This year Eco Travel Africa/MEM New Year Summit of Kilimanjaro will kick off as usual on 26 December 2010 and summit via the lovely Lemosho Route on dawn of New Years Day.

This is a great climb option for single or lady travelers or first timers to Africa who would like a little extra security in a guided and escorted trip. This means I’ll be available online, on the phone or by skype to talk you through the practicalities of climbing Kilimanjaro, to advise you on kit and other preparation and afterwards to meet you in Tanzania and look after you until we drop you off at the airport.

Usually once the group is assembled we throw out some ideas on a side trip to add to the climb experience. The best options for this are usually a safari taking in the Serengeti National Park and Ngorongoro Crater, but our friends at Ndarakwai Ranch in Western Kilimanjaro also offer some superb options for post-flight decompression and safaris.

Logistics for this trip are provided by our partner in Tanzania MEM Africa, one of the leading locally based climb outfitters in Tanzania. 

Dec 26 - Day 1:

Londorossi Gate to Mti Mkumbwa (Big Tree) (2,650 m/8,692 ft)

Hike time: 3hrs

Elevation Change: + 650 M/+2,132

Estimation distance: 10 km

Final Elevation: 2,650 m/8,694 ft

• After the morning drive to the trailhead, it’s an easy hike thru the forest stopping at the Mti Mkumbwa Camp after only about 3 hours of climbing.

December 27 - Day 2:

Mti Mkumbwa (2,650 m/8,692 ft) to Shira One Camp (3,609 m/11,841 ft.)

Hike time: 5 – 6 hrs

Elevation change: + 950 M/+3116

Estimation distance: 12 km

Final Elevation: 3609 m/11,841 ft

• This day starts in the forest and gets considerably steeper as you go through the heather and moorland areas before camping at the Shira Plateau in a large, open, and scenic area at the Shira One Camp.

December 28 - Day 3:

Shira One Camp (3,609 m/11,841 ft.) to Shira Two Camp (3,849 m/12,628 ft.)

Hike time: 5 - 6 hrs

Elevation change: + 240 M/+787 ft

Elevation distance: 5 km

Final elevation: 3849 m/12,628 ft.

• This day takes you on a gentle walk across the plateau for some excellent scenery while your body continues to acclimatize.

December 29 - Day 4:

Shira Two Camp (3,849 m/12,628 ft.) to Barranco Hut (3,948 m/12,956 ft.)

Hike time: 5 hrs

Elevation change: +100 M/+328 ft

Estimated distance: 6 km

Final elevation: 3948 m/12,956 ft.

• The morning climb is somewhat steep on this day as you ascend to Lava Tower at 4,600 meters at midday before descending again on the scenic route to Barranco Camp. This is a great example of the climb high/sleep low rule that helps people acclimatize safely.

December 30 - Day 5:

Barranco Hut (3,900 m/12,800 ft) to Karanga Valley (3,963 m/13,000 ft)

Hike time: 3.5 hrs

Elevation change: +100 m/+328 ft

Estimated distance: 4km/2.5 miles

Final elevation: 3,963 m/13,000 ft

• You climb the Great Barranco Wall, which looks more intimidating than it really is, and down into the Karanga Valley. This day has many ups and downs and crosses many small streams before crossing the Karanga River.

December 31 - Day 6:

Karanga Valley (3,963 m/13,000 ft) to Barafu Hut (4,600 m/15,091 ft)

Hike time: 3.5 hrs

Elevation change: +600 m/+1,968 ft

Estimated distance: 4km/2.5 miles

Final elevation: 4,600 m/15,091 ft

• You climb through rocky and otherwise barren terrain on your way to Barafu Camp. The camp is in another cold and windy area, but you’ll only be sleeping from around 7 p.m. until 11: 30 p.m. or so because you’ll be starting the summit climb at midnight.

January 1 - Day 7:

Barafu Camp (4,600m/15,091 ft) to The Summit (5,896 m/19,343 ft) and then to Mweka Camp (3,100 m/10,170 ft)

Summit time: 7 hrs

Elevation change: +1,300 m/+4,265 ft

Estimated distance: 5km/3.2 miles

Final elevation: 5,896 m/19,343 ft

Descent time: 5 hrs

Elevation change: -2,800 m/-9,186 ft

Estimated distance: 12km/7.5 miles

Final elevation: 3,100 m, 10,170 ft

• We start at midnight with the most challenging 6-hour section of the entire climb. We will reach Stella Point around sunrise. Another 60 minutes up a gentle slope and you greet the day at Uhuru Peak! After enjoying the moment for pictures and high fives, you’ll begin your descent to the Mweka Camp. We will stop at Barufu for a short rest. At Mweka, it’s a celebration with a cold Kilimanjaro or two known to be served

January 2 - Day 8:

Mweka Hut (3,100 m/10,170 ft) to Mweka Gate (1,828 m/6,000 ft)

Descent time: 4 hrs

Elevation change: -1,250 m/-4,101 ft

Estimated distance: 10km/6.21

Final elevation: 1,828 m/6,000 ft

• After the previous day you’ll deserve this short and very scenic descent of about 4 hours down to the Mweka Gate, where you’ll sign the register to make your climb official

Package includes:

• All Airport Transfers
• Hotel accommodation for 2-nights
• All costs and fees pertaining to the climb package
• All food, expedition gear, guide & support personnel and support while engaged in the expedition
• Full sales support and back-up