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

Half Board – Dinner, Bed and Breakfast

Day 2: Lemosho Forest Camp, Mount Kilimanjaro

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 breathtaking 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 Lemosho Forest 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: Lemosho Forest Camp   

Basis

Full Board – Dinner, Bed, Breakfast and Lunch

Day 3: Shira Camp, Mount Kilimanjaro         

Day Itinerary

We soon leave the forest behind and enter the moorland zone of giant heather.  The trail climbs steadily with wide views to reach the rim of the Shira Plateau.  There is a tangible sense of wilderness, especially when the afternoon mists come in!  We might walk to the summit of Shira Cathedral, a huge buttress of rock flanked by steep pinnacles, before reaching the next camp near Shira Cave (3,720 in.).

This campsite has some of the most stunning views on Kilimanjaro, close to the glaciated dome of Kibo and the jagged rim of Shira Plateau.  The views from here of Mt.  Meru floating on the clouds are simply unforgettable. [6 – 8 hours walking] Shira Camp

Overnight: Shira Camp         

Shira Camp forms part of the second leg of the journey up Mount Kilimanjaro. There are 2 camps – Shira Camp 1 on west side and Shira Camp 2 on the east. The Shira Plateau landscape features a tropical rainforest and shrubland where a range of flora and fauna species are found. Climbers might also spot the White Naped Raven.

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: Karanga Camp, Mount Kilimanjaro   

Day itinerary

A steep climb up the Barranco Wall leads us to an undulating trail on the south-eastern flank of Kibo, with superb vistas of the Southern Ice fields. Lunch is usually taken at Karanga, the last water point, in a steep valley. Karanga Camp [3 – 5 hours walking]

Overnight: Karanga Camp    

On day 4 of the route up Mount Kilimanjaro, climbers would reach the Karanga Camp. The journey would take about 5 hours and climbers get to experience the alpine desert landscape of Mount Kilimanjaro.

Basis

Full Board – Dinner, Bed, Breakfast and Lunch

Day 6: Barafu Camp, Mount Kilimanjaro      

Day itinerary

The terrain changes to scree and we climb steeply to reach the Barafu campsite (4,600 in.) by mid-day.  The remainder of the day is spent resting in preparation for the final ascent before a very early night.  There are often spectacular views to the plains far below from Barafu. [3 – 5 hours walking] Barafu Camp.

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 7: Mweka Camp, Mount Kilimanjaro    

Day itinerary

We will start our ascent by torchlight at about I a.m. so that we can be up on the Crater rim by sunrise.  The steep climb over loose volcanic scree has some well-graded zig-zags and a slow but steady pace will take us to Stella Point (5,735 in.), in about five or six hours. 

We will rest there for a short time to enjoy the sunrise over Mawenzi.  Those who are still feeling strong can make the two hours round trip from here along the crater rim to Uhuru Peak (5,896 in.), passing close to the spectacular glaciers and ice cliffs that still occupy most of the summit area. 

The descent to Barafu is surprisingly fast, and after some refreshment, we continue to descend to reach our final campsite (3,800 in.) at the edge of Mweka Forest. [11- 15 hours walking]

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 8: 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 9: End of Itinerary    

Day Itinerary

Transferred to Kilimanjaro International Airport for your departure flight back home

Basis

Bed and Breakfast