Day 1: Arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport – Arusha
Day Itinerary
Arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport, after clearing customs and immigration formalities, you will be met and transferred to Arusha.
Overnight: Four Points by Sheraton Arusha The Arusha Hotel
The Arusha Hotel is located in the beautiful city of Arusha, Tanzania. The hotel offers 106 stylish rooms that feature Wi-Fi access, a television and a sitting area. Guests can enjoy a delicious meal at the onsite restaurant as well as unwind with a refreshing drink at the bar. The hotel also offers an outdoor swimming pool, a gym and a terrace that overlooks a tropical garden.
Basis
Bed and Breakfast
Day 2: Mti Mbukwa Camp
Kilimanjaro’s snow-capped peak is one of the most awe-inspiring sights in Africa. Straddling the Kenya/Tanzania border, the iconic Mount Kilimanjaro rises up to an impressive 5896 meters above sea level. It is one of the world’s highest volcanoes, the highest mountain on the African continent, and the highest free-standing mountain on earth; making it an international destination attracting trekkers and mountaineers from around the globe.
Set within the Kilimanjaro National Park, Kilimanjaro emerges from the sprawling plains of Tanzania and boasts dense tropical rainforests, glacial ice fields, moorlands, and mystical moonscapes. Take on the colossal challenge of climbing this majestic mountain, explore the lush forested foothills, soak up the breath-taking views or take a wildlife safari and spot some of Africa’s diverse wildlife including: elephant, buffalo, leopard, duiker, eland, hyrax, blue monkeys and more.
Day Itinerary
Early departure after an early breakfast. After completing the necessary registration formalities at Londorossi gate, it is an easy day of walking from the Lemosho road head up a small path through beautiful and lush forest.
We have our lunch in the glades before continuing to Mti Mkubwa Camp (2,650 in.). This area is home to a variety of game including buffalo, and so we are accompanied by an armed park ranger. [2-3 hours walking]
Overnight: Mti Mbukwa Camp
Tucked away in the heart of the rainforest in Kilimanjaro National Park, Mti Mbukwa is an overnight campsite set along the Lemosho hiking trail of Mount Kilimanjaro, a short distance from the Londorosi Gate.
Hikers are conveniently located three hours away from the starting point of the Lemosho route. The campsite accommodates tents only and is equipped with a long drop toilet and pit latrines.
Basis
Full Board – Dinner, Bed, Breakfast and Lunch
Day 3: Shira Camp 2, Mount Kilimanjaro
Day Itinerary
Initially trek from forest camp (2650m) to Shira 2 Camp (3 850m) on the western edge of Shira Plateau (17km).
We continue on the trail leading out of the forest and into a savannah of tall grasses, heather, and volcanic rock draped with lichen beards. As we ascend through the lush rolling hills and cross several streams, we reach the Shira Ridge before dropping gently down to Shira 1 camp for hot lunch.
The view of Kibo from across the plateau is amazing. Then, continue directly across the gentle slope of the Shira Plateau towards Shira Cave camp. After hiking for 2.5km, can you request your guide to turn towards the south and enjoy an excursion via the dramatic Shira Cathedral – only if you feel strong enough to add the additional 3km to your day’s walk.
The Shira Cathedral is an impressive volcanic outcrop that marks the southern tip of the Shira Plateau. It is possible to obtain excellent views towards Kibo, to the south and to the west, from this point. We continue to Shira Camp 2 for overnight (3 850m).
Overnight: Shira Camp 2
Shira Camp 2 is one of the camp sites found on the Shira Plateau on the second leg of the trip up Mount Kilimanjaro. This camp is set at the eastern edge where climbers get to view more scenery such as the view of Uhuru Peak.
Basis
Full Board – Dinner, Bed, Breakfast and Lunch
Day 4: Barranco Camp, Mount Kilimanjaro
Day itinerary
A morning of gentle ascent and panoramic views, leaving the moorland plateau behind to walk on lava ridges beneath the glaciers of the Western Breach. After lunch near the Lava Tower junction (4,500 in.)
we descend to the bottom of the Great Barranco valley (3,900 in.), sheltered by towering cliffs and with extensive views of the plains far below. [5-7 hours walking] Barranco Camp.
Overnight: Barranco Camp
Barranco Camp is the third pitstop along the Machame Route climbing up Mount Kilimanjaro. This area of the mountain is semi-desert and the camp is set in a valley close to the Great Barranco Wall.
Basis
Full Board – Dinner, Bed, Breakfast and Lunch
Day 5: Barafu Camp, Mount Kilimanjaro
Day Itinerary
From here walk up to the road where you again ascend to Barafu Camp at 15,500ft/4,600m, 6 hrs. Pack lunch en route. The vast and barren moonscape of the Alpine desert is a very harsh and rugged environment where temperatures can range from 40C during the day to minus twenty at night.
Only tussock grasses and a few tiny flowers can live on this altitude. Uhuru Peak sometime hauls itself through the clouds and it seems very close. The rare Lammergeyer, or bearded vulture, is occasionally seen up here. Dinner and overnight.
Overnight: Barafu Camp
Mount Kilimanjaro climbers would approach Barafu camp at about the 5th day of the journey. The word ‘barafu’ is the Swahili word for ‘ice’, which refers to the cold climate at this altitude.
Basis
Full Board – Dinner, Bed, Breakfast and Lunch
Day 6: Mweka Camp, Mount Kilimanjaro
Day Itinerary
An early start is required (01.00 am) for the summit attempt and Uhuru Peak the highest point in Africa at 19,340ft/5,895m. The trail is tougher than anything experienced on the ascent with a sustained switchback climb through steep scree.
Slowly and with regular stops is the best way to do it. After Stella Point on the Crater Rim, it is a very short but very long walk to Uhuru Peak. From the summit it is a sustained descent to Mweka Camp and a day of some 12-15 hours of high-altitude trekking. Lunch, dinner and overnight.
Overnight: Mweka Camp
Mweka Camp is the final campsite on the journey up Mount Kilimanjaro. Climbers would arrive here after a 7-hour hike from Summit Uhuru Peak.
Basis
Full Board – Dinner, Bed, Breakfast and Lunch
Day 7: Mweka Gate – Arusha
Day Itinerary
The day is spent descending through open moorlands and the glades of forest and straight down through the rain forest to the Park Gate. Packed lunch on way down. After clearing all the paperwork at the gate, you will be transferred to Airport Planet Lodge for dinner and overnight
Basis
Full Board – Dinner, Bed, Breakfast and Lunch
Overnight: Airport Planet Lodge
Airport Planet Lodge is a quick 5 miles from the Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO). Ideally located mid way between Moshi and Arusha, we pride ourselves for having one of the best panoramic views of Mount Kilimanjaro and Meru. The Lodge is in a safe compound with tropical gardens, fruit trees, plants, flowers and wild birds for nature lovers to enjoy.
Lodge amenities include a grand swimming pool, a restaurant that offers local and international cuisine, bars, a spa, fitness center, Tanzanite and souvenirs shopping. For those looking to kill time between flights, the Lodge offers quick meals like pizza, burgers, snacks and excellent shower facilities ideal for those arriving or departing through the nearby Kilimanjaro Airport.
Day 8: End of Itinerary
Day Itinerary
Transferred to Kilimanjaro International Airport for your departure flight back home
