image

Why take this trip

This is the perfect trip for your first mountain experience, providing you with valuable outdoor experience and a stepping stone to even bigger challenges. Our local guides and journey staff are of the highest caliber and will help you make Kilimanjaro an achievement of a lifetime. Get ready to enjoy picturesque views from Africa’s rooftop.

image

Who is this for

At an altitude that ranges from 1750 to 5895 meters, this journey is perfect for first-time trekkers and experienced climbers alike. Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro does not require previous experience. In fact, it is quite often the mountain that many choose to start with. The biggest challenge is not your level of fitness, it is the possibility of altitude sickness. Having said that, this can largely be avoided by adhering to specific guidelines we recommend like walking at a gentle pace, drinking plenty of water, good nutrition and sleep. As we mentioned, your fitness level doesn’t affect your body’s ability to acclimatize; very fit people can experience difficulties, while people who have never hiked before feel fine, and the difference is following the guidelines above. Ultimately, you need to help your body adjust to the altitude through proper rest, hydration, and food.

image

What's next

Once you’ve successfully completed this climb, you will have gained the necessary experience to climb on Mt. Elbrus, Island Peak, Gran Paradiso, and Stok Kangri.

We’re getting picked up from the airport and taken to the Arusha Hotel (1,254 m). Make sure you arrive early because there’s a lot to get done. Once we’ve had a chance to settle in, the guides will arrange a final briefing and gear check to make sure that we are all ready before the start of the climb the next day. The rest of the day will be spent at leisure, but make sure you get a good rest before begining the trek next day.
After breakfast, we set out in private vehicles to Kilimanjaro. At the gate, we will sign in and, after the formalities, start off from Machame gate. Today's hike is through verdant Afroae forest to Machame Camp, and en route we will stop and have a picnic lunch. Look out for pretty endemic flora and a graduation of forest zones! We’ll be spending the night at Machame Camp (2, 980 m).
From Machame Camp we’ll take on a relatively steep hike to Shira Camp, gaining altitude rather quickly. What we’re passing through is called the heath zone, where attractive helichrysum and lobelia plants become apparent. Various geologic features can be seen today from lava tubes to glacial valleys. We’ll be stopping for a picnic lunch along the trail today if weather and time permit. We’ll be spending the night at at Shira Camp (3,840 m).
Today is a ‘walk high, sleep low’ day. We ascend into alpine desert and have a picnic lunch en route. For those feeling an extra burst of strength, you can even head up to Lava Tower before descending to Barranco Camp at 3,950 m. Today is a long day, but the next time we head to this altitude is in two days’ time - great acclimatization day! We’ll be spending the night at Barranco Camp (3,950 m).
From Barranco Camp, famous for its giant groundsels, we ascend the Barranco Wall and hike glacial valleys to Karanga Camp. Today is a relatively short day– we’ll be having lunch at Karanga Camp and, in the afternoon, taking a walk with our guides for great views of the southern walls of Kibo and deep glacial valleys. We’ll be spending the night at Karanaga Camp (3,930 m).
Today is another half-day as we ascend to Barafu Camp at 4,550 m. We’ll be having lunch at the camp again, allowing us plenty of time to relax before the summit bid. Desolate alpine desert and at times strong winds rip over this camp and yet, in the evening, splendid views of Mawenzi volcano are the norm. We’ll eat a relatively early dinner before heading to rest for the evening and spending the night at Barafu Camp (4,550 m).
Most people depart just before midnight for the final summit bid. Patience and persistence is the name of game to reach the summit, and by dawn – as the first rays of light start to appear – most arrive near the rim. Ascending via Stella Point affords a relatively short final section to Uhuru peak, the roof of Africa, at 5,895 m! What goes up must come down, and our goal today is to reach Mweka Camp. We’ll be spending the night at Mweka Camp (3,100 m). If we are late summiting then we may camp at the closer Millennium Camp.
After breakfast, we descend once again through montane forest and say farewell to the rest of the crew ahead of our midday pickup and transfer back to the hotel for a well-deserved shower. We have the rest of the day to chill and celebrate.
After breakfast and depending on the time of your flight, you will be taken to the airport for your flight back home
image

Weather

Mount Kilimanjaro is an extremely large geological structure, therefore it creates its own weather. Although, we can make predictions based on previous weather cycles, things can change on the mountain itself very quickly and therefore we must always be prepared. January to March January through to March is the first dry season on Kilimanjaro, making it a great time to trek. This time of the year tends to be colder than the June to October trekking season and you have a much higher chance of encountering snow on the upper reaches. The lower slopes are usually covered in cloud during this time of the year, and if you encounter rain it will likely only be on the lower slopes. Above 3,000m the skies are usually crystal clear and rain is rare. April & May These are usually the wettest months and not ideal for trekking. However, the weather has been changing so trekking is still doable. June to October Encountering rain or snow is rare. Warm sunny days, cold and dry nights. November & December November is slightly rainy on the mountain and is not the most ideal time for trekking but still doable. December can also be a bit wet and is usually very cold on the summit. If you plan to trek during these months it is very important that you have good rain gear and the correct layered clothing for the summit.

