The mountain can be climbed any time of the year but it is in inadvisable to do during the rainy season in April and may. We can arranger treks through Machame, Lemosho, Umbwe, Shira, Rongai and Marangu route. Other trekkings include Mt. Meru, Oldonyolengai. Usambara hills. Kilimanjaro Climb, Umbwe Route 6 Days 5 Nights
Overview
This route is the hardest but many say the most spectacular and direct way to reach Uhuru Peak. The route begins by passing through the forest to the moorland area. From there, climbers cross below the southern ice fields to reach the Barafu Route which is then followed to the summit. Accommodation on the mountain is camping.
However, all your equipment and supplied will be carried up the mountain by our friendly porters and delicious meals will be made for you each day. This route is steep and tough. In places, it is slightly exposed and can really challenge an individual’s fitness. We therefore only recommend this route to those who are used to walking in mountainous areas. If you are interested you can add an extra day to explore or relax along the route.
Day - 1
Umbwe Gate (1,800m/5806ft) to Bivouac Camp (2,900m/9355ft)
Hiking Time: Approx five to six hours
Distance: Approximately eighteen kilometres
Habitat: Mountain forest
After a hearty breakfast, your guides will come to collect you and you will drive to the gate. After registering at the gate you will begin by entering the rain forest. Living up to its name, 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 packed lunch stop about half way and will reach the Machame camping area in the late afternoon. The crew will set everything out at your campsite and all you have to do is sit back, relax and enjoy the great outdoors.
Day - 2
Bivouac Camp (2,900m/9,355ft) to Barranco Camp (3,950m/12742ft)
Hiking Time: Approximately five to six hours
Distance: Approximately nine kilometers
Habitat: Forest and Moorland
After an early breakfast, you will climb for an hour or so to the top of the forest and then for 2 hours at a gentler gradient through the moorland zone. After a short lunch and rest, you will continue up a rocky ridge with great views of the icy breach wall and the great Barranco gorge below. The climbing crew will provide you with a tasty meal and you will then have plenty of time to sit back and relax.
Day - 3
Rest day at Barranco Camp at (3,950m/12,742ft)
Hiking Time: Depends on you
Distance: Depends on you
Habitat: Moorland
You will take this day to rest and acclimatize, thereby increasing your chances of reaching the summit. During the day you can take time to explore the local area and enjoy the scenery. You will dinner and overnight at the camp.
Day- 4
Barranco Camp (3,950m/12,742ft) to Barafu Camp (4,550m/14,677ft)
Hiking Time: Approximately seven hours
Distance: Approximately thirteen kilometres
Habitat: Alpine Desert
Your day begins by tackling the awesome obstacle of the Great Barranco Wall. Whilst initially an imposing site, its climb is invariably easier than anticipated. You will quickly appreciate how beautiful the mighty Kilimanjaro is when you reach the bottom of the Heim Glacier. You will then head down through the Karanga Valley over the ridges and valleys, and join up with the Mweka route. After another hour or so, you reach Barafu (Swahili for Ice) Hut. This camp gives you a real experience of the icy elements.
The camp is exposed to the ever-present gales the tents are pitched on a narrow, stony ridge. You will appreciate your warm and cosy sleeping bags on this night! The summit is now only a further 1,345m up and you will make the final ascent the same night. The team will help you to prepare your equipment and clothing for your summit attempt. You will go to bed at about 19:00 hrs and try to get some precious rest and sleep.
Day - 5
Barranco Camp (3,950m/12,742ft) to Barafu Camp (4,550m/14,677ft)
Barafu Camp (4,550m/14677ft) to Uhuru Peak (5895m/19,016ft) to Mweka (3,100m/10,000ft)
Hiking Time: approximately eight hours to reach uhuru peak and another seven-eight hour to descend to Mweka
Distance: Approximately seven kilometres ascent – and a further twenty-three kilometres descent
Habitat: Stone scree and ice-capped summit
At about 23h30 you will be awoken to some tea and biscuits and will make a move into the night. You will head in a north-westerly direction and ascend through heavy scree towards Stella Point on the crater rim. Many climbers find this 6-hour walk to Stella point the most mentally and physically challenging aspect of the climb. At Stella Point (5,685m/18,339ft/) your efforts will be rewarded with a short rest and the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see (weather permitting). From Stella Point you will normally encounter snow all the way on your 2-hour ascent to Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa and achievement you will remember for the rest of your life.
