CAREFUL ACCLIMATIZATION

The single biggest reason why people fail to summit is because they have not acclimatized well. We have lots of information on how to avoid altitude sickness but there are three key points to remember.

📌First is go slowly. No matter how fit you are, if you go too quickly the risk of getting altitude sickness goes up. You will always hear our guides advising “Pole Pole”, swahili for slowly, slowly. As a good measure of your speed, if you cannot manage a conversation comfortably you are going fast.

📌Second is hydration, the really serious problems caused by altitude are due to changes in pressure. This happens badly in the lungs where fluid from your blood leaks into your lungs giving pneumonia like symptoms. It also happens in your skull where fluid moves from your brain into the gap between the brain and the skull causing pressure headaches. If you are poorly hydrated you will increase the risk that this becomes a problem.

📌And third is consider taking Diamox. This is a drug that is proven to help the body acclimatise to altitude faster. It is not a cure though and you can still get ill taking it. For most people though it is a safe way to reduce the risk of getting ill. You will need to see your doctor to obtain a prescription for Diamox. He can assess you personally for suitability.

HOW TO AVOID ALTITUDE SICKNESS ON KILIMANJARO
Altitude sickness, also called Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS), hypobaropathy and soroche, is an illness caused by exposure to the low air pressure, especially low partial pressure of oxygen, which many climbers experience at high altitudes. AMS is caused by exerting yourself at high altitudes, especially if you have not been properly acclimatised. It is most common at altitudes above 2400 metres. Kilimanjaro’s peak is nearly 6000 metres above sea level. At this height, the air pressure (and the amount of oxygen it contains) is less than half that at sea level, and has been said to be comparable to ‘working with only one lung’. AMS can be serious, especially as it can be debilitating, and it generally occurs far from places where medical treatment can be easily administered.

Not everyone suffers from AMS, of course, and it is very difficult to predict who is or is not vulnerable to it. Generally speaking, a fit person is less vulnerable than an unfit person, because their cardiovascular system can operate at low pressures longer without as much strain. Even so, anyone can be vulnerable at altitudes above 3500 metres, no matter their fitness level, if they have not spent some time getting used to the low atmospheric pressures first. Undoubtedly the best way to see how you are going to react to high altitude is to go high and try to do some exercises. For most of us that isn’t an option so a good alternative is to have a session with a specialist altitude training company that have equipment that simulates the effects of altitude.

AVOIDING AMS
1. Walk high, sleep low. It is best to gradually climb higher each day, then descend lower to sleep. This lets you gradually become accustomed to lower pressures, and then recover somewhat overnight.

2. Slow and steady. You need to keep your respiration rate low enough to maintain a normal conversation. If you are panting or breathing hard, you must slow down. Overworking your heart and lungs substantially increases your chance of becoming ill.

3. Drink much more water than you think you need. Proper hydration helps acclimatisation dramatically. You need to drink at least three litres each day. As dehydration presents many of the same symptoms as altitude sickness, your chances of being allowed to continue are best if you stay hydrated.

4. Diamox. The general consensus of the research is that Diamox is helpful in avoiding AMS. We use it when climbing Kilimanjaro. We recommend you google Diamox and its effects yourself. It is a prescription drug, and you should consult with your doctor before taking it.


EFFECTS OF EXPOSURE TO LOW ATMOSPHERIC PRESSURE

1. Low oxygen saturation

At high altitudes and low pressures, each breath takes in less oxygen, and transfers less to the blood. Blood with low levels of oxygen is said to be poorly saturated. Having slightly low oxygen saturation can lead to fatigue and feeling breathless. Severe low oxygen saturation can cause impaired mental functions, reduce your decision making ability, and have other dangerous effects. All our guides have pulse-oxymeters to check your oxygen saturation daily.

2. Cerebral oedema

Severely reduced air pressure can cause fluid to collect in the sinuses and air cavities in the skull. Initially it presents as a mild headache, but can eventually cause disorientation, coma and even death. Cerebral oedema can present very suddenly, and is an extremely serious medical issue.

