CLIMBING & TREKKING

MT KILIMANJARO

The name itself is a mystery wreathed in clouds. It means the Mountain of Light, Mountain of Greatness and Mountain of Caravans,. This dormant volcanic mountain in Tanzania, elevates to 5985 m, and is one of the world’s most accessible high summits. It’s peak can be reached with just a walking stick, proper clothing and determination. Tanzania Adventure Routes Company organizes guided Kili treks in all seven routes, TAR guides including the owner are high altitude experts and are medically trained.

When on Kili with our TAR trained and mountain friendly team will provide you with excellent accommodation and nice food of your choice to insure your success to the peak. TAR also provides high quality camping equipment and expert logistics.

Routes.

1. Marangu- (Huts)
2. Machame (Camping)
3. Rongai (Camping)
4. Lemosho (Camping)
5. Shira (Camping)
6. Umbwe (Camping)
7. Mweka (Camping)

Machame is considered as the most scenic route and can be done in 6 or 7 days. Marangu route is a relatively easy ascent and descent and the accommodation is in shared mountain huts. Rongai is the easiest route that offers true wilderness experience on earlier stages. Lemosho is the longest and best for acclimatization, it is less popular but joins machame route on day 4. Umbwe is the steepest shortest route and the most challenging. Mweka is descent route.

Camping Equipment is provided including, Four season Mountain sleeping tents (EUREKA) double occupancy, Foam sleeping mattress, Mess tent, Simple camping table and chairs, solar powered lanterns and dining facilities. Oxygen tank and Portable Altitude chamber are provided on request (additional costs may apply).

Six Days/Five Nights
Day 1: Pick up from the hotel depart Arusha/Moshi around 8.00 AM and drive to the Machame (Gate 1900M/6230F) where you will begin your trek through a spectacular rain forest , reaching Machame Camp (2,700M/8,775F) after 4 hours. There you will have dinner and overnight. Meal Plan: L, D

Day 2: After beakfast, leave the glades of the rain forest and continue on an ascending path, crossing the little valley walking along a steep rocky ridge, covered with heather, until the ridge ends. The route now turns west onto a river gorge to Shira Camp (3850m.) This is 4 hours hiking, You will have hot lunch at Shira camp. In the evening enjoy an optional walk to superb bivi caves, climb a little higher and return.  Dinner and overnight at shira camp. Meal Plan: B, L, D

Day 3: Acclimatizing day, After breakfast Trek from Shira camp to lava tower (4600M/15100F), picnic lunch at lover tower,  then down to Baranco Camp (3950M/12950F) You will have dinner and overnight at Baranco Camp. 6 to 7 hours trek.  Meal Plan: B, L, D

Day 4: After breakfast, leave Barranco and continue on a steep ridge up the Barranco Wall, through the Karanga Valley (lunch at 4100m / 13,779 ft), continue up to the Barafu camp. You have completed the South Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many different angles.  The two peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo are to be seen here Barafu camp (4,550 M,14,788F) where you will overnight before your ascent to Uhuru Peak.  6 hours trek, Meal Plan: B, L, D

Day 5 Very early in the morning ( midnight ), after light breakfast start your ascent to the summit.  Ascend through heavy scree towards Stella Point on the crater rim after 5 to 6 hours trek. This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek. At Stella Point (5685M / 18,652F), short rest for hot drink and snacks, then 30 minutes to Uhuru peak (5895M/19340ft) and you will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise.

From the summit descend to Barafu for 2 hours rest. After lunch continuing down to the Mweka camp site (3100m/ 10170ft) or if you are tired you can spend your last night at high camp (3700m) mweka camp in the evening.

Day 6: After completing your descent to Mweka Gate, you will receive your Summit Certificate, lunch party with your guide who will give you certificates and then drive back to Moshi/Arusha and transfer to your hotel for overnight. Meal Plan: B, L

NB. For seven days program Day 4 is split in to two days for more acclimatization and you will overnight at Karanga camp (4100 m) on day 4 then to the base camp Barafu camp on day 5 thus you will have two short days before your attempt to the summit.

Day 1: Marangu Gate (1860m) – Mandara hut (2715m)

Hiking time: 3-4h
Distance: 8 km
Habitat: Montane forest

Drive from Moshi/Arusha to Marangu gate after completing the entrance formalities, we climb up through montane dark forest to reach the clearing containing Mandara Hut (2,700 m.) In the evening enjoy an optional visit to Maundi Crater nearby. An alternative is to rest and enjoy the beautiful forest. There is a rich bird life at the huts and monkeys are often seen as well. There you will have dinner and overnight. Meal Plan: L, D

Day 2: Mandara hut (2715m) – Horombo hut (3705m)

