Snow-capped Kilimanjaro is Africa's highest mountain and the worlds tallest free-standing mountain at 5895 meters above sea level. It has three major volcanic centres: Shira (4160 m), Snow capped Kibo (5895 m) and Mawenzi. Widely considered the roof of Africa, climbing Kilimanjaro is one of the great trekkings and one of the most rewarding experiences that any person can enjoy.
There are 5 main Kilimanjaro trekkings / routes and the mountain can be climbed any time of the year although the rainy season between mid March to end of May is not advised: Machame, Marangu, Rongai, Lemosho and Umbwe.
For every detail and doubt about these itineraries or for building a custom private one, please contact us through our contact page.
In the following section, you have the details of every route. We make a big effort to offer the best possible prices, which depend upon many factors like the time of the year, the number of tourists, the constantly changing prices of gas and park fees, etc.
Please contact us to get a specific quote and possible discounts.
The Kilimanjaro Marangu Route is a popular route on which nights are spent in huts, and meals taken in dining halls. The only route that ascends and descends using the same path. Often referred to as the "Coca-Cola Route."
DAY 1:
After breakfast proceed to Marangu gate (drive from Arusha or Moshi. Town or Marangu). Start trekking up to Mandara Hut (2700 m). It takes 2 hrs.
DAY 2:
Trek from Mandara Hut to Horombo Hut altitude 3700 m and it takes 4 - 5 hrs.
DAY 3:
Climb from Horombo Hut to Kibo Hut altitude 4700 m. It takes 5 hrs for the 13 km walk.
DAY 4:
First hours of morning around 1.00 a.m is spent by trekking to Gilmans Point 5681 m (5hrs). Then another 1.30 hrs to Uhuru Peak. After some time in the summit, descend down to Horombo Hut.
DAY 5:
After breakfast descend down to Marangu Gate and then transferred to Hotel in Marangu or Moshi Town.
Option: Spend an Extra day at Horombo Hut (3700m) for better acclimatization.
This tour can depart any day of the year.
The Kilimanjaro Machame Route is sometimes called the "Whiskey Route" because it is considered more difficult at the top than the Marangu Route. Passes through the cloud forest, Shira Plateau and Lava Tower, and has beautiful views.
DAY 1: Arusha - Machame Village - Machame
We will drive from Arusha to Machame Village and then walk to Machame Camp.
2 hours drive, 5-7 hours hike (10km). 1200 meters ascent to an altitude of 3000 meters.
Dinner/Overnight at Machame camp.
DAY 2: Machame - Shira
Today we have a 6km hike, during 5 to 7 hours. We will have a 840 meters ascent and reach the 3840 meters of altitude.
Dinner/Overnight at Shira camp.
DAY 3: Shira - Barranco
Today we have a long hike of 10km (5 to 7 hours) but with a small ascent of just 110 meters. By night, we'll be sleeping at 3950 meters.
Dinner/Overnight at Barranco camp.
DAY 4: Barranco Hut - Karanga Valley
4.5km hike during just 3 hours. We will finally be sleeping above 4000 meters, at 4200 meters above see level (250 meters ascent).
Dinner/Overnight at Karanga Valley camp.
DAY 5: Karanga - Barafu
Again, 4.5km hike during just 3 hours. Today we'll reach an altitude of 4700 meters (500 meters ascent) for the highest night of your journey.
Dinner/Overnight at Barafu camp.
DAY 6: Barafu - Uhuru Peak - Mweka
This will be the toughest but also the most rewarding day. We will wake up very very early, during the night, in order to arrive to the peak at sunrise. This will just be a 5 kilometers hike but due to the altitude and steepness (1186 meters ascent) it will take 6 to 7 hours to do. When you reach the summit, you will be at 5986 meters and have the best views of your entire life. You will never in your life forget this moment and it will make you a better person.
After some time at the summit, we'll start our descent to Mweka. Again, we'll walk for 5 to 7 hours, for a total of 12 kilometers, in order to sleep at a much more comfortable altitude of 3096 meters.
