Kilimanjaro Foothills Walks Tanzania

Transcription

1 Kilimanjaro Foothills Walks Tanzania

2 Walk off the beaten path and experience a different Mount Kilimanjaro! These adventure walks take you along the lower slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro on ancient trails between the national park forest and local villages. As you walk you will be amazed by the beauty of the surrounding landscape, from Uhuru Peak the Roof of Africa - above, to the encircling mountain rainforest, the waterfalls and rivers lining the valleys, farm plots full of coffee and banana trees, maize fields, pastures, wildflowers, and the magnificent views of the sweeping plains below. HIGHLIGHTS Walk through areas seen by few tourists Discover the rural lifestyle on Kilimanjaro Meet and share with local population Overnights in the center of community life Altitude 2000m, no acclimatization needed Follow paths used exclusively by local Chagga people Camp accommodations and meals prepared by our chefs Small group experience

3 HIKING OVERVIEW We walk kilometres per day between 1400 and 2200 meters elevation on local footpaths used by local villagers to access farm fields, forests, and to cross from one ridge to another. The route allows you to discover a part of Tanzania few tourists ever see. NOTES - 5 days/4 nights or 8 days/7nights hours walk per day (average) - Ascent/descent: 500 to 800 meters per day (average) - Some walking on steep trails that can be slippery when wet - Trekking poles strongly recommended - Thick camping mattresses provided - Groups of 2 to 10 hikers with 1 to 3 local guides Overnights are spent in our comfortable mobile camp with walk-in tents for 1-2 people or families, with locally-inspired meals served in a dining tent and prepared by our expert mountain cooks. Our qualified Chagga mountain guides act also as cultural interpreters, ready to answer your questions while pointing out sights of interest along the way. They are are fluent in English, Swahili, and the local Kichagga dialect.

4 Kenya Kibosho Tanzanie Machame Mweka Wondo Tema Kidia Mbahe Day 1 : Machame to Kibosho Day 2 :Kibosho to Mweka Day 3 : Mweka to Wondo Day 4 : Wondo to Tema Day 5 : Tema to Kidia Day 6 : Kidia to Mbahe Map of hiking days

5 ITINERARY DESCRIPTION 5 days/ 4 nights Day 1 : Mweka to Wondo (Approx. distance: 10km) Morning pick-up from your hotel and vehicle transfer to the trailhead. We begin on a low trail used by villagers to access their fields, passing through villages and into the forest. We cross many rivers on small wood bridges or rock to rock to reach the other side. We will encounter the traditional irrigation channels, used by local farmers for more than 100 years, to grow coffee, bananas and other fruits and vegetables. After 5km and a walk along the channels of the Rau river valley, we come upon a high waterfall. Save some energy as the last ascent to camp will be demanding! Accommodation/Meals: Kilimanjaro View Lodge camp / L, D Day 2 : Wondo to Tema (Approx. distance: 10km) Start the day by following our noses and the sweet smell of the eucalyptus trees that create a natural border between the Kilimanjaro National Park and the villages. As the day progresses, the hiking increases in intensity as we pass a dramatic landscape of high ridges and deep valleys, all covered by tropical rain forest. If we are lucky, we may spot blue monkeys hanging in the trees above our route. As you pass through the farms and forests, you will hear from your SENE guide about his ownexperience on the mountain on which he grew up. Our campsite at a primary school overlooks Moshi Town and the surrounding plain. Accommodation/Meals: Tema School camp/ B,L,D down over Moshi, and also up toward the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro, which emerges as we approach Mbahe Village and Simon Mtuy s family farm. Stay the night at SENE s Mbahe Farm Cottages. Nestled among the lush tropical forests near the border of Kilimanjaro National Park, the farm consists of 15 acres of land on which Simon Mtuy s ancestors raised cattle and today is used as a small ecologically sustainable farm with 8 semi-detached guest rooms. Accommodation/Meals: Mbahe Farm Cottages/ B,L,D Day 5 : Mbahe village Rest, recover, and relax at Mbahe Farm House. Enjoy delicious homebrew coffee, grown and roasted on the farm, meals made with fresh fruits and vegetables from the garden, and perhaps take a refreshing swim below the Moonjo River waterfall that sits on the property. It is the perfect spot to relax after your adventure walk on Kilimanjaro! For those returning home you will be transferred to the Kilimanjaro International Airport to catch your flight. Those staying in Tanzania will start your next adventure today. Meals: B,L Day 3 : Tema to Kidia (Approx. distance: 12km) After a night camped at 1900 meters, the trail proceeds through more colorful mountain villages, past coffee and maize farms and rivers where you can refresh in the cool and crystal clear water. We pass Kidia village, the site of the first European settlement in the Kilimanjaro region. There are many large Catholic and Lutheran churches on the mountain, each with its own story of missionary work among the Chagga people. Our last camp is at another primary school high up the mountain. Accommodation/Meals: Fumyuhu School camp/ B,L,D Day 4 : Kidia to Mbahe (Approx. distance: 14km) Our last day is a perfect day to savor the landscape. The route is longer than the other days but the trails are gentler! We reach several superb viewpoints

6 ITINERARY DESCRIPTION 8 days/7 nights Day 1 : Machame We pick you up upon arrival at the Kilimanjaro International Airport and bring you to Kaliwa Lodge in Machame Village, located at 1300m in the foothills of Mount Kilimanjaro and just minutes from the trailhead, for dinner and overnight. Accommodation/Meals: Kaliwa Lodge / D Day 2 : Machame to Kibosho (Approx. distance: 17km) We have a long first day following trails used by villagers of the sprawling Machame Village. We cross through some steep and remote valleys. Nestled within natural vegetation, the Kibosho Luxury Resort is rich with birds and butterflies visiting the abundant flowers in the gardens. Rest after the long day hiking and enjoy unparalleled views of the snowcapped Kibo peak of Kilimanjaro. Accommodation/Meals: Kibosho Luxury Resort / B,L,D Day 3 : Kibosho to Mweka (Approx. distance: 13km) Today, we encounter our steepest valleys and ridges above a densely settled area of smallholder Arabica coffee farms that use centuries-old irrigation canals dug along the mountainside. Our first camping night is on the land of SENE founder Simon Mtuy. As the sun sets, you will be able to observe the few lights of Moshi and to feel the calm of the mountain. Accommodation/Meals: Mtuy Farm camp/ B,L,D Day 4 : Mweka to Wondo (Approx. distance: 10km) This hiking day start from a lower elevation and brings us through villages and into the forest. We will cross many rivers on small wood bridges or will jump from rock to rock to reach the other side. We will discover the traditional irrigation channels, used by local farmers for more than 100 years, to grow coffee, bananas and many other fruits and vegetables. After 5km and a walk along the channels and the Rau river valley, we will come upon a high waterfall. Save some energy as the last ascent to camp will be demanding! Accommodation/Meals: Kilimanjaro View Lodge camp / B,L,D Day 5 : Wondo to Tema (Approx. distance: 11km) We start the day by following our noses and the sweet smell of the eucalyptus trees. The trail passes several villages and an ingenious electrical system using the water channel. As the day progresses, the hiking increases in intensity as we pass a dramatic landscape of high ridges and deep valleys. Our campsite at a primary school overlooks Moshi Town and the surrounding plain. Accommodation/Meals: Tema School camp/ B,L,D Day 6 : Tema to Kidia (Approx. distance: 6km) After a night camped at 1900 meters, the trail proceeds through more colorful mountain villages, past coffee and maize farms and rivers where you can refresh in the cool and crystal clear water. We pass Kidia village, the site of the first European settlement in the Kilimanjaro region. Our last camp is at another primary school high up the mountain. Accommodation/Meals: Fumyuhu School camp/ B,L,D Day 7 : Kidia to Mbahe (Approx. distance: 14km) Our last day is a perfect day to savor the landscape. The route is longer than the previous days but the trails are gentler! We reach several superb viewpoints down over Moshi, but also up toward the summit of Mont Kilimanjaro, which emerges as we approach Mbahe Village and Simon Mtuy s family farm. Stay one night at Mbahe Farm House to rest, recover, and relax. Enjoy delicious homebrew coffee, meals made with fresh fruits and vegetables from the garden, and perhaps take a refreshing swim below the Moonjo River waterfall that sits on the property. Accommodation/Meals: Mbahe Farm Cottages/ B,L,D Day 8 : Mbahe village For those returning home you will be transferred to the Kilimanjaro International Airport to catch your flight. Those staying in Tanzania may start your safari, depart for Zanzibar, or spend an extra night at Mbahe Farm Cottages. Accommodation: B,L.

