Arrive in Arusha 
 
Upon arrival into the Kilimanjaro International Airport, you are met by a WALLSabout™ representative and transferred to your beautiful hotel in the heart of Arusha.  
 
ACTION REQUIRED:  
After clearing customs, exit the terminal building and look for a sign with WALLSabout or your name for your transport to the African Tulip.  
 
Benji’s Reading / Watch List: 
 
The White Hunters, by Brian Herne

Accommodation: African Tulip

Meals: None (arrival day)

Immerse yourself in the coffee making tradition as you visit a working coffee plantation in the village of Tengeru.  Learn about the origin of coffee, how it is planted, harvested, and makes it to you on this coffee experience.  You will also roast and brew your own coffee to sample! 
In the afternoon, you will have a gear check.

Accommodation: African Tulip

Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

Approximate Schedule:
9:00 AM Departure to Tenguru Coffee Plantation.
12:00 PM Lunch at the Tenguru Coffee Plantation.
2:00 PM Gear check and briefing with your Lead Guide for Kilimanjaro.

Mount Kilimanjaro Day 1 of 7 –  Rongai Gate to Rongai 1st Cave 

Kilimanjaro’s snow-capped peak is one of the most awe-inspiring sights in Africa. Straddling the Kenya/Tanzania border, the iconic Mount Kilimanjaro rises up to an impressive 5896 meters above sea level. It is one of the world’s highest volcanoes, the highest mountain on the African continent, and the highest free-standing mountain on earth; making it an international destination attracting trekkers and mountaineers from around the globe. Set within the Kilimanjaro National Park, Kilimanjaro emerges from the sprawling plains of Tanzania and boasts dense tropical rainforests, glacial ice fields, moorlands, and mystical moonscapes. Take on the colossal challenge of climbing this majestic mountain, explore the lush forested foothills, soak up the breathtaking views or take a wildlife safari and spot some of Africa’s diverse wildlife including: elephant, buffalo, leopard, duiker, eland, hyrax, blue monkeys and more.  

POINTS TO BE NOTED:

1. Temperature regime: With every 1000 m increase in altitude, there is a 5 degree drop in temperature. Day time temperatures are quite warm, sometimes reaching as high as 80-86F. This is largely due to location of this mountain at just 5 degrees south of the equator. 
2. Oxygen Canister and Pulse Oximeter: With each trek, we bring along Oxygen canister and Pulse oximeter. The former is used in case someone needs oxygen assistance during the rescue and the latter is used to determine the oxygen saturation level in your red blood cells. Both of these equipments are used as a measure of safety during your trek. 
3. Night time temperatures:  This regime is quite opposite to what you may experience during the day time therefore depending on your altitude and time of the year-the temperature at Shira campsite at night can reach freezing conditions 32 degrees Fahrenheit. On the same token, at Kibo camp night time temperature could be as low as 14 Fahrenheit and the summit 5 to -4 degrees Fahrenheit. It is therefore important to have appropriate clothing during the day and night times. 
4. Water: It is also very important that you maintain a proper fluid balance in your body. Owing to the temperatures above, air quality and other factors influencing loss of water by perspiration, we would recommend that every trekker consumes at least 6 litres (1.6 gallons) of water in 24 hours. We normally provide you with treated water for the duration of the trek. 
5. Medical advice: It is important that every trekker wishing to attempt Kilimanjaro trek consults his/her own medical doctor so that one is familiarized with high conditions that are associated with high altitude  

Rongai 1st Cave (4-5 hrs)

Rongai Gate: 6,550 ft. 

Rongai 1st Cave: 9,285 ft. 

Mount Kilimanjaro Day 2 of 7 – Rongai 1st Cave to 2nd Cave Camp 

Depart first cave towards a path leading towards the second cave, on this morning subject to weather condition you should have a clear view of Mawenzi and Kibo Peaks!. 

You will spend about 4-5 hours of walking with a picnic lunch along the way. This is an easy walk as you leave the rainforest, going into the heather, and different flora along the way. 

Dinner and overnight at Rongai 2nd Cave camp.  

