11 DAY NORTHERN CIRCUIT ROUTE KILIMANJARO CLIMB

11 DAYS NORTHERN CIRCUIT ROUTE KILIMANJARO CLIMB

The Northern Circuit Route is the most amazing journey on Kilimanjaro. This is a relatively new route. Become one of the first to enjoy the Northern Circuit’s tranquility and stunning panoramic scenery. Starting from the west, this is the only route that travels north around Mt. Kilimanjaro. It traverses nearly the entire mountain before the summit push. This is absolutely the most scenic path available and has almost no traffic on its northern face. The total time on the mountain is 9 days.

Our trips begin and end at our Hotel in Moshi, in Arusha Tanzania. Clients may arrive at any time on day 1. There is a pre-trip meeting around 4:30 PM. Private transfers from Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) to the Hotel can be arranged.

Day 1:Arrive anytime at your lodging in Moshi, Tanzania. With prior arrangement, airport pick-up and private transfers to your lodge are available from Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), or simply make your own way by taxi. We will gather in the evening for a pre-climb briefing and an equipment check. We will also confirm you have the appropriate mandatory medical coverage and travel insurance.

Day 2:After completing the necessary registration formalities at Londorossi National Park gate, we drive through varied farmland with open views over the plains to reach the Lemosho road head. We often have our lunch in the glades before starting to walk. It is an easy day of walking up a small path through beautiful and lush forest. This area has a variety of game, including buffalo.We camp at Lemosho Forest camp (8,700 ft). [2-3 hours walking]

Day 3:We soon leave the forest behind and enter the moorland zone of giant heather. The trail climbs steadily with wide views to reach the rim of the Shira Plateau. There is a tangible sense of wilderness, especially if afternoon mists come in! We camp in the center of the plateau at Shira One (11,600 ft). [6-7 hours walking]

Day 4:Today we explore the grassy moorland and volcanic rock formations of the plateau. We walk to the summit of Shira Cathedral (12,800 ft), a huge buttress of rock surrounded by steep spires and pinnacles. There is a tangible sense of wilderness here, especially when the afternoon mists roll in. From our camp near Shira Hut (12,600 ft), we take in the unforgettable views of Mt. Meru as she floats among the clouds. [5-7 hours walking]

Day 5:In the morning we follow the main trail up to Lava Tower(15,150 ft), and for those feeling strong there is a possibility to climb up to the ruined hut at Arrow Glacier (15,700 ft). We then continue from Lava Towerto reach our campsite at Moir Hut (13,800 ft). [5-7 hours walking]

Day 6:We climb out of the Moir Valley and take a short detour to reach the summit of Lent Hills (15,400 ft). After admiring the views we return to the trail and head eastwards around the northern circuit trail. Here the trail passes through a field of rock slabs that clink as they are walked on. The final section of today’s walk undulates until reaching the location of Buffalo Camp(13,600 ft). At the camp there is a huge feeling of space as the Kenyan plains stretch out far below to the north. [4-7 hours walking]

Day 7:From Buffalo Camp we climb up to the top of ‘Buffalo Ridge’ and cross numerous ribs and gullies. The trail continues eastwards through a landscape that has increasingly sparse vegetation to eventually reach Third Cave Camp (12,800 ft). [5-7 hours walking]

Day 8:There is a steady ascent to reach the saddle, a lunar landscape between the peaks of Kibo and Mawenzi. From here we continue upwards and reach School Hut (15,500 ft) in the early afternoon. The remainder of the afternoon is spent resting and preparing for the summit day. [4-5 hours walking]

Day 9:We start the final and most demanding part of the climb by torchlight around 1 a.m. We plod very slowly in the darkness on a switchback trail through loose volcanic scree to reach the crater rim at Gilman’s Point (18,600 ft). We rest here for a short time to enjoy the spectacular sunrise over Mawenzi. Those who are still feeling strong can make the three-hour round trip to Uhuru Peak (19,345 ft), passing close to the spectacular glaciers and ice cliffs that still occupy most of the summit area. We retrace our steps along the crater rim to Stella Point and then descend down through Barafu Camp to reach Millenium Camp (12,500 ft). [11-15 hours walking]

Day 10:A sustained descent on a well-constructed path takes us through a lovely tropical forest alive with birdsong and boasting lush undergrowth with considerable botanical interest. Our route winds down to the Kilimanjaro National Park gate at Mweka (5,400 ft); and on through coffee and banana farms to Mweka village, where we are transferred to our Hotel in Mosh / in Arusha. [4-6 hours walking]

Day 11:After breakfast, we can arrange for a private transfer to Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO).

