Any reasonably fit person who enjoys walking can reach the summit of Kilimanjaro. The youngest to make it was nine years old - the oldest seventy-nine. While thousands of people scramble to the top of Kilimanjaro each year, there are five principal routes up the mountain: Marangu, Shira, Mweka, Umbwe and Machame. The Shira plateau can be reached with a four-wheel drive vehicle up to 4 000 meters. These routes are marked and provided with simple bivouac huts and water. The most popular and easiest route is the Marangu, the Machame route is becoming more popular, but the Umbwe route is probably the most scenic and the least utilised of these three.

Umbwe Route Itinerary:

We use high altitude mountain tents for our Kilimanjaro climbs; the huts are in a poor state. This is probably the most beautiful route by which to ascend the mountain, and is significantly shorter than the other routes, whilst having good acclimatisation time. It also makes the distances covered between overnights at altitude shorter and avoids a lot of the crowding experienced in some sites in season. The summit and return days are as per the Machame Route.

All your supplies and camping equipment is portered up for you (tents, 25-mm mattresses, awnings, stools, lights, etc), and your meals are prepared. Your personal baggage limit is 12 kg for the climb. South African tents and sleeping mattresses are supplied on this trip.

The Keys Hotel, your base hotel, is located in Moshi and is the best hotel in town. It has a swimming pool, indoor bar and garden area, patio, restaurant and M-Net television coverage. The rooms are clean and comfortable, and have just been refurbished. Showers are en-suite with hot/cold water. The staff are very friendly and 'nothing is too much trouble'.

The guides employed are excellent (some have climbed Kili over 300 times!) They are employed by the Keys Hotel and have looked after a multitude of our clients. Each trip is led by a senior guide, with other guides in a ratio of approximately one guide per 2 or 3 climbers - if you are a bit slower than the rest or get ill and have to descend, a guide will always be with you. Food served on the mountain is generally tasty and wholesome, including a lot of carbohydrates and fresh vegetables. Vegetarians are catered for, but please notify us in advance.

Note: Continental breakfast at the hotel is included; if you decide to have a full breakfast, there will be an additional charge levied at the hotel.

Health Requirements - Please note you will need a Yellow Fever inoculation, this must be done no later than 10 days prior to departure. If you have had any previous history of liver disorders you must consult your physician first. Malaria prophylactics are a must.

Travel Insurance - Please ensure you have sufficient medical cover for the duration of your trip and in particular to cover you while doing the Kilimanjaro Climb.

Phone Home / Let the world know you made it - Vodacom has coverage on certain parts Kilimanjaro and in Tanzania, so remember to organise an international roaming facility.

Tips - These are considered to be compulsory for all attempting Kilimanjaro, it has become a tradition! Please budget at least USD 90-100 for this six-day camping hike - per guest - which gets split across the group. Old clothing is also appreciated!

Visas - If you are travelling on a South African passport you will need a visa for Tanzania. You can obtain this visa on arrival at the airport before clearing customs at a cost of US$ 60.00 per passport (USA, UK, RSA, Netherlands & Ireland). Other nationalities please check with your consultant.

Please note that rates are subject to change due to any unforeseen circumstance.

ITINERARY:

Day 1 - When travelling (flying), we strongly suggest you wear / carry on you, your boots, wet weather gear and cameras - these are crucial for your climb, and you do not want to risk loosing them in the hold. Make sure you have your yellow fever certificate with you - whilst it probably wont be asked for on arrival in Tanzania, when you return home it may be requested. Arrive at the Keys Hotel in Moshi, by shuttle / transfer. Overnight, with bed and continental breakfast included. Climb briefing. If you need to hire any extra gear, advise the hotel this evening. Leave any excess clothing and valuables at the hotel - they will lock them up for you. Pack your bag carefully for the climb - remember the weight limit of 12kg. Leave some 'bin bags' in an outer pocket of your bag, and show the porters where they are so that in case of rain they can quickly cover your bag. Keep one out for your personal backpack too! Liaise with staff at reception, and leave them your air tickets to be reconfirmed during your climb. It is your responsibility to ensure that flights are reconfirmed, as any schedule changes will be advised at that time.

Day 2 - After breakfast you will be driven to the park gate where you will meet your guide and porters. The guide has an amount of paperwork to do at the gate, as well as organising the porters - these things take time (African time!) - please relax, sit down and enjoy the scenery - don't get anxious about starting off - it will only get you stressed out!! The larger the group, the longer it will take - be prepared to wait for anything from 1 - 2 hours. Discuss with your guide, in detail, the route and each day's activity. This day wear your hiking boots and ensure you keep your wet weather gear with you. Shorts and t-shirt will be sufficient. There are patches on the route where it is VERY wet and muddy, and you may end up with pretty wet boots this evening. Ensure your boots are waterproofed, and that you have spare lightweight shoes to wear in camp this evening. ALWAYS keep your boots and water bottles INSIDE the tent at night - otherwise they will freeze. Fill up your water bottle at night, and purify it - allowing some of the chlorine fumes to dissipate. Take it SLOWLY today. You will encounter some steep parts on the climb - but generally it's not too strenuous. The porters walk ahead and sometimes with you - make sure every day, that you have all your personal gear needed with you, as you will not have access to your bag. A seven-hour walk through the spectacular forest will bring you to a camping area - Umbwe Caves Campsite - with access to water at 2 900 m. Take your time walking through this section - it will help towards acclimatisation. The porters will set up Camp and the guide will prepare your meals. Conditions are difficult on this route, and your guide / porters will do everything they can to make your climb pleasant and as comfortable as possible. Eat well - at higher levels your appetite will diminish. Overnight camping.