7 Trails of Two Mountains - 10 days/ 9 nights This adventure is for the avid hiker who wants to diversify their trail experience with a multi-day cultural walk through the foothills of Kilimanjaro followed by the challenge and majesty of standing atop Mount Meru, Tanzania s second highest peak. Day 1: Arrival/Mbahe village Mbahe Farm Cottages / D Kilimanjaro Foothills walk: Day 2: Mbahe Village to Kidia Fumyuhu School Camp / B,L,D Day 3: Kidia to Tema Tema School Camp / B,L,D Day 4: Tema to Wondo Kilimanjaro View Camp / B,L,D Day 5: Wondo to Mweka Mtuy Farm Camp / B,L,D Day 6: Rest day Simba Farm / B,L,D Meru Climb: Day 7: Momella Gate (1515m) to Miriakamba Huts (2515m) Miriakamba Huts / B,L,D Day 8: Miriakamba Huts (2515m) to Saddle Huts(3570m) Saddle Huts / B,L,D Day 9: Saddle Huts (3570m) to Meru Summit (4465m) to Momella Gate(1515m) Kibo Palace Hotel or Rivertrees Country Inn / B,L,D Day 10: Arusha Town/Departure B

8 2014/15 PriCE PER PERSON Number of People Single Supp 5days/4nights $1,350 $1,025 $850 $750 $75 8days/7nights $2,295 $1,800 $1,550 $1,420 $150 Trails of 2 mountains $2,795 $2,395 $2,095 $1,995 $210 Includes: All accommodations All meals as indicated (B.L.D.) All drinks at Mbahe Filtered water (by Katadyn Expedition filter) and coffee, teas, cocoa Services of hiking guide and camp crew All camping equipment (excluding sleeping bag) Portable private toilet with bio-degradable waste system (Cleanwaste ) at all camps Transfers to/from Kilimanjaro International Airport, Moshi, Arusha. Does Not Include: Tips and gratuities to leaders, guides, crew, or other staff; cold drinks and alcohol (except at Mbahe Farm Cottages); additional accommodations and meals made necessary by airline schedule changes, inability to complete the walk, or other factors; pre-trip expenses such as immunizations, travel insurance, passports, and visas; international airfare; and any expenses of a personal nature such as souvenirs and laundry. Please Note: Prices are subject to change and lodge availability is not guaranteed until a signed application and deposit are received, at which time accommodations are booked and a final itinerary prepared. Modifications to the itinerary may result in a change in price. See the SENE adventure application form for all terms & conditions, payment schedule, and cancellation policy

9 SENE s Environmental Commitment As someone who owns a farm on the slopes of Kilimanjaro, Simon Mtuy cannot ignore the dramatic environmental changes that have evolved within his lifetime. Concerned about environmental sustainability and the future of his village, Simon designed, built, and operates the farm and cottages on universal social and environmental principles. (Including solar water heaters at Mbahe farm). Simon teaches local villagers about the importance of reforestation and about sustainable farming techniques. We at SENE: Observe the strict environmental principles of Leave No Trace, the Colorado-based center for outdoor ethics, of which SENE is a member. Use GoalZero solar kits to recharge our electronics on the mountain. Plant indigenous tree saplings (10 per participant) during the Kilimanjaro Stage Run. Rely on digital communications (we do not mail printed brochures). Send clients to the Chumbe Island Coral Park Eco Lodge in Zanzibar - one of the top 10 eco lodges in the world.

10 MORE ADVENTURE IN TANZANIA... with SENE Stay at Mbahe Farm Cottages to rest and connect amidst nature and local communities. Safari to Tanzania s national parks to see first-hand their huge concentrations of wildlife. Fly to the Spice Island of Zanzibar to relax on its beautiful beaches and enjoy the local food and customs. Climb Mount Kilimanjaro to the summit at 5895m! Challenge yourself on a multi-day off road bike ride or trail run in remote parts of Tanzania. CONTACT Phone : : (Tanzania) (USA) (France) info@nomadicexperience.com Internet : Photos credit: Nathalie Pigache, Alan Walker, Steve Villiger, Tim Leinbach, Andrew King, Doug Hardy Summit Expeditions & Nomadic Experience (SENE) was founded in 1998 by mountain guide and ultra-runner Simon Mtuy. He continues to carry out his vision of a sustainable, Tanzanian-owned and operated adventure travel outfitter that promotes the beauty of Tanzania, while contributing to the well-being of its people and environment. SENE provides high-quality, customized, safe, and sustainable Kilimanjaro climbs, foothills walks, wildlife safaris, biking, and running adventures for novice and experienced adventurers.