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Arrival (See Getting There for more details)

Arrival (See Getting There for more details)

  • You'll be collected from the airport.
  • Accommodation before the tour starts can be arranged for an extra cost.

Day 1

Londorosi Gate to Big Tree Camp

Londorosi Gate to Big Tree Camp

After a briefing with our guide the day before, the guide and a mountain support crew will arrive at the hotel in the morning to meet you and hold another briefing. Then, you will travel by vehicle (roughly 3-4 hours) to Kilimanjaro National Park's western entrance: Londorossi Gate (2,200 m). After the quick formality of acquiring climbing permits and registering with the search and rescue service, the group will start trekking towards the first camp of the route: Mti Mkubwa Camp (2,780 m). Raincoats are necessary on this day in particular, as you will be walking through the rainforest. By the time you reach the camp, our professional mountain crew will prepare everything necessary, put up tents, and cook lunch for you. After lunch, the group will depart on an acclimatization hike towards Shira 1 Camp, which features a 300-meter gain in altitude, after which you will hike back down to Mti Mkubwa Camp, where a hot dinner will be waiting.

Main Destination:
Mount Kilimanjaro
Accommodation:
Budget camping
  • on Mt Kilimanjaro
Meals & Drinks:
  • Lunch & dinner (Breakfast not included)
  • Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Day 2

Big Tree Camp to Shira 1

Big Tree Camp to Shira 1

Big Tree Camp (2,800m/9,100ft) to Shira 1 Camp (3,500m/11,500ft)
Elevation Gain: 700 metres / 2,400 feet
Today, your trek will begin in the forest. However, you will soon leave this ecosystem behind, taking a steep track into a zone of giant heather and volcanic rock. This is a full day ascending through the lush rolling hills below the Shira Plateau. Shira is the third of Kilimanjaro’s volcanic cones. It is filled with the lava flow from Kibo, and its rim has eroded and been blasted away by weather and volcanic action. Finally, the trail begins to ease as you reach the edge of the plateau. You will camp at Shira One after 5-6 hours of trekking. The view of Kibo from across the plateau is incredible.

Main Destination:
Mount Kilimanjaro
Accommodation:
Budget camping
  • on Mt Kilimanjaro
Meals & Drinks:
  • All meals included
  • Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Day 3

Shira 1 to Shira 2

Shira 1 to Shira 2

Shira 1 Camp (3,500m/11,500ft) to Shira 2 Camp (3,800m/12,500ft)
Elevation Gain: 300 metres / 1,000 feet
Your third day on the mountain consists of a trek across the Shira Plateau with an optional climb to Shira Cathedral (3,880m). Shira is one of the highest plateaus on earth. The day finishes with a gradual climb to Shira 2 Camp. Trekking time without the optional excursions is approximately 3 hours. Including the optional acclimatisation to the peak of Shira Cathedral will add approximately 1 hour.

Main Destination:
Mount Kilimanjaro
Accommodation:
Budget camping
  • on Mt Kilimanjaro
Meals & Drinks:
  • All meals included
  • Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Day 4

Shira 2 Camp to the Lava Tower and Descent to Barranco Camp

Shira 2 Camp to the Lava Tower and Descent to Barranco Camp

Shira 2 Camp (3,800m/12,500ft) to Barranco Camp (3,850m/12,650ft) via Lava Tower (4,550m/14,900ft)
Elevation Gain: 750 metres / 2,400 feet
Elevation Loss: 700 metres / 2,250 feet
Your climb today will take you steadily up and over the expansive ridgelines of the high desert to Lava Tower. The trek to the base of Lava Tower is about 4 hours. This tower is a 300-foot-high volcanic plug. If time and energy allow, you can scramble to the top of Lava Tower for fabulous panoramic views. From Lava Tower we begin our steep descent into the Barranco Valley, passing large flowering plants which actually look like trees, the scenecios. This is good practice for your descent from the summit in a few days and will take 1-2 hours. Although you will end your day at almost the same elevation as you started, today is very important for acclimatisation and will help your body prepare for summit day. Barranco Camp is in a beautiful, sheltered valley below the imposing Barranco Wall.

