A luxury hike
Summitting the Kilimanjaro

A dormant volcano in United Republic of Tanzania. It has three volcanic cones: Kibo, Mawenzi, and Shira. It is the highest mountain in Africa and the highest single free-standing mountain above sea level in the world: 5,895 metres (19,341 ft) above sea level.

Kibo is the summit of the mountain and the tallest of the three volcanic formations. While Mawenzi and Shira are extinct, Kibo is dormant and could possibly erupt again. Scientists estimate that the last time it erupted was 360,000 years ago. The highest point on Kibo’s crater rim is called Uhuru, the Swahili word for “freedom.” The mountain is also known for its snow-capped peak.

In 1889, German geographer Hans Meyer and Austrian mountaineer Ludwig Purtscheller became the first people on record to reach the summit of Kilimanjaro. Since then, Kilimanjaro has become a popular hiking spot for locals and tourists.

In 1973, the mountain and its six surrounding forest corridors were named Kilimanjaro National Park in order to protect its unique environment. The park is filled with numerous animals including blue monkeys and herbivores.

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KILIMANJARO
Hiking Itinerary

Arrival Day: Arrival in Arusha/Moshi

Arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport where you are met after passing through customs. Transfer to your accommodation in Arusha/Moshi and have a comprehensive briefing and equipment check with your climbing manager and your guide.

Trek Day 1: Arusha - Machame Camp

After an early breakfast at your hotel, you will be picked up from Arusha (1400m) and driven to the Machame Gate. After registering at the gate office, you start your ascent and enter the rain forest almost immediately. There is a strong possibility of rain in the forest, which will transform the trail into a very soggy, muddy and slippery experience. You will have a welcome lunch stop about half way and will reach the Machame camping area in the late afternoon.

Trek Day 2: Machame Camp – Shira Camp

After an early morning breakfast, you will start you ascent leaving the rain forest and entering the heathland moorland vegetation. You will cross many streams and walk over a rocky ridge onto the Shira plateau that leads to Shira Camp (3840m). At this campsite, you will be next to a stream and have a spectacular view of the Western Breach and its glaciers in the East. Similar to the first night, your tents will be set up prior to arriving at camp and the porters will prepare drinking and washing water for you. You will enjoy evening snacks then dinner prepared by our chef. Be prepared for a cold night as temperatures drop below freezing at this exposed camp.

Trek Day 3: Shira – Lava Tower – Barranco camp

Following an early morning breakfast, you will leave the moorland environment and enter the semi desert and rocky landscape. After 5 hours of walking east, you will be come face to face with the Lava Tower (4630m). Packed lunches are served at the Tower and hikers have the option of climbing the massive Lava Tower weather permitting. At this point of the hike, it is normal for hikers to start feeling the effects from the altitude including headaches and shortness of breath.
After lunch, you will descend from Lava Tower (4630m) to the Barranco Campsite (3950m). The 680m descent gives hikers a huge advantage to allow their bodies to adjust to the conditions of high altitude.

Trek Day 4: Barranco Camp – Karanga Camp

After an early morning breakfast, it is now time to conquer the Great Barranco Wall! Although it may look intimating at first glance, hikers state that this Class 2 hike is usually much easier than they anticipated. At the top of the Wall, you will have a view of Heim Glacier and will be above the clouds. The trail then winds up and down in the Karanga Valley. This is an ideal hiking day for acclimatization.

Trek Day 5: Karanga Camp – Barafu Hut

Following breakfast, you will leave Karanga Camp (3959m). The trail intersects with the Mweka Route, which is the trail used to descend on the final two days. As you continue hiking for an hour, you will reach Barafu Hut. This is the last water stop for the porters because there is no accessible water at Barafu Camp (4550m). The word “barafu” in Swahili means “ice” and this camp is located on a rocky, exposed ridge. Tents will be exposed to wind and rocks so it is important for hikers to familiarize themselves with the campsite before dark. An early dinner will be served so hikers can rest before attempting the summit the same night. Your guide will brief you in detail on how to prepare for summit night.Get to sleep by 19:00!

Trek Day 6: Summit Attempt - Barafu camp – Uhuru Peak – Mweka

Your guide will wake you around 23:30. You will then begin your summit attempt. During the ascent, many hikers feel that this is the most mentally and physically challenging part of the climb. You will reach Stella Point (5685m), located on the crater rim. After enjoying the magnificent sunrise, you will continue ascending on a snow-covered trail to Uhuru Peak (5895m). Reaching the summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro is a lifetime accomplishment! You will be able to spend a short time on the summit taking photographs before the descent to Barafu begins.
At camp, you will rest and enjoy a hot lunch. After eating, you will continue descending down to Mweka Hut (3100m). Mweka Camp is located in the upper rain forest, so fog and rain should be expected. You will have a dinner, wash, and rest soundly at camp.

