The toughest of all routes and yet the most with brilliant scenic while trekking Mt Kilimanjaro, and is more challenging if one opt to go through the western breach walls!
The route that demands great physical fitness with high endurance. It is steep right from the starting point Not a single day will trekkers have a gentle or flat part or section of the trail right from the start
Itinerary
Arrive in Tanzania, JRO; met by guides and transfer to Lodge in Arusha.
Briefing day. Today we do trip briefing about the trek and working system and what to expect from Kibo expeditions and familiarize with everybody. This will be followed by gear checking and short acclimatization hike.
Plan for tomorrow, departure time at 02:30 am right after breakfast. So packing has to be done this evening before or after dinner. Overnight in Lodge.
It will take 2 hours from Arusha to Machame gate where all park fees are paid and register our names, then another 2 ½ hours to Umbwe gate 1650 M/ 5,414 FT asl where we just show our permit for verification and register names.
From here strenuous trekking to the first camp is 5 hours including lunch break along the trail. The steep trail goes through the forest and outside into heather zone where we set up our tents and camp for overnight.
There is fabulous view of Barranco valley and Kibo peak from this side of the mountain and trail.
It is another tough day but with great view of massive Kibo peak lying ahead of us and Mt. Meru at distant on our back. The trail takes us through moorland with scanty heather bushes. In 4 -5 hours we will be in camp; and at least will have an hour or so descend into Barranco camp.
We go straight to Ranger post office for registration, Check in to our tents, wash, hot lunch and siesta till late evening for sunset glowing light on Kibo peak and Heim glaciers photos. Coffee, tea, hot chocolate with some snacks served to remain hydrated and in good shape.
It is from this camp where we meet other climbers from Machame and Lemosho routes if not opted to go by western breach walls via Lava tower and Arrow glacier.
It is another short but tough day. We will need to get up early around 04:00 am, eat breakfast and leave camp earlier so as to go through the breakfast cliff wall in peace and enjoy the scenic view around without being sandwiched with other groups.
Earlier departure will give us good relaxing pace and get into Karanga camp at lunch time and eat there and rest. After going through the cliff a dramatic view of Kibo peak with Heim glaciers remains on view for most of the day.
Another long stretch takes us to gorgeous Karanga valley doted with giant Lobellia and Senecio; the unique plants from Mt Kilimanjaro. It just takes half an hour to go through the steep wall of the valley to get to camp.
In evening is good time to take a short acclimatizing hike by ascending a bit higher. The scenery is spectacular and marvellous being out there in clear day!! Also great view of sunset and Mount Meru from camp.
Plan for next destination- Barafu Hut/ Camp is to get up early morning around 06:00 am and departure early right after breakfast.
Reaching Barafu Hut/ Camp around lunch time is an advantage of having plenty of time to rest and get acquainted with part of the summit trail and terrain by ascending a bit higher as acclimatization process.
In clear day, it is so beautiful scenery around, and starting early hike to Barafu Hut/ Camp is highly recommended and worth the climb cost. The hike today takes us through the aline desert with very scant and poor vegetation growth around. Regular alpine birdlife such as White napped raven, Alpine swift, Alpine chat, little swift, Lammergeier, African Turtle dove and Augur buzzard present right from Karanga valley camp.
It is a gradual, not steep and almost straight trail; camp/ tents get on view from distant angle. As we get to the last ridge where camp is located, a stunning view of Mawenzi peak from eastern side adds a bonus to our hike for today. We proceed to Park Rangers office, sign our names and present our permit for verification.
Hot lunch in camp and siesta. Wake up in evening for hot drinks and snacks, then take acclimatization short hike by ascending higher. This is a twofold activity- acclimatization and trail acquaintance before the summit assault.
Early dinner and go back to tents and line up layers for the summit challenge. Wake up time is 12:30 am. There will be no wake up call hot drink service to your tents, so just walk straight to mess tent for breakfast. Leave camp at 02:00 am.
This is the DDay we have been looking for. It will take us 9-10 hours to summit 5,895 M/ 19,341 FT asl and back to Barafu camp where we will rest and eat lunch before heading down to Mweka camp 3,010 M/ 9,843 FT asl for our last night on Kilimanjaro.
We will have to wake up early morning around 12:30 am, eat breakfast and pack all what we need for the summit day. Fill water bottles, take some extra warm layers, trail snack to refuel ourselves up and down.
Enjoy the sunrise with silhouette Mawenzi peak while struggling to reach Stella point 5,792 M/ 19,000 FT asl. In 6-7 hours we will be at the summit; ½ hour or so should be sufficient for jubilation, group and individual photo taking. Adjust boots and layers, eat snacks and drink some water and start descending. Descending to Barafu camp is 3-4 hours
Wake up call served to your tents, as usual followed by warm water to wash then breakfast. After breakfast bring bags out and lets align for the last event to say good bye to crew and individuals who exceptionally served you during the climb. Highly recommended no client walks/ descends alone; no matter how slow the descending is but guides will accompany clients till Mweka gate.
It takes 4-5 hours descending Mweka forested ridge to gate surrounded with settlements and small intercrops plots of coffee, banana, beans, yams, sweet potatoes and corn sustaining the overpopulated area in Tanzania-580 people per sq km (Tanzania census 2012).
While delicious lunch with fresh fruits and soft drinks and water awaiting us, every one signs out and proceed to eat lunch. When done with lunch, time to locate and check your bags before loading up.
Departure Mweka gate to Arusha we pass through a short distance of dusty road till Mweka wildlife College gate where it is tarmacked all the way to Arusha. With normal traffic movement between Moshi and Arusha towns, we should be able to reach the lodge in 2- 2 ½ hours.
Sign in and get escorted to rooms, clean ourselves ready for dinner party accompanied with celebration, toss, speeches and certificate presentation.
After breakfast, got to Arusha for town tour and lunch there, buy some souvenirs to take home