What is Included:

• All park fees and taxes
• Hotel lodging the night before and the night after the climb with breakfast included (double occupancy)
• Transport to and from the hotel and trailhead
• Airport pickup and drop off
• Tents (double occupancy)
• Sleeping pad
• Private toilet tent
• All meals and water on the mountain
• Support personnel (guides, cooks and porters)
• AMREF Flying Doctors evacuation insurance

NOT Included:

• Airfare to Tanzania
• Tips for guides and porters
• Sleeping bags and other personal gear
• Rental gear
• Visa
• Travel Insurance
• Drinks and/or snacks
• Lunch and dinner at hotel

12 Day Tented Camps Safari and Kilimanjaro Climb

12 Day Tented Camps Safari and Kilimanjaro Climbing

Day 1: Arrive in Marangu.
Arrive anytime at Kilimanjaro International Airport there will be a private transfer from Kilimanjaro International Airport to Marangu at Kilimanjaro Mountain Resort, where the rest of the day is at leisure.
Day 2 : Rongai One (2,600 m); 3-4 hours walking.
After completing the necessary registration formalities at Marangu National Park gate, we transfer by Landrover to Rongai. The climb begins from Nale Moru (1,950 m) on a small path that winds through fields of maize and potatoes before entering pine forest. The track then starts to climb consistently, but gently through attractive forest that shelters a variety of wildlife, including the beautiful Kilimanjaro Colobus monkey. These monkeys are black with a long ‘cape’ of white hair and a flowing white tail. The forest begins to thin out and the first camp, Rongai One, is at the edge of the moorland zone (2,600 m) with extensive views over the Kenyan plains.
Day 3: Kikelewa campsite (3,600 m); 6-7 hours walking.
The morning walk is a steady ascent up to the ‘Second Cave’ (3,450 m) with superb views of Kibo and the Eastern icefields on the crater rim. After lunch, we leave the main trail and strike out across the moorland on a smaller path towards the jagged peaks of Mawenzi. Kikelewa campsite is in a sheltered valley with giant senecios near Kikelewa Caves (3,600 m).
Day 4: Mawenzi Tarn (4,330 m); 3-4 hours walking.
A short but steep climb is rewarded by superb all round views and a tangible sense of wilderness. We leave vegetation behind shortly before reaching the next camp at Mawenzi Tarn (4,330 m), 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 acclimatisation. [3-4 hours walking]
Day 5: Kibo campsite (4,700 m); 5-6 hours walking.
We cross the lunar desert of the ‘Saddle’ between Mawenzi and Kibo to reach Kibo campsite (4,700 m) 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.
Day 6: Horombo Hut (3.720); 11-15 hours walking.
We will start the final, and by far the steepest and most demanding, part of the climb by torchlight around 1 a.m. We plod very slowly in the darkness on a switchback trail through loose volcanic scree to reach the crater rim at Gillman’s Point (5,685 m) we will rest there for a short time to enjoy the spectacular sunrise over Mawenzi. Those who are still feeling strong can make the three hour round trip to Uhuru Peak (5,896 m), passing close to the spectacular glaciers and ice cliffs that still occupy most of the summit area. The descent to Kibo (4,700 m) is surprisingly fast and, after some refreshment, we continue the descent to reach Horombo Camp (3,720 m).
Day 7: Marangu Gate (1,830 m); 5-6 hours walking.
A steady descent takes us down through moorland to Mandara Hut (2,700m), the first stopping place at the Marangu route. We then continue descending through lovely lush forest on a good path to the National Park gate at Marangu (1,830 m).
The returning transfer will be waiting at Marangu Gate to Kilimanjaro Mountain Resort.
Dinner and overnight stay at The African Tulip: Fallboard.

