Mount Kilimanjaro
Are you someone who's always looking for a new challenge? Mount Kilimanjaro could be your next adventure!
Push your limits in Tanzania by taking on 5895 meters of the world's largest free-standing mountain.
Below, our expert guides will explain everything you need to know about this once in a lifetime adventure.
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5 Day Expedition - Marangu Route
6 Day Expedition - Machame Route
5 Day Expedition
Marangu Route
Day 1: Marangu Gate to Mandara Hut (2720m)
After breakfast in your hotel, you'll go from Arusha town to Marangu gate. The guide will take care of your permit and then you'll begin hiking. The journey from Marangu Gate to Mandara Hut is about three hours. You will have a lunch box to eaton the way. You will have dinner and sleep overnight at Mandara hut.
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Day 2: Mandara Hut to Horombo Hut (3720m)
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After breakfast you will begin your hike from Mandara Hut to Horombo Hut. You will see plenty of beautiful flowers, zebra rocks. You will walk for around six hours, and have lunch on the way. You will have dinner and spend the night at Horombo Hut.
Day 3: Horombo Hut to Kibo Hut (4700m)
This is the day you will reach the summit. After breakfast, you start your journey from Horombo Hurt to Kibo Hut. You will have a lunchbox to eat on the way. On the way you will cross Mawenzi Peak [5149m.s.l] where you will experience a desert climate. You will have diner early and then try to sleep for around 6 hours. At around 11:30pm you will wake up for tea and biscuits. Afterwards you will begin the final ascent to Uhuru peak [5895m], the highest point of Africa!
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Day 4: From Summit to Kibo then Horombo (5895m)
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You begin the final ascent at around midnight. This is by far the most difficult part of the trek and you will mostly likely experience biting cold, tiredness and altitude sickness. It usually takes between 6-7 hours to reach the summit, just in time for sunrise. After making it to the summit and taking as many photos as you can, you will start descending to Kibo. There you will take a short break for two hours and have lunch. Then you descend to Horombo Hut where you will have dinner and spend the night.
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Day 5: Horombo Hut to Marangu Gate
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After breakfast you begin your final journey back to Marangu Gate. There you will find a car waiting for you to take you back to Arusha.
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From: $1500
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Prices vary depending on the many options available. Please click below to answer a few basic questions and let us email you a personalized quote!
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Machame Route
6 Day Expedition
Machame Route
Machame Route, also known as “Whiskey” route, is in our opinion the best way to climb Kilimanjaro and takes six or seven days. It is the second most popular and one of the most scenic routes on the mountain. All climbers sleep in tents (which are included). Meals are served in a dining tent or on a blanket outside. The success rate for this route is fairly high and is aimed at physically fit people with some hiking experience. After reaching the summit, you descend down the Mweka trail and stay overnight at either Mweka or Millennium camp. This is your final night on the mountain. However, some climbers choose to go all the way to Mweka Gate and leave on the same day to avoid staying an extra night. Below is the 6 Days Kilimanjaro climb-Machame route itinerary :
Day 1: Machame Gate to Machame camp (2835m)
In the morning we depart from the base hotel at approximately 9:00 AM for Machame village where you begin the trek. From the Machame Gate you walk for about two to three hours through a dense forest of fig and rubber trees, begonia flowers, and other tropical vegetation. A stop for picnic 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 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 metal 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 to aid in gradual acclimatisation. Do not try to keep up with your porters who will usually bound ahead. Instead, take time to admire the beauty of the rainforest.
Day 2 : Machame Camp to Shira Cave Camp (3750m)
The following morning your wake-up call is at around 6:00 AM. You will be greeted with a steaming hot cup of tea or coffee. Weather permitting, you will also be met 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. Most climbers tend to pace themselves, walking slowly and resting about every half-hour.
Day 3 : Shira Cave Camp to Baranco Camp (3900m)
The entire Shira Plateau greets you this morning with sweeping vistas of Meru and the Shira Needles. A steady walk takes you up to the pass at Lava Tower (4600m) where will you stop to have lunch. Crossing the Bastains stream, you will begin to descend towards Baranco Camp. The descent takes you along an immense canyon called Grand Baranco. 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.