Dinner/Overnight at Mweka Camp.
DAY 7: Mweka - Mweka Village - Arusha
In our last day, we'll have a 3/4 hours hike of 10 kilometers (to an altitude of 1600 meters) before driving for a couple of hours to Arusha.
This tour can depart any day of the year.
The Kilimanjaro Rongai Route is one of the easiest routes and has very few people on it.
DAY 1: Nale Moru Village - First Cave
After breakfast, at 9am, meet the climbing team (guides, porters) and transfer to Marangu Gate (120km) reaching an altitude of 1600masl. After permit formalities, transfer (approximately 2 hours) to the Rongai trailhead. Meet your guide and porters before you begin your hike from the Nale Moru village.
The small winding path crosses maize fields before entering pine forest, and then climbs gently through a forest. The trail is not at all steep, but is rather a gentle hike through beautiful country. The first night's camp is at First Cave, at about 2,600 metres. There is a toilet and a wooden table with benches, but no hut. Water can be found just down the trail below First Cave.
DAY 2: First Cave - Second Cave - Kikelwa Cave
The trail continues up towards Kibo, passing Second Cave (3450m) en-route, and reaching Kikelwa Cave at about 3600 metres. The views start to open up and you begin to feel you're on a really big mountain! Water is in the obvious stream below the cave, although you might have to wander downhill a way to find some.
Overnight at 3rd Cave camp (Kikelwa Caves).
DAY 3: Kikelwa Caves - Mawenzi
A short but steep climb up grassy slopes offers superb views of this wilderness area. The vegetation zone ends shortly before you reach your next camp at Mawenzi Tarn spectacularly situated beneath the towering spires of Mawenzi.
Spend the afternoon acclimatizing and exploring the area.
DAY 4: Mawenzi - Kibo
Continue ascending on the east side of Kibo crossing the saddle between Mawenzi and Kibo taking 4 to 5 hours to reach Kibo Hut. The remainder of the day is spent resting in preparation for the final ascent, which begins around midnight.
Overnight at Kibo Camp.
DAY 5: Kibo - Hans Meyer Cave - Gillman's point - Uhuru Peak - Horombo Hut
You will rise around 23h30, and after some tea and biscuits you shuffle off into the night. This is where the going really gets tough. The first section of the trail consists of a rocky path to the Hans Meyer Cave (5150m), also a good resting spot.
The path then zigzags up to Gillman's point (5 681m), which is located on the crater rim. This section is very steep with a lot of stone scree, requiring a great physical and mental effort. This is probably the most demanding section of the entire route. Do the Kili shuffle and move slowly.
From Gillman's Point you will normally encounter snow all the way up to Uhuru peak (5895m), the highest point in Africa. Total exhilaration and satisfaction - you made it. Weather conditions on the summit will determine how long you can spend, taking photographs, before the 3-hour descent back to Kibo hut.
After a short rest you gather all your gear for the ascent and head down to Horombo hut (3 hours) where you will overnight. The return to Horombo hut will seem surprisingly fast compared to the ascent. The total time spent walking on this day is around 14 hours, so be prepared for a very tough day. Later in the evening you enjoy your last dinner (with soft drinks and beer for sale at the camp office) on the mountain and well-earned sleep, filled with memories and stirring emotions.
DAY 6: Horombo Hut - Marangu Gate
After breakfast, at 7am, with box lunch, take a walk down to Marangu gate.
This tour can depart any day of the year.
The Kilimanjaro Lemosho Route is an unspoilt, remote, less-used and beautiful way up to the Shira Plateau. Trekkers sometimes use it to ascend the Western Breach route, or follow it with the Kibo South Circuit to ascend by the easier Barafu Route. The first day of the route is rich in game animals, and armed rangers may accompany a group temporarily.
DAY 1: Londorossi Park Gate - Mti Mkubwa
Drive to Londorossi Park Gate then on to the Lemosho Glades (2100m, 3h.). Walk along forest trails to Mti Mkubwa (big tree) campsite, (2750m, 3h.)
