This is a guaranteed departure, 5 people already signed up.  8 day/7 night climb by Lemosho/Western Breach/Crater Camp route.  Please contact us for pricing information.

September 17, 2010

Afternoon or evening arrival and pickup at Kilimanjaro International Airport. Overnight at a lodge in Usa River such as Mount Meru Game Lodge.  All meals included starting with late supper tonight. 

http://www.intimate-places.com/lodge/special.htm

Sept 18  Climb briefing and individual gear check with your guide.  If desired a 2-3 hour village or forest walk can be arranged from the lodge.  Overnight at the same lodge.

Sept 19 Mountain Day 1 – Forest Camp (8,817')

From town we drive several hours over highways, then dirt roads, and finally narrow dirt tracks to the Londorosi Gate where you will sign in with the rangers.  A short drive further to Lemosho Glades brings us to meet your porters and start the hike. From here we’ll walk about 4 hours through the forest to our camp. A picnic lunch will be provided during our hike.  In the forest, exotic moss and flowers delight the eye while bird calls entertain the ear.  You may see signs of the elephants that travel in this area. 

Sept 20 Mountain Day 2 – Shira Camp (11,502')

Our views open as we leave the Montane Forest and enter the Hagenia zone.  This is a good acclimatization hike of 6-9 hours as we climb high before descending to camp.

Sept 21 Mountain Day 3 – Moir Camp (~13,650')

Our hike will take us across the Shira Plateau and onto the western slope of the Kibo Massif.  Hike around 5-6 hours through the Heath zone of the Shira Plateau, a World Heritage Site.  Picnic lunch en route.  Camp will be in the upper heath zone.  Acclimatization walk in the late afternoon around camp.

Sept 22  Mountain Day 4 – Lava Tower Camp (~15,214') 

Today we hike about 3-4 hours to our camp near the Lava Tower, a volcanic lava plug on Kilimanjaro's flanks.   We enter the alpine zone, where plant life becomes much smaller and the landscape rocky and volcanic.  If time and weather permit, we'll have a short acclimatization hike after lunch in camp, or scramble up Lava Tower itself.

Sept 23 Mountain Day 5 – Arrow Glacier Camp (~15,960')

Today's hike is short, allowing us plenty of time to acclimatize at this high altitude.  The terrain and altitude make for much slower hiking as we ascend about 3 hours to Arrow Glacier Camp.  The Western Breach is visible above us in all its imposing glory. 

Sept 24 Mountain Day 6 – Western Breach to Crater Camp (~18,769') 

After an early start (5 AM) and about an hour of hiking by headlamp, we will wind our way slowly up the Western Breach route to the crater rim of Kilimanjaro, about 7-8 hours of hiking due to the altitude despite the short distance.  Although the Breach does not have any technical climbing, it is steep and has some areas of scrambling where you use your hands to help you up rocky areas.  Once in the Crater, if time permits we might explore the inner crater and the ash pit. This route puts you in Crater Camp early enough in the day to maximize your chance of seeing the inner crater and ash pit.  Our Camp has wonderful view of the Crater's glaciers, and it is amazing to walk over to and around the nearest one.  

Sept 25 Mountain Day 7 – Summit and Mweka Camp (up to 19,340', down to 10,448')

Summit day. We will start our ascent to the summit (19,340ft - 5,896m) usually around 6:00 AM and reach the summit in under 2 hours. After taking in the view from Uhuru Peak we’ll begin the long descent down to Barafu Hut for lunch and then to our camp at Mweka Camp.  Hiking poles will help protect your knees on this steep descent.  A long day, around 8-11 hours usually.

Sept 26 Mountain Day 8 – Mweka Park Gate

We make the final descent to the trail head today, only 3-4 hours hiking. Here we will have lunch and say goodbye to our mountain crew before leaving Mount Kilimanjaro and heading back to town.  Overnight in Usa River Mount Meru Game Lodge again.

Prices include all meals starting with supper first day and ending with lunch on departure day, lodging (double occupancy unless requested and quoted otherwise), transport, guides, park fees (although they are subject to any government increases after the time of pricing/booking, which must be passed to clients).  Prices exclude airfare, travel visas, personal items, beverages in lodges, and tips.

Sept 27  Transfer to the airport for your flights home, Or stay on to help with the volunteer service project

Sept 28   Service project,

Sept 29  Drive 2-3 hours to Lake Manyara National Park at the edge of the Rift Valley escarpment. A variety of wildlife live here, including the elusive tree-climbing lions.   Afternoon game drive inside Lake Manyara Park.  Shop for souvenirs in Mto wa Mbu village market if desired.  Overnight at Bougainvillea Lodge.  www.bougainvillealodge.net

Sept 30  Game drive en route to Serengeti National Park.  Overnight in a seasonal tented camp in the Serengeti.

Oct 1  Game drive, exploring Serengeti National Park.  Overnight same location.

Oct 2  Very early departure for Ngorongoro Crater are and game drive inside the Crater. Overnight at Bougainvillea Lodge.

Oct 3   Return to Arusha and Usa River village.  Lunch en route.  Shop for souvenirs, gifts, art, colorful local fabrics, etc.  To Kilimanjaro International Airport for evening flights home.