Kilimanjaro in Style

MAWENZI RISES ABOVE OUR SECOND CAMP, 11,500 feet

MOUNTAIN BACKGROUND

Africa’s highest peak, and the worlds tallest free-standing mountain, Kilimanjaro dominates the sky at a height of 19,340 feet. The glaciers and snows of Kilimanjaro perplexed the European scientific community in the late nineteenth century. Johann Rebmann, a German missionary who was the first European to lay eyes upon it in 1848 wrote on 11th of May “This morning, at ten o’clock, we obtained a clearer view of the mountains of Jagga (Chagga), the summit of one of which was covered by what looked like a beautiful white cloud.” It was only when Baron Von der Decken reached the altitude of 14,000 feet in his 1862 attempt on the mountain that indisputable evidence satisfied the indignant scientists. The first successful ascent of Kilimanjaro by Dr. Hans Meyer in 1889 brought to a close the enduring struggle for this prized peak of East Africa.

Kilimanjaro is comprised of three volcanic centers: Kibo (19,340 feet), Mawenzi (16,893 feet) and Shira (13,143 feet). The Chagga people living at the foot of this mountain tell many legends of its more active volcanic days. Today it lies dormant, casting its shadow over the plains below, its melting snows quenching the thirst of Amboseli’s wildlife. Scientists predict that the glaciers of Kilimanjaro will disappear within the next twenty years, unfortunately this time they are probably correct.

 view in Acrobat PDF format
return to home page

DETAILED ITINERARY

Day 1:      You will be met at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi and transferred to the Karen Blixen Hotel. This very atmospheric hotel is located on the farm that once belonged to Karen Blixen , amongst her many other accomplishments she was the author of Out of Africa which was made into a major motion picture in 1985.

               The rest of the day can be spent at your leisure. A Ivory Safaris courtesy vehicle and driver will be available for visits to and around Nairobi. Evening briefing with your guide at the hotel. Overnight at the Karen Blixen Hotel.

Day 2:      Drive from Nairobi to Rongai, in Tanzania with a picnic lunch en route. We pass through Maasai country, where these traditional pastoralists live much as they have for hundreds of years. As these people coexist with wildlife, we may come upon giraffe, zebra, and other plains game on our drive. We overnight at the Rongai Lodge, which is located at the trailhead.

Day 3:      We begin the hike into Kilimanjaro’s lower forests. During our walk we pass through a large section of indigenous forest, with East African Camphor Wood, East African  Olive and Podocarpus lining our path. There is a good chance that we may see the elusive Colobus monkeys peering at us through the canopy. Our first camp is located at 8,000 feet, just above the tree line.

Day 4:      This is a long hiking day that traverses across the northern moorlands of the mountain. The sight in the morning of Kilimanjaro’s highest peak – Kibo, provides a sense of false proximity. We will have a hot lunch at 10,000 feet. In the afternoon, our trail gently rises towards the northern shoulder of the second highest peak, Mawenzi. The Giant groundsels and lobelia are two species of the rich and unique flora that indicate our approach to the alpine zone. It is not uncommon to pass leopard spoor in this region. We will reach our camp at an altitude of 11,500 feet late in the afternoon.

Day 5:      This is essentially an acclimatisation day. A short hike directly up to our campsite brings us to the base of the North Face of Mawenzi. We enjoy lunch and a leisurely afternoon at the camp. Mawenzi’s craggy and steep nature explains why it was left unclimbed until E. Oehler and F. Klute first summited in 1912 (nearly 23 years after Hans Meyer’s ascent of Kibo). An optional acclimatisation hike to nearby Mawenzi Tarn gives us an opportunity to spend some time at a higher altitude before our descent to camp. Altitude of the camp is 13,600 feet.

Day 6:      After breakfast we begin the long morning hike across “The Saddle” which links Mawenzi to the summit peak of Kilimanjaro - Kibo. This hike takes us into the world of Salvador Dali, as we spend the entire morning walking across this moonlike landscape – a place of stark rock, sand and lichens. We reach the Outward Bound Camp, at an altitude of 15,600 feet in time for a late lunch. The rest of the afternoon will be spent in the camp preparing for our attempt on the summit.

Day 7:      The day we have been longing for! We will be awakened at around midnight and begin the long climb to the crater rim of Kilimanjaro. This journey of little more than two miles will take approximately 6 hours to complete. We will take it very slow…and very steady. We reach the crater rim at 18,600 feet as the sun begins to rise, and continue around the crater to the highest point on the African continent — Uhuru Peak, 19,340 feet. We then descend to 15,600 feet for lunch (what has taken us 8 hours to climb, is descended in about 2 hours). The southern edge of “The Saddle” is traversed in the afternoon, as we make a long descent to Horombo Camp at 12,500 feet, which is reached in the late afternoon.

Day 8:      We descend the southern moorlands of Kilimanjaro which will take the entire morning and most of the afternoon. As we pass through the heath forest and into the equatorial rain forest, we can listen closely to the calls of the numerous bird species, as well as keeping an eye out for the Sykes monkeys. We will reach the National Park headquarters at Marangu Gate in the late afternoon, thus completing our traverse of Kilimanjaro. We then drive for a short distance to the Kibo Hotel where we spend the night. This old hotel was built by the Germans in 1912, and is steeped in the history of Kilimanjaro. Old maps, photos of the pioneers (originals of Hans Meyer), and other unique antiques grace the walls of this atmospheric hotel. There is also a wonderful fire-lit bar!

