Mt. Kilimanjaro

Tour overview

A journey to this great Mountain is not merely a climb it’s an exploration. For some the appeal is simple, it is the highest summit on earth that is accessible to any committed walker without technical skills and experience. A mere city-dweller may be able to reach `the roof of Africa.

This is the allure of the highest free-standing mountain in the world. However, each walker faces a personal gamble, and the stakes are high; altitude symptoms are unpredictable. Preparation can guarantee success, reaching the summit is not the only goal, success lies rather in the quality of the attempt.

The natural world of this mountain is fascinating. In a landscape formed by ice and fire, the ascent takes you from tropical rainforest to arctic conditions among the summit glaciers.

Best time of the year

December to late March, late June to October.

Food and drinks

Meals are provided by our support staff, despite the difficult conditions for preparation and cooking, most people find the food palatable and plentiful. The diet is rich in carbohydrates, good for helping to overcome altitude systems.

Bring some snacks and treats such as dried fruits, trail mix power bars. They will boost your energy and morale, the snacks help to bridge gaps between meals. Also, bring some throat sweets or peppermints as many people suffer from dry throats on ALTITUDE.

Packing Checklist/Essentials

Walking boots and spare trainers or hut slippers.
Warm clothing, socks, warm hat, warm gloves and their liners.
Waterproof jackets/trousers
Sleeping bag rated -15 to – 25 degrees Celsius.
Head torch and spare batteries.
Camera and spare batteries.
Snacks and throat sweets.
First aid kit
Sun protection factor # 33
Enough money for tips.

Advance Planning Checklist

Consult medical doctor about your proposed trip.
Suitable Travel insurance.
Plan and execute training program for fitness and stamina.
A strong waterproof kit bag or rucksack.
Trial packing and check the target weight of 15kg (Normal for the porter)
Prepare a day pack to carry your essentials.

Lemosho Route

Lemosho Glades route via Machame route is among the least used combination of routes on Kilimanjaro. The trails leads up to the western edge of the Shira Plateau is said to be the most stunningly beautiful hikes in Africa. With 8 days on the mountain, your chances of reaching the “roof of Africa“ are very good.

Tanzania Safari

Tarangire Park

Tarangire N. Park occupies an area of 2,600 square kilometers. And located south east of Manyara and 120km from Arusha
town. Tarangire takes on the sixth largest position among Tanzania’s national parks, Tarangire River that crosses through the eye-catching park. Large herds of elephants, baobab trees these grow in open acacias, climbing African pythons make
Tarangire a popular safari destination.

Ngoro Ngoro

The best area for this season to visit is around Lake Ndutu. The Ndutu area in the northern part of the Ngoro- Ngoro
conservation area. As such it forms part of the annual migratory route of hundreds of thousands of wildebeest, zebra, antelopes and their predators, the annual calving of the wildebeest is between November and March.

Included

All transfers, to and from airports KIA.
Accommodations on Full Board basis (FB), at, Tarangire Roika Tented lodge, Tingitana Tented lodge Serengeti, hotel /Lodge in Karatu or other optional hotel and lodges.
Arusha National Park,day trip.
3 NIGHTS Accommodation in ARUSHA Town on BB.
Transportation on 4x4 Land Cruiser.
Services of a professional driver guide.
Mineral water whilst on safari.
All park entry fees and conservation fees, Ngoro- Ngoro crater transit fees.
Kilimanjaro Trekking climb, Guides and porters’ wages, equipment’s on trek,
Airport Transfers; pick up and drop off

Not Included

International flights
Local flights from Zanzibar to Arusha.
Visas
Tips and gratuities
All items of personal nature.

Download pdf brochure

Day 1: ARRIVAL: KIA – ARUSHA/MOSHI

Arrival and Transfer to your ARUSHA / MOSHI Hotel. You will also meet with your Trekking Guide for full briefing and gear check. Dinner/overnight at ARUSHA/ MOSHI Hotel

Day 2: Arusha National Park

A day trip to Arusha National Park. This park offers a great opportunity to see a lot of wildlife and also to let your body get used to the mountain climate. Also a chance to see the flamingos at Momella lakes.