Rongai 1st Cave: 9,285 ft. 

Rongai 2nd Cave: 11,300 ft. 

Mount Kilimanjaro Day 3 of 7 – Rongai 2nd Cave Camp to Kikelewa Cave Camp – Acclimatization Day 

Kikelewa Cave Camp 

 
Acclimatization Day. The day is spent trekking towards Mawenzi and back to the camp for lunch.  In the afternoon, there is more walking and sightseeing. 

Dinner and overnight at Kikelewa Cave camp.  

On this day, in addition to exploring the area, you shall also observe different rock formation, and plant life at this altitude. You may want to keep note of how plant life changes as you gain altitude and the texture of soil and what clues it may give you from its volcanic past!  

Rongai 2nd Cave: 11,300 ft. 

Kikelewa Cave: 11,800 ft. 

Mount Kilimanjaro Day 4 of 7 – Kikelewa Cave Camp to Mawenzi Tarn Camp  

Mawenzi Tarn Camp (5-7 hrs) 

This morning your trek takes you closer to Mawenzi peak, notice the change of vegetation that will eventually lead you to a highland, desert like landscape. It will be a 5-7 hour hike that will lead you to Mawenzi Tarn campsite.  From here, you will get better views of the Saddle and Kibo peak. 

Dinner and overnight at Mawenzi Tarn Camp 

This evening, your guide will share with you A FOLK story about Kibo and Mawenzi peaks! As both Kibo and Mawenzi are sisters but yet, one is so beautiful and the other has kind of a jagged peak!  

Kikelewa Cave: 11,800 ft. 

Mawenzi Tarn Camp 14,160 ft. 

Mount Kilimanjaro Day 5 of 7 – Mawenzi Tarn Camp to Outbound Camp 
 
Outbound Camp (5-7 hrs) 

You are now officially trekking at a higher altitude! Though this is a relatively easy hike you need to go slow…as they say in SWAHILI, POLE POLE, this will be a 5-7 hour hike. On arrival you will be requested to have light dinner and take a rest in preparation of the hike to the KIBO peak. 

Dinner and overnight at Outward bound camp.  

Mawenzi Tarn Camp 14,160 ft. 

Outbound Camp 15,585ft. 

Mount Kilimanjaro Day 6 of 7 – Outbound Camp to Uhuru Peak to Horombo Camp 

Around 11:30PM, you will be woken up for a cup of tea, and some light snacks before you begin the ultimate climb towards the UHURU PEAK.  This hike is on a winding trail until you reach GILMANS point (Just before sunrise-18,750 ft.) and a further 45 minutes of hiking to reach the UHURU PEAK in time for sunrise around 06:30 am (Uhuru means FREEDOM in Swahili). 

You would have until this point hiked for about 6 hours! Explore the area, and descend towards Kibo hut for a short refreshments which your porters and cook would have made for you and onward to Horombo camp fir much joy, rest, dinner and overnight.  

 Temperatures: Outbound camp: 14F to -4F as you hike on winding path to reach Gilmans point and Uhuru Peak!  

Outbound Camp 15,585ft. 

Uhuru Peak 19,340 ft. 

Horombo Camp 10,200 ft.  

Mount Kilimanjaro Day 7 of 7 – Horombo Camp to Marangu Gate 

 
Descend to Mandara hut and onward to Marangu gate (5-6 hrs).   You will meet your team, collect your hard-earned certificate, lunch, and bid farewell to your team for the last 7 days. 

Drive to Arusha (3 hours) to The African Tulip for much needed shower, dinner, and rest! 

 
Horombo Camp 10,200 ft. 
 
Marangu Gate: 5,900 ft.  

BENJI TIP: 

Typical tips for mountain crew tend to average US$ 250 – US$ 300 per person. All climbers’ contributions are usually added together and the total amount is presented to the chief guide at Marangu Gate. Our guides always divide these tips fairly amongst their crew according to a customary scale that is determined by the responsibilities and experience of each staff member. 

Transfer to airport and onward home  

Today, you head to Kilimanjaro International Airport for your journey home.