Day 4 : Baranco Camp to Barafu Camp (4673m)
This morning you begin your hike to Barafu Camp via Karanga Camp, which is on the same altitude as Baranco Camp. You will encounter a bit of a climb at Baranco Cliff and spend the rest of the day's trek climbing up and down the slopes of the mountain. 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 to hike in the Karanga Valley where giant senecios and lobelia grow, and then continue with the scenic climb to Barafu which 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. Climbers arrive at Barafu Camp at around 3:30PM. Climbers who choose to ascend the peak will go to bed very early this night, as the next day is the longest one.
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Day 5: Barafu Camp to Summit (5895m)
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You will be woken at around 11:00pm and, after a light breakfast, start climbing at around midnight. It is at this stage that the climb becomes much more difficult. Here, very few will not be suffering from altitude sickness in some form or another. 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. Overnight: Mweka Camp (10,200 ft).
Day 6 Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate (Finish)
On the final day of the journey, climbers descend from Mweka camp to the base. The descent to the gate will take approximately 4 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 and then get transferred back to your base hotel.
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From: $1800
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Prices vary depending on the many options available. Please click below to answer a few basic questions and let us email you a personalized quote!
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7 Day Expedition
Machame Route
Machame Route the so known as “Whiskey” route which means "challenging route" This route is the best route over all routes to climb Kilimanjaro, you can climb it for seven days, It is the second most popular and one of the most scenic routes on the mountain. All climbers sleep in tents (tents are included) and meals are served in a dinner tent or on a blanket outside. It is done over 7 days, so acclimatization is easier, and the success rate is fairly high. It is for physically fit people with some hiking experience. Descent is down the Mweka trail staying at the Mweka or Millenium camp the final night on the mountain. Below is the 7 Days Kilimanjaro climb-Machame route itinerary :
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Day 1: Moshi – Machame camp (10,000 ft)
In the morning, we depart from our base hotel at approximately 9:00 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 through a dense forest of fig and rubber trees, begonia flowers, and other tropical vegetation. A stop for picnic 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 WeruWeru. 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 metal 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 acclimatisation. Do not try to keep up with your porters, who will usually bound ahead. Instead, take time to admire the beauty of the rainforest.
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Day 2: Machame Camp – Shira Camp (12,500 ft)
On this subsequent morning, 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. Most climbers tend to pace themselves, walking slowly and resting about every half-hour.
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Day 3: Shira Camp to Barranco Camp (13,000 ft)
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.
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Day 4: Barranco Camp – Barafu Camp (15,200 ft)
This morning you begin your hike to Barafu Camp via 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 to hike in the Karanga Valley where giant senecios and lobelia grow; then continue with the scenic climb to Barafu which 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. Climbers arrive at Barafu Camp at around 3:30PM. Climbers who choose to ascend the peak will go to bed very early this night, as the next day is the longest one.
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Day 5: Acclimatization Day
On this day you will climb a little higher and go back down to the same camp for overnight, this help climbers cope with higher altitude.
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Day 6: Barafu Camp – Mweka Camp [Ascent to Summit (19,430 ft) / 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, very few will not be suffering from altitude sickness in some form or another; 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. Overnight: Mweka Camp (10,200ft)
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Day 7: Mweka Camp – Gate Out
On the final day of the journey, climbers descend from Mweka camp to the base. The descent to the gate will take approximately 4 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 and then get transferred back to your base hotel.
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From: $2100
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Prices vary depending on the many options available. Please click below to answer a few basic questions and let us email you a personalized quote!
What's Included In The Price?
✓ Park Entrance Fee
✓ Transport To/From Gate
✓ Assistant Guide
✓ Mountain Chef
✓ Rescue Fee
✓ 2-Person Tent
✓ Camping fee
✓ Professional Mountain Guide
✓ Mountain Porters
✓ 3 Meals/Day
✓ Mountain Gear
✓ Mattress
What's NOT Included In The Price?
✘ Flights
✘ Guide & Porter Tips
✘ Hiking Poles
✘ Tanzania Visa
✘ Warm Clothes
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Recommended Equipment
✓ Sleeping Bag
✓ Warm Top/Btm Base Layers (wool)
✓ Rucksack with Rain Proof Cover
✓ Waterproof Pants
✓ Flashlight
✓ Hiking Poles
✓ Hiking Boots
✓ Hiking Socks
✓ Sunglasses
✓ Waterproof Coat/Jacket
✓ Headtorch/Headlamp
✓ Warm Jacket (e.g. down jacket)
For those who aren't able to bring their own equipment,
it is possible to purchase or rent all necessary equipment in the shops.