DAY 01 | Machame Gate to Machame Camp

The drive from Moshi to the Mount Kilimanjaro National Park Gate takes about 50 minutes. The journey passes through the village of Machame which is located on the lower slopes of the mountain.

We now leave the park gate and walk through the rain forest on a winding trail up a ridge. Lower down, the trail can be muddy and slippery. Gaiters and trekking poles are a good idea here. We continue a short distance until we reach the Machame Camp.

• Elevation (ft): 5,400ft to 9,400ft
• Distance: 11 km
• Hiking Time: 5-7 hours
• Habitat: Rain Forest

DAY 02 | Machame Camp to Shira Camp

After breakfast, we leave the glades of the rain forest and continue on an ascending path, crossing the little valley walking along a steep rocky ridge, covered with heather, until the ridge ends. The route now turns west onto a river gorge. Time for rest, dinner, and overnight at the Shira campsite.

• Elevation (ft): 9,400ft to 12,500ft
• Distance: 5 km
• Hiking Time: 4-6 hours
• Habitat: Moorland

DAY 03 | Shira Camp to Lava Tower to Barranco Camp

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 “Shark’s Tooth.” Shortly after the tower, we come to the second junction which brings us up to the Arrow Glacier at an altitude of 16,000ft. We now continue down to the Barranco Hut at an altitude of 13,000ft. 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.

• Elevation (ft): 12,500ft to 13,000ft
• Distance: 10 km
• Hiking Time: 6-8 hours
• Habitat: Semi Desert

DAY 04 | Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp

After breakfast, we leave Barranco and continue on a steep ridge passing the Barranco Wall, to the Karanga Valley campsite. This is a short day meant for acclimatization.

• Elevation (ft): 13,000ft to 13,100ft
• Distance: 5 km
• Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
• Habitat: Alpine Desert

DAY 05 | Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp

After breakfast, we leave Karanga and hit the junction which connects with the Mweka Trail. We continue up to the Barafu Hut. At this point, you have completed the South Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many different angles. Here we make camp, rest, enjoy dinner, and prepare for the summit day. The two peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo are to be seen from this position.

• Elevation (ft): 13,100ft to 15,300ft
• Distance: 4 km
• Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
• Habitat: Alpine Desert

DAY 06 | Barafu Camp to Summit to Mweka Hut

Very early in the morning (midnight to 2am), we continue our way to the summit between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers. 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 portionof the trek.

At Stella Point (18,600 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 may encounter snow all they way on your 1-hour ascent to the summit. At Uhuru Peak, you have reached the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa. Faster hikers will see the sunrise from the summit.

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.

• Elevation (ft): 15,300ft to 19,345ft (and down to 10,000ft)
• Distance: 5 km ascent / 12 km descent
• Hiking Time: 7-8 hours ascent / 4-6 hours descent
• Habitat: Arctic

DAY 07 | Mweka Camp to Moshi

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). From the gate, you continue another hour to Mweka Village. A vehicle will meet you at Mweka village to drive you back to hotel in Moshi.

• Elevation (ft): 10,000ft to 5,400ft
• Distance: 10 km
• Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
• Habitat: Rain Forest

The climb cost includes:

Transfers:

• Return transfer from Kilimanjaro International Airport to accommodation in Moshi;
• Return transfer from accommodation in Moshi to the entry gate into Kilimanjaro National Park.

 

Entry fees:

• Park Fees: all park fees collected by Kilimanjaro National Park (conservation fees, camping fees, crew fees, vehicle fee, rescue fee and all others).

Accommodation:

• Accommodation at 3 hotel one night before and one night after the expedition. You will have all for a comfortable stay - friendly staff, clean rooms, Wi-Fi, restaurant and swimming pool;
• Tented accommodation on Mount Kilimanjaro (modern comfortable 4-season North Face VE-25 tents);

Please note:by default, you will share a room and a tent with your travel companion. If you travel solo on a group expedition, we will room you with a same-sex participant. Single supplement is available upon request.

Meals:

• Breakfast in the hotel before and after the hike;
• All meals on the hike. You will find delicious energy-rich meals on our mountain menus. Our professional chefs will prepare assorted soups, garnishes, several types of fish and meat, fresh fruit and vegetables. Vegetarian/gluten-free/halal options are available at no extra cost;
• All drinks on the hike (coffee, tea, hot chocolate and water)

Hiking and safety equipment:

• 4-inch (10-cm) thick and comfortable sleeping mats;
• All group equipment (dining tent, table, chairs, crockery and cutlery);
• Oxygen cylinders and oximeters;
• GPS-tracking service;
• Complete medical kits including Diamox.

Climbing crew:

• Professional guides licensed by Kilimanjaro National Park. All guides are holder of Wilderness First Responder certification. All of them have 3+years of successful experience;
• Dedicated support crew (assistant guides, camp master, porters, cooks, etc.).

Taxes:

• 18% VAT, 1% TDL and 0.3% Service Levy. Alma Africa Travels is an honest and responsible tour operator working in full compliance with the tax law of the United Republic of Tanzania.

The climb cost excludes:

• Personal gear rentals;
• Visa fee (100 USD for American citizens and 50 USD for all others);
• International flights;
• Lunch and dinner at the hotel (before and after the climb);
• Portable toilets (if required - 250 USD per unit, one can be shared between 3-4 people);
• Mountaineering insurance. You'll need special insurance for climbing Kilimanjaro that covers high-altitude trekking up to 6000 m.