Arrive Kilimanjaro Airport
Arrive Kilimanjaro Airport and meet your Duma Explorer guide. Drive to Machame Village where you will overnight at Kaliwa Lodge. Kaliwa Lodge boasts the largest collection of whiskey in Tanzania and it has a viewing platform with unobstructed views of Mount Kilimanjaro.
- Main Destination:
- Mount Kilimanjaro
- Accommodation:
- Kaliwa Lodge
- Meals & Drinks:
Day Around Machame Village
Spend the day at Kaliwa Lodge. View Kilimanjaro's peak from Kaliwa Lodge as you have your morning coffee. Prepare for the next 8 days you will spend hiking the mountain as you receive an in-depth briefing with from your Kilimanjaro guide. Recover from jet lag and, if time allows, take a walk around Machame Village.
- Main Destination:
- Mount Kilimanjaro
- Accommodation:
- Kaliwa Lodge
- Meals & Drinks:
Mti Mkubwa
Lemosho is ideal for climbers seeking a more private hiking experience. Although the trail joins with the more popular Machame route on the third evening, the first three days on the mountain are relatively quiet with few other trekking groups on the trail. On the first day, arrive at Londorossi Gate at about 11am. Spend about an hour at the gate while Duma Explorer registers your climb and the porters and guides make final preparations. Please note that the arrival time at the gate may vary depending on road conditions. After registering at the gate, drive to the trailhead and enjoy a picnic lunch before starting the trek to Mti Mkubwa (Big Tree) Camp. Pass through the rain forests of Kilimanjaro viewing trees and birds along the way. Arrive at the campsite in the late afternoon and relax for the rest of the day.
- Main Destination:
- Mount Kilimanjaro
- Accommodation:
- Budget camping
- Meals & Drinks:
Shira 1
Hike through the forest on day two for Kilimanjaro’s moorland. This is the day that you will enjoy the greatest variety of Kilimanjaro's wildflowers. When the trail flattens out, you will have your first views of Kibo peak. After lunch, you will climb the Shira Plateau, created when Kibo’s lava flows filled up the Shira crater. Stop at Shira 1 Camp, where you will relax for the rest of the day.
- Main Destination:
- Mount Kilimanjaro
- Accommodation:
- Budget camping
- Meals & Drinks:
Moir Hut
Follow the trail to Lava Tower (4,542 meters). This day allows you to climb high and sleep low and is critical for acclimatization. Stronger hikes may continue to the ruined camp at Arrow Glacier (4,871 meters). Continue hiking from Lava Tower to Moir Hut.
- Main Destination:
- Mount Kilimanjaro
- Accommodation:
- Budget camping
- Meals & Drinks:
Buffalo Camp
Start the hike by hiking out of the Moir Valley. Hike to the summit of Lent Hills before returning to the main trail. Continue east through a rock field. Finally reach Buffalo Camp at the end of the day. This day is crucial for acclimatization as you do not gain much elevation.
- Main Destination:
- Mount Kilimanjaro
- Accommodation:
- Budget camping
- Meals & Drinks:
Third Cave Camp
Climb to the top of Buffalo Ridge before continuing on through the barren landscape to Third Cave Camp. Cross many gullies during this day. The up and down hiking on this day will allow even greater acclimatization and make your summit attempt less strenuous.
- Main Destination:
- Mount Kilimanjaro
- Accommodation:
- Budget camping
- Meals & Drinks:
School Hut
Begin the day by backtracking yesterday's trail until the dry riverbed. Head west toward Kibo on a steady upward climb. By the early afternoon, reach School Hut on the eastern slopes of Kibo. The Saddle to Mawenzi lies just a few minutes from the camp. Prepare for your midnight ascent to Uhuru Peak.
- Main Destination:
- Mount Kilimanjaro
- Accommodation:
- Budget camping
- Meals & Drinks:
Uhuru Peak and Millennium Camp
Due to the steep ascent at high altitude, this is the most challenging day of the ascent. Leave School Hut around midnight to begin your hike to the top of Kibo Crater. It is important to remember to snack during the ascent to keep your energy up. You will likely lose your appetite during this day and begin to feel new effects of altitude sickness. Reach Gilman's Point on the Crater rim. Continue on to Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa. The hike to the summit is slow, and will take approximately 1.5 hours from Gilman's Point. After reaching the summit, descend to Barafu Camp for a rest and brunch. Around 1pm, descend to Millennium Camp. Reach Millennium Camp at approximately 6pm.
- Main Destination:
- Mount Kilimanjaro
- Accommodation:
- Budget camping
- Meals & Drinks:
Congratulations and Kaliwa Lodge
After breakfast, finish the trek with a descent to Mweka Gate. Your last hike on Kilimanjaro is a beautiful one, passing through Kilimanjaro’s cloud forest. Watch your step during the descent as the trail can be slippery. Duma Explorer vehicles will be waiting at the lower station of Mweka Gate to take you back to Arusha. You will be able to buy t-shirts, souvenirs and sodas at the gate. Enjoy a picnic lunch at the gate before departing the mountain. Overnight at Kaliwa Lodge.
- Main Destination:
- Mount Kilimanjaro
- Accommodation:
- Kaliwa Lodge
- Meals & Drinks:
Farewell
Enjoy breakfast and your last views of Mount Kilimanjaro from Kaliwa's viewing platform. Transfer back to Kilimanjaro Airport or onward to your next destination. If you have enough time, enjoy a walk to the river or waterfall near Kaliwa.
- Main Destination:
- No major destination visited
- Accommodation:
- No accommodation (End of tour)
- Meals & Drinks: