Day 1 - Friday 19th March
Depart Glasgow at 0600 on a morning flight to Amsterdam, connecting with flight to Kilimanjaro International Airport at 1105. Arrive at Kilimanjaro at 2130.
Day 2 - Saturday 20th March
Today we base ourselves at the hotel and enjoy a leisurely morning before lunch. In the afternoon we have more time to relax and prepare, or briefly visit Moshi, before a full event briefing and equipment check before dinner, where we’ll be introduced to our team of local guides and key members of the support crew. It’s early to bed – as that’s the best preparation for the climb that awaits - and too much alcohol before the trek is not advised!
Day 3 - Sunday 21st March
After a good breakfast we make the 15-20 minute road transfer to the Machame Gate. On arrival we meet the rest of our team, including our guides, cooks and porters. We begin our trek through lush vegetation of the humid rainforest with its fascinating range of bird life, wild flowers, endemic trees and insects. If we are lucky we might even spot a blue monkey or hear the shy Colobus monkey leaping through the trees above us! We have some short breaks and a packed lunch en route before reaching our camp in the afternoon. There is some time to relax before dinner. We then settle for our first night under canvas after a short briefing. (5-6 hours trekking)
Day 4 - Monday 22nd March
This morning our route takes us through the ever changing scenery as we make the steep ascent up through heather and moorland to the Shira Plateau. We continue across the plateau, with a hot cooked lunch en route, to our camp and this evening we can relax and enjoy the fabulous views. (6-7 hours trekking)
Day 5 - Tuesday 23rd March
Today we trek east across beautiful barren moon like landscape and around craters that scar the earth. We trek always in the shadow of mighty Kibo until reaching the Lava Tower where we stop for some lunch. This afternoon we descend through the surrounding ravines, with their wonderful micro climates and beautiful birdlife. We eventually reach our camp late in the afternoon. This descent aids the acclimatisation process and allows our bodies to adjust to the ever changing altitude. (6-7 hours trekking)
Day 6 - Wednesday 24th March
We leave camp early and our first challenge today is a climb and scramble over the volcanic rock of the Barranco Wall. On reaching the top we have a well earned snack break and enjoy fantastic views over to Barafu. For the rest of the day we make the steady climb to our camp positioned on a ridge overlooking the south east valley. We reach camp in the afternoon and after a good meal, we put on some extra layers to keep warm and try to relax and get some sleep in preparation for our early morning summit bid. (6-7 hours trekking)
Day 7 - Thursday 25th March
So to summit day and our toughest challenge yet. Awaking just after midnight and after a hot drink and snack we begin our climb. For the next 6 hours we trek the steepest and most demanding part of the route by torch light. This is a long and gruelling trek through scree to reach Stella point at the crater rim. After a short rest we make our final traverse to Uhuru Peak, the highest point on the African continent at 5896m. The rising morning sunlight gives us spectacular views across the plains below and of Mount Meru in the distance and we feel on top of the world! After some photos we have a tough decent to Barafu camp where we stop for a rest and some breakfast before continuing on to Millennium camp. After a long but exhilarating day we can finally rest our tired legs and get a good night’s sleep. (12 hours trekking)
Day 8 - Friday 26th March
After breakfast we continue our descent back through the rainforest to Mweka Gate. A short transfer by bus takes us to Moshi and our hotel; en-route we stop at a bar in Moshi for lunch and a quick drink to celebrate our achievements before continuing on to our hotel. Here we can finally take off our walking boots and enjoy our first hot shower in almost a week! We have the afternoon to relax by the pool with a drink and this evening we enjoy a fantastic dinner to celebrate our remarkable achievements and for those who have the energy we can party in to the night! (3-4 hours trekking)
Day 9/10 - Saturday 27th/Sunday 28th March
We can enjoy a free day either by the pool or exploring Moshi and the local area before transferring to the airport for our overnight flight back to the UK. Arrive back in Glasgow at 1055 on Sunday morning.