The walk back to Barafu from the summit, takes about 3 hours. Here you will have a well earned but short rest and collect the rest of your gear, before heading down to Mweka hut (3,100m/10,000ft). The route is not difficult and will take you down the rock and scree path into the moorland and eventually into the forest. Here you will rest and feel proud of your achievement.
Day - 6
Mweka Camp (3,100m/10,000ft) to Mweka Gate (1,980m/6387ft)
Hiking Time: Approximately three hours
Distance: Approximately fifteen kilometres
Habitat: Forest
After an early and well-deserved breakfast, it is a short 3-hour and scenic hike back to the Park gate where you will receive your certificates; those climbers who reached Stella Point (5,685m/18,339ft) are issued with green certificates and those who reached Uhuru Peak (5,895m/19,016) receive gold certificates.
You will be picked up and brought back to the hotel for a warm welcome, a cold celebratory drink and a hearty meal.
Kilimanjaro Climb, Shira Route 7 Days 6 Nights
Overview
The Shira route approaches Kilimanjaro through forest and moorland from the west, crossing the caldera of Shira volcano and explores the rock formations of the plateau, before traversing beneath the southern ice fields of Kibo. We make our final ascent by the Barafu route. The seven-day itinerary gives maximum possible acclimatisation and also gives us plenty of time to enjoy the magnificent scenery. The views of Kibo in the sharp light of morning and early evening are often stunning and the Lent Hills, close to the western flank of the summit cone, is very rarely visited. Shira is a little-used approach route with time to enjoy this unspoiled wilderness, before the convergence with other routes in the later stages of the trip.
Day - 1 Moshi to National Park Gate (approximately 2 ½ hours)
Climb to Shira One Camp
A long day of walking that begins from Londorossi National Park gate (2,250 m.). We walk through farmland and plantations and continue climbing steadily on a broad track through shrub forest and stands of giant heather to reach the rim of Shira Plateau (3,350 m.) The views of the surrounding plains open out as we climb and the area is home to a variety of game including buffalo. Our first camp is in the center of the plateau at “Shira One” (3,550 m.) (6-8 hours walking)
Day - 2
Climb to Shira Hut Camp
An easy day to help acclimatisation, with time to explore the grassy moorland and volcanic rock formations of the plateau. We walk to the summit of Shira Cathedral (3,750 m.), a huge buttress of rock surrounded by steep spires and pinnacles. There is a tangible sense of wilderness here (especially when the afternoon mists come in!) and the views from our camp near Shira Hut (3,840 m.) of Mt. Meru floating on the clouds are simply unforgettable. (4-5 hours walking)
Day - 3
Climb to Moir Hut Camp
We explore beneath the Northern Icefields, an area almost totally unvisited by tourists. Here there are unusual views of Kibo. The excursion can be either a steady climb to reach the ridge above Moir Hut (4,200 m.) or a more strenuous walk to reach the summit of the Lent Hills (4,700 m.). The remainder of the day is free to rest and enjoy our peaceful campsite. (4-8 hours walking)
Day- 4
Climb to Barranco Camp
A morning of gentle ascent and panoramic views, leaving the moorland plateau behind to walk on lava ridges beneath the glaciers of the Western Breach. After lunch near the Lava Tower junction, (4,550 m.) we descend to the bottom of the Great Barranco Valley (3,900 m.), sheltered by towering cliffs. Here there are extensive views of the plains far below. (5-7 hours walking)
Day - 5
Climb to Barafu Camp
A steep climb up the Barranco Wall leads us to an undulating trail on the southeastern flank of Kibo, with superb vistas of the Southern Icefields. Lunch is usually taken at Karanga, the last water point, in a steep valley. After lunch, the terrain changes to scree and we climb steeply to reach the Barafu campsite (4,600 m.) by mid afternoon. The remainder of the day is spent resting in preparation for the final ascent before a very early night. (6-8 hours walking)
Day - 6
Summit Day! Then descend to Mweka Forest Camp
We will start our ascent by torchlight at about 1 a.m. so that we can be up on the Crater rim by sunrise. The steep climb over loose volcanic scree has some well-graded zig-zags. It’s slow but steady and takes us to Stella Point (5,735 m.) in about five or six hours. We will rest there for a short time to enjoy the sunrise over Mawenzi. Those who are still feeling strong can make the two hour round trip from here along the crater rim to Uhuru Peak (5,896 m.), passing close to the spectacular glaciers and ice cliffs that still occupy most of the summit area. The descent to Barafu is surprisingly fast, and after some refreshment, we continue to descend to reach our final campsite (3,100 m.) at the edge of Mweka Forest. (11-15 hours walking)
Day- 7
Descend to National Park Gate – Moshi
A sustained descent through lovely forest with lush undergrowth takes us to the National Park gate at Mweka (1,650 m.) (4-6 hours walking) When we finish the climb, there will be a vehicle waiting to meet you and transfer you back to Moshi.
