DAY 3: CLIMB TO MACHAME GATE

MOUNTAIN ROUTE OVERVIEW

Our group will start climbing after registering in the National Park’s Climber Log and eating lunch. They’ll start hiking on a forest road through the rain forest – which is why it’s wet and humid climate where they start climbing. To the right and left of the road are Mount Kilimanjaro’s giant red germs and impatiens. The path will get narrower and steeper as it winds through the rainforest. After another hour of hiking, the landscape will start changing as they enter the moorland zone and approach their first camp. Upon arriving at camp, porters will welcome them with a tent that’s already pitched and hot tea with biscuits. After resting, they’ll debrief about the following day’s climb and eat dinner. If the weather is good, they’ll see a beautiful sunset and catch a glimpse of the first snow-capped peak of Kibo!!

MOUNTAIN ROUTE STATS

Starting elevation 6,000 feet

Ending elevation 9,900 feet

Elevation gain 3,900 feet

Distance hiked 6 miles

Average hiking time 6 to 7 hours

Today is the day!! Very few of us slept well last night because of excitement or jet lag or both but we were READY to start the climb!! We drove about 2-3 hours from our hotel to the base of Kilimanjaro where we had a wonderful lunch prepared to us before we started the hike. At lunch we were entertained by a monkey who kept trying to steal our food, thankfully he only was able to get a juice box!

I kind of thought that the first day would be a lighter day to ease us into the mountain but boy was I wrong!! The inclines were no joke but our guides kept reminding us of our mantra, “pole pole pamoja pamoja” which means “slowly slowly, together together.” About 30 minutes into our climb, the rain came…and it didn’t stop. For the next five and a half hours we hiked through the beautiful Tanzanian jungle in a downpour with rushing water all around us. We all thought it looked like a chocolate fountain we’d see in Willy Wonka. Unfortunately many of our hiking boots and socks got soaked and mud was literally everywhere but everyone had great attitudes the whole time!! We got to our first camp around 6pm where we were greeted by the most amazing rainbow hovering over us. Thanks to the porters (or ‘kings’ as we call them) our tents were set up and a delicious dinner was served!!

The biggest takeaway from today was how AMAZING the porters are. They carry all of our bags and tents and food and camp supplies and have everything ready for us. We all feel so undeserving of the way they serve us. They are truly are the real MVP’s of this trip and I realize now how none of this could happen without them. We are so grateful!!

Vibes are high all around and I can’t wait for the rest of the week!

-Emily