Adventure
Climb Kilimanjaro - 11 Days / 10 Nights
Mountain climbing enthusiasts and adventure-seekers alike will relish this opportunity to scale the peaks of Mountain Kilimanjaro. The route to the summit of Kilimanjaro will take you through incredible scenery and test your mountain prowess, ranging from a casual stroll through lush rain forest on the lower slopes to the glaciers and snow-covered crags of the summit. We offer 3 different routes to the top, The Western Approach, The Grand Traverse, and The Umbwe Route.
The world's highest stand alone mountain is an amazing sight to behold from up close. On a clear day, it can be seen from over 190 miles away and its eye-catching, snow-capped peak is usually hidden from view by a blanket of clouds. What not many people know is that Kilimanjaro is remarkably easy to climb, with no technical climbing skills needed. You’ll need to be in good shape, but we will send you a training guide and have 98% summit success with guests 12-70 years old. It is an unforgettable experience to stand on the roof of Africa, over 19,000 above sea level and gaze out over the plains below.
Arriving in Kilimanjaro in the evening you will be met by your guide and transferred to your lodge, an elegantly rustic East African lodge located in the hills just outside of Arusha, set in a stunning location with magnificent views of Mt. Kilimanjaro.
Overnight: Arusha Lodge
This morning you will have a climb briefing at your lodge before transferring to your base camp on the west side of Kilimanjaro. The camp is set in under the spreading branches of Acacia Tortillis nestled near a volcanic cone, which affords superb sundowners and good views. This day also serves as an acclimatization day and a day to recover from the long flights.
Overnight: West Kilimanjaro Camp
After a hearty breakfast and a climb briefing, you’ll be transferred to the Londorossi Gate (5,900 ft.) to begin your climb. This first trekking day is through dense rainforest (approx. 80 inches precip / yr), under the tangled canopy of moss-coated vines, which are home to the black & white colobus monkey, blue monkey, and a vibrant array of exotic birds. Arrive at your camp set in the lower heather belt and enjoy a hot dinner in the mess tent.
Trekking: 3-4 Hours
Overnight: Forest Camp (9,500 ft.)
Once out of the forest, take a steep track into a Savannah of tall grasses, heather, and volcanic rock draped with lichen beards. Ascend through the lush rolling hills below the Shira plateau, finally reaching camp at the edge of the plateau. The view of Kibo from across the plateau is amazing.
Trekking: 5-6 Hours
Overnight: Shira 1 Camp (12,200 ft.)
Full day exploration of the Shira plateau. Trek east toward Kibo’s glaciated peak. Arrive at Shira 2 camp. Shira is one of the highest plateaus on earth, averaging 12,500 feet.
Trekking: 3-4 Hours
Overnight: Shira 2 Camp (12,600 ft.)
Proceed steadily upward over expansive ridgelines of high desert to our camp set in a striking spot near Lava Tower. You can test your ardor this afternoon or tomorrow morning by climbing to the top of Lava Tower for spectacular panoramas.
Trekking: 4-6 Hours
Overnight: Lava Tower Camp (15,100 ft.)
This morning you will descend into the majestic Great Barranco Valley, amidst the forest of giant groundsels, between sheer cliffs with brilliant hanging glaciers. After lunch at Barranco Camp, you begin a scramble up the steep “Barranco Wall.”
We then traverse up and down the slopes of valleys, which have carved their way into the mountain's southern face. Kibo’s glaciers loom above to your left and the jagged peak of Mawenzi appears just over the southern slope of Kibo. We stop in the Karanga Valley at the end of this day.
Trekking: 6-7 Hours
Overnight: Karanga Camp (13,000 ft.)
As we begin this morning the trail turns steadily uphill. The temperature will grow colder and the landscape more sparse as we near Barafu Camp. Barafu Camp is set on an exposed ridge and is the staging point from which you will make your way into the arctic summit zone tomorrow morning. Our cooks will help you eat and drink as much as possible before retiring to your tent for rest and sleep.
Trekking: 5-6 Hours
Overnight: Barafu Camp (15,100 ft.)
Today you will wake up at dawn and set out for Crater Camp, climbing over 2,500 ft. with magnificent views of Mt. Mawenzi, Kilimanjaro’s second volcanic cone, to the east. In the afternoon, you will arrive at the crater rim to an arctic moonscape. Camp is set in the wide crater atop Kilimanjaro, in soft sand near the indigo streaked Furtwangler Glacier.
Trekking: 9-10 Hours (Optional 3-Hour Trek to Reusch Crater)
Overnight: Crater Camp (18,750 ft.)
Arise with hot tea and some breakfast, and then amble your way up the last 600 feet to Uhuru Peak (19,340 ft.). Descend the Mweka Route to Barafu Camp for lunch, then continue to your camp nestled in thick heather on the southern slopes.
Trekking: 1-2 Hours to Summit / 4-7 Hours to Descend to Mweka Millenium Camp
Overnight: Mweka Millenium Camp (12,500 ft.)
Complete your descent through the rainforest to the Mweka Gate, where you will be met and transferred back to your lodge for a much-needed shower and some merry convalescence. This evening you will be transferred to Kilimanjaro International Airport for your flight home.
Trekking: 4-6 Hours
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