Day 1 – Hotel to Lemosho Gate to Mti Mkubwa Camp

On the morning of your departure, after breakfast, we will load all your gear into our vehicles and head to the park entrance. On the way, you will drive through a game reserve, where there will be a chance to witness some wild animals, such as giraffes, zebras, and antelopes. The drive also crosses a government forest reserve before reaching Lemosho Gate, where you will sign into Kilimanjaro National Park and begin your trek. The well-maintained trail passes through rainforest and you may have the chance to see black-and-white colobus monkeys, many species of birds, and other unique flora and fauna.  After a few hours of hiking on a gentle incline, you will reach the first camp, Mti Mkubwa Camp, where you’ll spend your first night on Mount Kilimanjaro. Mti Mkubwa means “big tree” in Swahili, but the namesake tree has since fallen down!

• Start point Lemosho Gate elevation 2100 m (6890 ft)
• End point Mti Mkubwa Camp elevation 2650 m (8694 ft)
• Elevation gain 550 m (1804 ft)
• Distance covered 7 km
• Trekking duration (approximately) 4 hours
• Climatic zones Montane Forest

Day 2 – Mti Mkubwa Camp to Shira One Camp

Your second day begins with a gentle up and down trail. In clear weather, you’ll find scenic views of Mount Meru from a distance and the village of Sanya Juu at the base of the mountain. This part of the route passes through the heather zone with some beautiful flowers and unique bird species.  After climbing Shira Ridge, which is also called “Mgongo Wa Tembo” (Back of the Elephant), you will descend toward Shira One Camp. On the way down, you’ll see a fantastic view of the summit, weather permitting. Shira One Camp is located on an exposed plateau and you will begin to notice the colder temperatures, which drop below freezing after sundown.

• Start point Mti Mkubwa Camp elevation 2650 m (8694 ft)
• End point Shira One Camp elevation 3610 m (11,844 ft)
• Elevation gain 960 m (3150 ft)
• Distance covered 7 km
• Trekking duration (approximately) 5 to 6 hours
• Climatic zones Moorland

Day 3 – Shira One Camp to Shira Two Camp

At Shira One Camp, the Shira and Lemosho Routes converge.The route from Shira One Camp to Shira Two Camp is relatively flat, with a few ups and downs. You will cross some streams along the way, using the rocks as stepping stones during the rainy season. The terrain is quite open with scattered trees and bushes, and the landscape becomes more rock strewn by the time you reach Shira Two Camp.  

• Start point Shira One Camp elevation 3610 m (11,844 ft)
• End point Shira Two Camp elevation 3850 m (12,631 ft)
• Elevation gain 240 m (787 ft)
• Distance covered 10 km
• Trekking duration (approximately) 4 to 5 hours
• Climatic zones Moorland

***For the 7-day option, you will hike from Mti Mkubwa Camp to Shira Two Camp in one day instead of two; there is no overnight stop at Shira One Camp.  The remainder of the 7-day and 8-day itineraries are identical***

Day 4 – Shira Two Camp to Baranco Camp via Lava Tower

From Shira Two Camp, the route now takes you into semi-desert and rocky landscapes surrounding Lava Tower, a 100 metre high volcanic rock formation. On the approach to Lava Tower, Lemosho Route converges with Machame Route.  You will then ascend the rocky scree path to Lava Tower for great panoramic views, before a steep descent into the Baranco Valley. You may find this trek a little tougher than the previous days as some hikers usually start to experience symptoms of altitude sickness. Although you might finish the climb at almost the same elevation as you started, this is a very good practice for acclimatization and will help to prepare your body for summit day. Baranco Camp lies below the imposing Baranco Wall in a beautiful, sheltered valley.

• Start point Shira Two Camp elevation 3850 m (12,631 ft)
• Highest point reached Lava Tower elevation 4600m (15,092 ft)
• End point Baranco Camp elevation 3900 m (12,796 ft) 
• Elevation gain 750 m (2461 ft)
• Elevation loss 700 m (2296 ft)
• Distance covered 10 km (6.2 miles)
• Trekking duration (approximately) 6 to 7 hours
• Climatic zones Moorland / Alpine Desert

Day 5 – Baranco Camp to Karanga Camp

At Baranco Camp, Lemosho Route now joins with Umbwe Route as one common ascent trail. This will be a shorter day of hiking to allow for acclimatization. After breakfast, you will begin to ascend the Baranco Wall and hike glacial valleys – but don’t worry, it is easier than it looks! From the top of the wall, you will then cross a series of hills and valleys before descending into Karanga Valley. After one steeper climb, you’ll reach Karanga Camp in time to relax before dinner.