Hiking time: 5- 6h
Distance: Approximately 12 km
Habitat: Moorland

After breakfast ascent through forest, but the path soon opens out into grassy moorland and on a clear day there are great views of Kibo and Mawenzi peaks. Continue climbing steadily through the moorland zone, containing giant heather and occasional stands of groundsel, to eventually reach Horombo Hut. Sunrises and sunsets here are often very spectacular. The site is close to the glaciated dome of Kibo, and there is a real sense of being above the clouds. There you will have dinner and overnight. Meal Plan: B, L, D

Day 3: Horombo hut (3705m) – Kibo hut (4730m)

Hiking time: 6h
Distance: Approximately 9.5 km
Habitat: Alpine desert

We climb very gradually towards the lunar desert of the Saddle between Mawenzi and Kibo. The terrain changes to scree and there is a palpable sense of high altitude wilderness. You reach Kibo Hut at the base of Kibo by midday and the afternoon is free. The remainder of the day is spent resting and eating in preparation for the final climb before a very early night. Meal Plan: B, L, D

Day 4: Kibo hut (4730m) – Uhuru Peak (5895m) – Horombo hut (3705m)

Hiking time: 6 to 7 hours to reach Uhuru Peak, 5 to 6 hours to descend to Horombo
Distance: Approximately 6 km ascent and 15 km descent
Habitat: Stone scree and ice-capped summit

Just after midnight start for the summit on steep scree but there are some well-graded zig-zags and a slow but steady pace up to Gillman’s Point (5,681m) (18,638 ft), which is on the crater rim. Continue around the rim (which will take about one hour if you are fit) passing close to the spectacular glaciers to Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa where you will be rewarded with sunrise. Descend to Kibo Hut for Hot lunch and short rest, then down to the thicker air and relative warmth of Horombo hut for dinner and overnight. Meal Plan: B, L, D

Horombo hut (3705m) – Marangu Gate (1860m)

Hiking time: 6h
Distance: Approximately 19.7 km

After breakfast retrace your steps with a pleasant moorland walk to Mandara and then a rain forest walk to marangu gate. The greenness and lushness of the forest is quite a stunning contrast to the summit day, and it really makes you realise how varied the scenery on Kilimanjaro really is. Collect your summit certificate, sign out then drive to your Hotel in Arusha/Moshi town. Meal Plan: B, L.

NOTE: Five days climb up this mountain has a high risk of getting altitude sickness because of the quick acsent. It is recommended to extend the climb to six days. Adding an extra day at Horombo hut acclimatizing by climbing up to Zebra rocks and return to Horombo before you proceed to Kibo.

Arusha National Park covers this prominent volcano Mount Meru elevated to 4566m. This small beautiful park has a spectacular landscape and a wide variety of wildlife.

Trekking up Mount Meru we recommend a duration of four days, though it can be done in three. Meru is one of Africa’s most rewarding climbs offering spectacular scenery and guaranteed wild life animal encounters on its forested slopes.

The summit cone features an asymmetric caldera complete with an ash cone in the crater. The climb is accompanied with an armed game reserve ranger because of wild animals.

Mt. Meru Climb- 4 Days/3 Nights

Day 1; Moshi/Arusha to Meriakamba Hut (2500 m.)
Drive from hotel in Arusha/MoshiIlboru to Momela gate. After a short registration begin your trek with your guide and armed ranger. You can see along the way the wild animals including buffalos, elephants, zebras, and giraffe , monkeys, antelope, and along the route.
Dinner and overnight night at Miriakamba Hut.
Momela Gate to Miriakamba Hut (2500 m.): 5-6 hours walking through rainforest.

Day 2: Saddle Hut (3500 m.)
After breakfast trek from Miriakamba Hut to the saddle hut below Little Meru is a short day but a steep climb.
The walk will take you slowly along the ridge for a spectacular view of the Meru Crater and the impressive Ash Cone.
After hot lunch at Saddle hut it is good idea to make a short climb to the summit of Little Meru (3,820m) for acclimatization and nice views of Mt Kilimanjaro and big Meru just before sunset.
Dinner and overnight night at Saddle Hut
Miriakamba Hut to Saddle Hut (3500 m.): 3-4 hours walking.

Day 3: Saddle Hut to the summit to Miriakamba Hut
Start early at around 2:30 a.m. with your guide and climb steeply to Rhino Point (3,800 m.) then on to Cobra Point (4350m). We reach the summit (4,566 m) on time for sunrise and there is a possibility to see Kilimanjaro Peak above the clouds. The final part of the climb is along a spectacular narrow ridge line between the sheer inner cliffs and the sloping outer wall of the crater. You will be awarded with hot tea and snacks at the peak.
You will take a rest and lunch at Saddle Hut before continuing the descent to the Meriakamba Hut. Saddle Hut to the summit to Miriakamba Hut: 10-12 hours walking.

Day 4; Meriakamba Hut to Momella, Game drive in Arusha park then to Your Hotel
We take a short and fast descent for 2 hours through open grassland and mixed forest, with the possibility of seeing wildlife before reaching Momella Gate in the late morning. Spend the rest of the day game viewing in Arusha park with picnic lunch, in the afternoon drive to your Hotel in Moshi/Arusha.