Penguin Travel

Mount Kilimanjaro, situated in the Kilimanjaro National Park in Tanzania is the highest mountain in Africa and the highest freestanding mountain on Earth. Climbed by around 25000 people per year it is one of the worlds most accessible high summits.  Kilimanjaro contains an example of virtually every ecosystem on earth - glacier, snowfields, deserts, alpine moorland, savannah, and tropical jungle, all of which found on the mountain. The Machame Route, also called the Whiskey Route, is definitely the most popular among climbers who want to take their time, and enjoy sleeping outdoors and watching the sunrise and set over the Great Rift Valley.

Important! We offer 2 options of climbig the roof of Africa: Marangu and Machame route. Marangu route is the easiest and most poular with overnights in huts. The route uses one way to ascend and descend the peak which makes it not that scenic and varied but suitable for less experience hikers. Machame route is more difficult but better in terms of acclimatization, landscape variety and views. It ascends on the Machame route and descends on Mweka route offering different areas and views every day of the hike. Machame is suited for more adventurous people and those with some hiking or backpacking experience.

The tour can be either booked for its climbing part only or as a package, including also safari extension after the climbing itself for few more days.

16 June - Group departure with Penguin Travel representative

Tour Highlights
Tanzania, famous for its wildlife; The Kilimanjaro National Park, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site; The scenic Machame Route; Lake Manyara and Serengeti National Parks;  

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Departure dates:
05 June 2010 - 28 August 2010 every day

Country region:   Kilimanjaro National Park

Machame route trip plan:

Day 1: Arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport or Nairobi Airport (transfer from Nairobi to Arusha not included, arranged in advance – 30 $, to be paid on the spot). Transfer to Out Post lodge or Le Jacaranda hotel in Arusha where you will spend a night before the tour begins on the next day.
Day 2: We start with a transfer to Machame gate, where it will take us about 30 min. to check in at Mechame Gate office. From the gate, we begin our trek following an easy track for the first hour through the dense forest. The path continues to follow the ridge, rising steadily with several steep sections. The gradient eases slightly as the forest merges into heather covered ground we will reach Machame Camp. Trekking duration: 5-7 hrs; uphill: 1200m 
Day 3: After breakfast we start from Machame Camp with about 1 hour climb to the forest line and then 2 hours more at a gentler gradient through the moorland zone. After a short lunch brake, we continue up a rocky ridge onto the Shira plateau and Shir hut at the base of a semi-circular wall of rocks. Trekking duration: 7 hrs; uphill: 800m
Day 4: We start heading east into a semi desert and rocky landscape surrounding Lava Tower, where we will reach an altitude of 4630m.a.s.l. after about 5 hours hike. After lunch we descent again by almost 680m to the Barranco camping area, situated in a valley below the Breach and Great Barranco Wall, which should provide you with a memorable sunset while you wait for the preparation of your dinner. Trekking duration: 5 hrs.
Day 5: From Barranco Camp, we climb up through the edge of great Barranco Wall. We climb on a tough steep trail, but once we reach the top, we will enjoy spectacular panoramic views. 95 percentage of that day walking will be on elevation of 4250m.  After a short break we head down through the Karanga Valley and campsite where we will spend the night. Trekking duration: 3.5 hrs.
Day 6: Today involves gaining a little more elevation, acclimatizing and resting for the summit attempt the next morning. This day will take us 4 to 6 hrs of walking.
Day 7:  SUMMIT DAY! We will start trekking early before sunrise (1-2 am) as the walk today will take 10-14 + hours. We will avoid the mist that sets in later in the day; the the snow will still be safely frozen. The 1,100-meter ascent in just over 3 km will take us about 6-8 hours. After a brief stay at the summit of the highest point in Africa, Uhuru Peak, at over 5,898 meters, we descend via the Barafu Route roughly 2,500 meters in 12 km in about 4-7 hours to Mweka Camp. Trekking duration: 14 hrs.
Day 8: Today we descend about 1400 meters through the forest on a jungle path for about 10 km in 3-4 hours to reach Mweka Gate. Our driver will transfer us back to Le Jacaranda Hotel or Out Post lodge.
Day 9: Transfer to the airport for departure