DAY 2: Mti Mkubwa - Shira Plateau
The trail steepens and crosses several streams in the giant heather zone. The Shira Ridge is crossed (3600m) to the Shira Plateau, camp by stream. (3500m, 5 h.).
DAY 3: Shira Plateau - Shira Hut
A gentle walk across the plateau leads to Shira Hut camp on moorland meadows by a stream (3840m, 1h30min.). A variety of walks are available on the Plateau making this an excellent acclimatisation day.
DAY 4: Shira Hut - Barranco
A rocky path leads east up towards the Lava Tower. Shortly beyond this, you descend to Barranco campsite (3950m, 4-5h.).
DAY 5: Barranco - Karanga Valley
Scramble easily to the top of the Great Barranco and then a traverse over screes and ridges to the Karanga Valley campsite (3h, 4000m.), beneath the icefalls of the Southern Glaciers.
DAY 6: Karanga Valley - Barafu Hut
The trail ascends a ridge to a campsite by the Barafu Hut, an airy location with little vegetation (3h, 4600m.),
DAY 7: Barafu Hut - Stella Point - Uhuru Peak - Mweka Hut
Start just after midnight for the ascent of the screes leading to Stella Point (6h, 5725m.). From here a further 40mins. leads to Uhuru Peak. Descend to the Barafu Hut for a rest and brunch before continuing down to camp at Mweka Hut at 3100m, (11-14h total walking time).
DAY 8: Mweka Hut - Park Gate
A 3-4 hour descent through beautiful forest brings you to the Park Gate.
Option: It is possible to do this route in just 7 days, though we strongly suggest 8 days.
This tour can depart any day of the year.
The Kilimanjaro Umbwe route (also known as the "Vodka Route") is often considered the hardest but most spectacular and direct way to reach Uhuru Peak - for more experienced trekkers.Due to the difficulty level, it's not very popular providing a nice sense of isolation and wonderful views.
DAY 1: Umbwe Roadhead
Drive to the Umbwe Roadhead at 1800 m. The route initially follows a forestry track winding up through the natural rain forest. It then narrows and steepens to climb the ridge between the Lonzo and Umbwe rivers. The first campsite is in the forest by some rock overhangs at 2940 m, (5/6 hours walking).
DAY 2: - Barranco
Shortly after leaving the camp the forest ends and the path continues along a narrow spectacular ridge. Above, the sheer 1000 m of the Breach Wall appears and disappears as the afternoon mists roll up the Great Barranco. From the Umbwe ridge the route descends slightly to the Barranco Hut and our camp in the valley floor at 3900 m, (5/6 hours walking).
DAY 3: Barranco - Karanga Valley
A short scramble to the top of the Great Barranco and then a traverse over scree and ridges to the Karanga Valley (4000 m, 3 hours), beneath the icefalls of the Heim, Kersten and Decken Glaciers.
DAY 4: Karanga Valley - Barafu Hut
After climbing out of the Karanga Valley the trail ascends a ridge to the Barafu Hut, a bleak location with little vegetation at 4600 m, (3 hours walking).
DAY 5: Barafu Hut - Rebmann and Ratzel Glaciers - Uhuru Peak - Mweka Hut
An early start for the ascent to the rim of the Kibo Crater between the Rebmann and Ratzel Glaciers, (4 hours); the last section before the rim can sometimes be snow-covered and an ice-axe or ski stick is useful for balance. From here a further hour leads to Uhuru Peak, from where there are often fine views of Meru to the west and the jagged peak of Mawenzi to the east. After a short time on the summit you descend to the Barafu Hut for a rest and lunch before continuing on down to camp at Mweka Hut in the giant heather zone on the Mweka route.
DAY 6: Mweka Hut - Park Gate
A 3-4 hour descent through beautiful forest brings you to the Park gate.
This tour can depart any day of the year.