Main Destination:
Mount Kilimanjaro
Accommodation:
Budget camping
  • on Mt Kilimanjaro
Meals & Drinks:
  • All meals included
  • Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Day 5

Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp

Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp

Barranco Camp (3,900m/12,800ft) to Karanga Camp (3,950m/12,960ft)
Elevation Gain: 300m/1,000ft
Elevation Loss: 250m/820ft
You'll begin the day climbing the Barranco Wall, an impressive scramble that will reward you with fantastic views back towards camp. From the top, at 4,200m, follow an undulating path around the mountainside. On a clear day, there are spectacular views of Kibo to your left and Mount Meru to your right. After descending into the Karanga Valley, your climb takes you up a short, steep path to camp. Walking time approximately 3-4 hours.
Your overnight stay will be at Karanga Camp.

Main Destination:
Mount Kilimanjaro
Accommodation:
Budget camping
  • on Mt Kilimanjaro
Meals & Drinks:
  • All meals included
  • Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Day 6

Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp

Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp

Karanga Camp (3,950m/12,960ft) to Kosovo Camp (4,800m/15,750ft)
Elevation Gain: 850m/2,790ft
You'll spend the morning climbing steadily up to Barafu Camp, which is Swahili for ice, and then continuing up a rocky slab to Kosovo. This small camp is located on the ridge below the summit cone. You have now completed the South Circuit, which offers views from many different angles. The walk will take around 4-5 hours, meaning you will arrive at Kosovo in time for lunch and a full summit briefing, before spending the afternoon resting. The two peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo can be seen from this position.
Your overnight stay will be at Kosovo Camp.

Main Destination:
Mount Kilimanjaro
Accommodation:
Budget camping
  • on Mt Kilimanjaro
Meals & Drinks:
  • All meals included
  • Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Day 7

Ascent to Uhuru Peak and Descent to Millennium Camp

Ascent to Uhuru Peak and Descent to Millennium Camp

You'll depart from Barafu Camp (4,640 m) at night and start summiting Kilimanjaro: Uhuru Peak (5,895 m). Technically, the climb is relatively simple. However, the most challenging part is the high altitude. Each pair of climbers will get a personal guide for the entire ascent to monitor their physical and mental conditions. After your successful ascent to Uhuru Peak, you can descend to the nearest glacier if desired. Then, you will return to Barafu Camp and, after a 2-hour rest, you'll continue your descent to Millennium Camp (3,820 m).

Main Destination:
Mount Kilimanjaro
Accommodation:
Budget camping
  • on Mt Kilimanjaro
Meals & Drinks:
  • All meals included
  • Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Day 8

Descent from Millennium Camp to Mweka Gate

Descent from Millennium Camp to Mweka Gate

The camp is situated in a tropical rainforest. When you wake up, you will feel relief from the reduction in height and the satisfaction of reaching the summit. After a warm breakfast, you will head for the park's exit: Mweka Gate (1,650 m). After your descent, the whole group will gather to congratulate you, followed by offering you a chance to share your opinions on the climb in the guestbook. Lastly, we will present you with your commemorative certificates in our office and provide you with a transfer back to Arusha, or if you have a flight schedule, you will get a transfer to the airport.

Main Destination:
Arusha (City)
Accommodation:
No accommodation (End of tour)
Meals & Drinks:
  • All meals included
  • Drinks not included

End of tour (See Getting There for more details)

End of tour (See Getting There for more details)

  • Additional accommodation can be arranged for an extra cost.
  • You'll be dropped off at the airport.
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Disclaimer

  • This tour is offered by Lelaa Tours And Safaris, not SafariBookings.
  • This operator reserves the right to change rates advertised on SafariBookings.
  • If you request changes to this tour, the advertised rates will likely change.
  • The exact order, contents and rates of this tour are subject to availability.
  • If an accommodation is fully booked, the operator will suggest a comparable alternative.
  • This tour is subject to the terms & conditions of Lelaa Tours And Safaris.