• Start point Baranco Camp elevation 3900 m (12,796 ft)  
• Highest point reached Baranco Wall elevation 4200 m (13,780 ft)
• End point Karanga Camp elevation 3995 m (13,107 ft)
• Elevation gain 300 m (984 ft)
• Elevation loss 205 m (673 ft)
• Distance covered 6 km (3.7 miles)
• Trekking duration (approximately) 4 to 5 hours
• Climatic zones Alpine desert

Day 6 – Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp

After departing Karanga Camp, you will slowly ascend to Karanga Ridge, and then continue along the level ridge for a while.  The trail becomes steeper again when approaching Barafu Camp, where you will begin to encounter descending trekkers using the Mweka Route on their descent after their successful summit. If the weather is clear, Barafu Camp offers stunning views of Mt. Kilimanjaro’s summit from various angles. Your tents will be pitched along a narrow and rocky ridge with high winds. It’s therefore worth taking some time to familiarize yourself with your surroundings before it gets dark. You will have time to rest for the afternoon and evening at Barafu Camp and prepare for your upcoming climb to the summit.

• Start point Karanga Camp elevation 3995 m (13,107 ft)
• End point Barafu Camp elevation 4673 m (15,331 ft)
• Elevation gain 678 m (2224 ft)
• Distance covered 4 km (2.4 miles)
• Trekking duration (approximately) 3 to 4 hours
• Climatic zones Alpine Desert 

Day 7 -Summit Day! Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak to Mweka Camp

This is where the going gets tough! But you can do it! Just before midnight at the beginning of Day 6, you will venture into the night and begin your final ascent to Uhuru Peak, the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro.  Head northwest through the stone scree following multiple switchbacks between Ratzel and Rebmann glaciers until you reach  Stella Point (5,756 m / 18,885 ft).  This section is probably the most challenging part of the route and will require great physical and mental effort. Continue to move slowly, always listening to your guide.  After a short rest at Stella Point, when the sun may be starting to rise, you will hike along the crater rim for another hour or less before reaching your ultimate goal – Uhuru Peak! Congratulations! You have now made it to the “Roof of Africa”.  Weather conditions on the summit will determine how long you will be able to spend there, but it is important to start your descent within good time to ensure you get enough rest back at Barafu Camp. After a short sleep and a meal,  you’ll begin your descent to your next campsite via Mweka Route.  Normally that next campsite is Mweka Camp, which is a 4 hours descent from Barafu.  Sometimes our clients are very tired after the long summit day, and we can stop early at Millenium Camp, which is only two hours from Barafu.

• • Start point Barafu Camp elevation  4673 m (15,331 ft)

• Highest point reached Uhuru Peak, the Summit of Mount Kilimanjaro elevation 5895 m (19,341 ft)

• End point Mweka Camp elevation 3100 m (10,171 ft)
• Elevation gain 1222 m (4010 ft)
• Elevation loss 2795 m (9170 ft)
• Distance covered 17.5 km (10.5 miles)
• Trekking duration (approximately): Total 11 to 14 hours or more.  It can be a long day.
  • Ascent from Barafu Camp to Summit 6 to 7 hours
  • Descent from Summit to Barafu Camp 2 to 3 hours
  • Descent from Barafu Camp to Mweka Camp 3 to 4 hours
• Climatic zones Alpine Desert, Arctic Zone, and Moorland

Day 8 – Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate to Hotel

After eating breakfast you will begin the easiest part of your adventure on Mount Kilimanjaro via a scenic path through the forest to Mweka Gate. Successful hikers who made it to Stella Point and Uhuru Peak will be awarded certificates from Kilimanjaro National Park. After having a hot lunch at the gate, it’s time to drive back to your hotel to enjoy a shower, dinner and celebrations with a Kilimanjaro beer! (or beverage of your choice)

• Start point Mweka Camp elevation 3100 m (10,171 ft)
• End point Mweka Gate elevation 1640 m (5381 ft)
• Elevation loss 1460 m (4790 ft)
• Distance covered 10 km (6.2 miles)
• Trekking duration (approximately) 3 to 4 hours
• Climatic zones Montane forest

After your climb

After your celebrations and a well-deserved sleep at your hotel, we will be pleased to transfer you to the airport for your departure.  Or, better yet, extend your stay in Tanzania for a few more days.  Allow us to arrange a trip to the white sand beaches of Zanzibar or a safari to one of our magnificent national parks.  Karibu sana!

