Day 1: JRO Airport – Moshi town

Arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport; meet by our knowledgeable driver guide, after greetings and double check your bags will transfer you to Moshi town (45 minutes’ drive). Briefing will be provided by your Kilimanjaro professional and experienced guide. Your Kilimanjaro guide will also check your climbing equipment’s. Anything missing can be rented for you.

Accommodation:        Panama Garden Resort (https://panamagardenresort.co.tz/ ) or Similar

A guide and a mountain support crew will arrive at the hotel in the morning in order to meet you and hold another briefing, after which you will travel by vehicle (roughly 3-4 hours) to Kilimanjaro National Park’s western entrance: Londorossi Gate (2,200 m). After the quick formality of acquiring climbing permits and registering with the search and rescue service, the group will start trekking towards the first camp of the route: Mti Mkubwa Camp (2,780 m). Raincoats are necessary on this day in particular, as you will be walking through rainforest. By the time you reach the camp, our professional mountain crew will prepare everything necessary, put tents and cook lunch for you. After lunch the group will depart on an acclimatization hike towards Shira 1 Camp that features a 300 meter gain in altitude, after which you will hike back down to Mti Mkubwa Camp, where a hot dinner will be waiting.

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 successful climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro and save you from the consequences of altitude sickness.

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.

Trekking from Londorossi Gate to Mti Mkubwa Camp:

Change in Elevation: Londorossi Gate (2,200 m) — Mti Mkubwa Camp (2,780 m)

Hiking distance: 6 km

Hiking time: 3-4 hours

Acclimatization hike:

Change in Elevation: Mti Mkubwa Camp (2,780 m) – Destination point en route to Shira 1 Camp (3,095 m)

Hiking distance: 2 km

Hiking time: 1 hour

Accommodation:         Mti Mkubwa Camp

An early wakeup, breakfast, and a gradual trek upwards until 3,500 meters; at that point for the first time you will be able to see stunning views of Shira Plateau and Kibo Volcano.

On the whole, the passage from Mti Mkubwa Camp to the second high-altitude Shira 1 Camp (3,505 m) is rather easy and takes about 5-6 hours. This will allow you to start the acclimatization process gradually, which is a mainstay of good trekking. When you reach the camp, your team of specialists will cook you lunch and you will have the chance to rest in your tent or walk around the nearby area.

Trekking From Mti Mkubwa Camp to Shira 1 Camp

Change in Elevation: Mti Mkubwa Camp (2,780 m) — Shira 1 Camp (3,505 m)

Hiking distance: 5 km

Hiking time: 5 – 6 hours

Accommodation:        Shira 1 Camp

After breakfast we explore the Shira Plateau for a full day. It is a gentle walk east on moorland meadows towards Shira 2 Camp. Then we divert from the main trail to Moir Hut, a little used site on the base of Lent Hills. A variety of walks are available on Lent Hills making this an excellent acclimatization opportunity. Shira Plateau is one of the highest plateaus on earth.

Shira 1 Camp to Moir Hut

Elevation: 11,500 ft to 13,800 ft
Distance: 11 km/7 miles
Hiking Time: 5-7 hours
Habitat: Heath

Accommodation:       Moir Hut

We begin the day climbing up a ridge and then head southeast towards the Lava Tower – a 300 ft tall volcanic rock formation. We descend down to Barranco Camp through the strange but beautiful Senecio Forest to an altitude of 13,000 ft. Although you begin and end the day at the same elevation, the time spent at higher altitude is very beneficial for acclimatization.

Moir Hut to Lava Tower
Elevation: 13,800 ft to 15,190 ft
Distance: 7 km/4 miles
Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert

Lava Tower to Barranco Camp
Elevation: 15,190 ft to 13,044 ft
Distance: 3 km/2 miles
Hiking Time: 2-3 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert

Accommodation:         Barranco 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 an acclimatization hike in the direction of Barafu Camp with a 300-meter gain in altitude, and then descent back down to the camp.

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.

