Mountain Trekking Itineraries

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Kilimanjaro Routes

• MARANGU ROUTE - 6 Days BATS TREK 1
• MACHAME ROUTE - 7 Days BATS TREK 2
• RONGAI ROUTE - 6 Days BATS TREK 3
• LEMOSHO / SHIRA ROUTE - 9 Days BATS TREK 4
• UMBWE ROUTE - 6 Days BATS TREK 5A & B

• Mt. Meru BATS TREK 6

• SIRIMON-SIRIMON ROUTE - 4 DAYS BATS TREK 7
• SIRIMON- NAROMORU ROUTE - 5 DAYS BATS TREK 8
• SIRIMON-CHOGORIA PEAK CIRCUMNAVIGATION BATS TREK 9
• NAROMORU ROUTE 4 DAYS ASCENT BATS TREK 10
• NAROMORU-CHOGORIA PEAK CIRCUIT- NAVIGATION BATS TREK 11

MARANGU ROUTE - 6 Days
BATS TREK 1

It’s the most popular route and often used, having huts and solar power supply, can be completed in five days, but its best expending on extra day at Horombo hut to allow altitude acclimatization.

It has got three huts

• Mandara hut what is 3 hrs from the park gate (The park headquarter). Its at approximately 2700m within the rain forest.
• Horombo hut within the 3rd zone and
• Kibo hut within the 4th zone both covering 5 to 6 hours walk with an altitude gain of 1000m approx to each.

DAY 1
After breakfast and pack every thing for hiking mountain breafing before leave to gate for hiking reservations Marangu gate 1800m 1hour drive from the hotel in Moshi.. Start hiking with lunch box to Mandara 2727m 3-4hrs Dinner and overnight.

DAY 2
Breakfast and continue Horombo 3720m5-6hrs with lunch packet Dinner and Overnight at Horombo Hut.

DAY 3
Breakfast then walk to mawenzi Hut 4600m for acclimatization for 3hour then return to Horombo 3720m for luch, rest dinner and overnight.

DAY 4
Then walk to kibo hut 4703m pass through semi-desert landscape of the Saddle. Early dinner to allow an early rest and get up in the midnight for summit packing.

DAY 5
In the midnight have hot drink and start walk to Uhuru 5895m. It will take about 6-7hrs reach to the summit take photos and back to Kibo3-4hrs rest for a short time and continue to Horombo for dinner and overnight.

DAY 6
Early morning after breakfast descend to Marangu gate where you will meet a Vehicle for your transfer to the hotel shower, rest and overnight.

MACHAME ROUTE - 7 Days

BATS TREK 2

This is possibly the most beautiful route in Kilimanjaro Mountain. For the best hike it takes a minimum of six days through the Machame camp. In rain forest, Shira (3800m) in the moorland or heather, via lava tower (4600m) to Arrow camp (4900m) just at the bottom of the peak or to Baranco 3900m then proceed with the Kibo circuit up to Barafu when you don’t ascend to the summit through the western breach.

Day 1
Drive from the hotel after breakfast to Machame gate 1800m for Reservation and start climb trough rain forest up to Machame camp 3000m takes 5-6hrs with lunch box on the way. Dinner and overnight.

Day 2
After breakfast continue on hiking to Shira camp 3850m with picnic Lunch on the way4-5hrs dinner and overnight.

Day 3
Early in the morning breakfast and start hiking to Baranco camp 3940m Trough Lava Tower 4600m for acclimatize 6-7hrs with picnic lunch, Dinner and overnight Baranco camp.

Day 4
Breakfast and climb Baranco walls 4250m to Karanga camp 4000m Have hot lunch ,rest and walk around for acclimatize Dinner and Overnight 3-4hrs.

Day 5
Having breakfast about 8;30am continue on hiking to Barafu camp 4600m 3-4hrs hot lunch, rest early dinner and sleep for a short hrs then work up about 11:00pm,park things for summit,Having hot drink and bites then start hike to summit it takes about 6-7hrs.

Day 6
It takes about 3hrs from summit to Barafu camp for breakfast and rest for Few hrs and then continue Mweka camp 3100m 3-4hrs.

Day 7
Walk after breakfast to Mweka Gate 1800m trough rain forest 3-4hrs Meet our vehicle and transfer to the Hotel Moshi for shower lunch

RONGAI ROUTE - 6 Days
BATS TREK 3

This route starts from the eastern part of mount Kilimanjaro also camping route not hard compared with other camping routes and the descend can be made through the Marangu route. It takes a minimum of 5 days but for a comfortable climb one can take longer. The night before the summit normally is spent at Kibo hut or school hut.