Machame route price for individuals (2 pax min.): 1160 euro
Machame route group departure with Penguin Travel representative (6 pax min): 

Marangu route trip plan

Day 1
Arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport or Nairobi Airport (transfer airport to bus station included, shuttle bus from Nairobi to Arusha not included – 30 $, to be paid on the spot). Transfer to Arusha for accommodation in a hotel.
Day 2
Morning transfer to Mt.Kilimanjaro at Marangu Gate on the eastern side of Kilimanjaro for We registration at the park gate. We start hiking at around 1030hrs. We start through a rainforest from the park gate (1800m) and reach Mandara Hut (2700m) after a 4 hours hike. Unpack, rest and have some tea or coffee. Dinner is served during early evening, about 7 PM. A side trip to Maundi Crater (about 15 minutes away) is a good way to see the surroundings as well as views of Kenya and Northern Tanzania. Bathrooms with running water are available.
Day 3
We start at around 8:30 and hike to Horombo Hut (3650m) for about 5-6hrs.  We walks through lower heath land with small shrubs being the main vegetation. We enjoy great views to Mawenzi and the summit of Kibo  Horombo Hut. Bathrooms with running water are available.
Day 4
Today we hike to Kibo Hut (4700m). The first half of the day’s hike traverses the upper heath land while the second half crosses the vast saddle that connects Mawenzi and Kibo. The saddle is an alpine desert that resembles a lunar landscape. The day’s hike should take 6 to 7 hours, stopping half way for lunch. No running water at Kibo Hut.
Day 5
Wake at around midnight to a light breakfast, and then prepare for the summit ascent. This part of the hike is carried out during the early morning before dawn so that the climbers reach Uhuru Peak at around sunrise. Leave at about 1:00am and reach Gilman’s Point at about 7:00am. The climbers are met with views of the crater from Gilman’s Point because it is on the Crater Rim. Another 2 hours of hiking brings the climber to Uhuru Peak (5894m) at about 8:30 am. From there you will descend back to Kibo Huts, collect your things and cross the saddle again at Horombo Huts where you will spend the night.
Day 6
Today we continue our descend to Mandara Hut. Take lunch there and continue on to the park gate where you will be met by your transport back to Arusha/Moshi town.
Day 7
Depart for the airport or other destinations in Tanzania or Kenya. Zanzibar is a good way to recuperate. Other trips around Moshi/Arusha can be arranged at reasonable price. 

Marangu route price for individuals (2 pax min.): 1060 euro
Marangu route group departure with Penguin Travel representative (6 pax min):

Safari extension including Lake Nakuro and Masai Mara National Park, Kenya

Day 1: 07.00am pick up from Arusha and transfer to Namanga town (110km journey, 2 hrs) which is the border of Tanzania and Kenya. Here you’ll go through immigration and then transfer into a Kenya safari van and proceed with your driver guide to Nairobi (180km journey of approximately 3 hrs), arriving for lunch. Then proceed up the escarpment with stunning views of the Great Rift Valley and on to Sunbird Lodge, located on the shores of Lake Elementaita (140km journey of approximately 2.5hrs). You can spend the afternoon by taking a walk along the lake shores or relax in the swimming pool and in the cottages overlooking the lake and the pink flamingos. Overnight: Sunbird Lodge

Day 2: After an early breakfast, depart to Lake Nakuru Park (only 20 minutes from Sunbird Lodge) with a picnic lunch on the lookout for Rhino and the abundance of game and birdlife found here including the beautiful pink flamingos in the thousands. Nakuru is one of the best places to see Leopard and if you’re lucky you may get the chance to see this beautiful predator. The park is home to buffalo, rhino, lions, leopards, the rare Rothschild giraffe, impala, zebra to name a few and one of the best birding areas in Kenya. Return to Sunbird Lodge in the late afternoon. Overnight: Sunbird Lodge

