7 days Kilimanjaro climb
The tallest free standing mountain in the World
Kilimanjaro is arguably the most romantic mountain on Planet Earth. Very few locations in our planet ignite such a mysticism and symbolism. It is, after all, the roof of Africa and the tallest free standing mountain in the World. It has also been a symbol against Global Warming and maybe there will not be many years left before the Glaciers on top of Kilimanjaro melt.
At 5895 meters, Uhuru peak is the highest pointing of all Africa.
We organize high quality treks to the summit of this unique mountain and employ a high quality team of guides, porters and cooks and great equipment to make sure your chances of reaching the summit are maximized.
Below in this page you will be able to read the description of the 5 routes available to reach the peak. We always recommend Lemosho and Umbwe because they allow great acclimatization, are less crowded and provide incredible scenery. Scenery wise, Machame route is spectacular too with the only downsize being the fact that It sometimes busier. If you would like to avoid camping and maybe have a shorter route, Marangu is the best option but it is also the one with worst acclimatization and lower success rate. Finally, Umbwe route is a very difficult trek recommended only for those with a high experience in mountain climbing.
Climbing Kilimanjaro can be a life changing experience. You can do it for the challenge, for the unique scenery, for the feeling of success, for the adrenaline and accomplishments, and for many other reasons. One thing is for sure, your life will change after you’ve dominated the highest free standing mountain on Earth.
Machame Route
Machame also named as Whiskey route is one of the most popular ones on Kilimanjaro, but in the same time considered a difficult route. We would recommend it to experienced climbers that have already been acclimatized before and physically fit.
Starting in the rainforest at 1850 meters point, the trail goes through all the climate zones of Kilimanjaro, providing you a good acclimatization due to smooth elevation gain combined with the daily changing equatorial wonderful landscapes. Although it is important to note that some parts of this route can be quite steep.
In case you are planning to climb in rainy season (November, April and May), the path can be eroded on Machame, which will make your hike even more difficult.
Day 1:
Change in Elevation:
– Machame Gate (1,800 m)
– Machame Camp (3,010 m)
Hiking distance: 5 km
Hiking time: 5 to 6 hours
Trekking from machame gates to Machame Camp
A guide and a mountain support crew will arrive at the hotel in the morning in order to meet you and hold a quick briefing, after which you will travel by vehicle to Kilimanjaro National Park’s entrance: Machame Gate (1,800 m). After the quick formality of acquiring climbing permits and registering with the search and rescue service, the group will start trekking up to Machame Camp (3,010 m). The trekking route includes passage through the rainforest (where tropical showers are highly probable), so we recommend you take not only spare clothes, but also your raincoats.
This will be your first day at this altitude, so it is strongly recommended you heed the following instructions from this point on:
– Abstain from consuming alcohol and caffeine
– Drink over 4 liters of bottled water daily (little by little, frequently)
– Take a Diamox pill to help alleviate symptoms of altitude sickness. Most mountain climbers take Diamox in the morning, before they start their ascent, in order to reduce discomfort associated with altitude sickness. We recommend you consult your doctor prior to the trip in case of potential allergies.
At night you may experience discomfort associated with acclimatization to the high altitude: because of a reduction in your waking breathing pattern, your body gets less oxygen than during the day. Taking altitude into account, you may therefore start feeling sick and have a headache. Pay attention to your own body and tell your guide if you start feeling any symptoms of altitude sickness.
Day 2:
Trekking from Machame Camp to Shira Camp:
Change in Elevation:
– Machame Camp (3,010 m)
– Shira Camp (3,845 m)
Hiking distance: 5 km
Hiking time: 4 to 5 hours
Acclimatization hike:
Change in Elevation:
– Shira Camp (3,845 m)
– Destination point en route to Lava Tower (4,120 m)
Hiking distance: 2 km
Hiking time: 1 to 2 hours
Trekking from Mandara hut to Horombo hut
After breakfast you will start trekking up to the second high-altitude camp, Shira Camp (3,845 m). On this day you will emerge from the rainforest and for the first time be able to see stunning views of the Shira Plateau laid out in front of you. Physically speaking, the trekking is not very difficult, but you may feel the changes in altitude, so pay attention to your body and remember that choosing the proper pace is extremely important for good trekking. When you reach the camp, you will have lunch and some rest, after which the group will go on an acclimatization hike towards Lava Tower Camp with a 300-meter gain in altitude. Back down at Shira Camp you will be served a hot dinner.
