Overview
| Accommodation | Confirmed together with you — see the Rates tab for general comfort levels we work with. |
|---|---|
| Meals | Full board on safari days; meals as specified for any city/beach nights, per your final itinerary. |
Day by Day (9 days)
LONDOROSSI GATE TO MTI MKUBWA CAMP
Your driver picks you up from your hotel in Moshi or Arusha after breakfast, and your guide checks your gear and the final details. Porters carry up to 20 kilograms of luggage in accordance with the park rules, and are paid at the rates set by the Kilimanjaro Porters Assistance Project. The porters go ahead to set up camp, and you arrive to find your tent pitched, hot water for washing and a three-course dinner served in the mess tent. Your lead guide checks everyone's oxygen saturation and pulse each morning and evening and keeps notes in a health log. You start the day with breakfast and a briefing from your lead guide, then hike from Londorossi Gate (2,100 m) to Mti Mkubwa Camp (2,820 m). Drink three to four litres of water a day, since good hydration is one of the best ways to reduce the risk of altitude sickness. You overnight in a well-equipped tent, with extra bedding, hot water for washing and a proper cooked dinner. Coming up tomorrow: Mti Mkubwa Camp to Shira 1 Camp.
MTI MKUBWA CAMP TO SHIRA 1 CAMP
You start the day with breakfast and a briefing from your lead guide, then hike from Mti Mkubwa Camp (2,820 m) to Shira 1 Camp (3,505 m). The hike takes about 5 to 6 hours at a slow, steady "pole pole" pace, through the forest and then open moorland, with first views of Kibo. A pair of broken-in hiking boots is better than expensive new ones, and so is a trial hike before you arrive. Your cook produces surprisingly varied meals on the mountain, and special diets can be catered for if arranged in advance. Porters carry up to 20 kilograms of luggage in accordance with the park rules, and are paid at the rates set by the Kilimanjaro Porters Assistance Project. Tonight you sleep in a comfortable mountain tent with thick mats, and a mess tent where your cook serves a three-course dinner.
SHIRA 1 CAMP TO SHIRA 2 CAMP
You start the day with breakfast and a briefing from your lead guide, then hike from Shira 1 Camp (3,505 m) to Shira 2 Camp (3,850 m). Porters carry up to 20 kilograms of luggage in accordance with the park rules, and are paid at the rates set by the Kilimanjaro Porters Assistance Project. The porters go ahead to set up camp, and you arrive to find your tent pitched, hot water for washing and a three-course dinner served in the mess tent. Drink three to four litres of water a day, since good hydration is one of the best ways to reduce the risk of altitude sickness. The hike takes about 4 to 5 hours at a slow, steady "pole pole" pace, through the broad Shira plateau, a gentle climb with wide views. Dinner usually includes soup, a main dish with rice or pasta and a dessert, with popcorn and tea to start. Tonight you sleep in a comfortable mountain tent with thick mats, and a mess tent where your cook serves a three-course dinner. Coming up tomorrow: Shira 2 Camp to Moir Hut.
SHIRA 2 CAMP TO MOIR HUT
You start the day with breakfast and a briefing from your lead guide, then hike from Shira 2 Camp (3,850 m) to Moir Hut (4,200 m). The porters go ahead to set up camp, and you arrive to find your tent pitched, hot water for washing and a three-course dinner served in the mess tent. Drink three to four litres of water a day, since good hydration is one of the best ways to reduce the risk of altitude sickness. The star-filled night sky above the clouds is one of the highlights of the trek. Your guide checks your oxygen levels and general health each evening and the cook prepares plenty of hot drinks and carbohydrate-rich meals. The pace of the group is very slow, which can feel frustrating but is the secret of a successful summit. You overnight in a well-equipped tent, with extra bedding, hot water for washing and a proper cooked dinner. Coming up tomorrow: Moir Hut to Buffalo Camp.