Lake Nakuru, a shallow alkaline lake, lies about 100 miles north of Nairobi on a tarmac road. It can therefore be reached easily by road from the capital, Nairobi. The lake is world famous as the location of the greatest bird spectacle on earth - myriads of pink flamingo whose numbers are legion, often more than a million and which literally turn its shores pink. They feed on the abundant algae which thrives in the warm waters. But flamingo are not the only avian attraction, as the lake is rich in other birdlife. There are over 400 resident species on the lake and in the surrounding park. Large numbers of pelicans concentrate by the fresh-water streams that flow into the lake, and thousands of other birds may be seen including African fish eagles, white-winged black terns, stilts, avocets, ducks and in the European winter, the migrant waders.

Lake Nakuru national park surrounds the lake, offering a wide ecological diversity, from lakeshore, woodland, grassy plains to rocky escarpments and ridges. It has recently been enlarged to provide a sanctuary for black rhino and now has one of the largest concentrations of rhinoceros in the country (both black rhino and white rhino), so the chances of spotting these are very good. There are also a number of Rothschild's giraffe, translocated for safety from western Kenya. Waterbuck, zebra and Cape buffalo are very common. Lion are present in the park and, like the lions of Lake Manyara, are quite often seen in the acacia trees. Leopard are also frequently sighted and Lake Nakuru National Park is one of the places where visitors have the best chance of seeing these elusive big cats. The bushlands offer eland, warthog, impala, Mountain Reedbuck and dik dik, whilst rock hyrax and klipspringer occupy the cliffs and escarpment.

Day 3: After breakfast, depart at 07.30 and drive to the Mara in your safari minivan (350km journey of approximately 5 hrs), arriving at Siana Springs for lunch. Afternoon game drive on the lookout for the big cats for which the Mara is famous. Overnight: Siana Springs
Maasai Mara National Reserve: Considered by many to be Kenya's finest game reserve, the 650sq miles of the Masai Mara Reserve adjoins Tanzania's well known Serengeti, forming one ecosystem. The open rolling savannah grassland of the Mara is the home of numerous wildlife species including elephant, rhino, lion, cheetah, leopard, hyena, jackal, buffalo, eland, topi, impala, gazelle, warthog and zebra. From June to September, the annual Wildebeest migration takes place when thousands of these animals sweep across the plain and seek out new grazing areas.

Day 4: A full day in the Maasai Mara National Park, with your driver guide to enjoy the abundance of game found in this reserve including Elephants, wildebeest, topi, zebra, warthogs, gazelle’s, giraffe, lions, leopards and cheetah. The Mara was recently rated one of the 7 wonders of the world due to the abundance and diversity of wildlife found here. Overnight: Siana Springs

 Day 5: 06.00am early morning game drive (time permitting), followed by breakfast, and drive back to Nairobi (310km journey, 5 hrs) arriving at approximately 1pm (lunch not included) and transfer to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport for your flight back home.
 

Price of the safari extension 06 Apr - 30 Jun (2 people): 1425 euro per person 
Price of the safari extension 06 Apr - 30 Jun (4 people):  1387 euro per person
Single supplement: 74 Euro
Price of the safari extension 01 Jul - 31 Oct (2 people): 1545 euro per person
Price of the safari extension 01 Jul - 31 Oct (4 people): 1508 euro per person
Single supplement: 204
Price of the safari extension 01 Nov - 23 Dec (2 people): 1512 euro per person
Price of the safari extension 01 Nov - 23 Dec (4 people): 1475 euro per person
Single supplement: 185

 

Accomodation and food:   Accommodation and food during Mt. Kilimanjaro ascent: We will spend 2 nights in 3*** hotel with private facilities and 6 nights in tent camps - Machame route and 5 days in huts - Marangu route. Full board (breakfast, lunch and dinner are included)/ Accommodation and food during the safari: We will stay 6 nights in public campsites with rooms with private facilities. Full board (breakfast, lunch and dinner are included in the price).