DAY 1
After breakfast in the Hotel drive. Rongai gate that is about 120 km from Moshi town. It takes 2 hours drive.. With your picnic lunch box start the ascend to the first camp (alt. 2400 approx) walk takes 2 to 3 hrs through the less dense rain forest. Dinner and overnight at first camp.

DAY 2
After breakfast start the ascend through the scattered savannah grassland up to second camp alt 2850m The walk takes 3 to 4 hrs, lunch dinner and overnight at the second camp or one can do all the way to the 3rd cave/camp then spend an extra day there for acclimatization. It takes 5 to 6 hours.

DAY 3
After breakfast with picnic lunch box ascends to the third cave alt 3,800m or to Kikelelwa camp, which is near to the base of Mawenzi, peak. You will now ending the moorland, starting the alpine desert with great/spectacular view of Kibo and Mawenzi peaks. The walk takes 2 – 3 hours to the 3rd cave or 3 to 4 hours to Kikelelwa. Dinner and overnight at kikelelwa camp.

DAY 4
After breakfast with your picnic lunch box ascends through the alpine desert to kibo ascend through the alpine desert to Kibo or school hut (alt 4750m) for dinner and overnight. The walk takes 4 to 5 hours from Kikelelwa or 2 – 3 hours form the 3rd cave/camp.

DAY 5
At the time around midnight start the summit ascents after having a cup of coffee/tea with some cookies. Start the ascend to Uhuru peak (5895m) it takes 5 to 6 hours to the crater rim Gilman’s point (alt 5681m) there after proceed to the summit (uhuru peak ) taking 11/2 hrs . After short celebration at the summit descends to Kibo hut for lunch, short break them proceed to Horombo hut (alt 3750m) for dinner and overnight.

DAY 6
After breakfast descends to Mandara hut (alt. 2700m) lunch, then proceed through the heavy rain forest to Marangu gate where you will catch a waiting car for the drive back to the Hotel in Moshi for dinner and overnight.

LEMOSHO / SHIRA ROUTE - 9 Days
BATS TREK 4

This comprises 2 routes starting from  the same center on  the western side of Mt Kilimanjaro (Lemosho route and // above it says Shira // Routes take a minimum of 7 days for an enjoyable and comfortable hike. The vegetation changes when you get to Shira Plateau where after the trail intersects  the Kibo circuit. The change is fabulous as you walk through open grasslands and into the moorland from there  you pass through the impressive Shira Cone, Cathedral and Shira Needles.

DAY 1
MOSHI TO STARTING POINT
Drive from the hotel in Moshi to Londrosi gate 2250m which will take about 3 hrs for transport, and registering.  From there  drive back to Lemosho starting point 2100m.  From the gate  trek through the rain forest 6 km to Mti Mkubwa Camp(BIG TREE CAMP) 2750M which will take 3 hrs, followed by dinner and overnight.

DAY 2
MTI MKUBWA TO SHIRA ONE CAMP 9 KM
After breakfast continue hiking trough Moorland Zone to Shira One Camp 3500m which will take 5-6hrs,dinner and overnight.

DAY 3
SHIRA ONE TO SHIRA TWO CAMP 4 KM
After breakfast continue hike trough Heather Moorland to Shira Two Camp 3850m which will take 3hrs, thendinner and overnight.

DAY 4
SHIRA TWO TO BARANCO CAMP 11 KM
After breakfast continue hiking to Baranco across Lava Tower 4600m for aclimatization and then continue to Baranco camp 3950m which will take 6-7hrs, followed dinner and overnight.

DAY 5
BARANCO TO KARANGA CAMP 5 KM
After breakfast climb the  Baranco Wall 4250m then cross the Karanga Valley to Karanga Camp 4100m which will take 3-4 hrs, then dinner and overnight.

DAY 6
KARANGA TO BARAFU CAMP 4 KM
After breakfast continue hiking 3 hrs to Barafu Camp 4600m, dinner and overnight.

