Imagine to climb Kilimanjaro at New Year and celebrate New Year’s Eve in Horombo Hut, At 3,690 metres, acclimatising as we approach the roof of Africa. Imagine starting the year by reaching the roof of Africa.
The Kilimanjaro, the highest mountain in Africa, rises from the African plains, drawing our attention to its power and mystery.
The ascent of this equatorial giant leads us through three beautiful and different habitats: tropical forest, moorland and alpine areas. Reaching the summit takes five days along the Marangu route, via Gilman’s Point (5,700 m) and Uhuru Peak (5,895 m). Once again, the landscapes change each day. Accommodation is in mountain huts.
The mountain of the Kilimanjaro is actually an inactive volcano located in the northeast of the Republic of Tanzania. An exceptional place rich in wildlife, with large herds of mammals on the move. At the top of the mountain three summits appear: Kibo, Mawenzi and Shira. Uhuru Peak, in the old Kibo crater, is the highest point.
THE ITINERARY
Minimum group size: 4 people
| ROUTE | MEALS | ACCOM. | |
| 1 | City of origin | Aeroplane | |
| 2 | Arrival and transfer to Moshi. Preparation and briefing | Hotel | |
| 3 | Moshi–Marangu (1,700 m) / Mandara Hut (2,740 m) | D-A-C | Mountain hut |
| 4 | Mandara Hut/Horombo Hut (3,700 m) | D-A-C | Mountain hut |
| 5 | Horombo Hut – New Year’s Eve | D-A-C | Mountain hut |
| 6 | Horombo Hut/Kibo Hut (4,700 m) | D-A-C | Mountain hut |
| 7 | Kibo Hut / Kilimanjaro summit (5895 m) / Horombo Hut | D-A-C | Mountain hut |
| 8 | Horombo Hut/Marangu – Moshi | D | Hotel |
| 9 | Moshi. Transfer to airport. Flight back |
ACCOMMODATION
During the trekking stages we use the national park's refuges on the Marangu route. These are very simple huts; each bed has a foam mattress and a pillow. The Mandara and Kibo huts have a capacity of 60 beds, that of Horombo has 120 beds, as acclimatisation days are usually spent here, bringing together the greatest number of climbers. Rooms are shared with other mountaineers throughout. Our staff prepare meals, which are served in the refuges’ communal dining rooms. The Mandara and Horombo refuges have toilets with running water; the refuge of Kibo only has latrines separated by sex.
Soft drinks, beer and bottled mineral water are usually sold at the huts. We recommend buying water before starting the ascent and, if necessary, hiring an additional porter to carry it. Allow for some Tanzanian currency if you want to buy drinks at the huts; here is a basic rule: 'the higher the altitude, the higher the price of the drink'.
ESSENTIAL INFORMATION…
Ascent: Marangu Route
Marangu is the least physically demanding route and the shortest. It is the only route on ascent of Kilimanjaro allowing you to sleep in a bed every night in the huts. Here you meet international groups, as well as dining rooms, dormitories are shared. There is a strong sense of camaraderie, and lingering around the table together can be another highlight of the trip.
Support team
For the route Marangu the team accompanying us on the Kilimanjaro ascent consists of:
- 1 guide for up to 8 mountaineers
- 1 cook up to 8 mountaineers
- 2 porters per mountaineer
- 1 assistant guide for every 3 additional mountaineers
Tips for the team
Tips are important to the climbing team. Whatever our views on this payment system, the fact is that tipping is well established on Kilimanjaro. Recommended amounts are listed below. These are totals, shared among all the mountaineers in the group:
– Guide: 20 $/day
– Assistant Guide (if any): 12 $/day
– Cook: 10$/day
– Porters: 7$/day
Each climber should budget $200–300 in tips, depending on the itinerary and number of participants.
Visit the website of the Mount Kilimanjaro Porter Society (MKPS) and find out how you can contribute to improving the quality of life of mountain guides and porters in Tanzania.
Level of difficulty
The climb to Mount Kilimanjaro can be closer to one extended walking or trekking than to an alpine ascent. The routes differ, but none requires climbing skills or techniques for travelling over ice.
Rated as grade C/D, within difficulty level scale.
The trails are usually signposted and well maintained; the most difficult sections are at higher altitudes, with steep slopes and loose scree making the ascent slow and demanding.
The main challenges are therefore the total distance, elevation gain and altitude sickness. On Kilimanjaro Each day you gain altitude and this requires physical preparation and the right mindset: take your time and know your limits.
What if we don't get to the summit?
Exhaustion or altitude sickness may prevent you from reaching the summit, but this does not diminish the Kilimanjaro experience. If a group member cannot continue, or the guide advises against it, they are accompanied to the most suitable camp or hut while the rest of the group continues the ascent.
PRICES
| PERSON | First 4 | Base price |
| per person | 2360 € | 2460 € |
| airline taxes (approx.) | 325 € | 325 € |
| SUPPLEMENTS | ||
| single room (in Moshi only) | 90 € |
Departure dates and prices
Prices apply to departures from Barcelona or Madrid on Turkish Airlines flights to Tanzania. Any change request would be subject to availability and possible supplements.
Prices are based on the bank exchange rate for the US dollar in September 2019; significant changes may lead to adjustments in the trip price.
Documentation required
For citizens with a Spanish passport, the visa is obtained on arrival at Tanzania for a single fee of USD 50 per person (payment in USD recommended).
Although visas on arrival are still available, the process has become lengthy and can take up to 2 hours. We therefore recommend apply for the online visa allowing 2 to 3 weeks for approval.
Citizens with a passport of another nationality (not Spanish): Contact the respective Consulates and/or Embassies to learn about the entry formalities required by the countries visited on the trip.