Kilimanjaro – to the roof of Africa

Arusha

Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport, you’re welcomed by our organisation and brought to your accommodation.

The next day, you meet the guide with whom you spend the coming days. He gives you a detailed briefing on the Kilimanjaro region, practical tips for during the walk and especially for the night of the climb to the summit. Also, you meet the rest of the group and check whether you have all the right equipment. For the further course of today, you can relax and prepare for this extraordinary expedition!

Lemosho

2 to 3 hour hike

After breakfast you are picked up and taken to Londorossi Gate. After all the registration formalities at the entrance of Kilimanjaro National Park, you drive through plantations and villages for a short distance. After lunch you start an easy climb through a beautiful forest where you see some animals too. You camp in the forest near Lemosho Forest Camp at 2650 meters.

Shira

6 to 7 hour hike

Soon you leave the forest and walk through beautiful moorland to the edge of Shira Plateau. The sense of desolate wilderness is huge here, especially when it’s foggy! You camp on the plateau, at Shira One Camp.

Shira

4 to 5 hour hike

An easy day to help your body acclimatize. Today you walk through magnificent moorland and volcanic rock formations across Shira Plateau to the top of the special Shira Cathedral at 3750 meters. From the top of Shira Cathedral you have magnificent views over Shira Plateau and the summit of Kilimanjaro.

You camp at Shira Hut at 3840 meters. From this camp, you have beautiful views, including Mount Meru in the distance.

Barranco

5 to 7 hour hike

The day starts with a slight incline and panoramic views. You leave the moorland and walk beneath the glaciers of the Western Breach. After lunch near Lava Tower (4550 meters) you descend to the camp in the Barranco valley at 3900 meters. This camp lies in the shadow of impressive cliffs and has a wide view on the endless plains below.

Karanga

4 to 5 hour hike

You start with a steep climb to the top of Barranco Wall (4200 meters) from where you enjoy the beautiful outlook on the ice fields of Kibo. You continue the hike through gorgeous valleys all the way to Karanga Camp, located at 4,000 meters altitude. Here, you enjoy a relaxing afternoon, followed by a delicious dinner. You have the option to take a number of short walks in the area. These walks help you to acclimatize at this altitude.

Barafu

3 to 5 hour hike

Today is a short but steep hike to leave Karanga valley. Thereafter, you follow a solid path towards Barafu Camp at 4600 meters altitude where you arrive by lunchtime. This is the first camp during the hike where the pitch is busier. In the afternoon, you take a short walk to South-East Valley at an altitude of 4800 meters. The further course of the day is for you to rest and prepare for the hike to the summit which you start in the middle of the night!

Uhuru

11 to 15 hour hike

You get up at midnight to begin a tough climb to the crater rim (Stella Point, 5735 meters) so that you can enjoy the sunrise while on the crater rim. This part of the climb takes about 6 hours.

Upon arrival at the alluring crater rim you can enjoy the sunrise over Mawenzi. When you feel strong enough, you can walk about 1.5 hours on to Uhuru Peak, the summit of Kilimanjaro at 5,895 meters altitude. After this achievement, you walk back to Stella Point and start the descent through Barafu to Millenium Ridge Camp (3800 meters). This will be the toughest day, with a total climb of around 1200 meters and a descent of 2100 meters. Nevertheless, it is the day of victory!

Mweka

3 to 5 hour hike

Today you walk through the beautiful rainforest down a good path on the Mweka Route. Upon arrival you will be met by one of our colleagues and taken back to the lodge in Arusha or Moshi for a well-deserved shower and a delicious dinner to celebrate your victory!

Arusha - Departure

You can spend this day in Arusha or Moshi at the lodge as you wish. You can take a walk around the yard or in the nearby village. You will be taken to Kilimanjaro International Airport in the afternoon for the flight to Amsterdam where you will arrive the next morning.