DAY 7
BARAFU TO SUMMIT(UHURU PEAK) 6 KM
Early morning startihiking to summit passing Stella Point 5750m head to summit 5895m and back to Barafu for rest, lunch and then descend to Mweka High Camp 3700m, followed by dinner and overnight. [Barafu to Uhuru 6hrs, Uhuru to Barafu 3hrs and Barafu to Mweka high camp 2hrs 3KM]

DAY 8
MWEKA HIGH CAMP TO MWEKA GATE 13 KM: After breakfast trek to continue to Mweka Camp 3100m continuing  through the rain forest to Mweka Gate 1800m which will take about 5hrs down.  At the gate  certficates will be provided for those who summated.  Then  drive back to Moshi for shower and rest.

UMBWE ROUTE - 6 Days
BATS TREK 5A & B

This is very steep route starting from the southern most part of the base of Mt Kilimanjaro it is  strenuous. It can be climbed in  a minimum of six days though one can add more depending on the holiday one has planned and also the climbing experience. It’s one of the camping routes.

(a) Crossing the Western Breach.
(b) Crossing through Barafu.  

BATS TREK 5A

DAY 1
After breakfast drive to the Umbwe Gate (1800m). The trail  ascends through the heavy rain forest to Umbwe Cave. Hiking time  five to six hours, dinner and overnight.. (3000m)

DAY 2
After breakfast start the ascent with your picnic lunch box to Baranco. The walk now is steep through the ridge of valleys in both side but very scenic. Dinner overnight at Baranco camp. (3950m on the moorland).

DAY 3
After breakfast with lunch box ascend westwards to from  the Moorland to the Alpine Desert climate zones. The walk takes 3 to 4 hours to reach Lava Tower (4600m)

DAY 4
After breakfast have an acclimatization walk to Arrow Camp which takes 1 hour or more,  then back to the camp for lunch a short break then  hike to Arrow Glacier Camp for dinner and overnight.

DAY 5
Early in the morning around midnight ascend to the summit by way of the Crater Low. The walk is harder compared with other routes but shorter. It takes 5 to 6 hours to reach the summit. After short break at the summit. Proceed on the crater rim up to Stella Point then descend directly to Mweka Camp past Barafu Camp for dinner and overnight.

DAY 6
After breakfast, descend to Mweka Gate. The walk the rainforest takes 2 to 3 hours.

BATS TREK 5B

Through the Barafu Camp using the Kibo Circuit from above.

DAY 3
After breakfast ascend the great Baranco Wall for about 50 min to 1 hour thereafter proceed to Karanga Alley walking in gentle sloping hills with valleys up to Karanga Valley approx 4000m for hot lunch and rest, dinner and overnight.

DAY 4
After breakfast ascend to Barafu hut through the alpine desert where you will join the Mweka Route to Barafu Route takes about 3 to 4 hours. Dinner and overnight at Barafu Camp.

DAY 5
Around midnight ascend to the summit (5895m) taking about 6 to 7 hours Return to Barafu Camp for lunch short break then proceed to Mweka camp for dinner and overnight.

DAY 6
AS day 6 above in (a)

Mt. Meru

4 DAYS

BATS TREK 6

Day 1
Arusha - Momella gate - Mariakamba Hut Drive 1 Hr, Hike 10 km, 4 - 5 hrs, 1000m ascent, Alt: 2516 Dinner and overnight Mariakamba Hut

Day 2
Mariakamba Hut – Saddle Hut Hike 4km, 2 - 3 hrs, 1050m ascent, Alt: 3566 Dinner and overnight Saddle Hut.

Day 3A
Saddle Hut – “Meru Summit” Hike 5km, 4 - 5 hrs, 1000m ascent, Alt 4566

Day 3B
“Meru Summit” – Saddle Hut Hike 5km, 2 3 hrs, 1000m descent, Alt 3566 Dinner and overnight Saddle Hut

Day 4
Saddle Hut – Momella Gate – Arusha Hike 9km, 4 - 5hrs, 2050m descent, Alt: 1516 Drive 1 hr

Mt.Kenya

Kenya’s highest mountain and the second highest on the continent mount Kenya lies just below the equator, yet has several permanent glaciers. Mt Kenya’s two highest peaks, Batian (17,058 ft./ 5199m) and Nelion (17,0223ft> / 5188m) are accessible by about 25 routes and should be attempted only by experienced rock climbers.

Point Lenana (16,355ft. / 4985m) is a non technical climb accessible to hikers in good condition and is best climbed in the dry season. January – February is the best time to go when views are the clearest and temperatures are warmer on top. July – October is also dry but colder.