MOIR HUT TO BUFFALO CAMP
You start the day with breakfast and a briefing from your lead guide, then hike from Moir Hut (4,200 m) to Buffalo Camp (4,020 m). Your cook produces surprisingly varied meals on the mountain, and special diets can be catered for if arranged in advance. Because you are walking on the far side of Kibo, you feel completely alone. Your guide checks your oxygen levels and general health each evening and the cook prepares plenty of hot drinks and carbohydrate-rich meals. Drink three to four litres of water a day, since good hydration is one of the best ways to reduce the risk of altitude sickness. The porters go ahead to set up camp, and you arrive to find your tent pitched, hot water for washing and a three-course dinner served in the mess tent. The pace of the group is very slow, which can feel frustrating but is the secret of a successful summit. Your night is at camp, where good tents, a dining tent with chairs and a hot meal make the evening warm and sociable.
BUFFALO CAMP TO THIRD CAVE CAMP
You start the day with breakfast and a briefing from your lead guide, then hike from Buffalo Camp (4,020 m) to Third Cave Camp (3,870 m). Nights at camp can be cold, so a good down jacket and a warm sleeping bag are essential. The hike takes about 5 to 6 hours at a slow, steady "pole pole" pace, through the high desert on the northern circuit with views of the Kenyan plains. The porters go ahead to set up camp, and you arrive to find your tent pitched, hot water for washing and a three-course dinner served in the mess tent. The route climbs and descends gently to aid acclimatisation. The pace of the group is very slow, which can feel frustrating but is the secret of a successful summit. A pair of broken-in hiking boots is better than expensive new ones, and so is a trial hike before you arrive. Your night is at camp, where good tents, a dining tent with chairs and a hot meal make the evening warm and sociable.
THIRD CAVE CAMP TO SCHOOL HUT
You start the day with breakfast and a briefing from your lead guide, then hike from Third Cave Camp (3,870 m) to School Hut (4,750 m). The hike takes about 4 to 5 hours at a slow, steady "pole pole" pace, through a barren alpine desert below the Kibo crater rim. Dinner usually includes soup, a main dish with rice or pasta and a dessert, with popcorn and tea to start. Drink three to four litres of water a day, since good hydration is one of the best ways to reduce the risk of altitude sickness. Your cook produces surprisingly varied meals on the mountain, and special diets can be catered for if arranged in advance. Tonight you sleep in a comfortable mountain tent with thick mats, and a mess tent where your cook serves a three-course dinner. Tomorrow's programme: Summit day to Uhuru Peak.
SUMMIT DAY TO UHURU PEAK
Your summit day begins shortly before midnight with tea and biscuits, then you set off by headlamp from Barafu Camp (4,673 m) up a steep, cold and windy path of loose scree toward Stella Point on the crater rim. The air at the summit holds about half the oxygen of sea level, so every step feels slow, and you may feel dizzy or tired. At Stella Point the sun usually rises over Mawenzi, and a further hour along the crater rim brings you to Uhuru Peak at 5,895 metres, the highest point in Africa, where you take your photos. A good pace is the key, and the guides sing and encourage the group during the long climb in the dark. You overnight in a well-equipped tent, with extra bedding, hot water for washing and a proper cooked dinner.
DESCENT TO MWEKA GATE
After breakfast you hike for 3 to 4 hours through rainforest to Mweka Gate at 1,640 metres, where you sign out in the register and receive your summit certificate. The porters and guides sing the Kilimanjaro song as you reach the gate, a joyful moment to share with the whole team. The path passes through the rainforest again, and the air gets thicker and warmer with each hour. Your driver takes you back to your hotel in Moshi or Arusha for a hot shower, a celebration meal and a well-earned rest.
Rates Per Person
The Overview tab explains the accommodation and meal options. Send us your dates and group size for an exact price.
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Included
- Private vehicle with your own driver-guide
- Park entry and conservation fees
- Accommodation as specified in your itinerary
- Meals as specified per day (full board on safari days)
- Airport pickup and drop-off
Excluded
- International flights
- Visa fees
- Travel insurance
- Tips and gratuities
- Personal expenses and souvenirs
Getting There
Tour Start & End
This trip starts in Mount Kilimanjaro and ends in Mount Kilimanjaro.
Airport Information
Kilimanjaro International Airport or Mwanza Airport is the most common arrival point for this trip.
Transfer Information
We meet you at the airport and handle every transfer between destinations throughout your trip.
Accommodation Before/After
Want an extra night in Arusha, Moshi or Zanzibar before or after your trip? Just ask and we will arrange it.