3. Pulmonary oedema

This is caused by reduced air pressure in the lungs. Fluid sometimes begins to seep from the lung tissues into the air spaces of the lungs, making breathing even more difficult. This often presents like pneumonia, and is most likely to occur during sleep.


HOW TO RECOGNISE AMS
AMS does not present as a slow, gradual worsening of lesser altitude-related symptoms like breathlessness or headache. It is in fact generally a rapid, dramatic onset of symptoms that can render a person unable to walk or take care of themselves at all.

Our guides are trained to recognize AMS and apply the appropriate first aid. They will monitor your blood oxygen saturation and evaluate your overall acclimatization, but it is vital that you monitor and report your condition accurately, for everyone’s safety.


OUR CLIENT DESCENT PROTOCOL
If our guides believe you may be in poor health or that allowing you to continue the climb may be dangerous, they will require you to begin your descent immediately. If that decision is made, it will be according to this protocol:



1) Measuring your oxygen saturation
If it is below 80%, then you will be required to submit to another test every half hour, for the next two hours. If your saturation does not rise to at least 75%, you will be required to descend immediately. If your saturation is at least 75%, you will be allowed to continue subject to close monitoring. If your condition worsens you must notify your guide immediately, and begin the descent.



2) Evaluation on the Lake Louise Scale
If your score is between 6 and 8 then the guide will consider whether you can continue based on your score, oxygen saturation levels, pulse rate and overall well-being. If you are allowed to continue, you will be monitored closely for the duration of the ascent. If your condition worsens you must notify your guide immediately, and begin the descent. If your Lake Louise Score is higher than 8, you must descend immediately.

📌Lunch stop Each morning you will be woken at 6:00 or 6:30 (depending on the day) with a cup of coffee or tea followed by hot water in a basin for personal washing.
A hot breakfast will be served at 07:00 or 07:30 (again depending on the day). On clear mornings, this time of the day is a good opportunity for you to take photos of the area and Mt Kilimanjaro as the weather may change by mid-day and become misty or foggy.
You will normally walk for some hours and have lunch on the way on most days. You will be served a *hot lunch set at a table and chairs for your extra comfort and convenience.

📌A private toilet will also be available for you at lunchtime and at the camp each night and morning (Most other companies provide a box lunch that you eat on the nearest rock and a private toilet is an extra charge). On other days, depending on how long your hike is, your lunch will be served at the camp where you will spend the night.

Our menus are always improving and we always have new dishes being introduced accordingly and you can have any of special requirements before climb even if you aren’t a vegetarian. What about have birthday cakes during the climb or a Christmas, New Year cards and cakes at the top of Kilimanjaro! Come with us to experience the authentic nature.

Foot On Kili has an experienced mountain chefs who prepare delicious and palatable food for your health to manage succeed to the Mount Kilimanjaro summit.

Provided that human body develops tendency of losing appetite in high altitude one should force him/herself to eat and drink as much as he/she can to put the body fit. Good food and plenty of drinking water are essential ingredients, both physically and psychologically, to make your climb rewarding. At high altitudes, drinking a lot of water is essential for your health and helps preventing altitude sicknesses. Take as many as you can as we provide both of them in plenty.

Please let us know in advance if there is any special dietary request (s) e.g. vegetarian, we are happy to cater for this as well. The fruits are always added in our highest quality ingredients using the fresh season fruits.

Our mountain cuisine normally includes the following:
Three healthy prepared meals a day that is (Breakfast, Picnic Lunch and Hot Dinner). We control at our best things like fats red meat and cholesterol in our cooking oil.
Speciality food like dried fruits, chocolates and cheeses. The cooler boxes keep our food in a fresh order throughout the trekking period.

Please find the list of menu items in our Kilimanjaro Menu.

