Normal Route. We will descend via the Mweka Route. This is the descent route required by Kilimanjaro National Park, making a traverse of the mountain. This is another trademark of Aventuras Patagonicas, using more aesthetically beautiful routes and traversing the mountain, giving you more scenery and the entire spectrum of the mountain.

Summit of Kilimanjaro

Our community gear, and most of our personal equipment, will be carried by our porters so you can enjoy light packs throughout the climb. We will also have a cook with us during the expedition, and although we use high quality local resources on this trip, the Lead Guide will always be an Aventuras Patagonicas, U.S.-based, Certified professional mountain guide trained with, and experienced in, the highest standards of guiding.

CLIMBING SKILLS: No previous climbing experience or technical climbing skills are required. The hiking is easy to moderate, but strenuous, especially on Summit Day. You must be in good to excellent physical condition. A small amount of snow will be encountered below the Summit, which does not need the use of crampons or ice ax. Trekking or ski poles are highly recommended.

Itinerary

Day 01
Fly from point of origination to Kilimanjaro International Airport, Tanzania. (JRO)
Day 02
Arrive in Tanzania. Airport pick-up and transfer to Mt. Village Lodge in Arusha, Tanzania.
Day 03
Free morning to rest, relax, take a walk, explore a little. Afternoon meeting, gear check and delicious group dinner. Overnight at the Lodge.
Day 04
After breakfast we travel by 4-WD vehicles to the Machame trailhead, where our climb begins. Park registration will follow, and we meet our porters. A very pleasant climb through the rain forest will take us to the Machame Hut, or first Umbwe Camp at 10,000'.
Day 05
We leave camp and climb out of the rain forest to the Shira Plateau (12,000'), or go to the Barranco Hut (13,000') on the Umbwe route. Great day and some of the most exotic vegetation on the planet!
Day 06
Today we climb to 14,500', and then drop back to 13,000', on the Machame route. This works well for our acclimatization process and it will pay off on Summit Day. We camp at Barranco Hut (13,000').
Day 07
After 4 days of spectacular high altitude trekking, we will have accomplished superb acclimatization for our next objective, our High Camp, located at the Barafu Hut (15,000'). A 5-6 hour hike takes us to this magnificent campsite.
Day 08
Possible rest day and summit preparation. If conditions are excellent, and team is doing great, we may go for the Summit today.
Day 09
Summit Day! Early start by headlamps for several hours until we meet the sun rising over Africa, and Mount Kenya (17,056') to the North, the second highest summit on the African continent. We head for the Summit Ridge, arrive at the rim of the crater, and then traverse northwest along the rim to the main summit, Uhuru Peak (19,340'). Here we will have amazing vistas of Tanzania, the entire African plateau, and surrounding peaks. After summiting, and enjoying this surreal view, we descend directly to Mweka Hut, in the forest.
Day 10
We continue our descent via the Mweka Route to the Mweka Gate. 4-WD vehicle pickup and transfer to our Hotel. Celebration Dinner.
Day 11
(subject to slight changes) We begin at Tarangire National Park which is in a fantastic valley overlooking the African grassland, rich with Baobab trees and a variety of large mammals. Spend the night in a deluxe safari lodge.
Day 12
We drive on to Lake Manyara National Park where we will be delighted by antelopes, baboons, gazelles, and more, as they may be chased by lions, cheetahs and hyenas. Lake Manyara is world renowned for its ornithology and large game reserves. We will also have the chance later in the day to observe a Masai village engaged in tribal dance and other local customs. In the evening we will have a fine dinner and overnight at a comfortable deluxe safari lodge.
Day 13
Morning in Ngorongoro Crater, one of the world's most incredible natural wonders. We will view more wildlife such as elephants, zebras, antelopes, rhinos, cheetahs, hippos and waterbuffalos. We will have an abundant lunch, after which we continue our drive through Serengeti National Park, observing more wildlife and having amazing vistas en route to our next deluxe safari lodge and dinner.
Next Day
A final morning Game Drive in the Serengeti. There is an option for a sensational sunrise balloon ride, upon request. After lunch, we fly back to Arusha, where we will connect with our overnight flight home that same night.

Note: This itinerary is intended to be a guideline only. Weather days, rest days and some flexibility on the itinerary are always a possibility while on a climbing expedition.