Mount Kilimanjaro Trek

Depart from London.

Arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport; transfer to Moshi town, where you can admire the views of Kibo, the crater at the summit and the youngest of Kilimanjaro’s three volcanic cones. You’ll check in and relax, with time to sort out our kit for the next day before dinner and a briefing. The Night will be spent in a hotel.

One hour’s drive from Moshi lies the gate to the Machame route, where you will complete park formalities, meet the crew of porters and start to climb! The first section of the route climbs steadily and passes through magnificent, dense rainforest. This path is less well-trodden so it can get somewhat overgrown in places, and it is often wet and muddy underfoot. Night camp: Machame Camp (3100m).

The route continues on up through the forest until you reach the steep ascent onto the Shira Plateau, where there are rewarding views of the mountain. Looking back, you will be able to see Mt Meru rising high above Arusha town in the distance. Night camp: Shira Caves (3840m).

Trek approx. 9km / 4-6 hours

Walking now on high moorland, the landscape changes the entire character of the trek. You will traverse the southwest side of Kilimanjaro, passing underneath the Lava Tower and the final section of the Western Breach and finally reach camp at Barranco Hut (3900m), a tin shack where we pitch our tents. The day has been spent at altitude (up to 4600m), but you will have followed the mountaineering code of ‘walk high, sleep low’ to aid your body’s acclimatisation to altitude. Night camp: Barranco Hut (3900m).

Trek approx. 15km / 8-10 hours

The day starts by descending into the Great Barranco, a huge ravine. You will then exit steeply, up the Great Barranco Wall, which divides the group from the south eastern slopes of Kibo. It’s a climb over rock, not technical, but long and tiring. Passing underneath the Heim and Kersten glaciers, you’ll head towards the Karanga valley, which is the last stop for fresh water before the summit. Scree now forms the terrain as you walk through arid and desolate land towards camp. Night camp: Barafu Camp (4600m).

Trek approx. 18km / 7-9 hours

You will be climbing scree for 4 to 5 hours but gain incredible height over a short distance. The views are spectacular. You’ll be on the crater rim at Stella Point (5739m) as the first rays of the sun hit. Spectacular ice cliffs within the crater surrounding you and the views to jagged Mawenzi – Kilimanjaro’s secondary but more technical peak – and beyond are breathtaking. Another hour’s walking takes you to the summit, Uhuru Peak (5896m). You’ll then begin the descent by returning to Stella Point and then descending on scree slope and track back to Barafu Camp for breakfast, before finally heading down to camp for a long well-earned rest. On the descent they’ll be fabulous views of the plains and Mawenzi. Night camp: Millennium Camp (3720m).

Trek approx. 20km (7km climb); 10 – 12 hours

A gentle trek will take you down through the rainforest to Mweka Gate, where you’ll complete park formalities and receive certificates, which you can hang up with pride! You are then met by our vehicles and return to the hotel in Moshi, where you can treat yourself to a welcome shower (and a cold beer or two!) before the big celebration. The Night will be spent in a hotel.

Trek approx. 10km; 5 hours

Free day, allowing you to explore Moshi, where there are some good markets, and relax with your fellow achievers. You can also opt to visit a Community Project DA support on a long-term basis – a children’s home on the outskirts of Moshi. You’ll then return to the hotel mid-afternoon in time to transfer to the airport for your international flight home.