Trek Day 7: Mweka camp – Mweka Gate

Following a well-deserved breakfast, your staff will have a big celebration full of dancing and singing. It is here on the mountain that you will present your tips to the guide, assistant guides, chef(s), and porters. After celebrating, you will descend for three hours back to Mweka Gate. The National Park requires all hikers to sign their names to receive certificates of completion. Hikers who reached Stella Point (5685m) receive green certificates and hikers who reached Uhuru Peak (5895m) receive gold certificates. After receiving certificates, you will drive back to your hotel in Arusha/Moshi


Inclusion

  • Quality, waterproof, four-season private mountain sleeping tents

  • Professional, experienced, mountain guides

  • All Park fees, Airport transfers & Rescue fees

  • All meals while on the Mountain

  • Guides, Porters, cook salaries and park fees

  • Clean, purified drinking water

  • Medical Kit

Exclusion

  • Visa entry fees currently at $50pp easily obtainable upon arrival at the border entry point

  • International & domestic airfare & flights Travel insurance

  • Travel insurance

  • Gratuities to Safari guides & hotel staff

  • Any other item which is not mentioned in the “Inclusions” clause above

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F.A.Qs
Hiking Kilimanjaro
  • How difficult is Kilimanjaro?
    Hiking Kilimanjaro has its difficulties. Although it doesn’t require any technical climbing or mountaineering skills, due to the high altitude, it is a tough challenge. Anyone with the right level of fitness and mental determination can climb Kilimanjaro though.
  • What is Kilimanjaro summit success rate?
    Kilimanjaro’s summit success rate varies from 45% to over 85%, depending on the route chosen. The chances of reaching the summit of Kilimanjaro are highly dependent on the number of days taken to trek the mountain. The more days the higher the probability of success as your body has more time to adapt and acclimatize.
  • What Is the Temperature of Kilimanjaro?
    At the base of the mountain, average temperatures are 70 to 90°F (21 to 32°C) throughout the year. On the summit, temperatures range from -10 to 23°F (-23 to -5°C) with windchill. Weather is changeable, and you should be prepared for these extremes. Your guide will help you decide on appropriate clothing in a detailed daily briefing.
  • Do You Provide Oxygen on Your Climbs?
    We carry emergency oxygen on all our climbs, for use when someone is suffering from a serious altitude-related illness. In this event the guide would ask you to descend since this is the only way to recover; however, oxygen can help people feel better during the descent, therefore making evacuation easier and safer.
  • What If I'm Slow?
    We have at least one guide for every three trekkers, so you can move at your own pace. Guides will remind you to walk slowly as ascending at a slow and steady pace gives your body a chance to acclimatize.
  • What Equipment Do I Need to Climb Kilimanjaro?
    Upon inquiry, you’ll receive a detailed equipment checklist and guidance to help you prepare. Many of our guests find they already have some of the items we recommend. Warm clothes (fleece, wind and waterproof layers), good polarized sunglasses, sunscreen and a head lamp should be included in your packing list.
    For those that they don’t have We will send you a comprehensive equipment checklist, including items available for hire, upon inquiry. Prices are for the duration of the climb, not per day, and costs can be paid in USD$ cash at your briefing.
    All equipment is of good quality, however, we advise bringing your own walking boots, socks, and base layer clothing, as these will inevitably be a better fit than items you hire.
  • Do we sleep in hotels?
    No. There are no hotels on the mountain and no cable cars to the top. You will most probably sleep in tents, or in basic huts if you take the Marangu route. Tents and sleeping mats are carried and set up by the porters. You do need to bring a very warm sleeping bag or rent it from Landsman Experience.
  • What dangers are there on the mountain?
    You might experience symptoms of altitude sickness – headaches, nausea, loss of appetite and dizziness. Apart from obvious injuries that can occur when walking in uneven terrain and in very cold conditions, you will not be in danger of mugging, attack by animals or malarial mosquitoes.
  • What If My Question Has Not Been Answered Here?
    Climbing Kilimanjaro is an incredible adventure, but we realize all the information can feel overwhelming! If you have any questions at all, no matter how small, please feel free to email our team on info@landsmanexperience.com We’re excited to be a part of your adventure!