Kilimanjaro Climb, Machame Route 6 Days 5 Nights
Overview
This is one of the most beautiful and less-utilized routes up the mountain. For this trip you will sleep in tents. All your supplies and camping equipment are pottered and your meals are prepared. Your baggage limit is 20 kg for the climb. The guides are excellent and the food plain and wholesome, including plenty of carbohydrates and fresh vegetables.
Day - 1
Machame Gate to Machame hut
Elevation (ft): 6,450ft to 10,000 ft
Hiking Time: 5 hours
Habitat: Rain Forest
The drive to Machame Park Gate ( at around 2,000m or 6,450 ft) takrs about 50 minutes. You now leave the park gate and walk through the rainforest until you reach the Machame Hut at 10,000 ft (3,100m) total time around 5 hours.
Day - 2
Machame hut to Shira Hut
Elevation (ft): 10,000 ft to 12,598 ft
Hiking Time: About 4 hours
Habitat: Heath
After breakfast, you continue on an ascending path, crossing a small valley to gain a steep heather covered rocky ridge until the spur opens out and the route turns west into the river gorge at 12,598 ft. overnight at the Shira Hut Camp. Total hiking time about 4 hours.
Day - 3
Shira hut to Barranco Hut
Elevation (ft): 12,598 ft to 12,795 ft
Hiking Time: About 6 hours
Habitat: Heath
From the Shira Hut you continue to the East passing the junction. You continue to the South East and you head towards the Lava Tower, called the “Shark’s Tooth”. shortly after the tower you come to the Arrow Glacier at an altitude of 15,729 ft. continue on and down to the Barranco Hut at 12,795 ft for overnight. Total hiking time about 6 hours.
Day- 4
Barranco Hut to Barafu Hut
Elevation (ft): 12,795 ft to 15,500 ft
Hiking Time: About 8 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert
After breakfast, and after passing the Barranco wall in the Karanga Valley, you continue up the Barafu Hut at 15,500 ft. this is your high camp from where the peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo can be seen. Total day hiking time of about 8 hours.
Day - 5
Barafu to the Summit, descend to Mweka Hut.
Elevation (ft): 15,500 ft to 19,340 ft and down to 10,000 ft
Hiking Time: About 5 hours
Habitat: Arctic
This is summit day. Early start to Stella Point at 18,532 ft and traverse to the Uhuru Peak, highest point in the continent of Africa, at 19,340 ft. this ascent will take about 6 hours. Views of the plains and of Mount Meru will be observed in the morning. From the summit, you descend straight to Mwek Hut Camp at 10,000 ft. Descent takes about 5 hours
Day - 6
Mweka Hut to Mweka Gate
Elevation (ft): 10,000 ft to 15,500 ft
Hiking Time: About 8 hours
Habitat: Rain forest
Continue the descent down through the rain forest to the Mweka Park Gate. This takes about 4 hours. At the Park Gate you will be met by the vehicle to take you back to Moshi. End of tour NJARP WITH SERE ADVENTURE