About The Kilimanjaro

Kilimanjaro is the highest mountain in Africa at 19,341 feet (5,895 meters), but it isn’t a mountain in a traditional sense. It is a giant stratovolcano that began forming about a million years ago and is composed of many layers of hardened volcanic ash, lava, pumice, and tephra — fragmental material that is the fallout from a volcanic eruption.

One of the Seven Summits (the highest peaks on the seven continents), Kilimanjaro is in Tanzania in east Africa. Kilimanjaro lies within the 292-square-mile (756 square kilometers) Kilimanjaro National Park. Kilimanjaro rises from its base approximately 16,732 feet (5,100 meters) from the plains near the Tanzanian municipality of Moshi, making it the tallest free-standing mountain in the world.

Route Description

The Machame (Whiskey) Route is the most popular camping route on Kilimanjaro. It is a rugged combination of routes that begin through the rainforest at Machame Village on the southwest side of the mountain. Over seven days the route rises onto the edge of the Shira Plateau, down into the beautiful Great Barranco Valley, then circumvents the Kibo massif counterclockwise through alpine desert until reaching Barafu Camp. The trek to the summit is done overnight to the crater rim on the steep scree slopes of the east-south-east facing Mweka Route. The trek winds through beautiful scenery, which changes quite dramatically every day.

The -Pre-Climb Days 1-2

Day 1

Arrive at the Kilimanjaro International Airport. From there we will take a bus to the Salinero hotel where we will be staying for two nights. Everyone will have his or her own bed but will share a room with other climbers. Salinero Hotel website –

Day 2

An easy at the hotel. Relax and in the vending, you will be briefed about Kilimanjaro hike. Check your hiking gears and those who want to hire, there many places in Moshi to hire from. You will get a chance to meet and interact with your lead guides.   Salinero Hotel Moshi Hotel website –https://www.salsalinerohotel.com/kilimanjaro.html

Day 3: Machame Gate to Machame Camp
  • Elevation (ft): 5,400ft to 9,400ft
  • Distance: 11 km
  • Hiking Time: 5-7 hours
  • Habitat: Rain Forest

The drive from Moshi to the Mount Kilimanjaro National Park Gate takes about 50 minutes. The journey passes through the village of Machame which is located on the lower slopes of the mountain.

We now leave the park gate and walk through the rain forest on a winding trail up a ridge. Lower down, the trail can be muddy and slippery. Gaiters and trekking poles are a good idea here. We continue a short distance until we reach the Machame Camp.

Day 4: Machame Camp to Shira Camp
    • Elevation (ft): 9,400ft to 12,500ft
    • Distance: 5 km
    • Hiking Time: 4-6 hours
    • Habitat: Moorland

After breakfast, we leave the glades of the rain forest and continue an ascending path, crossing the little valley walking along a steep rocky ridge, covered with heather, until the ridge ends. The route now turns west onto a river gorge. Time for rest, dinner, and overnight at the Shira campsite.

Day 5: Shira Camp to Lava Tower to Barranco Camp
    • Elevation (ft): 12,500ft to 13,000ft
    • Distance: 10 km
    • Hiking Time: 6-8 hours
    • Habitat: Semi Desert
From the Shira Plateau, we continue to the east up a ridge, passing the junction towards the peak of Kibo. As we continue, our direction changes to the Southeast towards the Lava Tower, called the “Shark’s Tooth.” Shortly after the tower, we come to the second junction which brings us up to the Arrow Glacier at an altitude of 16,000ft. We now continue down to the Barranco Hut at an altitude of 13,000ft. Here we rest, enjoy dinner, and overnight. Although you end the day at the same elevation as when you started, this day is very important for acclimatization and will help your body prepare for summit day.
Day 6:Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp
      • Elevation (ft): 13,000ft to 13,100ft
      • Distance: 5 km
      • Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
      • Habitat: Alpine Desert

    After breakfast, we leave Barranco and continue a steep ridge passing the Barranco Wall, to the Karanga Valley campsite. This is a short day meant for acclimatization.

Day 7: Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp
      • Elevation (ft): 13,000ft to 13,100ft
      • Distance: 5 km
      • Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
      • Habitat: Alpine Desert

    After breakfast, we leave Karanga and hit the junction which connects with the Mweka Trail. We continue up to the Barafu Hut. At this point, you have completed the South Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many different angles. Here we make camp, rest, enjoy dinner, and prepare for the summit day. The two peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo are to be seen from this position.

Day 8: Barafu Camp to Summit to Mweka Hut
      • Elevation (ft): 15,300ft to 19,345ft (and down to 10,000ft)
      • Distance: 5 km ascent / 12 km descent
      • Hiking Time: 7-8 hours ascent / 4-6 hours descent
      • Habitat: Arctic

    Very early in the morning (midnight to 2am), we continue our way to the summit between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers. You head in a northwesterly direction and ascend through heavy scree towards Stella Point on the crater rim. This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek.

    At Stella Point (18,600 ft), you will stop for a short rest and will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see (weather permitting). From Stella Point, you may encounter snow all the way on your 1-hour ascent to the summit. At Uhuru Peak, you have reached the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa. Faster hikers will see the sunrise from the summit.

    From the summit, we now make our descent continuing straight down to the Mweka Hut camp site, stopping at Barafu for lunch. You will want gaiters and trekking poles for the loose gravel going down. Mweka Camp is situated in the upper forest and mist, or rain can be expected in the late afternoon. Later in the evening, we enjoy our last dinner on the mountain and a well-earned sleep.

Day 9: Mweka Camp to Moshi
        • Elevation (ft): 10,000ft to 5,400ft
        • Distance: 10 km
        • Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
        • Habitat: Rain Forest

      After breakfast, we continue the descent down to the Mweka Park Gate to receive your summit certificates. At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy. Gaiters and trekking poles will help. Shorts and t-shirts will probably be plenty to wear (keep rain gear and warmer clothing handy). From the gate, you continue another hour to Mweka Village. A vehicle will meet you at Mweka village to drive you back to hotel in Moshi. Salinero Hotel website – https://www.salsalinerohotel.com/kilimanjaro.html

     

Post Climb / 5 Day Wildlife Safari

Day 10: Transfer to Tarangire NP, overnight at Tloma/Marera
Day 11: Serengeti NP, overnight at Kati Kati
Day 12: Serengeti NP, overnight at Kati Kati
Day 13:  Ngorongoro Crater, overnight at Tloma/Marera
Day 14: Lake Manyara NP. Departure     

Day 15:  Arrival in the USA/Canada

End of adventure!