Overview

• Elevation: 1830m to 3000m, 6000ft to 10,200ft
• Distance covered: Approximately 11 kilometers
• Vegetation: Montane Forest
• Approx. time taken: 5-7 hours
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included

Our mountain guides and a support crew will arrive at the hotel in the morning for pre-climbing briefing, after which you will travel by vehicle to Kilimanjaro National Park's entrance: Machame Gate (1,800 m). After the quick formality of acquiring climbing permits and registering with the search and rescue service, the group will start trekking up to Machame Camp (3,010 m). The trekking route will take you through the rainforest , so we recommend you take spare clothes, and your rain gears.

Please Note: This will be your first day at this altitude, so it is strongly recommended the following:

• Abstain from consuming alcohol and caffee
• Drink over 4 liters of bottled water daily (little by little, frequently)
• ake a Diamox pill to help alleviate symptoms of altitude sickness. Most mountain climbers take Diamox in the morning, before they start their ascent, in order to reduce discomfort associated with altitude sickness. We recommend you consult your physician prior to the trip in case of potential allergies

At night you may experience discomfort associated with acclimatization to the high altitude: because of a reduction in your waking breathing pattern, your body gets less oxygen than during the day. Taking altitude into account, you may therefore start feeling sick and have a headache. Pay attention to your own body and tell your guide if you start feeling any symptoms of altitude sickness.

Overview

• Elevation: 3000m to 3840m, 10,200ft to 12,600ft
• Distance: 5km
• Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
• Vegetation: Moorland
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included

After breakfast leave the glades of the rainforest and continue on an ascending path up to a steep, rocky ridge. On the Shira Plateau, the trail passes through heather and open moorlands, then cross a large river gorge to Shira Cave Camp for lunch then after some rest, there will be a chance to do a short acclimatization walk before dinner and overnight..

Overview

• Elevation: 3800m to 4630m to 3986m, 15,000ft to 13,700ft
• Distance covered: Approximately 11 kilometers
• Vegetation: Semi-desert
• Approx. time taken: 5-7 hours
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included

From the Shira Plateau, we continue to the east up a ridge, passing the junction towards the peak of Kibo. As we continue, our direction changes to the South East towards the Lava Tower, called the Sharks Tooth. Shortly after the tower, we come to the second junction which brings us up to the Arrow Glacier at an altitude of 4876m / 15,997 ft. We now continue down to the Barranco Hut at an altitude of 3860m / 12,664 ft. Here we rest, enjoy dinner, and overnight. Although you end the day at the same elevation as when you started, this day is very important for acclimatization and will help your body prepare for summit day.

Overview

• Elevation: 3900m to 4600m, 13,007ft to 15,295ft
• Distance covered: Approximately 9 kilometers
• Vegetation: Alpine Desert
• Approx. time taken: 8 hours
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included

Early wakeup, breakfast and the start of summiting Barranco Wall (we recommend you leave the camp as early as possible to avoid crowds of the other groups). Hiking up the gorge wall is not difficult and only takes around an hour. After the climb you can have a rest and take photos in front of the Kibo volcano.

Then you start a more difficult hike to Karanga Camp, which features numerous ascents and descents during the route, but don't worry: our guides are experts at choosing an optimal pace for the group. After reaching the camp you will be offered warm lunch. After a couple of hours you will have to complete ascend to Barafu Camp (4,640 m) where you will be served a hot dinner. It is better to spend the remainder of the day resting and sleeping before night summiting.

Overview

• Elevation: 4600m to 5895m (and down to 3100m) 15,100ft to 19,300ft (and down to 10,200ft)
• Distance: 5km ascent / 12km descent
• Hiking Time: 6-8 hours ascent / 3 hours descent
• Vegetation: Stone scree and ice-capped summit
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included

Very early in the morning (midnight to 2am),, we continue our way to the summit. You head in a northwesterly direction and ascend through heavy scree towards Stella Point on the crater rim. This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek. At Stella Point (5685m / 18,652 ft), you will stop for a short rest and will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see (weather permitting).

From Stella Point, you will encounter snow all the way on your 2-hour ascent to the summit. At Uhuru Peak, we have reached the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa. Faster hikers will see the sunrise from the summit. It can be very cold at night at these elevations, but it will be quite warm by the end of the hiking day. You will want clothing for both extremes with you. From the summit, we now make our descent continuing straight down to the Mweka Hut camp site, stopping at Barafu for lunch. You will want gaiters and trekking poles for the loose gravel going down. Mweka Camp is situated in the upper forest and mist or rain can be expected in the late afternoon. Later in the evening, we enjoy our last dinner on the mountain and a well-earned sleep.

Overview

• Elevation: 3100m to 1830m, 10,200ft to 6000ft
• Distance: 10 km
• Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
• Vegetation: Forest
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included

After breakfast, we continue the descent down to the Mweka Park Gate to receive your summit certificates. At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy. Gaiters and trekking poles will help. Shorts and t-shirts will probably be plenty to wear (keep rain gear and warmer clothing handy). A vehicle will meet you at Mweka gate to drive you back to hotel in Moshi