What’s included

All our trips on Mount Meru and Mount Kilimanjaro include the following, which is covered in the cost of the trip.

• Mountain guide, cook, and porters
  • fair wages for all team members
• Quality camping equipment
  • Sleeping tents
  • Dining tent
  • Tables and chairs
  • Dishes and utensils
• All park fees.  
  • The Tanzania National Parks Authority (TANAPA) charges various fees for activities within the park.  Some of these fees include: conservation fee (entry fee?), rescue fee, camping (or hut) fee.  We include all the park fees in the cost of your trip.
• Transportation
  • We will transport you from Kilimanjaro International Airport to your hotel upon arrival, and we will bring you back to the airport at the end of your trip.  (If you don’t require this service, we can offer a reduction on the cost of your trip.)
  • We will transport you from your hotel to the start point of your trek and return you to your hotel after your climb.

• Food and water while on the mountain:
  • 3 meals per day. 
  • Treated drinking water.  Water is drawn from natural sources during the climb and we filter and use chlorine / iodine (boil?).  While we are confident our water is safe to drink, many climbers prefer to bring their own treatment methods, which you are free to do.
• Health and Safety equipment
  • Satelite phone? Or other communication?
  • Oximeter.  Used to measure blood oxygen levels.
  • First Aid Kit. (what’s included?) Note, climbers are expected to bring their own first aid kit to treat minor injuries.
  • Emergency oxygen tank (and mask etc?0
• Hotel accommodations
  • 2 nights of hotel accommodations are included.  The night before your climb and the night after.  
  • For Mount Kilimanjaro treks, your hotel will be located in either Arusha or Moshi.  We will consider the proximity to the entrance and exit gates of the chosen route as well as the rest of your itinerary.  
  • For Mount Meru, your hotel will be in Arusha.
  • Your hotel will be a mid-range option; we will include the specific hotel details in your quote.  If you prefer either a luxury hotel or budget hotel, we can easily accommodate that. 

What’s not included

• Tips
  • Tipping is customary on Kilimanjaro and provides a significant proportion of a guide or porter’s salary.  We recommend x per day per person.  (For example, if a group of 4 climbers treks the 6-day Machame route, the tip should be in the range of xxx USD.   
• Some food and drinks are not included:
  • Personal snacks that you may wish to eat while hiking. The type of food is personal preference and many of the types of food you are familiar with from your own country can be obtained in Tanzania. (Granola bars, candies, chocolate).  We especially recommend having some snacks on hand during the long summit hike.
  • Alcohol, soft drinks, bottled water etc. are at your own cost
  • Meals eaten at your hotel
• Personal hiking equipment and clothing.
  • We will provide a detailed recommended packing list xxx when we give you a quote).   Items like your clothing, include cold weather gear and rain gear, hiking boots, sleeping bag, hiking poles, are not included.  Some of these items are available to rent at a reasonable cost. 
• Personal spending money for souvenirs and discretionary spending
• Travel insurance
  • Ensure that your travel medical insurance covers high-altitude hiking up to 5895 metres (Mount Kilimanjaro) and xxx (Mount Meru)
  • Coverage should include trip cancellation or interruption. Read your policy carefully
• International travel costs
  • Your flight
  • Your entrance visa.  US residents pay $100 USD while most other nationalities pay $50 USD.  
  • Pre-departure expenses such as passport photos or passport renewal, vaccinations and travel medicine

Pricing and Payment Overview

• Contact us for a quote. (We need to update the contact form to enter more details)
• Accommodation options
• Payment method.  We currently accept payment by bank transfer.  Although our quote will be in USD, we accept payment in either USD or the local currency, Tanzania Shillings.  We will provide our bank account details to receive the payment.  You should be able to set up a bank transfer via your home bank.  There are also many trusted third party transfer services (Wise, World Remit, Xoom, Western Union) who may offer better exchange rates or a more streamlined process.  We plan to provide credit card payment in the future, but we’re not there yet.
• Payment and Cancellation Policy:
  • 30 days in advance of your start date, we require a non-refundable deposit of 25% of the total cost of your trip.
    • Date change?
    • Cancellation?
  • We require full payment 15 days in advance.
    • Date or itinerary change?
    • Cancellation outright?