Kilimanjaro is more than just a mountain, it's a journey

Arrival Day: Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO).

After all custom formalities, you will appear at the arrival area where you will meet Know-Tanzania Tour drivers holding a signboard with your booking names.  After checking that you have all your luggage and belongings, the driver will take you and transfer you to the lodge/hotel. It is recommended to have one day off after arrival in the hotel that can be used to relief the jetlag as well as acclimatization. The same day will also be used pre-trek briefing and gear testing/verification at your hotel/lodge. This means, a client will spend two nights in the hotel and if this is the option, he/she will need to confirm in advance so that this extra night is added in the budget.

Day 1: Arusha – Machame Gate – Machame Camp

Soon after breakfast at the lodge/hotel, our driver will take you to Marangu gate. Thereafter, paperwork for clearance will be done ready to start enjoying nature. Here, guides and porters will be packing the equipment and supplies, and you will receive your lunch pack as well. After registering with the Kilimanjaro Park Office at Machame Gate 1640m, you will begin your ascent through the rainforest to Machame Camp 2850m, covering 10.75 km and gaining 1210m in altitude over 5-6 hours. You will stop for a picnic lunch halfway up, enjoy the rainforest scenery and learn about the local flora and fauna from your guide. Upon reaching Machame Camp in the late afternoon, dinner and an overnight stay will be arranged. Depending on the pace and the time the trekkers leave the gate, arrival at Machame Camp is usually between 5:00 PM and 6:00 PM. The accommodation throughout Machame route are tents, thus, camp is set up near to ranger hut. 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 when you arrive at camp. Guides tend to recommend a slow ascent, even at this point for gradual acclimatization. If you are interested in botany, you should carry a small reference book – Guides are knowledgeable about flora and fauna and therefore ask as many questions as you can.

• Distance: 75km |5-6hrs | Rainforest
• Elevation: 1640m/5380ft to 2850m/9350ft
• Altitude gained: 1,210m

Day 2: Machame Camp – Shira Camp

On this and subsequent morning, a wake-up call is at around 6:00 AM. Trekker will be greeted with a steaming cup of tea or coffee, and weather permitting, by a fabulous view of Uhuru peak. The trekker will leave the rainforest glades and hike for 4-5 hours through a steep, rocky ridge covered in heath and moorland to Shira Camp at 3,840m, gaining 810m in altitude over 5.3km. the trekker will have a picnic lunch along the way and encounter a landscape of volcanic rock, bearded heather, and ghostly lava caves. Some of the trekkers may feel lethargic and have headaches by the time they reach camp. Guides advise those with symptoms of altitude sickness to drink enough water and upon arrival at Shira camp, you will be welcomed by a cup of tea or coffee. It is also advised to sleep a lot.

• Distance: 3km |4-5hrs | Moorland
• Elevation: 2850m/9350ft to 3,840m/12,600ft
• Altitude gained: 810m

Day 3: Shira Camp – Lava Tower – Barranco camp

After breakfast and packing, the trekker will trek east up a steep path, climbing above the last of Kilimanjaro’s vegetation. Starting at Shira Camp, situated at 3,840m, you will hike for approximately 7 kilometers over 5-6 hours to reach Lava Tower also known as the “Shark’s Tooth”. This significant landmark sits at an elevation of 4,600 meters and serves as a crucial acclimatization point and also take the lunch of the day. After spending some time at Lava Tower, the trek continues with a descent to Barranco Camp, located at 3,950 meters (12,960 feet). From there, the trekker will descend for about 3 kilometers and takes 2-3 hours. In total, the day’s trek covers around 10.75km and typically takes between 6-8 hours, passing by the Arrow Glacier junction. This route provides a mix of elevation gain and loss, aiding in acclimatization and offering breathtaking views of the surrounding landscapes. The trekker, pay attention to your body and inform your guide of any signs of altitude sickness.

• Distance: 75km |5-6hrs | Semi-desert
• Elevation: 3,840m/12,631ft to 3,950m/12,960ft
• Altitude gained: 147m

Day 4: Barranco Camp (3950m) – Karanga Camp (3950m)

The trek from Barranco Camp (3,950meters) to Karanga Camp (4,034 meters) is a journey of approximately 5.2 kilometers that generally takes 3-4 hours. The route begins with a descent from Barranco Camp into the Karanga Valley, which offers dramatic views of the surrounding peaks, including the majestic Mawenzi. This part of the hike involves navigating a series of hills and valleys, with a final ascent up a steep ridge leading to Karanga Camp.  The relatively short distance and manageable elevation gain allow for a more relaxed pace, providing ample time to enjoy the stunning landscapes and prepare for the subsequent stages of the climb. The day’s trek concludes at Karanga Camp, where you can rest and acclimatize while appreciating the panoramic views of the rugged terrain that defines this section of the Kilimanjaro route.

