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| | Arrival Day: Meet on arrival point and transfer to the hotel in Arusha for your overnight and briefing by our mountain guide. Accommodation: The Charity hotel Meal plan: Bed and breakfast |
Day 1: | Arusha to Londorossi Gate to Lemosho Glades to Mti Mkubwa Camp
Elevation(ft): 3,000 ft/4921ft to 7,380 ft to 6,560 ft to 9,020 ft
Distance: 18 km,
Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
Habitat: Montane Forest
Drive from Moshi or Arusha to the Londorossi Park Gate. From here follow a forest track in a 4WD vehicle for about 11 km/7 mi (45 minutes) to Lemosho Glades and a possible campsite. From the
Glades, walk for 3 hours along beautiful forest trails to the Mti Mkubwa (big tree) campsite. Meal Plan: Full Board Accommodation: Camping |
Day 2: | Mti Mkubwa Camp to Shira Camp 1
Elevation(ft): 9,020 ft to 11,485 ft
Hiking Time: 5 hours
Habitat: Forest
The trail gradually steepens, enters the giant heather moorland zone, then crosses the Shira Ridge at 3,600 m/11,810 ft and drops gently to Shira Camp 1 located by a stream on the Shira
Plateau. Meal Plan: Full Board Accommodation: Camping |
Day 3: | Shira Camp 1 to Fischer Camp Elevation: 12,864 ft. Hiking Time: 3-5 hours Habitat: Alpine Desert A gentle walk across the plateau leads to Fischer camp, hiking at an altitude of 11, 500 ft but most climbers have no problems with this part of the trek. Early on in the day we cross a refreshing stream, reminding us to stop frequently and enjoy the beautiful scenery. Meal Plan: Full Board Accommodation: Camping |
Day 4: | Fischer Camp to Sheffield Camp
Elevation: 14,940 ft
Hiking Time: 2-3 hours Habitat: Alpine Desert Early breakfast then hiking to the camp just west of Lava Tower, it is short but it’s steeper than yesterday with at least 2 long uphill sections. The day starts with a short steep section. Due to the altitude, some climbers will feel less energetic than yesterday! It is time for energy drinks and bars. The last uphill walk is long and seemingly never-ending! But then we see the recognizable shape of the Lava Tower and we are only a few hundred yards away from our camp, reaching Sheffield Camp around 1:15pm. Today’s climb was the hardest so far due to the altitude of 14,940 ft. Some climbers are starting to lose appetite. We must focus on eating and drinking as much as we can! After lunch it’s time for a shower and a nap. Tomorrow is a rest day to help with acclimatization! Meal Plan: Full Board Accommodation: Camping |
Day 5: | Sheffield Camp (Acclimatization Day!)
Today we dry out our clothes and we focus on our bodies.
1. Those who still suffer from mild AMS should go on a 2-hour acclimatization hike to higher ground and back. Regular headache pills normally relieve the mild throbbing symptoms. Climbing to the top of Lava Tower (30 minutes) is a good way to gain altitude. But be careful since there is some scrambling involved. 2. Those who feel tired should rest and try to restore energy with energy drinks and food.
Either way, we listen to our bodies and we discuss our concerns with the guides. They will suggest various remedies (such as Diamox) depending on the situation. Drink plenty of water! Meal Plan: Full Board Accommodation: Camping |
Day 6: | Sheffield Camp to Arrow Glacier Camp: Elevation: 15,978 ft
Hiking Time: 5 hours Habitat: Desert Depart at 10am and reach Lava Tower after only 35 minutes. After Lava Tower, we cross a small stream and then it’s an hour-long steep uphill trek on loose scree (gravel). The views from the top of this ridge are amazing. Looking back we see the Sheffield Camp and our trail. Reach Arrow Glacier Camp at around 12:15pm in time for lunch. This camp is at 15,978 ft and we can feel the cold. This is no place to lounge outside and we retire to the mess tent or our own tents to warm up. Fog or icy rain is common in the early afternoon and visibility is poor so we normally postpone picture taking until early evening when it clears up and the Western Breach becomes visible high above us. We are 1 night away from our biggest challenge—the Western Breach! We normally do a rescue drill this afternoon. We are at a serious height and everybody (including the porters) must understand how our rescue equipment works. Meal Plan: Full Board Accommodation: Camping |
| Day 7: | Arrow Glacier Camp to Crater Camp Elevation: at 18,500 ft
