Mount Kilimanjaro

Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest free standing mountain in the world, towering at 15000 feet above the surrounding arid plains, it is an extinct volcano and world’s largest freestanding mountain.

Several different routes are available:

Western Breach Route – 9 Days

Rongai Route – 7 Days

Machame Route – 7 Days

Marangu Route – 5 Days

Ubwe Route – 5 Days

 

Mt. Kilimanjaro: The Western Breach Route
9 days

Activities: Trekking
Activity Level: 
Strenuous, a non-technical climb—no special mountain climbing techniques or equipment are required however, previous hiking or trekking experience is essential. Due to the strenuous nature of this climb, a physician’s release is required.

After breakfast you will drive about 1 – 2 hours from Arusha to Machame gate (5,900 ft) to begin your climb. The hike (5-6 hours) takes you through beautiful dense rainforest, which is home to the black colobus monkey, blue monkey and a variety of exotic birds. You will stay overnight at Machame Camp at 9,850 ft.

Today the hike will be about 5 to 7 hours through the Moorland. This day you will see spectacular views of the Shira Plateau and the plains to the west if weather permits. The Shira camp is situated at 12,600 ft.

Today you will hike 5 – 6 hours across the high desert of the great Shira ridge. You will stop for lunch as you pass below the Lava Tower located at 15, 000 ft. You will then proceed and descend into the Great Barranco Valley a midst the giant groundsels and the hanging glaciers. The scenery here is amazing! You will stay overnight at Barranco camp at 12,950 ft.
Stay at Barranco Camp for a rest day and acclimatization. You can take your time absorbing the spectacular scenery or hike into the Great Barranco Valley.
Today you will ascend the valley and hike about 3 – 4 hours to Lava Tower arriving about noon. If you feel like it you can climb to the top of Lava Tower for breath taking views of the Western Breach. You will stay overnight at Lava Tower camp located at 15,100 ft.
Today you will hike 3 – 4 hours into the barren upper reaches of Kibo’s glacier slopes. You will stay overnight at the Arrow Glacier Camp 16,000 ft.
Today’s hike will be a challenge as you will ascend 3,000 ft of Western Breach arriving at the in the crater. This is an amazing place to explore the inner crater and ash pit in the afternoon. The Crater Camp, where you will be staying overnight, is located at 18,750 ft.
Today you will wake up for hot tea and breakfast and then you will proceed your way up the last 600 ft to Uhuru peak at 19,340 ft. Weather permitting there are spectacular views! After enjoying the beauties of ascending the peak you descend to Mweka Camp where you will stay the night at 11,000 ft. This is a long day of hiking, 9 – 10 hours so you will be ready for a good night sleep.

Hike 3 to 4 hours to Mweka park gate and get picked up and taken to Arusha for a well deserved hot shower and meal.



Mt. Kilimanjaro: The Rongai Route
7 Days

Activities: Trekking
Activity Level: 
Strenuous, a non-technical climb—no special mountain climbing techniques or equipment are required however, previous hiking or trekking experience is essential. Due to the strenuous nature of this climb, a physician’s release is required.

You will get dropped off at the gate and hike 4 – 5 hours along a small, unspoiled trail through a very unique forest of Campar Trees, East African Pencil Cedar and Mountain Olive. You will stay overnight at Simba Camp located at 9,500 ft.

Today you will continue and hike about 3 – 4 hours through the forest and then into the Moorlands. As you hike there is spectacular scenery of Mawenzi peak. You will stay the night at Kikelewa camp 12,375 ft.
Today you will hike 4 – 5 hours east towards the northern side of Mawenzi Point leaving the Moorlands behind and entering into the Alpine Zone. You will stay overnight at Mawenzi camp at 14,290 ft.
Today you will take a rest day for acclimatization. It will also be a good day to take short hikes and explore a little bit.
Another exciting day after a day of rest. You will hike for about 5 hours between Kibo and Mawenzi Peaks. The views are amazing as you continue into the saddle between the two peaks and stay overnight at the Third Cave Camp located at 15,500 ft.
Today you will wake at midnight and begin you ascent to the summit. It is a long and strenuous hike, but a rewarding day! The guides will keep proper pace. You will enjoy the fabulous views of Gillman’s Peak at 18,700 ft. You will continue along the crater rim to the summit at Uhuru Peak located at 19,340 ft. After summit you will then descend and then proceed to your camp at Horombo Hut at 12,000 ft.