Day 3 - Take a jersey with you today, as it cools down considerably during and after lunch. Again, keep your wet weather gear handy, and some snacks for the route. Drink plenty of water. Today you should take Diamox (if planning to) - in the morning. You may experience tingling fingers, toes and nose from this drug. As it is a diuretic, it is most important to keep your fluid intake high. Some fairly steep walking through the forest, and along a sharp ridge, before the path flattens as you approach Barranco Hut, in the moorland zone. A fairly long and strenuous day (+- 6 hours walking), as the altitude is now beginning to be felt. You may get rain or sleet, and in the morning the ground and tents will be frozen over. Tonight you may experience headaches and breathing problems. Overnight camping - Barranco Hut, 3 900 m.

Day 4 - Morning at leisure before ascending a steep rocky ridge known as the Barranco Wall. Continue up and down before dropping into Karanga Valley at 4 200 m. (+- 4 hours walking). Once again, pace yourself to graduate slowly. Tonight you may experience further headaches, nausea and breathing problems. Night temperature - again cold (night frosts). Overnight camping.

Day 5 - Continue across to Barafu Hut (4 600m), approx. 5 hours walking. This is an acclimatisation day, as you ascend up sections of scree and rock, then down into valleys - a hard day of walking at relatively high altitude. You will be able to rest up at Barafu for the whole afternoon, acclimatising and gathering strength for the summit. Learn to pace yourself with your breathing - do not try to rush to catch up with anyone, go at your own, most comfortable speed and you will arrive at base camp relatively comfortably. Listen to your guide/s, they will help you. It will be very cold today - especially when you stop for lunch and rest - dress warmly, again you may expect some sleet on this day. You will be walking through the cloud. After supper, drink as much tea as possible; settle down (option with a sleeping pill**) for an early night. You are likely to have a pretty bad headache at this stage. If you are vomiting, or hallucinating, talk to your guide. He will make the decision as to whether you are able to continue. If you plan to take Decadron, do so before going to bed. Drink plenty of fluids, as you are in a 'desert' area - albeit cold, and tomorrow will be a long hard day. Overnight camping.

Day 6 - Today is a very long and strenuous day. Drink lots of fluid before you start. You will be very thirsty by the end of the day - if you manage, carry 3 litres of fluid with you today. You will be woken at about 00h30 or 01h00 with tea and a biscuit. Put on all your clothing ready for the final ascent. You will be climbing up scree for approximately 4-5 hours. The guide will stop frequently to rest and check on his group. It is very important to listen to your body and breathing and try to get into a rhythm. Because of the slowness of your walk, your fingers and toes are likely to get extremely cold - three pairs of socks should be considered for today and two pairs of gloves (inner and warm outer). The views from the mountain (on the way up) are spectacular - you gain incredible height over a short distance. You arrive at Stella Point (5 750 m), just at the top of the crater, have a rest - the sun should be shining! From here continue on a relatively easy path up to Uhuru peak (5 895 m), the highest point in Africa. Your water bottle is probably frozen at this stage, and on reaching the summit there will be a certain relief amongst the group. You will descend from Stella to Barafu. Depending on the timing of your summit, you will be able to have a short rest here (maybe a sleep) and something to eat, before continuing down the Mweka Route. You will travel down quickly on the scree gasping in more oxygen, step by step. This is a long descent, and Mweka always seems to be on the 'next hill' - never arriving. It is likely you may experience seizure of joints - particularly knees today - keep a support bandage with you for this descent, and perhaps some anti-inflammatory pills/cream. Arrival Mweka (3 100 m), late afternoon, on the edge of the rainforest, overnight camping. Time to reflect on the day's achievements.

Day 7 - A three to four hour pretty descent through the rainforest to the Park Gate, where the vehicle will meet you. There are generally beers and cokes for sale at the park gate. Transfer by vehicle to the hotel (approximately 45 minutes drive) ready for an evening of celebration by the swimming pool. Your certificates are generally handed out by the guides (either at the gate or on occasion they may join you for a celebratory drink at the hotel). Liaise with your head guide regarding tips - we recommend approximately USD 90-100, which the guide will apportion out amongst the group. Any old clothes, shoes, etc. would also be most appreciated. If you feel at any stage, any pressure regarding tips, please make sure you report this on your return to the hotel to the management and it will be taken up accordingly. Whilst tips are compulsory, and the above figure is 'expected' - anything above that is totally at your discretion. Check with receptionist that flights are all ok (if relevant), and your departure time for the following morning. Met and transferred to the Keys Hotel, overnight, dinner, bed and continental breakfast. Please note that the hotel will be pretty busy this evening, and it is wise to stagger showering if there are other large groups in - otherwise you may not get hot water. The bar will be well stocked with cold beers however!

Day 8 - End of services.