11 days northern circuit Kilimanjaro climbing - Africa Natural Tours ( africanaturaltours.com )

11 days northern circuit Kilimanjaro climbing: Africa Natural Tours (For Kilimanjaro, Serengeti and Zanzibar) the best tour company in Tanzania

Specialized in: Wildlife safaris, Mountain climbing, Cultural tourism, and Beach holidays in East Africa

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Email: info@africanaturaltours.com  Website: www.africanaturaltours.com

11 days northern circuit Kilimanjaro climbing

This 11 days northern circuit kilimanjaro climbing; on your arrival day before the beginning of your Kilimanjaro experience, your guide will do a briefing and a gear check. These essential steps will ensure security for all and significantly increase your chance of success.

Day 2: Londorossi Gate to Mti Mkubwa.

Elevation (m): 2360m to 2895m, Distance: 6 km, Time: 3-4 hours. Habitat: Montane Forest.

Drive from the Hotel to Londorossi Gate for registration. Our porters prepare and pack the supplies and luggage before we start our ascent along the forest trail to Mti Mkubwa (big tree) campsite at 2895m. We will stay here overnight.

Day 3: Mti Mkubwa to Shira 1.

Elevation: 2895m to 3500m, Distance: 8 km, Time: 5-6 hours. Habitat: Moorland.

Our journey continues eastwards across Shira Plateau and Shira Cathedral. We will cross moorland meadow to reach Shira 1 camp for dinner and overnight camping at 3810m. By now we will be able to see, in an easterly direction, the Western Breach with its stunning glaciers.

Day 4: Shira 1 to Shira 2.

Elevation: 3500m to 3810m, Distance: 7 km, Time: 3-4 hours. Habitat: Moorland.

Today we walk to the summit of Shira Cathedral, 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, we take in the unforgettable views of Mt. Meru.

Day 5: Shira 2 to Moir Hut.

Elevation: 3810m – 4200m, Distance: 14 km, Time: 6-7 hours. Habitat: Semi desert.

We leave the forest behind now and a gentle grade walk takes you across the high altitude Shira Caldera to Shira Cave with fabulous views of Arrow glacier. We will camp here for the night at 4200m.

Day 6: Moir Hut to Pofu Camp.

Elevation: 4200m to 4000m, Distance: 12 km, Hiking Time: 7-8 hours. Habitat: Semi desert.

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. The final section of today’s walk undulates until reaching the location of Pofu Camp.

Day 7: Pofu Camp to Third Cave.

Elevation: 4020m to 3960m, Distance: 7 km, Hiking Time: 6 hours. Habitat: Semi desert.

From Pofu Camp we cross numerous small valleys as the trail continues eastwards through a landscape that has increasingly sparse vegetation to eventually reach Third Cave Camp.

Day 8: Third Cave to School Hut.

Elevation: 3960m to 4790m, Distance: 6 km, Time: 5 hours. Habitat: Alpine desert.

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 in the early afternoon. The remainder of the afternoon is spent resting and preparing for the summit day.

Day 9: School Hut to Uhuru Peak to Mweka.

Elevation: 4790 to 5895m to 3100m, Distance: 18 km, Time: 10-14 hours. Habitat: Stone scree and moorland.

We start the final and most demanding part of the climb around 1 a.m on a switchback trail through loose volcanic scree to reach the crater rim at Gillman’s Point We rest here for a short time to enjoy the spectacular sunrise over Mawenzi. We then head on to Uhuru Peak, 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 Mweka Camp.

Day 10: Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate.

Elevation: 3100m to 1800m, Distance: 10 km, Hiking Time: 3-4 hours, Habitate: Montane Forest.

A sustained descent on a well-constructed path takes us through a lovely tropical forest to the Kilimanjaro National Park gate at Mweka. At the Gate you will get your Certificate and Proceed to the Hotel.

Day 11: Onward Journey.

After a much needed nights rest in a bed, our driver will drive you back to the airport, or if you wish to organize safari / Zanzibar trip, we will collect you in the morning for your onward journey.

Included in this tour:
• Quality, waterproof mountain sleeping tents.
• Professional, experienced, mountain guides.
• All Park fees and Rescue fees
• All meals while on the Mountain.
• Arrival and Departure transfers.
• Guides, Porters, cook salaries and park fees.
• Mess tents with table and chairs:
• Large portions of fresh, healthy, nutritious food:
• Clean, purified drinking water:
• Fair and ethical treatment of porters:
• Sleeping Mattress,

Excludes:
• Tanzania Visa: $50 per person on arrival.
• Personal Expenses (e.g. laundry, telephone, beverages, etc.)
• Optional Tours (short safari after your climb etc.)
• Tips and any items of personal nature.

For more information visit www.africanaturaltours.com