| MARANGU OR COCACOLA ROUTE |
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The Marangu Route is probably followed by nintey percent of all climbers. It has a well defined path, which has been well set out and where most obstacles have been modified to make them ‘climber friendly’. This ia a very scenic route with good views of Mawanzi and excellent prospects of viewing wildlife.
Drive to Kilimanjaro National Park gate at Marangu for the first section of the climb through the mountain forest to Mandara Hut (alt. 2750m) taking 3 to 4 hours.
Overnight Mandara Hut.
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Leaving the forest, you trek along a good path through open grassy moorland to reach Horombo Hut (alt. 3700m) taking 5 to 7 hours.
Overnight Horombo Hut.
Continue ascending past ‘the last water point’ traversing the saddle between Kibo and Mawenzi to Kibo Hut (alt. 4700m) taking 5 to 7 hours.
Overnight Kibo Hut.
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An early start for the summit on steep and heavy scree up to Gilman’s Point (alt. 5681m) on the crater rim to arrive in time for sunrise. Continue on to Uhuru Peak (alt. 5896m), the highest point in Africa. Descend to Horombo Hut for overnight taking 7 or 8 hours ascent and 4 to 7 hours descent.
Overnight Horombo Hut.
Descend the mountain to the Park gate taking 5 to 7 hours to be met and transferred to Moshi / Arusha. |
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The Rongai Route is one of the easiest ascents to the peak. Your first day’s walk is a gradual ascent through the rain forest. The main thing on this route is to watch out for its elephants and cats covering portions of the trail. Time: about 4 hours.
The morning walk is a steady ascent up to the ‘Second Cave’ (alt. 3450m) with superb views of Kibo and the Eastern ice fields on the crater rim. After lunch, leave the main trail and strike out across the moorland on a smaller path towards the jagged peaks of Mawenzi. The campsite is in a sheltered valley with giant Senecios near Kikelewa cave. Time: about 7 hours. |
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A short but steep climb up grassy slopes is rewarded by superb all-round views and a tangible sense of wilderness. Leave the vegetation behind shortly before reaching the next camp at Mawanzi Tarn (alt. 4330m), spectacularly situated in a cirque directly beneath the towering spires of Mawenzi. The afternoon will be free to rest or explore the surrounding area as an aid to acclimatization. Time: 4 hours.
Cross the lunar desert of the ‘Saddle’ between Mawenzi and Kibo to reach Kibo Hut (alt. 4750m) at the bottom of the Kibo crater wall. The remainder of the day is spent resting in preparation for the final ascent before a very early night! Time: 5 hours.
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Begin the final, and by far the steepest and most demanding, part of the climb by torchlight around 1:00am. Proceed very slowly in the darkness on a switchback trail through loose volcanic scree to reach the crater rim at Gillman’s Point (alt. 5685m). Rest there for a short time to enjoy the spectacular glaciers and ice cliffs that still occupy most of the summit area. The descents to Kibo (alt. 4740m) is surprisingly fast and after some refreshments, continue the descent to reach the final campsite at Horombo. Time: About 11 hours.
After breakfast, a steady descent takes us down through moorland to Mandara Hut (alt. 2752m), the first stopping place at the Marangu route. Continue descending through lovely lush forest on a good path to the National Park gate at Marangu. Here you will meet your vehicle which will transport you to Moshi / Arusha. |
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More technical and challenging route, the trek starts with a drive in a 4WD vehicle to the Londorossi gate. After an introduction to your guide and porters followed by registration, drive further in another approximate 2 hours (50 kms) to Simba River where you commence your climb on foot (trekking / hiking) for about 3 to 4 hours, with picnic lunch en-route through giant savannah and vegetations before reaching the Simba campsite (alt. 2500m) for your dinner and overnight.
After breakfast, start climbing through giant savannah with flora and fauna with picnic lunch for about 3 to 4 hours up to the Shira Plateau (alt. 3600m) for dinner and overnight.
