MOUNT KILIMANJARO 24 FEB - 3 MAR 2012 / Optional Zanzibar 3 Mar-9 Mar - Group Travel

This tour is booked and we're just waiting for more folks to join us. The more who go, the less expensive it will be but we're already going for sure. This will be a great time! We're staying in Arushu the night before and the night after our expedition where the nightlife is abundant. Come join us!

7 day Machame Route. Along with the Marangu route, the Machame Route is the most popular on the mountain. This is probably the most scenic and most beautiful route to the summit. Climbers spend good time in each of the vegetation zones on the mountain, seeing some impressive sights along the way such as the Shira Cathedral on the Shira Plateau, the Lava Tower at the foot of the Western Breach and the Barranco Valley on the southern slopes. A climb takes approx 7 days and there is plenty of opportunity to extend this. Traditionally the summit is reached from Stella Point but it can also be reached via the difficult Western Breach should you wish. The route is moderate with a few sections that will get the heart pumping a bit more.

7 Day Machame route:
Day 1: Arrive at Kilimanjaro airport and transfer to your hotel in Moshi / Arusha - depending on the package chosen. Pre-climb briefing. Overnight.
It is possible to book additional nights at the hotel before or after the climb at additional cost.

Day 2: Drive to the Machame village (1490m). From here a forest track sometimes requiring a 4WD vehicle leads to the Machame gate. Walk along forest trails to the Machame camping area. (2980m, 7 hours).

Day 3: You rise early and after breakfast you climb an hour or so to the top of the forest and then for 2 hours at a gentler gradient through the moorland zone. After a short lunch and rest, you continue up a rocky ridge onto the Shira plateau and after a short hike you will reach the Shira campsite. (3,840m, 6 hours) Enjoy dinner and overnight.

Day 4: The moorlands soon come to an end and the rocky path leads amongst outcrops to the Lava Tower (4600m, 4 hours). Climb high, sleep low, descend and overnight at Barranco camp. (3950m, 7 hours).

Day 5: After breakfast you leave Barranco through the Karanga valley for a 6 hour walk. We overnight at Karanga camp at an elevation of 4,040m.

Day 6: After breakfast you leave the camp for a 3 to 4 hour walk. We overnight at Barafu camp at an elevation of 4600m.

By choosing this 7 day option, you will have much more time to rest and prepare before attempting the summit the following day. The additional day & night on the mountain also allow your body more time to acclimatize, reducing the effects of altitude sickness. Rest, have dinner & prepare for your summit assault. Retire to your tent early as you will be woken at midnight.

Day 7: The summit night on Kilimanjaro will be your greatest test. Listen to your guide, walk slowly, "close your eyes" one step at a time and remember at sunrise you will have conquered the greatest peak on the African continent!! This is the most strenuous day. Dress warmly; your guide will lead you 'pole pole' to Stella point (5,745m). Continue to Uhuru peak (5,895m) after about 6 hours you will summit the roof of Africa! From here you descend to Mweka hut (3,100m). Reach the hut after 5 hours walk for the last night on Kilimanjaro.

Day 8: After breakfast you do the final descent to Mweka park gate, an approximate 4 hours downhill walk.

Successful climbers receive their summit certificate for making it to the top. Return to Moshi/Arusha for nightlife & overnight in hotel.

Day 9: Check out after breakfast for a transfer to Kilimanjaro airport for your flight to to your next destination.

This is an "all-inclusive" tour that is guided. Go to: http://www.climbingkilimanjaro.com/tanzania-travel-info.php for more info. Contact Nikki at the following email address: info@climbingkilimanjaro.com and she will provide all the info you need.

After the kil Climb I will be going to Zanzibar 3-9 March. Have booked a flight on Precision Air for $272 USD roundtrip from Kilimanjaro Airport to Zanzibar. Haven't finalized a hotel yet but found a mid-range priced hotel in Stonetown near all the action for $66 USD/Night. Will be booking the hotel by the end of November while waiting on others who may have input into the hotel ideas. Plan on SCUBA/snorkeling, sightseeing, shopping, beach time, & enjoying the nightlife on Zanzibar.

MOUNT KILIMANJARO 24 FEB - 3 MAR 2012 / Optional Zanzibar 3 Mar-9 Mar