Vegetation changes are similar to those described for the Ruwenzori mountains (see Zaire) and Mt Kilimanjaro (See Tanzania).

Rock climbing routes on the south side of the mountain are in the best condition from late December – mid – march while routes on the north side are best climbed from late June – mid – October.

Ice routes are best attempted during the same periods but on opposite sides of the mountain. Howell Hut (17,023 ft/5188m) located on the summit of Nelion, sleeps two.

Mount Kenya’s weather is notoriously unpredictable and varies with altitude. At points well over 4,000m the Mountain is usually freezing cold, misty and often very windy. The park is accessible all the year round but the best climbing seasons are January, February, July and August. The first sighting of the mountain by a European was in 1849 by Dr.Ludwig Krapf.

BATS TREK 7

SIRIMON-SIRIMON ROUTE-4 DAYS

This is one of the most popular routes on the Mt.Kenya basically because it is short and can easily be attempted in 4 days. It is however only advisable to trekkers who are very fit as chances of Acute Mountain sickness(AMS) are very high.

Day 1
You are picked up from your hotel in Nairobi and transferred to the Sirimon Park gate (alt.2700m).After a picnic lunch; you start an acclimatization hike in the tropical woodland arriving at the Old Moses camp (alt.3200m) in the early evening. Dinner and overnight at the Old Moses camp.

Day 2
Depart the camp after breakfast and set off for the Shiptons camp(alt.4200m).On the way enjoy the picturesque views of the Mackinders valley and the Shiptons caves besides the amazing mountain vegetation constituting of the lobelias and groundsels. Arrive at the Shiptons in the late afternoon, dinner and overnight at the Shiptons.

Day 3
at 0300hrs wake up and have some tea and biscuits. Start the attempt of the screech scree to the summit- point Lenana (alt.4985m) which is the highlight of the trip! After taking photos with the sunrise, descend slowly to the Shiptons where we will have some breakfast, a short rest and then start the hike down to the Old Moses for dinner and overnight.

Day 4
Depart the camp after breakfast and walk leisurely down the forest vegetation enjoying the cool mountain air to connect with the transfer vehicle to Nairobi.

BATS TREK 8

SIRIMON- NAROMORU ROUTE-5 DAYS

Day 1
You will be picked up from your hotel in Nairobi and transferred to Nanyuki Town where you will spend the day acclimatizing in this old colonial town. The afternoon is at your leisure with an optional walk to the area around Mt.Kenya Safari Club for an acclimatization tour. Dinner and overnight at a Nanyuki hotel.

Day 2
Depart the hotel after breakfast and drive to Sirimon Park gate (alt.2700m).After a picnic lunch; you start an acclimatization hike in the tropical woodland arriving at the Old Moses camp (alt.3200m) in the early evening. Dinner and overnight at the Old Moses camp.

Day 3
Depart the camp after breakfast and set off for the Shiptons Camp(alt.4200m).On the way enjoy the picturesque views of the Mackinders Valley and the Shiptons Caves besides the amazing mountain vegetation constituting of the lobelias and the giant groundsels. Arrive at the Shiptons in the late afternoon, dinner and overnight at the Shiptons.

Day 4
at 0300hrs wake up and have some tea and biscuits. Start the attempt of the screech scree to the summit- point Lenana (alt.4985m) which is the highlight of the trip! After taking photos with the sunrise, descend slowly to the Mackinders Camp(alt.4300m) where we will have some breakfast, a short rest and then start the hike down to the Met Station(alt.3050m) for dinner and overnight.

Day 5
Depart the camp after breakfast and walk leisurely through  the forest vegetation enjoying the cool mountain air to connect with the transfer to Nairobi at Naromoru Gate(alt.2700m) for your onward destination.

BATS TREK 9

SIRIMON-CHOGORIA PEAK CIRCUMNAVIGATION

Day 1
You will be picked up from your hotel in Nairobi and transferred to Nanyuki Town. Where we will spend the night in this old colonial town. On the way sample the spectacular views of the White Highlands and the enormous acres of pineapples owned by the Del Monte in Thika.  In the afternoon, if time allows we will visit the Mau Mau caves where we get to see where the freedom fighters hid while fighting with the colonialists. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

Day 2
Depart your hotel after breakfast and drive to the Sirimon Park Gate (alt2700m). After signing in with the park officials we will start an acclimatization hike through  the tropical forest, occasionally enjoying the sighting of a monkey, a buffalo or even an elephant arriving at the Old Moses (Judmaier) Camp-alt, 3200m in time for lunch . The afternoon will be at leisure with an optional visit to the weather station, to get acclimatized to the mountain altitude. Dinner and overnight at the camp.