Hiking Time: 9 hours Habitat: Desert For many, this is the day they've been thinking about. Climbing the Western Breach demands respect, but trust us - the Western Breach is not as daunting as some make it out to be. We've carried lots of camera equipment up the Breach and hardly needed a helping hand even when we reached the steep sections. We have never felt intimidated and we never felt that a slip could be disastrous. Many of the danger stories can be attributed to inexperienced guides who got lost - causing their clients to scramble up and down open rock faces while searching for the path. We don't recommend climbing the Breach at night - many companies do this and we think it's crazy! There is a danger of falling rocks but experienced guides know how to best avoid the unstable areas. It will be a steep climb at altitude but the views are spectacular. Breakfast is served at 5:00am and we start our walk at 5:30am. It is safer to climb the Breach in the early morning while the ground is still frozen, the walk is very steep but in general it is a comfortable slow hike to the ridge, Energy drinks and snacks are now in high demand!. The magnificent rock formations are a bit unstable and our guides will keep a watchful eye on our surroundings. There are 4 scrambling sections on this route. The second one is a giant stair case. This is the scramble we’ve all heard and read about on the internet! The truth is, it takes only 5 minutes to traverse this section if you have experienced guides who know exactly where to step. Compared with the Machame Route's Barranco Wall (a steep 1 hour scramble) this is nothing. The reward is waiting at the top of the stairs —a 30-minute lunch break at about noon. Many climbers are surprised to learn that the crater rim is only 90 minutes away! Luckily the scrambling part is over. What’s left is a very steep hike to the rim— made more complicated by the thin air. It is about 2pm and some of us will head straight to the tents to relax before lunch. Others may walk to the glacier to touch it. After lunch a few tough souls may walk to the actual crater and back — a 90 min hike. We have come a long way and have mastered the Western Breach! Meal Plan: Full Board Accommodation: Camping |
| Day 8: | Summit day! Elevation: 19340 ft.
Hiking Time: 1 and half hours Habitat: Desert Today we have only 800 feet to go but it won't be easy. Spare a thought for the hikers on other routes who started their summit attempts at midnight! It will take about one-and-a-half hours to reach Uhuru Peak. You will not be alone - others have been arriving since 6am. Soon you will be able to have a photo opportunity next to the famous posted sign at the top. But please be prepared for an aftershock - the way down is a steep, rigorous route via Stella Point down the mountain to Barafu where we will stop for lunch. On the way down you may pass other trekkers who are still on the way up! Many hikers are unprepared for this 4-hour ordeal down the slippery slope of scree. Don't be. The sun will beat down and you will start to curse your 4-layers of summit wear! You will sweat and eat dust like a rodeo cowboy! At Barafu you can take a good rest before tackling the rest of the way down. It is time to relax and think about your experiences of the past week. The way down to Millennium camp is a comfortable walk but rather dusty. Meal Plan: Full Board Accommodation: Camping |
Day 9: | Millennium Camp to Mweka gate. Elevation: 10171 ft
Hiking Time: 5 hours Habitat: Forest A sustained descent on a well-constructed path through lovely tropical forest alive with birdsong and boasting lush undergrowth with considerable botanical interest. Our route winds down to the National Park gate at Mweka (1650m); and on through coffee and banana farms to Mweka village. The shower, the beer are tantalisingly close! We return by private bus or 4WD vehicle to Arusha (a distance of about 100 km). Accommodation: The Charity hotel Meal plan: Bed and breakfast |
Departure day: Leisurely breakfast and then depart for Arusha Town tour include a TANZANITE Experience and a visit to the Maasai market, followed by transfer to the departure point to connect with your departure flight. |
For those who think jet lag might affect them and/or prefer to arrive a day earlier, we recommend a day trip to the nearby Arusha national park for game drive and hiking for an extra cost. |
Price Includes: |
Transport to and from mountain gates All parks entry fees. All camping fees. Rescue fees. Services of English-speaking assistant guide (s), a skilled cook, and enough numbers of porters for your luggage, food, water, and a dinning tent. Guide and porters fees. Guide and porters salaries All accommodations on the mountain based on three meals a day. Cook and all kitchen utensils. Portable toilets: If you do not want to use public toilets which some of climbers have been complaining about being dirty. Use of radios/phones to increase your safety.
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Price Excludes: |
International and domestic flights (we can arrange on request) Accommodation on the first night upon your arrival before climb and on the last day after climb (book with us) Airport transfers (book with us) Tips, drinks and all items of personal nature Hard and soft drinks and tips Medical Equipment which can be rented well in advance for the following costs: $250/group for hyperbaric chamber, $150/person for an emergency Oxygen cylinder. Please note these prices include a porter to carry the equipment. Please note these prices include a porter to carry the equipment.
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Payment of the program price constitutes your acceptance of the terms and conditions set out at http://amaniafrika.com/Terms.htm |