Note: The acclimatization hike is an easy trek with a slight gain in altitude done in order to speed up the acclimatization process. You should take the acclimatization hikes very seriously. They help increase your chances of successfully summiting Kilimanjaro and save you from the consequences of altitude sickness.
Day 3:
Change in Elevation:
– Shira Camp (3,845 m)
– Lava Tower (4,630 m)
– Barranco Camp (3,960 m)
Hiking distance: 11 km
Hiking time: 6 to 8 hours
Trekking from Shira camp to the Lava tower and descent to Barranco camp
After breakfast you will leave Shira Camp (3,845 m) and start your way to the key point of the route: Lava Tower (4,630 m). This section of the route has a lot of ascents and descents that end in a camp at over 4,600 meters. It might be difficult, and you may feel some discomfort, but in order to successfully acclimate to the altitude you have to spend at least 1-2 hours here, so this is where lunch will be.
Then you will descend to Barranco Camp (3,960 m). Here you can see the famous Barranco Wall, impressive in both its massive size and steepness! Next day you will be climbing it, but don’t worry: it features a very simple hiking trail.
Note: If one or more participants feel sick, the group may refrain from passing the Lava Tower and adjust the route, following instead the road for porters. In this case you will not reach an altitude of 4,630 meters, getting up only to a maximum of 4,400 meters.
Day 4:
Change in Elevation:
– Barranco Camp (3,960 m)
– Barafu Camp (4,640 m)
Hiking distance: 11 km
Hiking time: 8 to 10 hours
Trekking from Barranco Camp to Barafu Camp
Early wakeup, breakfast and the start of summiting Barranco Wall (we recommend you leave the camp as early as possible to avoid crowds of the other groups). Hiking up the gorge wall is not difficult and only takes around an hour. After the climb you can have a rest and take photos in front of the Kibo volcano.
Then you start a more difficult hike to Karanga Camp, which features numerous ascents and descents during the route, but don’t worry: our guides are experts at choosing an optimal pace for the group. After reaching the camp you will be offered warm lunch. After a couple of hours you will have to complete ascend to Barafu Camp (4,640 m) where you will be served a hot dinner. It is better to spend the remainder of the day resting and sleeping before night summiting.
Day 5:
Change in Elevation:
– Barafu Camp (4,640 m)
– Uhuru Peak (5,895 m)
– Millennium Camp (3,820 m)
Hiking distance: 15 km
Hiking time: 8 to 12 hours
Ascent to Uhuru Peak and Descent to Millennium Camp
Departure from Barafu Camp (4,640 m) at night and the start of summiting Kilimanjaro: Uhuru Peak (5,895 m). Technically the climb is relatively simple; however, the most challenging part is the high altitude. Each pair of climbers will get a personal guide for the entire ascent to monitor your physical and mental conditions. After your successful ascent to Uhuru Peak, you can descend to the nearest glacier if desired. Then you will return to Barafu Camp and after a 2-hour rest continue your descent to Millennium Camp (3,820 m).
Note: Don’t forget that 90% of all accidents occur during the descent, including all broken arms and legs. Please pay attention to your feet, as there is a high risk of damaging your toenails.
Day 6:
Change in Elevation:
– Millennium Camp (3,820 m)
– Mweka Gate (1,650 m)
Hiking distance: 12 km
Hiking time: 4 to 5 hours
Descent from Millennium Camp to Mweka Gate
The camp is situated in a tropical rainforest. When you wake up, you will feel relief from the reduction of the height and the satisfaction of reaching the summit. After a warm breakfast, you will head for the park’s exit: Mweka Gate (1,650 m). After your descent the whole group will gather to congratulate you, followed by offering you a chance to share your opinions on the climb in the guestbook. Lastly, we will present you with your commemorative certificates in our office and provide you a transfer back to the airport for your outbound flight back home or to your next destination.
Optional extra day
Spend an Extra day at Karanga Camp (4035m) for better acclimatization.
This itinerary can be combined with beach holiday, Gorilla & chimps trekking in Uganda or Rwanda or a wildlife safari in Kenya or Tanzania. CREATE A LINK TO CONTACT US contact our safari specialist to help you put together this itinerary and many other Kilimanjaro climb options!.
Itinerary includes:
- Transport as per above in either a safari minivan or 4 x 4 (cost varies with type of vehicle)
- Full board accommodation
- Park fees
- Game drives
- Services of a professional English speaking guide
- 1 litre mineral water per day per person
Itinerary excludes:
- Drinks in the lodges, camps and hotels
- Climbing gear (available for hire at the starting point at affordable cost)
- Item of personal nature
- Tips
- Travel insurance