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Shira Plateau - Western Breach Itinerary
 This route is the best non-technical route on the mountain and our summit day is only a 1-2 hour hike from our last camp. This seldom traveled route starts at a low elevation in the montane forest and requires no technical experience, only that you be in great physical shape and have the desire to stand on the roof of Africa.
Please Note: Serengeti Safari will be scheduled after the climb on days 12-17.
Day 1 - 2: Depart from your homeport and travel to Arusha, Tanzania
Air Travel: All itineraries include travel days. Plan to fly to Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) in Arusha, Tanzania on the pre-scheduled arrival and departure dates and times, unless you are planning additional travel within Africa. Mountain Madness representatives will then transfer you directly to your hotel or Private Camp. KLM/Northwest departs daily to Kilimanjaro International Airport via Amsterdam and the United States. Alternatively, travel to Nairobi, Kenya where you can either tranfer by shuttle bus to Arusha or you can fly from Nairobi to Arusha on Precision Air or other carriers.
Day 2: Private Luxury Camp, Arusha National Park- 6,500 feet
 Mountain Madness Land Cruisers transport you from Kilimanjaro International Airport to a Private Tented Camp nestled in beautuful Arusha National Park where you will rest and prepare for your climb and enjoy some game viewing that may include elephant, colobus monkeys, buffalo, and fantastic bird watching. This region is incredibly scenic with views of Mt. Kilimanjaro and Mt. Meru dominating a panorama of grasslands and high tropical landscapes. You will enjoy a night game drive on your way to camp.
Day 3: Private Luxury Camp Altitude- 6,500 feet
Today is spent relaxing and recovering from your travels. You will have an opportunity to familiarize yourself with the guides and fellow members of your group. Today your guide will have a trip briefing and review your equipment. There may be time for a walk or game drive, which will be taken out into the grasslands for views of African game and Mount Kilimanjaro, as giraffe, buffalo and antelope are usually seen in the area.
 Day 4: Montane Forest
Altitude - 7,000-9,500 feet; Hiking Time: 3-6 hours
After a short drive through the beautiful grasslands and scattered Masai villages we will arrive at the forest edge of the National Park. From here we will walk a few hours through the undisturbed lush jungle to our camp for the night. Our Tanzanian guides will share their knowledge of the local ecology as you walk through the fantastic plants and trees, hear birds, and see other exotic wildlife. With luck you will be able to see Colobus monkeys and signs of elephants on your walk to camp. Upon arriving at camp, you will find your tent set up as well as hot tea and snacks waiting for you in the dining tent. You may relax or go on a short hike before dinner.
 Day 5: Shira Plateau - West Side
Altitude- 11,500 feet; Hiking Time: 6-8 hrs
Upon waking, your Tanzanian guides will greet you at your tent with tea and hot water to wash with before enjoying breakfast. We will take our time walking through the forest, which enables us to acclimatize comfortably and spot the plentiful game and bird life while enjoying the views down canyon through breaks in the jungle. Today's hike will take us through the Montane Forest and the Hagenia Zone. We will point out the unique environmental differences that characterize these separate equatorial zones.
Day 6: Fischer Camp
Altitude 12,300 feet; Hiking Time: 3-6 hours 
It will take us roughly three hours to hike across the Shira Plateau and then one hour up the western slope of the Kibo Massif. Our Camp will be at about 12,300 feet, in the upper Heath Zone. This camp has a plaque dedicated to Scott Fischer, friend and founder of Mountain Madness. In the 1980's, Wes Krause and Scott Fischer pioneered the Shira Plateau route on Kilimanjaro which we travel. The views of the mountain at sunset and sunrise are truly spectacular.
Day 7: Lava Tower Altitude- 14,300 feet; Hiking Time: 5-7 hours
After breakfast, the group slowly hikes to 14,300 feet, just under the "Lava Tower." This will be our first introduction to the Alpine Zone where the only plant life is the hardiest of grasses and lichens. We will have a spectacular view of the final route of ascent up the Western Breach. There is an exciting optional rock scramble (non-technical) to the top of this unusual lava tower. The views from the lava tower summit of Mount Kilimanjaro, Mount Meru and the surrounding valleys are quite impressive. Day 8: Arrow Glacier Altitude- 15,300 feet; Hiking Time: 2-3 hours
The Western Breach ascent route is now in full view. We spend a few hours climbing to the base of the route and make camp near the Arrow Glacier at 15,700 feet. To further our acclimatization, we take an afternoon hike up a spectacular ridge further up the route before relaxing in camp. This camp is famous for the absolutely magnificent sunsets, which illuminate the African sky.
 Day 9: Summit Crater Camp
Altitude 18,500 feet; Hiking time 7-10 hours
Today we climb up the Western Breach for about seven hours to the top of the crater rim. There will be time to explore the inner crater before moving to our high camp on the crater floor. It is common to find snow along this section of the route. Our high camp will be situated adjacent to a spectacular glacier and the summit merely a short hike away! The rest of the day will be spent drinking lots of liquids and enjoying another fabulous sunset dinner.
Day 10: Summit Day!
