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

Success! We reached our campsite as it was getting dark. Our wonderful guides had our tents set up and they were ready for our arrival. Nothing has looked so good to some weary travelers as a tent and a mess hall.

We had a lot of fun trekking about 7 miles and about four thousand vertical feet today. Our fellow trekker, Olivier, a YoungLife leader from Rwanda taught some of us an old African song as we hiked. We gave our friend, Olivier, a nickname, the Strong One, and Olivier delivered. Hiking was a piece of cake for him today.

We got to see some wonderful sights as we climbed though the rain forest. We saw several white necked ravens as well as some endangered monkeys as we hiked. Also spotted the impatient Kilimanjaro plant.

We had a terrific meal starting with popcorn and delicious tilapia and ended with a great dessert.

We had a fun conversation at dinner and ended with a quick game of what we were thankful for on Day 1. Many were thankful that we made it safely and had a great dinner. We also shared how we felt about Day 1 as we looked forward to the coming week.

Everyone was wiped out and quickly set out for some sleep after dinner.

~ Kevin King