📌Breakfast: Fruit Juice, Fruit, Cereal/Porridge, Eggs bread/French-toast/Plain-toast/Pancakes, Sausages, Margarine, Jam/Honey, Tea/Coffee/Drinking chocolate. Boiled egg, spinach omelette or fried egg with beacon and bread.
Snacks: Peanuts/Crisps/Popcorn/Cookies.

📌Lunch: Sliced Carrot and Cucumber stripes, Avocado slices, Boiled egg, Vegetable/Meat cutlets, Sandwiches (Egg/ Cheese/Tomato/Tuna/Meat/Peanut butter), Fruit. Boiled egg, salami sandwich, cheese, French toast Macaroni and meat sauce and bread.

📌Dinner: Soup of the day, Bread, Salad, Rice/Pasta/Potatoes, Chicken/Meat, Mixed Vegetables (Carrot/French -Beans/Cabbage), Lentils, Fruit Salad, Fruit with custard, Tea/Coffee/Milo/Drinking chocolate. Spaghetti with meat sauce or fish with rice, Fried beef with roast potatoes, rice, carrots, cabbage. Roast chicken with vegetable, fried rice, green pepper, carrots.

📌ON WAY TO THE SUMMIT (midnight snack) – Hot Chocolate, Tea or coffee and biscuits, orange squash or soup.
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A trek to Kilimanjaro’s summit, Uhuru Peak 5,895m, will possibly be the most incredible experience in your life time.

With that in mind you will want to ensure that your body is in the right physical condition before you make the attempt, you have packed the necessary items, you have the proper documents and travel insurance and you have consulted with your doctor regarding vaccinations.

The following information will help you be well prepared for your climb:

* Health
* Training
* What to Pack
* Passport & Visa

Good equipment starts with your feet. Do not turn up for your climb in a shiny new pair of boots. Make sure your boots are well worn in and are comfortable. After your feet make sure you are looking after your head. On the lower slopes you will need something that provides good sun protection. For summit night you need a really warm beanie or even balaclava. These can double up as a nightcap on really cold nights. Finally, think about clothing layers. The daily temperature variation can be as much as 35 degrees. The best way of coping with this is with layering rather than relying on one single jacket. Also, we strongly recommend gaiters and mittens. Kilimanjaro is very dusty and a boot full of dust is very uncomfortable. And we have not found a pair of gloves that are really warm enough for summit night so make sure to pack mittens or over-mittens. Other critical items are a 4 season sleeping bag, trekking poles for the descent, a head torch for the night climb, a comfortable day pack and lots and lots of high factor sunscreen.

OUR EQUIPMENT RECOMMENDATIONS FOR CLIMBING KILIMANJARO

📌BASIC EQUIPMENT

Waterproof duffle bag: 

To carry your main gear we recommend using a 110-120L duffle bag.

➡️Daypack: 

Your main gear will be carried by a porter (up to 15kg) .You will need to carry your own daypack. 30-40L is sufficient. We recommend Osprey day packs.

➡️Sleeping bag: 

You will need a 4-season or -20 Deg C sleeping bag and compression sack. We recommend Mountain Hardwear or The North Face sleeping bags. You can hire sleeping bags from our team in Tanzania

➡️Trekking poles: 

Trekking poles can reduce the impact on your joints by up to 20%. They are great for going down Kili! We recommend adjustable Black Diamond trekking poles

➡️Water bottles: 

Capacity to carry at least 2 litres of water. Wide-mouthed nalgene bottles are required as they are less likely to freeze than bladders. A neoprene cover is advisable to help insulate the bottle at higher elevations

📌HEAD

➡️Sun hat: 

Preferably wide-brimmed for protection, and with a neck cover if you aren’t going to be using a neck gaiter

➡️Warm beanie style hat: 

Go for a version of beanie that is either knitted or fleeced for extra warmth. Thin enough to fit under your climbing helmet

➡️Neck gaiter or balaclava: 