• Distance: 2km |3-4hrs | Alpine desert
• Elevation: 3,950m/13,077ft to 4,034m/13,235ft
• Altitude gained: 48m

Day 5: Karanga Camp – Barafu Hut

After breakfast at 8:30 am, you’ll hike for 3-4 hours through heath and moorland to reach Barafu Camp at 4,034m, covering a distance of 3.3km and gaining 600m in altitude. Following a hot lunch, rest, and an early dinner, you’ll briefly sleep before waking at 11:00 pm to prepare for the summit.

• Distance: 3km |3-4hrs | Alpine desert
• Elevation: 4,034m (13,235ft) to 4,662m (15,295ft)
• Altitude gained: 628m

Day 6: Barafu Hut – Uhuru Peak

At midnight, you’ll begin the ascent to Uhuru Peak (5895m/19,340ft), the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa which takes approximately 6-7 hours, covering 4.86km and gaining 1295m in altitude. The trail is challenging and steep moreover, the ascent is might be made more difficult by the cold and thin air at high altitudes if not well dressed, as dawn approaches, climbers are rewarded with stunning views of the sunrise near Stella Point (weather permitting) as they also stop for a short rest. From Stella Point, you may encounter snow all they way on your 1-hour ascent to the summit. Also, climbers are rewarded with breathtaking views of the surrounding glaciers and the Mawenzi and Kibo peaks. Finally, the team will arrive at Uhuru Peak.  Congratulations, you are now standing on the Roof of Africa! The views from Uhuru Peak are breathtaking. Have your picture taken at the summit to share with friends and family. The weather will dictate how long you can stay at the summit, generally around 5-15 minutes

• Distance: 86km |6-7hrs | Glaciers, Snow Capped Summit
• Elevation: 4,662m (15,295ft) to 5895m/19,340ft
• Altitude gained: 1295m

Day 6: Uhuru Peak – Mweka Camp

After reaching the summit, trekkers will descend for about 3 hours to Barafu Camp, where they will enjoy a hearty breakfast and rest for a few hours. Following this break, they will have a hot lunch before continuing their descent. The trek takes them from the stark beauty of the alpine desert through the heath and moorland zones, and finally into the lush edge of the rainforest at Mweka Camp, which sits at around 3,080m. Covering a total distance of 11.5km and losing 2795m in altitude, trekkers will experience diverse habitats, from the barren, rocky summit to the vibrant greenery of the rainforest. Along the way, they will be able to take in stunning views, observe unique flora and fauna, and enjoy the sense of accomplishment and relief that comes with completing this challenging journey.

• Distance: 5km |6-7hrs | Rainforest
• Elevation: 5895m/19,340ft to 3,080m / 10,105ft
• Altitude Lost: 2,815m

Day 7: Mweka Camp – Mweka Gate

After breakfast, the team and trekker will embark on a 3-4 hour scenic hike through the rainforest, descending 1400 meters over 9.1 kilometers to Mweka Gate (1,640m). Along the way, it is possible to encounter wet and muddy conditions, so gaiters and trekking poles can be helpful, while rain gear and warmer clothing should be kept handy. Upon arrival at the gate, the trekker will register for clearance and receive your summit certificates: green for Stella Point and gold for Uhuru Peak. Following a hot lunch at the gate and a general goodbye to the crew, a vehicle will transport the trekkers back to Moshi for a a cup of hot coffee. Later,  continue to Arusha, where they can relax and spend the rest of the evening.

• Distance: 10km |3-4hrs | Rainforest
• Elevation: 3,080m / 10,105ft to 1,640m/5,380ft
• Altitude lost: 1,460m.

Departure/Safari Day

 Arusha to Kilimanjaro Airport

This can either be the last day in Tanzania or the first day if a client opt to do Safari to our beautiful National Parks. If the last day, our client will be transferred to Kilimanjaro Airport after breakfast. However, if you decided to go back home but have ample time before your flight you will have an opportunity to visit the Maasai market to buy gifts for your family and friends back home.

Trip Inclusions/Exclusions

These prices include:

• Airport pick-up and drop
• 2 nights hotel accommodation in Arusha (before & after climb)
• Group transport to and from Arusha to the trail head
• Kilimanjaro National Park permits, camping/hut fees, and Value Added Tax (VAT)
• Expert guide, assistant guides, cook and porters
• Emergency Oxygen Cylinder
• Sleeping pad, foam
• Mess tents, tables, chairs, lanterns
• Fresh, nutritious meals on the mountain
• Kilimanjaro summit certificate
• Breakfast at hotel

Not included in the budget:

• Dinner while in the hotel
• Alcohol
• Extra personal mountain gears if needed
• rescue fees
• Insurance
• Private toilet
• Tips for the crew
• Any other thing that not included in the budget