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After breakfast, day is spent for an excursion walk around the vast Shira Plateau for an acclimatization walk, a chance to see the beautiful landscape of Kilimanjaro. Picnic lunch boxes are taken en-route returning late afternoon back to the Shira Plateau campsite for dinner and overnight.
After breakfast, start climb through the glaciers and moorland for about 4 to 5 hours, with picnic lunch en-route before arriving at the Lava Tower (alt. 4600m) for dinner and overnight at Lava Tower. (An evening short trekking can be interesting). |
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This very technical route starts with a drive along the Kibosho road near Moshi town up to the Umbwe gate (alt. 1400m). Introduction to your guide and porters before registration. Thereafter start climb with picnic lunch passing through rain forest and giant trees for 4 to 5 hours, arriving for dinner and overnight at Umbwe Hut (alt. 2850m).
After breakfast, with lunch packets start climbing passing through vegetations, easy rocks and small glacier for 5 to 6 hours before arriving for dinner and overnight at Barranco Hut (alt. 3950m).
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After breakfast, with picnic lunch packets, start climbing again through easy rocks and glacier for 4 to 5 hours before arriving for dinner and overnight at Barafu Hut (alt. 4600m).
Very early, around 1:00am, light breakfast and start climb to the summit (alt. 5895m), short rest thereafter descend to Barafu Hut for lunch en-route to Mweka Hut (alt. 3000m).
Final descend to the Mweka gate and transfers to Arusha. |
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This is a technical route for experienced climbers and begins with a drive along Boma Ng’ombe to Sanya Juu up to Londorosi gate (alt 2200m) for registration, drive to the road near Lemosho glades and start the trek through the rain forest, for dinner and overnight at Forest camp (alt. 2440m).
Full day trekking through Shira Caldera and desert plateau, overnight at Shira camp (alt. 3700m).
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Trekking across Shira Plateau, for dinner and overnight at GM II camp
(alt. 3700m).
Trekking 6 to 7 hours through Barranco valley overnight Barranco camp (alt. 3940m) – this day can also be used for altitude acclimatization.
Climb up to Barranco Wall across valleys for dinner and overnight at Karanga camp (alt. 4270m). |
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Day is spent for acclimatization, dinner and overnight at Karanga camp
(alt. 4270m).
Trek to the summit - Uhuru Peak (alt. 5995m) then return (12 – 15 hours) for dinner and overnight at GM III camp (alt. 1100m).
Walk down across the alpine moorland to Mweka gate, say goodbye to your guide and porters, certificates award and onward transfers. |
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| SIRIMON - NARO MORU CROSSOVER (Challenging Trek) |
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This is the most common traverse on Mt. Kenya. Unless preferred, camping is not necessary as accommodation is available in a lodge and mountain huts throughout the trip. Although the trip offers reasonably good chances of reaching the summit, those who may not manage the challenge can cross over via the easier summit circuit trail and join up with other hikers at the Mackinder's Camp or consider adding on a day at Shipton's 4200m to acclimatize better ahead of the summit.
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Morning transfer from Nairobi, arriving at Mountain Rock Lodge for lunch
Drive to Sirimon Park gate (2600m). On completion of park entry formalities, begin a 3-4 hour hike through forest. Ascend 700m bypassing the bamboo, rosewood and heather zones to Old Moses camp. The forest is home to hundreds of buffaloes, elephants, bushbucks and many bird species.
Dinner and overnight at Old Moses Camp (3300m)
A long day leading to the base of the high peaks. The trek is largely through the moorlands and the Mackinder Valley, with good views of the main peaks and a brief stopover for picnic lunch. Total walking time is approx. 7 hours gaining 900m in altitude.
Dinner and Overnight at Shipton's Hut (4200m)
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Pre-dawn attempt of the summit starts at 0300hrs and you hike for about 3 hours up steep scree slopes and across rugged rocks up to Pt. Lenana (4985m), the hikers' summit. Then down through Lewis Glacier up to the Austrian Hut to join to the Naromoru track and descend for 2 hours to Mackinder's Camp for breakfast then have the rest of the day at leisure.