It can get dusty on Kilimanjaro. We recommend bringing a neck gaiter or bandana. The most versatile options are made by Buff or Hoo-Rag Headwear

➡️Sunglasses: 

Choose a pair of high UV protection glasses as sun intensity above 4,500m is very high. Julbo are a great mountain sunglass brand but any brand with high UV protection will suffice

➡️Headlamp: 

You will need a headlamp with good light output for any late night toilet journeys, and importantly for summit night. Petzl make market-leading and affordable headlamps

📌HANDS AND FEET

➡️Lightweight gloves: 

For daily use we recommend lightweight, fleece or quick drying fabric gloves. Berghaus and The North Face make good lightweight gloves

➡️Summit mittens: 

Insulated heavyweight mittens with safety straps that fit over your liner gloves to provide additional warmth and wind protection. They have to be warm and extremely weather-proof

➡️Socks: 

3-4 pairs of outer socks and 2-3 pairs of liner socks. We also recommend bringing 1 x thick thermal socks for summit night. Merino wool is the best material and Bridgedale or Smartwool make good trekking socks

➡️Training shoes: 

To wear around camp after a day’s trek we recommend bringing a pair of training shoes or sandals

➡️Trekking boots: 

We recommend using a mid-weight trekking boots with good ankle support. Recommended brands include: Salomon, Scarpa, Hi-Tec and Merrell

➡️Gaiters: 

Help keep your trousers clean in wet and muddy or dusty conditions.

📌UPPER BODY

➡️Thermal base layer: 

2 x thermal base layer, ideally made from merino wool. No cotton. Recommended brand is Icebreaker

➡️Long sleeved shirt:

Go for a light or medium weight, moisture wicking long sleeve shirt (x2). Icebreaker, Berghaus and Under Armour make great breathable trekking shirts.

➡️Fleece or Soft shell jacket: 

A mid-weight polartec fleece jacket is ideal for Kilimanjaro. Berghaus, Helly Hansen and The North Face all make great fleeces

➡️Hard shell outer jacket: 

A water/windproof hard shell outer jacket to protect you from the elements. Goretex material is best. Recommended brands include The North Face, Arc’teryx, Berghaus and Mountain Hardwear

➡️Insulated jacket: 

A good quality and warm down or primaloft jacket is required for the cold nights and summit push. Recommended brands include The North Face, Rab, Arc’Teryx and Mountain Hardwear

📌LEGS

➡️Base layer: 

‘Lightweight’ or ‘silk weight’ base layer for your legs. Merino wool is preferable. Recommended brand is Icebreaker

➡️Trekking trousers: 

Light or medium weight (x1) trekking trousers. Convertible trousers are an option. Recommended brands include Crag hoppers and Columbia

➡️Hard shell trousers: 

To protect yourself from the elements you need a good pair of waterproof / windproof hard shell trousers. Ideally Goretex. Patagonia, The North Face and Arc’teryx make good outer trousers

📌ODDS AND SODS

➡️Sun and lip screen: 

High SPF sunscreen and lip protection balm. SPF 40 or higher

➡️Toothbrush and toothpaste: 

Ideally travel size

➡️Wet wipes and hand sanitizer: 

Staying clean on an Aconcagua climb can be challenging. Wet wipes and hand sanitizer are a huge help

➡️Personal medicines and medical kit: 

We recommend bringing Paracetamol and Imodium at a minimum

➡️Pee bottle (optional): 

Useful for late night toilet needs when it is freezing outside

➡️Ear plugs: 

For light sleepers. Snoring can be pretty bad in camp

➡️Personal snacks: 

Boiled sweets, nuts, energy bars and dried fruit are all a good shout

➡️Dry bag: 

Only required if your main duffle bag or rucksack is not waterproof. Sturdy rubble sacks will also help to keep your kit dry

➡️Camera and spare batteries: 

Unless you are a keen photographer we recommend taking a good quality and lightweight point and shoot camera like the Panasonic Lumix.