Day 9:      Leaving the hotel after breakfast, we drive to the Kilimanjaro Airport for an early afternoon flight to Nairobi. We will be transferred from the airport to the Karen Blixen Hotel where dayrooms await. Evening transfer to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport for departing flights.

GROUND PRICE AND DEPARTURE DATES

Cost
from US $2,790.00*
per person sharing twin accommodation

DEPARTURE DATES:

September 22nd, 2003: (Arrive in Nairobi) – September 30th (Evening departure from Nairobi)

December 15th, 2003: (Arrive in Nairobi) – December 23rd (Evening departure from Nairobi)

January 5th, 2004 (Arrive in Nairobi) –January 13th (Evening departure from Nairobi)

February 8th, 2004: (Arrive in Nairobi) – February 16th (Evening departure from Nairobi)

March 15th, 2004 (Arrive in Nairobi) – March 23rd (Evening departure from Nairobi)

June 14th, 2004 (Arrive in Nairobi) – June 22nd (Evening departure from Nairobi)

July 12th, 2004 (Arrive in Nairobi) – July 20th (Evening departure from Nairobi)

August 9th, 2004 (Arrive in Nairobi) – August 17th (Evening departure from Nairobi)

September 20th, 2004 (Arrive in Nairobi) – September 28th (Evening departure from Nairobi)

October 25th, 2004 (Arrive in Nairobi) – November 2nd (Evening departure from Nairobi)

December 13th, 2004 (Arrive in Nairobi) – December 21st (Evening departure from Nairobi)

The above price includes the following:

1. Half board accommodations at the Karen Blixen Hotel (lunch not included).

2. Internal Flight for sector Kilimanjaro/Nairobi.

3. Transportation including use of 4 x 4 safari vehicle.

4. Airport transfers.

5. Kibo Hotel half board accommodations (lunch not included).

6. This unique climbing itinerary will be led by experienced mountaineers Alex or Ian as your guide.

7. Fully equipped mountain camps, with staff, porters and cooks.

8. Park and camp fees.

9. All food in camps.

Not included:

* Not included are costs of a personal nature such as international air flights, passport and visas, personal insurance (such as health, hospitalization and trip cancellation), accommodation in Nairobi other than specifically indicated, drinks/beverages, gratuities (to the guide and porters), excess baggage charges (on both local and international flights; note the weight restrictions on internal scheduled air service), meals and excursions not specified as being included in the itinerary, communication, laundry, etc

QUESTIONS

Who will typically guide this climb?

The guides locally based in Kenya, know the local conditions extremely well, and are very competent. One has written definitive 'Guide Book to Mount Kenya & Kilimanjaro' while another is East Africa’s leading mountaineer, and rock-climbing ace.  Between them, they have climbed Kilimanjaro over 40 times!

What type of meals will be served?

Healthy, fresh food!

Which route do we climb on this special itinerary?

Approximately 20,000 people attempt Kilimanjaro every year. 15,000 do it  by way of the tourist route from Marangu, Tanzania, and most of the remainder attempt it from Machame, Tanzania. For the individual wanting a unique experience, these routes may be viewed as too congested. On this unique itinerary, led by excellent guides, you will traverse the mountain up the remote northern slopes from Kenya, over the summit, and descend into Tanzania.

What’s so special about this route?

1.      It is not as steep as either the Machame Route or the Shira Plateau Route.  Furthermore, the trail selected crosses some of Kilimanjaro¹s most beautiful country and takes you beneath the spectacular forgotten peak of Kilimanjaro - Mawenzi (16,899 feet);  The third camp is situated directly beneath it¹s dramatic north face.

2.     There will be fewer people… it is quite likely that the first time you will see another tourist  on the mountain will be on the 5th day, when the trail converges with other routes just below the summit.

3.      Acclimatization. A very important subject, the route allows for an extra acclimatization day at 13,600 feet (our camp below Mawenzi).

What don’t we do on Kilimanjaro?

1.     You don’t sleep in huts. Instead, you will be accommodated in clean, healthy tents.

2.     You will not camp in Kilimanjaro’s crater.  The guides feel that this is a dangerous and unnecessary thing to do.  To sleep over 18,000 feet after being on the mountain for a week or less is breaching the rules of acclimatization.

How do we get to Kilimanjaro?

Upon your arrival into Kenya’s capital, Nairobi, you are collected at the airport and driven out to the beautiful Karen Blixen Lodge in the western suburb of Karen (10 miles from the center of Nairobi) or the charming Norfolk Hotel.  Spend your first night in accommodations.

The following day drive for five hours across Kenya’s southern Maasailand in 4x4 safari vehicles to the Tanzanian village of Rongai. Spend your second night in this delightful spot at the base of Kilimanjaro.


How do we return from Kilimanjaro?

From your hotel in the Tanzanian town of Marangu, drive to the Kilimanjaro airport about an hour away.  Here board your scheduled flight to Nairobi, where you are met at the airport and driven to your Hotel where a dayroom will be reserved. In the evening transfer to the airport for your international flight at the appropriate time.

 view in Acrobat PDF format
return to home page