Mt. Kilimanjaro Climb

Privately guided trips to the top of Africa

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Kilimanjaro is the highest point in Africa at 19,341', the tallest free-standing mountain on Earth and, generally speaking, a very big but approachable peak.

Most of the routes up Kilimanjaro are non-technical requiring only hiking fitness and involve minimal amount of movement over snow (though this is seasonally dependent). The mountain is high enough in elevation that care needs to be given in how fast groups ascend the peak. Trips with the highest rates success usually spend 7-8 days on the mountain with multiple nights sleeping between 12,000' and 15,200' before making a summit push. The mountain is high enough to be a good challenge for most and acts as a good first foray into the realm of high elevation mountaineering while still being low enough to be reasonably safe. The trip is a great adventure for families and friends alike as well as anyone interested in seeing the wilds of East Africa.

All trips on the mountain utilize local support staff and trips are generally fairly easy living as a result. Porters carry all overnight equipment including personal gear, tents, kitchen, dining tent, camp toilet and enough food for a small army. Local guides lead the group and carry safety equipment and years of local knowhow. All routes on the mountain travel through a huge diversity of ecological zones; starting first in the rain-forest and progressing up through progressively stunted vegetation, to the barren alpine. Monkeys are common to see low on the mountain while attention is drawn at the middle elevations to unique afro-alpine vegetation such as Senecio trees.

After the trip on the mountain a wildlife Safari is available as an add-on and should not be missed by visitors to East Africa.

Lemosho Route

The Lemosho Route is a beautiful traverse of the mountain, which allows for tremendous views, and is the route which we recommend due to its favorable acclimatization profile. The route takes a minimum of seven days, though we recommend an eight or even nine day itinerary. (depending on the group)

Day 1:- Arusha to Lemosho Gate (1950m) - Mti Mkumbwa (2980m)
Take a drive from the hotel to Lemosho gate (1950m). After verification of tickets and permits, we drive on to the starting point 1800m from where we trek 4 hours to Mti Mkumbwa Camp 2700m for overnight

Day 2:-Mti Mkumbwa(27000m) - Shira 1 camp (3500m)
Early start after breakfast, 7 Km hike (4-5hrs). Arrive at Shira 1 camp (3,500m) later in the afternoon to camp.

Day 3:- Easy day. Walk 10 km on gentle terrain. (3-4 hours) arriving at Shira 2 camp 3850m for lunch. We might decide to walk a further 1hr skipping Shira 2 camp to stay at Moir Hut for a less crowded campsite (4250m) This is a good option as it gives an advantage of having an easy day on day 4.

Day 4:- Moir Hut (at 4250m) to Lava Tower (at 4630m) to Barranco camp (at 3950m.
Hike eastwards as you continue ascending through the dry landscape; a rocky desert via the lava tower for a picnic lunch. Drop into Barranco Valley to reach Barranco Camp (3950m) to camp for an overnight.

Day 5:- Barranco camp (3950m) to Karanga Valley (4000m)
The path climbs steeply out of the Barranco Valley and crosses the Karanga Valley (4000m. This is a short day with only 3-4hrs hiking. Arrive at Karanga camp in time for lunch. Take a rest in the afternoon and a short hike around the camp.

Day 6:- Karanga Camp 4000m to Barafu Camp 4670m
Hike on a gentle ridge leading to Barafu Hut (3-4 hours) arriving early afternoon.

Day 7:- Start early (12 am) from Barafu camp (4670m) - Uhuru Peak (5896m) - Mweka Hut (3100m)
It’s a long day to reach the crater rim at Stella Point (5730m) for sunrise. Continue the ascent to Uhuru peak (1hr), the highest point in Africa. Descend to Barafu for breakfast. Continue down to Mweka Hut (3100m) camp.

Day 8:- Mweka Camp (3100m) - Mweka Gate (1980m)-Arusha
Descend to Mweka Park gate (1980m). Transfer to Arusha to hotel.