➡️Plug adapter: 

A plug adapter for charging your devices in the hotels before and after the climb. The standard voltage and frequency in Argentina is 220 V and 50 Hz respectively. The power sockets that are used are of type C and I

STAYING WELL HYDRATED AND EATING PLENTY

Mount Kilimanjaro

Each day as you climb Kilimanjaro you will burn about 4000 calories. This is almost double your normal intake. On summit night you will burn well over 6000 calories. And as mountaineers say, you need to fuel the climb! So even if you have lost your appetite because of the effects of altitude you have to keep eating. Our menus are designed to be varied and really tasty but even if you don’t feel hungry you must eat. Before you travel to Tanzania find a number of snacks that you really enjoy. Bring a good and varied supply. Even if you love Mars Bars, you can find that when you are faced with your third in a night they are not quite so appetising.


Drinking plenty is even more important than eating. In the cold, dry air it is very easy to become dehydrated. Symptoms of dehydration are very similar to altitude sickness. It is not uncommon for someone to descend and then find that all they needed was lots of water. You will be given 2 litres of water daily. There will also be unlimited amounts of hot drinks at breakfast and dinner. You must ensure that you keep drinking. As a good guide, if your pee is yellow you are under-hydrated and need to drink more.

HOW TO TAKE CARE ON KILIMANJARO

HOW TO TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF ON KILIMANJARO
AVOIDING DIARRHOEA
Make sure that your hygiene is as good as possible to avoid picking up a stomach upset. Needless to say, a bout of diarrhoea can make a week-long strenuous ascent unpleasant or even impossible.

On the climb itself, we make sure that your food is pure and uncontaminated, and that all of your water is treated with WaterGuard purification tablets. Before your trek, though, you will have to protect yourself.

Make sure you follow these simple rules at all times:


If you aren’t absolutely certain water is pure, do not drink it.
Wash your hands thoroughly after using the toilet, and before eating or handling food of any kind.
Do not eat raw vegetables or salads. Cooked, preferably boiled veggies only.
Avoid any cold drinks, and ice of any kind.

Water from sealed bottles is generally fine, as are fizzy drinks, wine and beer. Hot tea and coffee are good, as they have just been boiled.

If you do get diarrhoea, the most important thing you can do is to stay hydrated. The best thing to drink is a rehydration solution like Dioralyte. Read more about dehydration below.

Over the counter medicines like Immodium (or anything containing loperamide) are only for short term, mild diarrhoea. Some doctors recommend taking a single, 500mg dose of Ciprofxin, or any ciprofloxacin antibiotic in an emergency situation. This is a prescription medicine, and you should discuss it with your doctor before your trip.


➡️PREVENTING DEHYDRATION
Even if you avoid diarrhoea, you can easily become dehydrated at high altitudes. The lower air pressure forces you to breathe more quickly and deeply, and you lose a lot of water through your lungs. You will also be exerting yourself, and sweating.

The upshot is, as you might expect, that you’ll have to drink more water. You need to drink at least 3 litres of fluids every day while climbing. Even when you don’t feel thirsty you have to drink this amount as a minimum – preferably more. This is particularly important on the final day when you attempt the summit and could mean the difference between success or failure.


On summit night you should drink at least ½ litre (preferably a whole litre) before you set off. We will also supply you with 2 litres of water to fill your own water bottles or hydration bladder. Make sure it doesn’t freeze! Wrapping the bottles in thick socks or otherwise insulating them is usually enough.


Stay on the look-out for signs of dehydration in yourself and your fellow climbers. The most common symptoms include thirst, dry lips, nose or mouth, headache and feeling fatigued or lethargic. If you think you may be dehydrated, there are two ways to tell:

The colour of your urine. Clear or light straw-coloured urine means you are probably not dehydrated. Yellow or orange wee means you haven’t been drinking enough, and you need to up your fluid intake quickly.
Pinch or press firmly on an area of exposed skin. If it doesn’t spring back instantly, or stays pale and bloodless for more than a second or two, you are probably dehydrated.

