Kilimanjaro Itinerary
Scott and Judy Van der Linden
1/17/2013
Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Day 4
Day 5
Day 6
Day 7
Day 8
Day 9
USAir 2625 departing Charlotte at 11:04am, arriving in Washington Dulles at 1:04pm on Friday.
KLM 0652 departing Washington Dulles at 5:55pm, arriving in Amsterdam, Netherlands at 7:40am on Saturday.
KLM 0569 departing Amsterdam at 10:05pm, arriving in Kilimanjaro, Tanzania at 7:35pm.
Springlands Hotel in Moshi, Tanzania Saturday and Sunday .
Spend Sunday having coffee in Moshi, shopping, laying by the pool and eventually early to bed.
Kilimanjaro Climb
Ascend via the Rongai (Kikelewa) Route, and descend via the Marangu Route
Early Monday breakfast and transfer by Land Rover through villages and coffee plantations for 4 hours to the village of
Nalemoru (6,398 ft.) on the northern edge of Kilimanjaro National Park, also abutting Kenya. Begin on a wide path winding
through fields of maize then start to climb gently but consistently through rainforest that shelters a variety of wildlife. The
forest begins to thin at Simba Camp (9,020 ft.) at the edge of the moorland zone with extensive views over the Kenyan
plains.
Morning climb is a steady ascent. Enjoy superb views of Kibo and the eastern ice fields on the crater rim. Afternoon climb
leaves the main trail and strikes out across the moorland towards the jagged peaks of Mawenzi. The campsite is in a sheltered
valley with scenes near Kikelewa (11,320 ft.).
A short but steep climb is rewarded by superb views and a tangible sense of wilderness. Vegetation is left behind shortly
before reaching camp at Mawenzi Tarn (12,700 ft.) spectacularly situated in a cirque directly beneath the towering spires of
Mawenzi. The afternoon is spent acclimatizing to the altitude.
Cross the lunar desert of the “Saddle” between Mawenzi and Kibo to reach Kibo Huts (15,400 ft.), at the bottom of the Kibo
crater wall. The rest of the daylight hours are spent preparing gear and resting for the final ascent.
Leave at 11:00pm on Day 7, plodding slowly in the darkness on a switchback trail through loose volcanic scree and snow,
and reach Gilman’s Point on the crater rim at 18,640 ft. Here, views of the fabled crater and its icecaps greet you. Another 2
hours passing close to the spectacular glaciers and ice cliffs that still occupy most of the summit area takes you to
Kilimanjaro’s true summit, Uhuru Peak at 19,340 ft. by 6am. After your summit stay of about 30 minutes, descend back to
the Kibo Huts, have lunch, and cross the saddle to the Horombo Huts at 12,100 ft.
Descend through the moorland to the Mandara Huts. Have lunch there then continue your triumphant recessional down
through rainforest to the Marangu Gate at 6,000 ft. Transfer back to the Springlands Hotel for a celebration! Overnight at the
Springlands Hotel.
Day 10 Spend Sunday having coffee in Moshi, laying by the pool and eventually packing.
KLM 0571 departing Kilimanjaro at 8:40pm, arriving in Amsterdam at 7:05am on Monday.
Day 11 KLM 0651 departing Amsterdam at 12:30pm, arriving in Washington Dulles at 3:00pm.
USAir 2625 departing Washington Dulles at 6:00pm, arriving in Charlotte at 7:26pm.
Other options:
1. Jet Blue to New York’s JFK, then KLM to Amsterdam, then Kilimanjaro.
2. Depart via Charlotte, Greensboro or Atlanta.
3. Ethiopian Airlines from Washington Dulles to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, then Kilimanjaro.