Dinner and overnight at Mackinder's Camp (4300m)
Leaving early, you gradually descend for 4-5 hours through the moorlands and the lower vertical bog up to the Met Station, from where you walk down on a wide dirt road leading to the Naromoru Park gate (2600m) where you meet our vehicle. You are then transferred back to Mountain Rock Lodge for a hot shower and lunch, and then back to Nairobi. |
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| SIRIMON ROUTE (Family Trek) |
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A more gradual trek to the summit, traversing areas of rich forest cover before emerging into the sprawling moorlands. This hike is usually rated as the easiest among the short trips and is quite popular with persons attempting to reach an altitude exceeding 4000m for the first time. It’s a good choice for large trekking groups as it follows the same trail up and down, making it convenient for those who are unable to reach the summit to stay behind at lower camps to wait for the rest of the group to complete the trip then descend together. Unless preferred, camping is not necessary as accommodation is available in a lodge and mountain huts throughout the trip.
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Morning transfer from Nairobi, arriving at Mountain Rock Lodge for lunch. In the afternoon is a nature walk (3 - 4 hours) through the forest to the MauMau caves, the former hideouts for Kenya's pre-independence guerrilla fighters who fought against the British colonial masters. The escort naturalist guide for the trek talks about their history and the flora and fauna of the forest.
Dinner and overnight at Mountain Rock Lodge
Depart at 1000hrs to be transferred to Sirimon Park gate. From here, hike through montane forest, bamboo and rosewood up to the Old Moses Hut, gaining an elevation range of 700m in 3-4 hours. Dinner and Overnight at Old Moses Hut (3300m) |
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| SIRIMON/ CHOGORIA ROUTE (Scenic Trek) |
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Transfer from Nairobi to Mountain Rock Lodge on the western slopes of Mt Kenya. Options for horse riding, fishing and forest natural history walk in afternoon. Here at 2,000m you begin acclimatization as you relax and prepare for the trek.
Short drive, crossing the equator en-route, to the Sirimon Park Gate. Trek up through magnificent virgin forests, bamboo and giant heather zones before reaching the high altitude moorland and our first hut, “Old Moses” at 3,340m. This first day's gentle trek takes 3 - 4 hours and climbs 690m.
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Up the spectacular Mackinder Valley past strange giant Groundsel and Lobelia plants to emerge onto what looks like a set from Star Trek - Shipton's Camp at 4,236m. A surreal setting below the towering peaks and glaciers, with its resident population of bizarre rock hyrax.
Early start to reach Pt Lenana at 4,895m for sunrise. The climb starts on frozen scree and continues on a rocky track with some very minor scrambling. With a good moon you barely need a torch. Without a moon, then the pollution-free sky, bang on the equator, gives you as good a view of the stars as almost anywhere on Earth. The climb takes between 3 and 5 hours and to add to the exhilaration Kilimanjaro is usually visible on the horizon. A further 3 hours down to Hall Tarns in the magnificent Gorges Valley for breakfast then a further gentle descent down the Gorges Valley past spectacular chasms, waterfalls and weirdly eroded lava flows to hot showers and log fires in Mt. Kenya huts. Wildlife viewing in evening - often from your cabin window as the elephant and buffalo graze outside!
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Descent on a broad track through bamboo and virgin rain forest to meet vehicles for the return to Nairobi – usually arriving mid to late afternoon
Our price includes:
• Transport from Nairobi to Mountain Rock Lodge
• Transport from Mountain Rock Lodge to the mountain and back
• Accommodation in mountain huts or tents when camping
• Services of guide, cook and porters
• All National Park entrance and camp site fees
• Breakfasts, lunches (packed if necessary) and evening meals prepared by our own cook
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| NGORONGORO HIGHLANDS TREK |
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Arusha – Ngorongoro
We drive from Arusha town with our lunch boxes via Makuyuni and Mto wa mbu village straight to Ngorongoro Conversation Area.