One last thing – remember to keep drinking on the way down the mountain, as well.


➡️SUNBURN AND UV PROTECTION
While a high climb is hardly a day at the seaside, you will be vulnerable to sunburn if not properly protected. The thin atmosphere at high altitudes blocks much less of the sun’s UV rays, even on cloudy days.

The three most important things you can do to avoid sunburn are:


Apply SPF 30 or higher sunscreen to your face, nose and ears at least 30 minutes before going out into the sun, and reapply regularly. High SPF lip balm is also a must.
Wear a wide-brimmed hat that shades your face, nose and ears.
Wear UV-protective sunglasses, category 2-4.

At higher altitudes the sun’s rays are intensified and even on a cloudy day they can penetrate through and still burn you. And don’t forget that the sun is at its strongest between 10:00-14:00 hours each day.


➡️EATING WELL
Many climbers experience loss of appetite at high altitudes. This is a real problem, as you will be burning an extra 2000 or more calories a day, and not replacing them can cause real problems, especially when you attempt the summit.

Just like staying hydrated, you have to eat heartily even if you aren’t hungry. Meals heavy in carbohydrates are best, because they are easier to digest at high altitudes and provide long-term energy.


The summit ascent is different. You won’t have a big, heavy meal which might slow you down on the most intensive part of the climb, but rather a light snack and a hot drink. It is important to keep plenty of small snacks with you on this leg, as you will have to keep your energy levels high. Also, make sure they don’t freeze – so keep them in pockets underneath your jacket, or in an insulated bag like your day pack.


Summit snacks should be chosen carefully. Take a favourite treat to make it easier to eat when you don’t feel hungry, but avoid anything with honey or syrup, or anything ‘chewy’ as they are likely to freeze tooth-crackingly solid above 5000 metres. Chocolate, nuts and seeds, biscuits, savoury snacks and boiled sweets are generally better choices.


➡️BODY TEMPERATURE
Every mountain has its own climate, and Kilimanjaro has several different weather zones at different heights and on different faces of the mountain. Conditions change quickly, and you will be moving between zones as well. A hot and dry day can be followed immediately by snow or rain. Wearing a layered outfit is generally the wisest way to make sure you stay healthy and reasonably comfortable in all conditions.


Above all, make sure to wear warm, wind-and water-proof, breathable clothing on your climb. Get high quality gear too, as this is definitely ‘the real thing’. Storms, high winds and freezing temperatures must be expected, and poor quality equipment will

Machame Route – Six Day Itinerary
machame

THE SHORT MACHAME ROUTE VARIATION

Below is the day by day itinerary for the 6 day Machame climb on Mount Kilimanjaro.

For those who only have six days to climb Kilimanjaro, the Machame route is the best choice because of its acclimatization profile. Compared to other six day routes, the Machame route exposes the climber to higher elevations quicker (day three) which kickstarts the body’s adaptation to altitude. However, this route requires that a person be in good shape to be able to tackle the challenging elevation gains and losses.

The six day Machame variation is a difficult route. In particular, day four combined with day five makes for a very hard schedule. Day four is a full day of hiking from Barranco to Barafu. Then after dinner and a partial night’s sleep, the very long and strenuous summit day begins around midnight. The 6 day Machame route requires 19-24 hours of demanding walking, at extremely high elevation, with only 4-6 hours of sleep.

machame

DAY 1

•Machame Gate to Machame Camp
•Elevation (ft): 5,400ft to 9,400ft
•Distance: 11 km
•Hiking Time: 5-7 hours
•Habitat: Rain Forest

The drive from Moshi to the Mount Kilimanjaro National Park Gate takes about 50 minutes. The journey passes through the village of Machame which is located on the lower slopes of the mountain.

