This is a popular route up steep paths and through magnificent forests taking you up a ridge leading through the moorland zones to the Shira Plateau. It then traverses beneath the glaciated precipices of the Southern Icefields to join the Barafu Route to the summit. An extra day could be added to the itinerary, best spent on the Shira Plateau, where you could walk to the Shira Needles or take a rest day. Strong groups could omit camping at Karanga River and spend a day here to relax and recharge. The Mweka Route is used for the descent after we summit.
Accommodation on the mountain are tents which the porters will pitch for you. You will need a sleeping bag, warm clothes, and walking poles. This is a steep, tough trek within the limits of a fit individual used to walking in high-altitude areas.
Upon your landing at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), our driver will meet you and escort you to a reserved hotel in Arusha, Moshi, or near the airport. Over dinner, your guides will brief you on the climb that is to come the next morning so get excited and get some good rest.
You will be picked up from your hotel around 8:30 AM and then travel to the Machame gate. Today you begin your trek through a dense forest of fig and rubber trees, begonia flowers, and other tropical vegetation. A walk of about two to three hours will take you 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, a large plant that is common on Kilimanjaro.
Watch your steps as you walk on a steep ridge, to the left of which is the Semira stream and on the right, the Weru Weru river. Depending on the pace of your group, arrival at Machame Camp is usually between 5 and 6 p.m. Tranquil and relatively easy are the words that best describe the initial stage of this climb. Take time to admire the beauty of the rainforest and the fresh air. Your guides are very knowledgeable about the botany in this area and listening to them will make the walk all the more interesting and educational.
Enjoy the fabulous view of Uhuru Peak as it greets you this morning. Today’s trek takes you up a steep track through a savannah of tall grasses, volcanic rock, and native plant life. You will encounter giant groundsels as you hike through a sensitive landscape of volcanic lava, caves, and foaming streams.
A trek of approximately six hours will take you to your next campsite, you should arrive between 2 and 3 p.m. Most climbers tend to pace themselves, walking slowly, sipping at their water bottles, and resting about every half-hour.
On your 6 a.m. wake-up call today, you will find the entire Shira Plateau at your feet, with sweeping views across to Mount Meru and the Shira Needles. A steady walk takes you up to the pass at Lava Tower (15,000 ft), where you will stop to have lunch. After crossing the Bastains stream, you begin the descent towards Barranco Camp.
Grand Barranco is an immense canyon. Numerous waterfalls, which are fed by streams coming from the mountain converge here to form the Umbwe River. Your camp is set at almost the same altitude as on the previous night. Today’s trek lasts for about six hours and arrival at camp is between 4:30 and 5:30 p.m.
The day begins with a scramble up the steep Barranco Wall, and then we trek for 3 to 4 hours to stop in the Karanga Valley for a hot lunch. In the afternoon the trail turns into a steady uphill. The temperature will grow colder and the landscape more sparse as we near Barafu Camp. Barafu Camp is set on a small exposed flat area on a ridge, acting as a base camp to start your ascent the next morning. Eat and drink as much as possible before retiring to your tent for rest and sleep, because our ascent starts at midnight.
It is at this stage that the climb becomes much more difficult and hikers should carry as little as possible for this stage. Temperatures range from -4 degrees to 5 degrees Fahrenheit in this area.
Climbing steadily, flanked by the Ratzel and Rebman glaciers, will bring you to the edge of the crater between Stella and Hans Meyer points(approx. 6 hours). Another hour of climbing brings us to the summit.
Concentrate on your feet, and follow your guide very closely for this section of the journey – the track around the edge of the crater is rocky and icy. Uhuru Peak towers at 19,340 ft and is the highest point on the continent of Africa! We will take some time at the summit to take photos, give congratulations to your fellow climbers, and take in the breathtaking view. We will then begin our descent.
Stopping on the way down, we will relax and have a hot refreshment at Kibo Hut before continuing on to Mweka Camp for the night. Arriving at camp at around 5 p.m. you will reflect and realize that you have trekked a total of thirteen hours today!
Congratulate yourself today on your great achievement! The descent to the gate takes approximately five hours and climbers usually arrive before noon. You will then be transferred to your reserved lodge where we will have a congratulatory dinner and get some well earned rest in a comfortable bed.
Based on your flight schedule, our driver will drop you off at the airport or if you chose you can continue your adventure with us by selecting a safari add-on.
If you have questions about any aspect of an itinerary, don’t hesitate to ask. Customization is our specialty.