After a rewarding and exciting day you will leave after breakfast and hike 5 – 6 hours down and across the Moorland zones of the southern slopes of Kilimanjaro. You will then enter into the lush equatorial rainforest. A vehicle will pick you up at Marangu Gate located at 6,000 ft and bring you to the hotel in Arusha. Rest and take a hot shower and get ready for the safari portion of your trip.



Mt. Kilimanjaro: The Machame Route
7 days

This route is the least traveled.

Activities: Trekking
Activity Level: 
Strenuous, a non-technical climb—no special mountain climbing techniques or equipment are required however, previous hiking or trekking experience is essential. Due to the strenuous nature of this climb, a physician’s release is required.


After breakfast you will drive about 1 – 2 hours from Arusha to Machame gate (5,900 ft) to begin your climb. The hike ( 5-6 hours) takes you through really beautiful dense rainforest which is home to the black colobus monkeys, blue monkey and variety of exotic birds. You will stay overnight at Machame Camp at 9,850 ft.

Today the hike will be about 5 – 7 hours. You will hike through the Moorland. This day you will see spectacular views of the Shira Plateau and the plans to the west if weather permits. The Shira camp is situated at 12,600 ft.
Today you will take 5 – 6 hours across the high desert of the great Shira ridge. You will stop for luch as you pass below the Lava Tower located at 15,000 ft. You will then proceed and descend into the Great Barranco Valley a midst the giant groundsels and the hanging glaciers. The scenery here is amazing!! You will stay overnight at Barranco camp at 12,950 ft.
Today after breakfast you will proceed 5 – 6 hours to Karanga Valley. The hike takes you across several beautiful streams and throughout the floor of the Karanga Valley. From the top of the wall you will have excellent views of Kibo Peak to your left. You will stay overnight in Karanga Valley at 12,000 ft.
Today you will continue on a 2 – 3 hours hike to Barafu camp. You will get to the camp early so you will have lots of time to rest and get acclimatized before you summit the peak the following day. The views from Barafu camp are among the most impressive on Kilimanjaro
Today at midnight or in the early morning you will wake for hot tea and snack then proceed to the summit towards Stella Point and proceed on to Uhuru Peak at 19,340 ft. After enjoying the spectacular views and experiencing the summit you will descend to Mweka camp. This is a long and strenuous day but of course extremely rewarding!!

Hike about 3 – 4 hours from Mweka camp to Mweka Gate. You will be picked up here and taken to the hotel in Arusha for a hot shower and a meal.




Mt. Kilimanjaro: The Marangu Route

This is the most popular and oldest route.
Minimum 5 days trekking.

Activities: Trekking
Activity Level: 
Strenuous, a non-technical climb—no special mountain climbing techniques or equipment are required however, previous hiking or trekking experience is essential. Due to the strenuous nature of this climb, a physician’s release is required.

This is a 4 – 5 hour hike through a beautiful forest with a wide variety of wildlife.

About a 5 – 7 hour hike through the forest and coming up to Moor land to a clear view of Kibo peak and Mawenzi peak to the right.
This is about 5 – 7 hour hike.
This is a long day with about 10 hours of hiking. We start the day early in the morning in order to see the sunrise from the crater rim. We will walk around the crater rim which is definitely one of the most spectacular views on Mt. Kilimanjaro.

This takes anywhere from 4 – 7 hours.



Mt. Kilimanjaro: The Ubwe Route

This is a very strenuous route that requires experienced trekkers.
5 days

Activities: Trekking
Activity Level: 
Strenuous, a non-technical climb—no special mountain climbing techniques or equipment are required however, previous hiking or trekking experience is essential. Due to the strenuous nature of this climb, a physician’s release is required.

About a 4 – 5 hours hike through a beautiful forest and then traversing between two ridges.

This is a 2 – 4 hour hike along a forested ridge. Once you reach the Moor land past the giant heather shrubs there is the first view of the main peaks.
This hike is about a 4 – 5 hour hike on bare rock and screen. The most distinctive features around this area is the high cliffs that form the Breach Wall.

Arrow Glacier to Uhuru Peak and then descend to Mweka or Horombo Hut.