Day 3
After breakfast and with picnic lunches, we start the hike of the moorland vegetation walking through the picturesque views of the Sirimon and the Mackinders Valleys arriving at the Shiptons Camp (alt.4200m) in the early afternoon. Dinner and overnight.

Day 4
Depart the Shiptons after breakfast and make a peak-circuit navigation to the Austrian Hut(alt 4790m). On the way enjoy the views of the Simba Col; and the Lewis Glacier arriving at the Top Hut in time for a hot lunch. Afternoon at leisure, dinner and overnight at the camp.

Day 5
At 04h30, wake up and have some tea and biscuits. Start the attempt of the summit peak (The point Lenana, alt 4985m) which is the highlight of our trip! Take photos of the African sunrise.  It is  possible to see the Mt Kilimanjaro if the weather is clear.  Descend down to the Mintos Camp (alt, 4100m), where we will have some breakfast. Descend further down to the Meru Mt.Kenya Lodge (alt.2700m) where we will spend the night.

Day 6
Depart the lodge after breakfast and walk through the spectacular bamboo forest to connect with the 4x4 vehicle to Chogoria Town where we will connect with our transfer vehicle to Nairobi.

BATS TREK 10

NAROMORU ROUTE 4 DAYS ASCENT

This is the most popular route of hiking the mountain as it is the most easily accessible and hikers get to the main peaks in the shortest time possible. it is also the most dangerous in terms of AMS as it involves a gain of over 1000m in one day!

Day 1
Transfer from your hotel in Nairobi and drive to Naromoru park gate (alt.2700m). On the way sample the spectacular views of the Kenyan White Highlands, and the outstanding Aberdares Range arriving at the park gate in time for lunch.  Start an acclimatization hike up the tropical forest arriving at the Met station ( alt.3050m) in the late afternoon. Dinner and overnight at the camp.

Day 2
Depart the camp after breakfast and with picnic lunches attempt the vertical mud-which is very boggy but all the same very exhilarating! Lunch on the way at a designated point arriving at the Mackinders Camp (alt 4300m) in the early evening. Dinner and overnight at the camp.

Day 3
Wake up early at 0230 hrs. have a tasty cup of tea/ coffee and start the hike of the summit peak-Point Lenana (alt.4985m) which is the highlight of our trip! Take some photos with the spectacular African sunrise! and later descend down to the Mackinders Camp where we will have some breakfast. Rest for a while and later descend  down to the Met station where we will have some dinner and overnight.

Day 4
Depart the camp after breakfast and walk down through the forest vegetation to connect with the transfer vehicle to Nairobi.

BATS TREK 11

NAROMORU-CHOGORIA PEAK CIRCUIT- NAVIGATION

Day 1
Transfer from your hotel in Nairobi and drive to Naromoru gate alt.2700m.On the way enjoy the picturesque views of the White Highlands and the sprawling Aberdare Range.  fter a picnic lunch, start an acclimatization hike through  the forest vegetation arriving at the Met Station Lodge (alt.3050m)in the late afternoon. Dinner and overnight at the camp.

Day 2
Depart after breakfast and start the hike of the moorland vegetation enjoying the spectacular mountain valleys. Lunch will be on the way, later hike up to arrive at the Mackinders Camp (alt.4300m) in the early evening. Dinner and overnight at the camp.

Day 3
After breakfast, hike further up the rocky area enjoying the picturesque views of the Two Tarn and the Oblong Tarn to arrive at the Shiptons Camp (alt.4200m) in the early afternoon.  The afternoon will be at leisure with an optional visit to the Shiptons Caves. Dinner and overnight at the camp.

Day 4
At 0300hrs, wake up and have some tea and biscuits. Start the hike of the scree to the point Lenana (alt.4985m) which is the highlight of our trip! After taking photos of  the amazing African sunrise we descend down to the Mintos Hut for breakfast. Relax at the camp and later descend further to The Meru Chogoria Lodge for dinner and overnight.

Day 5
Depart the lodge after breakfast walking through the thick bamboo forest to connect with a 4x4 vehicle to Chogoria Town for our onward destination to Nairobi.