Day 8: Lake Manyara National Park
Today we drive to Lake Manyara National Park for a full day of game drives. This is one of Tanzania’s smaller parks but still offers a rewarding and diverse safari experience. The lakeshore at Manyara teems with birdlife, and while you are looking for the birds, you might spot one of the elusive tree-climbing lions. There are a surprising number of other large mammals and the striking cliffs on the Rift escarpment form a dramatic backdrop. Late afternoon we make a short journey from the park to our Luxury lodge at Karatu.
Dinner and overnight at Eileen’s Trees Inn: Fallboard.
Day 9: Serengeti National Park
we head towards the Serengeti National Park. En route there is an opportunity to visit Olduvai Gorge.
It is within this steep sided ravine that Louis and Mary Leakey made some of the world’s most important archaeological discoveries in the 1950s.
Here in a small museum we are able to see evidence of our ancestors that have been dated back 2.5 million years. After lunch we drive into the Serengeti itself and the rest of the afternoon is spent game viewing in the vast plains that are broken only by stands of acacia trees and the occasional kopje. In December, January and February we will normally meet the migration with large herds of wildebeest, zebra, and gazelle. There are always plenty of resident animals, such as giraffe, buffalo, and elephant, and many large predators such as lion, cheetah, and leopard.
We return to our special tented camp for the night at Serengeti.
Dinner and overnight at Serengeti Wild Camp: Fallboard.
Day 10: Ngorongoro Highland Masai Experience Tour
We start the day with an early morning game drive before heading to Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Ngorongoro is a special place in that it is a Conservation Area, not a National Park; this means that the whole area is managed for both the animals and the local Masai people who graze their cattle alongside the indigenous wildlife. During the drive in Ngorongoro we have a chance to glimpse something of the Masai way of life.
After stopping at the entrance gate, where there is a chance to learn more about this fascinating volcanic landscape, we will drive around the rim of the Crater itself, and from here we can look down and see the herd of wildebeest and buffalos.
Dinner and overnight at Ngorongoro Wild Tented Camp: Fallboard.
Day 11: Ngorongoro Crater
The Ngorongoro Crater provides great game-viewing all year-round. The wildlife here makes up a permanent population because grazing and water supplies are plentiful throughout the seasons.
Finally we descend into the crater. The crater walls provide a natural sanctuary for the animals, which means there is plenty to see: lions, elephants, buffalo, rhino and leopard (if you are lucky).
The only animal you won’t see in here is a giraffe, whose long legs are unable to cope with the steeps sides of the crater.
In the afternoon we travel just outside of Ngorongoro Conservation Area to Arusha.
Dinner and overnight at The African Tulip: Half board.
Day 12: Departing day.
There will be a private transfer arranged to drop off at the airport for your International flight.
Trip Includes:
• Full board accommodation whilst on safari in the above mentioned en suite tented camps and lodges
• Private safari drive guide
• Private 4 x 4 safari jeep with pop up roof for game viewing
• Transfers in both directions between the International Airport
• All Park fees
• Crater fees
• One day hot air Balloon Safari
• Maasai Experience Tour in Ngorongoro Highland
• Airport Arrival and Departure Transfers
• On safari – Vehicles equipped with ice chest with mineral water and wildlife guidebooks
• Government taxes, VAT and service charges relating to accommodation and included meals
• Membership in Flying Doctor Service
• 2 Night hotel in Marangu at Kilimanjaro Mountain Resort
• Hotel Rooms: 2 Double rooms Sharing (Dinner, Bed, Lunch and Breakfast) Included
• The bag you taking with on the mountain shouldn’t exceed more than 15 Kg
• Professional, experienced, mountain guides:
• All Park fees
• Rescue fees
• All meals while on the Mountain
• Arrival and Departure transfers
• Guides, Porters, cook salaries and park fees
• Large portions of fresh, healthy, nutritious food:
• Clean, purified drinking water:
• Crisis management and safety procedures:
• Fair and ethical treatment of porters:
• Supplement summit Emergency Oxygen:
• Walking Poles:
• Emergency Evacuation by Flying Doctor Society of Africa:
Trip Excludes:
• Tanzania Visa: $50 per person on arrival
• Personal Expenses (e.g. laundry, telephone, beverages, etc.)
• Meals not listed above
• Optional Tours (short safari after your climb etc)
• Tips and any items of personal nature.

KILIMANJARO NATIONAL PARK

KILIMANJARO NATIONAL PARK
Kilimanjaro National Park takes in the area above the 8,850 feet, or 2,700 meters, on the mountain. It includes the moorland and highland zones, Shira Plateau, Kibo and Mawenzi peaks. In addition, the Park has six corridors or rights of way through the Kilimanjaro Forest Reserve. The Forest Reserve, which is also a Game Reserve, was established in 1921; the Park was established in 1973 and officially opened in 1977.
Kilimanjaro stands a scant 205 miles south of the equator, on the northern boundary of Tanzania. Its location on an open plain close to the Indian Ocean, and its great size and height strongly influence the climate, vegetation, animal life and the climbing conditions. It is made up of three extinct volcanoes: Kibo 19,340 feet (5,895 meters), Mawenzi 16,896 feet (5,149 meters); and Shira 13,000 feet (3,962 meters).
Even though you can climb throughout the year, January, February and September are the best months, with July, August, November and December also being good.Equatorial to arctic conditions are present on Kilimanjaro. The range begins with the warm, dry plains with average temperatures of 850F, ascends through a wide belt of wet tropical forest, through zones with generally decreasing temperatures and rainfall, to the summit where there is permanent ice and below freezing temperatures.The rainiest period is March to June. The fact that most months of the year have so few rainy days makes it possible to climb in relatively good conditions year round. During the rainy period of March to May, clouds tend to pile up and over the summit, dropping snow on top and rain at the base. Visibility can be limited by cloud cover even when no rain falls. The temperature at this time of year is relatively warm. The dry season, beginning in late June and through July can be very cold at night, but usually is clear of clouds. August and September are also cool and can have completely clear days, but usually a dripping cloud belt girdles the mountain above the forest and moorland. The summit can be totally clear and the successful climber looks down on a vast sea of clouds with distant mountain peaks poking through like islands. The shorter rainy period of October to December often has thunderstorms that pass over the mountain, dropping rain as they go. Typically the clouds disappear in the evening, leaving nights and mornings clear with excellent visibility. January and February are usually dry, warm and clear with brief rain showers which make for good climbing conditions.