Trekking from Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp:

Change in Elevation: Barranco Camp (3,960 m) — Karanga Camp (4,035 m)

Hiking distance: 5 km

Hiking time: 4–5 hours

Acclimatization hike:

Change in Elevation: Karanga Camp (4,035 m) — Destination point en route to Barafu Camp (4,270 m)

Hiking distance: 2.5 km

Hiking time: 1–2 hours

Accommodation:         Karanga Camp

In the morning after breakfast you begin your way to Barafu Summit Camp (4,640 m), the starting point for a night summiting Uhuru Peak (5,895 m). Our team will set up a camp for you ahead of time, including tents and sleeping bags, so you can relax. After regaining strength, you have to complete an acclimatization hike towards the intermediate Kosovo Summit Camp (4,800 m) and then back to Barafu Camp, where you will be served a hot dinner. It is better to spend the remainder of the day resting and sleeping before night summiting.

Trekking from Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp:

Change in Elevation: Karanga Camp (4,035 m) — Barafu Camp (4,640 m)

Hiking distance: 6 km

Hiking time: 4–5 hours

Acclimatization hike:

Change in Elevation: Barafu Camp (4,640 m) — Kosovo Camp (4,800 m)

Hiking distance: 2 km

Hiking time: 1–2 hours

Accommodation:         Barafu Camp

During normal morning hours, we begin our push to the summit. This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek. We ascend for several hours at a slow but steady pace while taking frequent, but short, breaks. The trail turns into heavy scree as we make the steep climb to the crater rim. At Stella Point (18,900 ft), we see the summit sign in the distance. We continue the around the crater rim until finally we arrive at Uhuru Peak- the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa.

We then descend a short distance to Crater Camp, where the rest of the staff will join us to set up camp. There is an option to hike to Reutsch Crater and the ash pit, or simply explore the areas around Furtwangler Glacier. Sleeping at this high altitude can be dangerous. Serious AMS can develop if adequate altitude acclimatization has not been achieved so the guides will monitor you very closely.

Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak
Elevation: 15,331 ft to 19,341 ft
Distance: 5 km/3 miles
Hiking Time: 7-8 hours
Habitat: Arctic

Uhuru Peak to Crater Camp
Elevation: 19,341 ft to 18,865 ft
Distance: 1 km/.6 miles
Hiking Time: 0.5-1 hours
Habitat: Artic

Accommodation:        Crater Camp

From Crater Camp, we now make our descent continuing straight down to the Mweka Hut camp site, stopping at Barafu for lunch. The trail is very rocky and can be quite hard on the knees; trekking poles are helpful. Mweka Camp is situated in the upper forest and mist or rain can be expected in the late afternoon. Later in the evening, we enjoy our last dinner on the mountain and a well-earned sleep.

Crater Camp to Mweka Camp
Elevation: 18,865 ft to 10,065 ft
Distance: 12 km/7 miles
Hiking Time: 4-6 hours
Habitat: Artic

Accommodation:        Mweka Camp

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 (1,640 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 hotel.

Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate
Elevation: 10,065 ft to 5,380 ft
Distance: 10 km/6 miles
Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: Rain Forest

Accommodation:        Panama Garden Resort (https://panamagardenresort.co.tz/ ) or Similar

Day 11: Moshi Town – JRO Airport

After breakfast at your hotel today we shall have a short walk around Moshi town then transfer to Kilimanjaro International Airport to connect with your flight back home. Or connect with local flight to Zanzibar.

Note: while most hotels have an 10:00 AM check-out policy, they also offer late check-out for those with evening or night flights. The fees are moderate.

 End of tour!!

11 Days Climbing Marangu route price

Price in $$ Per person sharing

• 1Pax: $4,265
• 2Pax: $3,855
• 3Pax: $3,765
• 4Pax: $3,710
• 5Pax: $3,650
• 6Pax: $3,610
• 7Pax: $3,585
• 8+ Pax: $3,550

Inclusive

• All internal transfers
• All meals during the trekking (breakfast, lunch and dinner)
• Drinking water
• Accommodations on mountain (Tents)
• 2 nights in town on arrival and departure day (Bed & Breakfast)
• Knowledgeable guide, assistance guide, cook, porters and rescue
• Entrance fee to the national park
• Hut fee
• Rescue fees
• Valued Added Tax (VAT) 18%
• Crater camp extra cost

Exclusive

• International flights
• Visa for Tanzania
• Travel Insurance
• Beverages
• Personal things like sleeping bags, rucksacks, footwear, other clothing etc.
• Tips to your guides/cook/porters and personal expenses such as laundry and communication.