We now leave the park gate and walk through the rain forest on a winding trail up a ridge. Lower down, the trail can be muddy and slippery. Gaiters and trekking poles are a good idea here. We continue a short distance until we reach the Machame Camp.

DAY 2

•Machame Camp to Shira Camp
•Elevation (ft): 9,400ft to 12,500ft
•Distance: 5 km
•Hiking Time: 4-6 hours
•Habitat: Moorland

After breakfast, we leave the glades of the rain forest and continue on an ascending path, crossing the little valley walking along a steep rocky ridge, covered with heather, until the ridge ends. The route now turns west onto a river gorge. Time for rest, dinner, and overnight at the Shira campsite.

DAY 3

•Shira Camp to Lava Tower to Barranco Camp
•Elevation (ft): 12,500ft to 13,000ft
•Distance: 10 km
•Hiking Time: 6-8 hours
•Habitat: Semi Desert

From the Shira Plateau, we continue to the east up a ridge, passing the junction towards the peak of Kibo. As we continue, our direction changes to the South East towards the Lava Tower, called the “Shark’s Tooth.” Shortly after the tower, we come to the second junction which brings us up to the Arrow Glacier at an altitude of 16,000ft. We now continue down to the Barranco Hut at an altitude of 13,000ft. Here we rest, enjoy dinner, and overnight. Although you end the day at the same elevation as when you started, this day is very important for acclimatization and will help your body prepare for summit day.

DAY 4

Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp
•Elevation (ft): 13,000ft to 15,000ft
•Distance: 9km
•Hiking Time: 8-10 hours
•Habitat: Alpine Desert

After breakfast, we leave Barranco and continue on a steep ridge passing the Barranco Wall, to the Karanga Valley campsite. Then, we leave Karanga and hit the junction which connects with the Mweka Trail. We continue up to the Barafu Hut. At this point, you have completed the South Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many different angles. Here we make camp, rest, enjoy dinner, and prepare for the summit day. The two peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo are to be seen from this position.

DAY 5

•Barafu Camp to Summit to Mweka Hut
•Elevation (ft): 15,300ft to 19,345ft (and down to
10,000ft)
•Distance: 5 km ascent / 12 km descent
•Hiking Time: 7-8 hours ascent / 4-6 hours descent

•Habitat: Arctic

Very early in the morning (midnight to 2am), we continue our way to the summit between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers. You head in a northwesterly direction and ascend through heavy scree towards Stella Point on the crater rim. This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek.

At Stella Point (18,600 ft), you will stop for a short rest and will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see (weather permitting). From Stella Point, you may encounter snow all they way on your 1-hour ascent to the summit. At Uhuru Peak, you have reached the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa. Faster hikers will see the sunrise from the summit.

From the summit, we now make our descent continuing straight down to the Mweka Hut camp site, stopping at Barafu for lunch. You will want gaiters and trekking poles for the loose gravel going down. Mweka Camp is situated in the upper forest and mist or rain can be expected in the late afternoon. Later in the evening, we enjoy our last dinner on the mountain and a well-earned sleep.

DAY 6

•Mweka Camp to Moshi
•Elevation (ft): 10,000ft to 5,400ft
•Distance: 10 km
•Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
•Habitat: Rain Forest

After breakfast, we continue the descent down to the Mweka Park Gate to receive your summit certificates. At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy. Gaiters and trekking poles will help. Shorts and t-shirts will probably be plenty to wear (keep rain gear and warmer clothing handy).

From the gate, you continue another hour to Mweka Village. A vehicle will meet you at Mweka village to drive you back to hotel in Moshi.