image

Terrain

Mount Kilimanjaro is made up of five distinct ecosystems, meaning the terrain changes dramatically the higher up you go. Expect to walk through muddy trails, dense forests, boulder fields, and light snow (in winter months). Expect 5 to 7 hiking hours per day.

image

Food

All three meals are cooked by our very own cook on the mountain, while all dietary requirements are catered for. All meals give you the required nutrients you need for the climb and they are delicious too!

image

Accomodation

The beauty of climbing Kilimanjaro is experiencing the mountain life at its fullest. You will sleep in tents that are packed and reassembled each day at the campsite, with views of Tanzania beneath you and the stars above you.

B

Overall Difficulty

B

Technical Skills

/5

Days

/5

Fitness level

/5

Altitude

Technical Skills

No experiences is needed: Anyone can join this trip.
Minimal experience: You should probably have some hiking experience to join this trip. It is advisable to have gone on a hike for at least 2 days prior to joining this trip.
Moderate experience: You should have some climbing experience to join this trip. It is advisable to have been on at least a 4-day climb before joining this trip.
Technical experience: You should have technical climbing experience before joining this trip. It is recommended that you have experience with crampons, skis, ropes and belays.
Advanced technical experience: You should have technical climbing experience to join this trip. Depending on the climb, you will need a specific set of skills.

fitness level

Occasional workout, no fixed routine.
Workout routine with at least 2-3 workouts a week, overall in good shape. Trekking days on this trip are around 3-4 hours long each day with little elevation.
Workout routine with at least 4-5 workouts a week, overall in great shape. Trekking days on this trip are around 4-5 hours long each day with moderate elevation.
Workout routine with at least 5 workouts a week. Trekking days on this trip are around 5-7 hours long each day with high elevation.
Specified workout routine with at least 5 workouts a week as well as technical training. Trekking days on this trip are 8 hours long each day with extreme elevation.

Altitude

1,500m - 2,999m
3,000m - 4,499m
4,500m - 5,999m
6,000m - 7,499m
7,500m - 8,999m

Climbing Days

0 - 4 Days
5 - 9 Days
10 - 12 Days
13 - 15 Days
16+ Days

PRICE

$2,900

best time to travel:

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

PRICE INCLUDES

    Accommodation

    • Night at Ilboru Safari Lodge on the first day and day-use on the last day
    • Camping in high-end Mountain Hardwear tents set up by the camp crew
    • Thick foam pad for comfortable sleeping 

    Food and Beverage

    • Meals as mentioned in the itinerary (Breakfast = B, Lunch = L, Dinner = D)  On the mountain, meals include a nutritious breakfast with plenty of options to suit all tastes, a packed lunch for the trail, and a 3-course dinner (soup, meal, dessert), as well as snacks available throughout. 
    • Healthy and nutritious buffet breakfast in Arusha town 
    • Customized menus to cater to personal dietary requirements including Vegan and Gluten-free options
    • Bottled water for Day 1 and subsequently all water is boiled and filtered for the rest of the climb

    Transportation

    • Transfers from Kilimanjaro Airport to the hotel and back at the end of the trip
    • Transfers from hotel to the mountain and back at the end of the trip

    Pre-trip Preparation:

    • Virtual drop-in consultation on every aspect of the preparation, both mentally and physically
    • Virtual shopping support from our team of experienced adventure leaders
    • Info session through video conferencing to respond to any concerns participants may have and walk them through the itinerary
    • Infopack with all the needed physical training, a detailed gear list and tips & tricks related to the trip

    Safety:

    • Pulse oximeter, altitude sickness checklist, stocked first aid kit, custom evacuation stretcher, supplementary oxygen. 

    Guides and Staff

    • Experienced guides with over 100 Kilimanjaro summits & Wilderness First Responder Qualification 
    • Top and highly qualified assistant guides and expedition cooks, all trained in first-aid
    • An average ratio of 3:1 porters to client - carrying personal gear, food, and equipment. All porters are first-aid trained with access to becoming a guide within the organization.

PRICE EXCLUDES

    Accommodation:

    • Any extra nights pre- and/or post-trip in Tanzania 
    • Single supplement fee

    Food & Beverage:

    • Bottled beverages (Plenty of boiled and filtered water is available)

    Transportation:

    • International flights to and from Tanzania 
    • Excess baggage & Airport taxes 

    Pre-trip preparations:

    • Personal gear and equipment (the detailed list is in the infopack)
    • Gear rental available at additional cost (Let us know if you would need any)
    • Personal medical and travel insurance
    • Vaccinations  (We send a detailed list) 

    Other:

    • Visa fees and processing
    • Tips and gratuity

-