Day 3: Start of Kilimanjaro climb

Londorossi Gate to Mti Mkumbwa (Elevation: 2100m – 2650m, Distance: 10 km. , Habitat: montane Forest). Pick –up from your hotel after breakfast, drive to Londorossi gate for registration and thereafter drive to the trailhead and the hiking starting point. Hike in this rich and virgin montane forest, after about 4 hours reach Mti Mkumbwa camp for the night.

Day 4: Mti Mkumbwa to Shira One Camp:

(Elevation: 2650m – 3609m, Distance: 14km, hiking time 5 – 7hours. , Habitat: moorland.)
After breakfast break camp and start hiking and 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 rolling hills below Shira plateau, finally reaching camp at the edge of the plateau. The view of Kibo from the across the plateau is amazing.

Day 5: Shira One Camp to Shira Two camp

(Elevation: 3609m – 3849m, Distance: 6km, hiking time: 4 hours, Habitat: Alpine desert)
This day takes on a gentle walk across the plateau for some excellent scenery while your body continues to acclimatize.

Day 6: Shira Two to Barranco Hut

(Elevation: 3849m – 4600m -3750m, Distance: 6 km, hiking time: 5 – 6 hrs, Habitat: Alpine desert)
NOTE: From Shira two camps onwards, this route is identical to the Machame route.
The morning climb is somewhat steep on this day as you ascend to
Lava tower at 4600m, before descending again on the scenic
Barranco camp. This is a great example of climb high/sleep low rule which helps in acclimatize safely.

Day 7: Karanga Camp

(Elevation: 3750m – 3990m, Distance: 4km, hiking time: 5hrs, Habitat: Alpine desert). From the campsite, you will head north for a short distance and cross a river before meeting the day's main challenge, the imposing Barranco wall. After the wall, the path crosses a plateau area divided by several valleys with superb views up towards the southern icefields. You descend fairly steeply into Karanga valley and then ascend to Karanga camp.

Day 8: Karanga camp to Barafu

(Elevation: 3990m -4600m, Distance: 3km, hiking time: 3 – 4 hrs, Habitat: Alpine desert). From Karanga camp, the trail heads a moraine ridge taking your time and going slowly. The views are spectacular on the southern glaciers. Once you are settled in, watch out the lovely evening light on Mawenzi.

Day 9: Barafu hut to Summit

(Elevation: 4600m – 5895m – 3100m, Hiking time: 7- 10 hrs). You will be woken around midnight to walk through the night. The climb to Stella point is the most daunting section of climb mainly because of altitude and darkness. From Stella Point, it takes another 45 minutes or so to Uhuru peak. Afterward, you will descend down to Barafu camp for breakfast and a brief rest and later on descend to Mweka camp.

Day 10: Mweka Camp to Arusha hotel.

(Altitude: 3100m- 1700m, Time: 3hrs). After breakfast, song, and dance, and this day you will leisurely descend down to Mweka Gate through the rainforest. Great photographic locations on the way down.

Check- out and take your certificates and drive to your Arusha hotel for a well-deserved shower and rest.

Day 11: Tanzania Safari (Tarangire N. Park)

NOTE: THIS IS AFTER KILIMANJARO CLIMB
This day will start with a brief and later on, proceed to Tarangire National Park. Afternoon Game drive and later dinner and overnight at Roika Tented Lodge.

Day 12: Serengeti National Park

Early in the morning check-out and drive to Serengeti National Park, via the Ngoro Ngoro Crater Rim. Arriving later in the afternoon, enjoy a game drive en-route to your Tented Lodge. Dinner and overnight at Tingitana Tented Camp.

Day 13: Serengeti National Park

Serengeti National Park is vast and very scenic, this day is spent exploring this expansive Park. Full day game viewing. Dinner and overnight at Tingitana Tented lodge.