7 day camping trekking tour + 2 nights’ hotel stay

You will be picked up at Kilimanjaro Airport in Tanzania by our transfer driver and taken to the Secret Garden Hote in Moshi. The rest of the day will be free. Relax at the pool or explore the small town of Arusha. There will be a pre-departure briefing on what can be expected over the next days and a gear check at the hotel before tour start. You’ll dine at the lodge and get a necessary good night’s sleep.

Today’s long trek starts on a small trail which continues through the trees and gradually ascends to reach the Shira plateau. Enjoy the views of the mountain and plains below. The path continues to cross the Shira Ridge (ca. 3600 m) and you will stop for lunch at the Shira Camp 1 after another few hours. The last section (approximately 3 hrs), you will climb another 250 meters in altitude and pass the surreal Senecia-plants growing to over 8m in height. Reaching the camp after the long day, you will relax with coffee and tea and be nourished with a 3-course meal tonight. As the sun sets you might see the summit glowing in the afternoon sun.

You will gain 700m in altitude but descend to sleep at Barranco – 60 m higher than last night’s camp. This will help with acclimatisation as you will go up to 4600 m before descending again. Today begins with a long uphill in the direction of the Lava Tower Hut (4640m) and you will notice how the landscape changes to a rocky alpine desert. Later, the path descends again to the Barranco Valley with its giant Senecias and Lobelias. After six to seven hours you should arrive at the most beautiful camp on the mountain – the Barranco Camp.

Altitude: (4700 m/15420 ft) Walking Distance: 9.5 km/5.7 miles (5-7 hours)
Our trek continues past the final watering point, and ascends onto the saddle of Kilimanjaro, between the peaks of Kibo and Mawenzi. The vegetation thins out as we enter the desert-like alpine zone (approximately 4,000m) and, once we cross the saddle, Kibo peak comes into view. We will reach Kibo hut around 1pm and the rest of the day will be given to rest and refuel before the summit push. Your guide will wake you at 11pm so you can get your gear ready and prepare for the summit push which will start at midnight.

Altitude: (5895 m/19340 ft) Walking Distance: 5.5 km/3.5 miles ascent + 15 km/9.5 miles descent (10-16 hours)
Shortly after midnight, we will commence our climb to the summit of Kilimanjaro, since it is easier to climb the scree slope to Gillman's Point (5,861m) on the crater rim when it is frozen and an early start for the six-hour hike improves our chances of reaching the summit in time for sunrise. From Gilman's Point, it is a further two-hour round trip along the crater's edge to Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa. From the summit, it is downhill all the way to Horombo Hut where we will spend our last night on the mountain.

Altitude: (3700 m/12140 ft) Walking Distance: 20 kms/12 miles (5-7 hours)
Today's descent continues past the Mandara encampment to the bottom of the mountain, where each hiker will receive a well-earned certificate. From here, you will be transferred to your hotel in Moshi. You will enjoy a farewell dinner with your guides.

Tipping is an expected and highly appreciated component of your Mt. Kilimanjaro trek. Tipping is one of the most direct ways that you can have a positive economic impact within the African community. Although it may not be customary for you, it is an important source of income for those in the tourism industry.