SMT 600TZ - The Roof of Africa Trek
DAY 1: ARUSHA
-MARANGU
Transfer to Marangu. Dinner and overnight at a Hotel.
DAY 2: MARANGU
- MANDARA HUT (2,744 M)
Distance: 9 kms. Estimated duration: 4 hours.
Depart from your hotel, drive straight to Marangu National Park
gate, where the climb begins (1860m) on the edge of the mountain
forest. Walk through the semi tropical dense rain forest,
with camphor, cedar, juniper, wild olive and pillar trees festooned
with lianas, lichens and Spanish moss. Flowers of various
species delight the eyes, while monkeys shake trees and terraccos
and other colourful forest birds sing in the forest profusion.
The walking takes 4 hours covering 9 km to Mandara Hut, at 2744
m near Maundi Crater. Dinner and overnight at Mandara Hut.
DAY 3: MANDARA
HUT - HOROMBO HUT (3,761 M)
Distance: 11kms. Estimated duration: 5 hours.
Starting early in the morning towards Horombo Hut you walk 5 hours,
to cover the first 4 km or so, the dense rain forest now gives
way to the rolling moorland, clothed in knee-high grass tussocks
dotted here and there with giant heather trees, some standing
upto 9 m high. Here is perhaps the most pleasant point,
where the landscape is decorated with tropical flowers and the
sun is refreshingly warm. From here, both Kibo and Mawenzi
Peaks are magnificently viewed. Some animal species are
found here, i.e. bush duikers etc. The landscape becomes more
rugged and rocky, as you continue to Horombo Hut at 3761 m above
sea level. Dinner and overnight at the Horombo Hut.
You should have warm clothes due to strong winds here.
DAY 4: HOROMBO
HUT - KIBO HUT (4,700 M)
Distance: 10kms. Estimated duration: 5 hours.
After breakfast, continue to Kibo Hut through the euphorbia trees
and here high altitude causes difficulty in breathing and tiredness
is felt. The path leading you to Kibo Hut passes the water
streams and skirts MAWENZI before opening out into the lunar landscape
of the saddle. It forms a "U" between MAWENZI
and KIBO Peaks. You will experience the winter nights as
cold and icy winds encircle the huts accompanied by frost and
snow. Dinner and overnight at KIBO Hut.
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DAY 5: UHURU
PEAK - HOROMBO HUT (3,761 M)
Distance: 24kms. Estimated duration: 12-13 hours
Wake up soon after midnight for the final attempt to the summit.
Walk for about 5 hours, the steepest and most difficult part of
the route, to GILMAN'S POINT at 5681 m above sea level, on the
Crater rim. Try again if your stamina allows, for UHURU
Peak, reached in about 2 hours. This is the highest point
in Africa. After signing the visitors book, descend to Horombo
Hut, for dinner and overnight.
DAY 6: HOROMBO
HUT - MARANGU HOTEL
Descend to Marangu Gate then transfer to Marangu or Kibo Hotel
for dinner and overnight.
DAY 7: MARANGU
- ARUSHA
After breakfast, return to Arusha by company transport.
Price Per Person = USD $ 1400
Reserve Tour