Price included:

✅National park permits
✅Camping / hut fees
✅Rescue service
✅All meals while on the mountain
✅Guides and Porters wages
✅Round trip airport transfers between Arusha and JRO
✅Round trip transfers between Arusha and mountain gates
✅Hotel stays in Arusha for pre and post trek (2 nights in total) on bed and breakfast at Altezza Lodge
✅Sleeping mats 2-inch form
✅Private portable toilet with extra cost $270
✅Wash basins with hot water each morning and evening
✅Treated drinking water 3L or more everyday

Price Exclude:

❌International or Local flights
❌Rental gears
❌Tips for guides, porters and other staff
❌Meals and drinks at the hotel in Arusha
❌Travel Insurance, Visa and Medical Insurance

ABOUT FOOT ON KILI TANZANIA ADVENTURE

Foot On Kili Tanzania Adventure

THE #1 GUIDE SERVICE ON MOUNT KILIMANJARO

With Foot On Kili Tanzania Adventure, you get high quality service without the inflated cost. Our goal is to work with you to create the ideal itinerary based on your needs, abilities and desires. We can help you plan every aspect of your climb, providing everything you need for a successful summit and enjoyable experience. Won’t you join us on the Roof of Africa?
Proven Expertise. With more than 15 years of experience, Foot On Kili Tanzania Adventure has a proven expertise on Mount Kilimanjaro. We lead over 150 climbs per year, with more than 1,000 adventurers climbing with us annually. Literally thousands of climbers have stood on the top of Kilimanjaro with us. Our clients have included celebrities, film makers, senators, ambassadors, authors and journalists.

📌Best Guides. Our expert guides were hand selected to work for us. We have the best local guides who have received extensive training in first aid and mountain rescue. With unrivaled experience and competence, they are among the most talented and respected professionals in the industry. Our guides have led 7,000+ climbers to successful summits.

📌Fully Staffed Climbs. Our climbs are fully staffed with approximately one guide per two clients. This is the best way to climb Mount Kilimanjaro. We strive to create the optimal conditions for a safe, successful climb. Having the right number of personnel to manage the group size creates an organized team on the mountain, but more importantly ensures proper attention for each and every climber.

📌Focus on Safety. Ultimate Kilimanjaro is focused on safety, understanding that our top priority is to keep you out of harm’s way. Our guides perform regular health checks on all climbers, and they are prepared to prevent, detect and treat altitude sickness. We include rescue oxygen on every climb and have evacuation plans in place in case of emergencies.

📌Quality Camping Gear. We only use high quality camping equipment to keep climbers as comfortable as possible while outdoors. Our Mountain Hardwear tents are warm, waterproof, and roomy – and perfectly suited for the rigors of Kilimanjaro. We provide thick foam sleeping pads for all clients. Mountain Hardwear sleeping bags, rated to -30F/-30C, are available for rental.

📌Delicious Meals. All food and drink is provided on the mountain. Our mountain chefs prepare delicious meals with fresh, local ingredients. These meals are nutritious and calorie dense, specifically designed to sustain the energy of climbers. An ample amount of clean water is provided so climbers stay well hydrated throughout the trek. We also cater to all special dietary requirements.

📌Best Routes. Ultimate Kilimanjaro specializes on Kilimanjaro’s best routes. With many routes to choose from, we avoid trails that are very crowded, less scenic, and have poor acclimatization profiles. We operate primarily on routes that offer a combination of high success rates, scenic beauty and low foot traffic. This ensures our clients have the best chance of reaching the summit and have a good time doing it.

📌Group and Private Climbs. For those who are traveling alone or simply want the company of others, we have scheduled group climbs on our favorite routes. These climbs avoid the rainy seasons, include acclimatization days, and are limited to only 14 climbers. We can also organize private climbs on any route, for any size party, on any dates.

📌Porter Welfare. We take porter welfare very seriously and do our best to ensure our staff is treated well by supply our porters with the proper food and shelter, and restrict porter loads to reasonable weight limits.

📌Leave No Trace. We are a member of Leave No Trace, an organization dedicated to enjoying the outdoors responsibly. Our guides and porters practice Leave No Trace ethics on the mountain so that everyone can enjoy a clean, litter free environment on one of Africa’s most majestic landscapes.