Attraction:
The jewel in Ngorongoro crown is a deep volcanic crater the largest unfolded claderd in the world 19.2 km in diameter, 610 deep and 304 square km in area.
Subsequently awarded world heritage site and international biosphere reserve status, the Ngorongoro ranges in altitude from 1,020m to 3,587m.
The rich pasture and permanent water of the crater flood supports a large resident population of wildlife up to 25,000 predominantly grazing animals and predators.
Accommodation:
Dinner and Overnight at Ngorongoro on the rim of crater
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Nainokanoka – Bulati (22km)
We drive beyond Ngorongoro crater for 45 minutes to Nainokanoka village, we prepare donkeys and take one armed ranger then we start our trekking with our lunch boxes from Nainokanoka village via Olmoti crater, Embulubul depression to Bulati campsite.
Attraction:
The rim of Olmoti crater is at 3,700 metres but the crater itself is relatively shallows. The grassy caldera is home to bush buck, some times buffalos along with the Masaai and their livestock. Water flows across the crater to the south side where pours out through a cleft is a small but spectacular water falls known as Munge Sreams.
Accommodation:
Dinner and Overnight at Bulati Campsite
(At Bulati there is toilet facilities but no possibility of taking shower due to lack of water) |
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Bulati – Embakai (15km)
After breakfast we start our trekking from Bulati campsite to Embakai crater with out lunch boxes.
Attraction:
The 300 meter deep 6 km wide, Embakai crater is dominated by a very deep sopa like which occupies nearly half the floor. Water birds such as the black winged stilt, cape teal and flamingo inhabit its shores. Much of the 32 km crater rim of Embakai can be walked and provides spectacular views, wildlife is often seen around the lake.
Accommodation:
Dinner and Overnight at Embakai Campsite
(At Embakai there is no toilet facilities we save in nature in the bushes also no possibility of taking shower) |
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Embakai – Accacia (17 km)
After breakfast we start our trekking from the rim of Embakai crater via Nayobi village to Accacia.
Attraction:
The nature of yellow backed acacia, the view of Oldonyo Lengai the active mountain and Lake Natron and activities of Maasai tribes.
Accommodation:
Dinner and Overnight at Accacia Campsite
(At Embakai there is no toilet facilities we save in nature in the bushes also no possibility of taking shower) |
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Accacia/Engarasero village (6 km )
After breakfast we start our trekking with our lunch boxes from accasia campsite straight to the base of the great rift valley the place where we rich our vehicle, so that the donkeys and Maasai they go back, but this will take two days for them to rich Nainokanoka village again. We park our luggage into our vehicle then we drive for short dry plain to Kamakia campsite.
Attraction:
Rift valley
Rift valley running from the North Africa to the South.
Rift valley is one of the most remarkable features of the entire earth crust; it is also geologically phenomenon that has not repeated anywhere else on earth.
Rift valley it’s a long chasm which begins in the foothill of the Turkeys mountain run through Jordan and form the valley of the river Jordan and dead sea goes under the red sea and splits the mountain of Ethiopia into two parts finally ending in Malawi: The valley is hot, dry plain in certain parts you can find the volcanic rubbles, poudary ground, there the remainings of soda takes but they have no water running out of them.
Such example of this lake is Manyara, lake Eyasi and lake Natron.
Accommodation:
At kamakia campsite there is shower, toilets, soft drinks and beer. |
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Lake Natron – Arusha
After breakfast short walking to the lake Natron for bird watching, and for the water falls. Later on depart with lunch box and drive back to Arusha
Attraction:
Lake Natron:
This extremely alkaline lake is a major source of food for flamingos, who thrive on the algac which grows there Lake Natron, just outside the Ngorongoro conservation area to the north-east, is the largest breeding ground in East Africa for flamingos. |
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