Altitude 19,340 feet; Hiking Time: 1-2 hours to summit
Descend to Mweka Camp
Altitude 10,500 feet Hiking Time: 8-10 hours to camp.
 After breakfast, we will leave camp and hike to the top of the crater rim. From there it is just a ten-minute hike to Uhuru Summit, the highest point in Africa 19,340 feet! We arrive at the summit and are rewarded with clear views before the midmorning clouds roll in. We will bask in the glory of our accomplishment, grab a bite to eat, enjoy the views and take lots of photographs. After summit celebrations we will begin our descent past Barafu Hut and down to our camp near Mweka Hut, where our porters will have prepared a special celebratory feast! We will have descended almost 9,000 feet today and you will feel intoxicated by the oxygen rich air.
 Day 11: Moivaro Hotel - Arusha - Climbers depart for home
Hiking Time: 4-7 hours
Hiking time will vary depending on the trail conditions while traveling through the lush vegetation at this elevation. Rain can occur any time of year at this location and can make the trail muddy requiring a slower pace. Once we have descended the 4,500 feet to the roadhead we  will have our lunch and say good-bye to our mountain staff before heading off to the hotel. At the Moivaro Hotel you can relax, swim in the pool and enjoy the serene setting overlooking the Tanzanian Coffee Plantation. A Celebratory dinner at the Moivaro will follow! Climb only members transfer to airport for night flight home.
Day 12: Climb only participants arrive home and others continue on safari.
3-DAY SAFARI ITINERARY
Lake Manyara National Park & Ngorongoro Crater
Day 12: Lake Manyara National Park & Ngorongoro Private Camp
We continue on our journey with a visit to Lake Manyara National Park, a park Ernest Hemmingway described as"the loveliest I had ever seen." Found amid the variety of animals is an abundance of birdlife, including the pink flamingos that enjoy the water-based microcosm of the lake and it's environs, all of which add to the ecological diversity of your safari. After our visit we drive to the highlands of Ngorongoro Crater. We stay for two nights at the deluxe private camp at Ngorongoro, near Ole Dorop´s, our Maasai friend and walking safari guide.
Day 13: Ngorongoro private camp
The twelve-mile wide crater left by this massive volcano contains incredible wildlife viewing. This entire day is set aside to visit the crater and photograph, watch, and appreciate the extensive wildlife diversity. Depending on the interest of the group we have time to visit a traditional Maasai boma and or venture out for a short walking safari.
Day 14: Ngorongoro/Arusha
Today the morning can be spent enjoying the peace and wonderful views from camp, or any combination of taking a short walk with a Maasai guide, visiting the home of Ole Dorope and his family, or having a look at the local Maasai village school. Lunch will be in camp before returning to Arusha where you will have a dayroom to freshen up before your flight home. Late evening flight home.
Day 15: Arrive home.
SERENGETI EXTENSION
Day 14: Serengeti - Serengeti Private Camp.
On our way to Serengeti, we will visit Olduvai Gorge located between Ngorongoro and Serengeti. This is the site of the famous archeological dig, where doctors Mary and Louis Leakey discovered East Africa´s earliest known humanoid remains in 1959. Apart from the Selous Wildlife Reserve, the Serengeti is the largest of all the parks in Tanzania. It offers a diversity of scenery -- plains, rivers, lakes, hills and rock outcrops, each with their own appeal and range of wildlife. We will explore the park according to the group´s interests and then spend the night in our Serengeti Private Camp.
Day 15: Serengeti
Our options allow flexibility to go where we feel the game is most concentrated. As we journey out in search of the wildlife, we can visit the many rock outcrops, where it is possible to view predators that climb up the low angle rock to scan the endless plains.
Day 16: Depart for Home or Other Adventures
Travel back to Arusha, stopping for lunch on the way. At the Moivaro Lodge you will have a dayroom where you can relax and enjoy the serene Tanzanian landscape before dinner at the Moivaro.
Day 17: Arrive
Regarding departure for safari members- if you are departing Kilimanjaro International Airport on Northwest/KLM´s flight into Amsterdam you will be depart in the evening following dinner on Day 16. Our staff will transfer you to the airport. Dayrooms at the Moivaro Lodge will be provided for safari members.
Air Travel
Mountain Madness, Inc. does not ticket for air travel for our Kilimanjaro trips. However, if you need help from a travel agent we have some companies you can contact to do a comparison. Here are three to contact:
• Pirjo at CTT Destinations: 1-800-909-6647
• Klaus at Consolidators Webfares: 1-678-462-8737
Plan to fly to Kilimanjaro International Airport in Arusha, Tanzania. We will meet you at the airport and take you to your starting point. KLM has daily non-stop departures to and from Amsterdam. Our services begin on day two of our itinerary in the evening, so plan your arrival to be sometime around 6 p.m. If you arrive earlier, “off-itinerary” we can assist you with earlier pick-ups and lodging if needed.
Alternately, you can fly to Kenyatta Airport in Nairobi, Kenya. Mountain Madness can assist you with your travel plans between Nairobi and Arusha if needed. Options include travel by ground transport or air to Arusha.
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