Day 1
We head off at 8 a.m. to the Machame Gate, the entrance to Kilimanjaro National Park. We head out on the long walk through the cloud forest, a land of beauty and of perpetual mists that shroud in mystery the huge mountain above. Our first stop is Machame hut for dinner and where we camp overnight. Tonight we are at 3,100m.
Days 2 - 3
You will find your group moving across the arid open spaces of the moorland and alpine desert zones. Each day we will choose a beautiful camp at an elevation between 3,600m and 3900m. This mountain traverse stands with the finest in the world; as we do it, however, our main motivation will be acclimatization. During the climb we will spend three days and nights at relatively constant elevations, an excellent formula for helping our bodies adapt for an ascent to Uhuru Point, at 5,895m the highest point in Africa.
Day 4
Our team of Chagga staff and porters are all still with us. Today a group of them will go down to the forest in order to establish our exit route off the mountain. A larger group, composed of the strongest men, will carry the water, tents, food and safety equipment to our high camp at 4,785m for dinner and overnight at Barafu hut.
Day 5
Summit day has arrived. We are up in the middle of the night. The climb through the starlit upper reaches of Kilimanjaro will seem endless. A spectacular and very slow-paced walk (the air is thin!) around the crater rim to the very highest point of the continent produces an indescribable sense of accomplishment! We descend down to Mweka hut for dinner and our overnight camp.
Day 6
Our walk back through the cloud forest may be yet another surprise. You will have forgotten the cool, soothing light and moisture in the forest after days spent at altitude. At the park gates we formally thank the Chaggas who have worked with us. We then head to a warm welcome, a great meal and a hot shower at our bed and breakfast.
