Tour Overview
Towering over Tanzania's northeastern plains, snow-capped Kilimanjaro commands attention. This majestic mountain is the highest on the African continent at 19,335 feet and is an ideal "starter peak" for novice mountaineers. Though certainly no walk in the park, Kilimanjaro offers terrain that's reasonably scalable, but the high altitude may be the biggest hurdle. After seven days of trekking from rainforest to grasslands to barren, glacier-like landscape, you reap the ultimate reward of the summit. **NOTE: For a more aggressive itinerary, a 7-day option is available. To reduce the number of nights on the mountain, we combine Days 05 & 06. Therefore on the shorter itinerary, climbers will hike from Barranco Camp to Barafu Camp , omitting the night at Karanga Camp. If interested, please ask your Adventure Consultant for more information & pricing.Day by Day Itinerary
Day 01: Moshi, TanzaniaArrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport, you will be met and transferred to your hotel for check-in. AMEG Lodge is based at the foot of Mt. Kilimanjaro in Tanzania and set in a 4.5-acre area. It has been constructed with local Tanzanian building materials and designed to combine antique African and modern contemporary styles creating an articulate and seductive ambiance. Frangipani and palm trees adorn the grounds amidst a variety of colorful tropical plants.
Dinner
AMEG Lodge Day 02: Mt. Kilimanjaro National Park / Machame
After breakfast, we depart from our hotel at approximately 8:00 AM for the Machame village where you begin the trek. From the park entrance gate (Machame), you will walk for about two to three hours trek through a dense forest of fig and rubber trees, begonia flowers, and other tropical vegetation. A stop for lunch will be made halfway to this evening's campsite. As you continue your ascent, you will find that the tropical forest has given way to tall grasses and giant heather. You will be walking on a ridge, to the left of which is the Semira stream, and on the right, the Weru. Depending on the pace of the climbers, arrival at Machame Camp is usually between 5:00 PM and 6:00 PM. Your camp is set up near some old metals huts, which were once used for shelter. This initial stage of the climb is tranquil and relatively easy. There is no point in rushing to get to the camp, as there is little to do there. Guides tend to recommend a slow ascent, even at this point, for gradual acclimatization. Do not try to keep up with your porters, who will usually bound ahead. Instead, take time to admire the beauty of the rainforest. If you are interested in botany, you should carry a small reference book, as guides are not especially knowledgeable about this aspect of the climb.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Machame Camp - 10, 000 ft Day 03: Mt. Kilimanjaro National Park / Machame - Shira
On this and subsequent mornings, wake-up call is at around 6:00 AM. You will be greeted with a steaming cup of tea or coffee, and weather permitting, by a fabulous view of Uhuru peak. Today's trek takes you up a steep track through a savannah of tall grasses, volcanic rock, and bearded heather. You will encounter giant groundsels as you hike through a ghostly landscape of volcanic lava, caves, and foamy streams. Lunch will be taken just below the Shira Plateau, about three to four hours from Shira Camp. The hike to the next campsite takes approximately six hours and you should arrive between 2:00 PM and 3:00 PM. We suggest that you pace yourself, walk slowly and rest about every half-hour. You may feel lethargic and have a headache by the time you reach camp. Guides advise those with symptoms of altitude sickness to drink tea and get plenty of rest.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Shira Camp - 12,500 ft Day 04: Mt. Kilimanjaro National Park / Shira - Barranco
The entire Shira Plateau greets you this morning with sweeping vistas across to Meru and the Shira Needles. A steady walk takes you up to the pass at Lava Tower (15,000 ft.) where you stop to have lunch. Crossing the Bastains stream, you will begin to descend towards Barranco Camp. The descent takes you along an immense canyon called Grand Barranco. Along the way, you will see numerous waterfalls, which are fed, by streams coming from the mountain, converging here to form the Umbwe River. Your camp is set at almost the same altitude as the night before. Today's trek lasts for about six hours and arrival at camp is between 4:30PM and 5:30PM.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Barranco Camp - 13,000 ft
Day 05: Mt. Kilimanjaro National Park / Barranco - Karanga
This morning you begin your hike to Karanga Camp, which is on the same altitude as Barranco Camp. You will encounter a bit of a climb at Barranco Cliff and spend the rest of the trek climbing up and down the slopes of the mountain most of the way to camp. The climbing is not considered difficult and you should arrive in time for lunch (approximately 1:00PM) having trekked for about four hours. In the afternoon you have the opportunity to hike in the Karanga Valley where giant senecios and lobelia grow; however, you are well advised to rest as much as you possibly can to prepare you for the climb ahead.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Karanga Camp - 13,000 ft Day 06: Mt. Kilimanjaro National Park / Karangu - Barafu
The scenic climb to Barafu is mostly on a moraine with a view of Mawenzi peak towering majestically to the right, and overhead, Kibo peak seemingly just out of reach. The alpine desert terrain encountered at this point is mostly a mineral environment with few lichens and mosses. Lunch will be taken along the way and climbers arrive at Barafu Camp at around 2:30PM. Climbers who choose to ascend the peak will go to bed very early this night, as the next day is the longest one.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Barafu Camp - 15,200 ft Day 07: Mt. Kilimanjaro National Park - Ascent / Descent
You will be awakened at midnight and after a light breakfast, start climbing at around 1:00 AM. It is at this stage that the climb becomes much more difficult. Here, most everyone will be experiencing some form of alttitude sickness; and climbers should carry as little as possible on this portion of the climb. Temperatures will range from -4° to 5° Fahrenheit. Making your way up a path that is flanked by the Ratzel and Rebman glaciers, you will climb for about six hours before reaching the edge of the crater, between Stella and Hans Meyer points. Another hour of climbing brings you to the summit. Uhuru stands at 19,340 feet and is the highest point on the continent of Africa. The track around the edge of the crater is rocky and icy. Concentrate on your feet, and follow your guide very closely for this portion of the journey. The descent is no easier than the ascent. You will reach Kibo Hut after about three hours (around 11:30 AM). Climbers will be given the opportunity to rest and have some refreshments before continuing on to Mweka Camp for the night. Arriving into camp at around 5:00PM, you will have trekked a total of thirteen hours today.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Mweka Camp - 10,200ft Day 08: Mt. Kilimanjaro National Park - Depart
On the final day of the journey, climbers descend from Mweka camp to the base. The descent to the gate will take approximately 5 hours and climbers usually arrive before noon. Upon arrival at the gate climbers will be rewarded with certificates attesting their success at climbing Mount Kilimanjaro After finishing your climb you will be taken to Kia Lodge where you will have the use of a room to freshen up before being taken to the airport to connect with your onwards flight.
Breakfast, Lunch **NOTE: For a more aggressive itinerary, a 7-day option is available. To reduce the number of nights on the mountain, we combine Days 05 & 06. Therefore on the shorter itinerary, climbers will hike from Barranco Camp to Barafu Camp, omitting the night at Karanga Camp. If interested, please ask your Adventure Consultant for more information & pricing.
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