 

Price of extra services:   Any kind of equipment could be rented in Tanzania.

Included in the price:  flight ticket,  transfers to/from Kilimanjaro International airport; 2 nights hotel accommodation in Arusha before and after the tour (or 3 nights if you stay for the safari extension); 6 nights in tent camps - Machame route and 5 days in huts - Marangu route;  park entry fees; all mountain fees; English speaking guide; 2 porters per each climber; assistant guides and chief guide; tents, sleeping mattress and WC on Kilimanjaro; boiled drinking water; 3 meals per day.

Included in the price of safari: Road transfer from Arusha to Namanga; switch to safari van and then on to Nairobi for lunch. Proceed to Sunbird Lodge on the shores of Lake Elementaita for 2 nights on full board basis (drinks not included). Full day in Nakuro National Park with picnic lunch; Nakuro Park fees. Road transfer to Siana Springs, Maasai Mara for 2 nights on full board basis. Morning and afternoon gamedrives in the Mara National Park. Park fees included. Drive back to Nairobi and drop to JKIA Airport for flight back home. Gamedrives are conducted in safari minivans with a qualified wild life guide driver.

Excluded from the price:   flight tickets; rental of equipment; entry visa for Tanzania (and transit visa for Kenia if arriving at Nairobi); personal expenses; alcohol drinks; tips

Flight tickets: upon request (approximate price Copenhagen - Nairobi - 700 euro)

Practical information:    Guides: the guides used are highly trained and qualified, registered with the Kilimanjaro National Parks Board. One chief guide and one assistant guide will be provided to every 2 climbers. In case one of the climbers get sick or unable to continue an assistant guide will help him/her to descent to the lower altitude or even back to the hotel; Terrain and route: with its three volcanic cones, Kilimanjaro is an inactive stratovolcano in north-eastern Tanzania. The Mechame route starts with walking on steep paths through magnificent forests to reach a ridge leading through higher than the tree limit zones to the Shira Plateau. Then the route traverses under the glaciated precipices to the south face of Kibo volcanic cone. The final ascent is made very early in the morning from the Barafu Camp. For the descent we will use the Mweka Route, which is quicker and offers different landscapes. The advantage of the Machame route is that climbers make relatively quick ascent to elevation in the first few days, which makes acclimatization easier and gentler, and helps greatly preparing for the summit day. The trip is not technically difficult but requires good physical condition.

Recommended travel period of the year:   mid-Dec to Feb + June to August

Necessary equipment:   Obligatory: rucksacks (a bigger one, ranging 80-90 l and a smaller one – 35-50 l); sleeping bag (with comfort temperature about 0C; able to handle temperatures of -15C); thermal trekking underwear (not cotton!); trekking waterproof shoes for the acclimatization hikes; sweater; wind and waterproof rain jacket (breathable); light jacket; sun hat; woolen or special trekking socks; sun glasses with side covers (high altitude); down jacket; mountaineering boots and supergaiters – sometimes it may be enough but if the equipment is not first class you may freeze your feet; medical kit (including articulation cream and sunburn salve); headlamp; lip balm; sunscreen lotion (factor 30-60); telescopic ski poles; thick mittens/gloves (overmitts may be used too); face mask; thermal bottle; toilet paper;

 

 

Tour difficulty:   D 

This trek is physically demanding. Normally, the treks are 6-8h per day, but some can be longer. Good trekking experience is an advantage, but not necessary if you are really in good physical shape. Acclimatization should be considered the most important issue regarding the successfull ascend of mount Kilimanjaro.  

Group Size:   Min. 2 pax/6 pax for group tour

Reservation System Code: KILIMANJARO

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