zClimb Kilimanjaro

Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro Airport, you’ll be warmly greeted and escorted by private car to the deluxe Arusha Hotel, a classic safari landmark for more than a century!

Join our expert tracker guide this morning for a thrilling game drive into the National Park, home to magnificent wildlife including buffalo, wildebeest, giraffe and a variety of African primates. Return to your hotel for a late lunch on your own and some free time to relax. Later this afternoon, meet your Expedition Leader to review your upcoming mountain trek and to go over the packing of your gear.  Meals B

Check out from your hotel and join your Expedition Leader for the scenic drive to the starting point of the Machame Route up Africa’s most famous mountain. Begin with a gentle climb through a pristine forest carpeted with colorful flowers and ferns. It will take about six hours to make the 3,600-foot ascent to the Machame Campground, surrounded by spectacular growths of giant heather at an elevation of 10,000 feet.  Meals B,L,D

Resume your mountain hike this morning and emerge from this zone of giant heather into vast open moorland, home to herds of eland… and the occasional lion! Today’s 5-hour walk ascends approximately 2,500 feet to the Shira Campground, located near the Shira Cave at an altitude of 12,650 feet.

Today’s five to seven-hour climb from Shira takes you across a mesmerizing high-desert landscape strewn with volcanic rocks and boulders, with the Western Glaciers clearly visible in the distance. It’s a longer, more active day that takes you to elevations over 13,000 feet. But descending once again into the sheltered Barranco Valley to sleep at 12,900 feet will assist in your acclimatization. Spend the night at the Barranco Campground.  Meals B,L,D

This morning you’ll climb the Barranco Wall, which includes several sections of easy scrambling where you’ll have to use your hands. Then descend into the spectacular Karanga Valley at an elevation of 12,700 feet. It’s a relatively short trekking day of three to four hours but later this afternoon, you can join an optional acclimatization hike into the scree below Kilimanjaro’s glaciers. Overnight at the Karanga Campground.  Meals B,L,D

Today is another shorter and less exerting day of about four hours that ascends 3,000 feet. This allows for a good afternoon rest before you tackle the summit! Spend the night at the Barafu Campground, set high on a rocky bluff at 15,200 feet with fantastic views across to Mawenzi Peak.  Meals B,L,D

Just after midnight, sit down to a satisfying breakfast at Camp and then begin your seven-hour ascent up the steep and still-frozen scree. Your aim is to reach Stella Point on the crater rim in time for sunrise! From here, it’s just another 40 minutes and you’ll be at the highest point on the African Continent… 19,340 feet above sea level! From here, descend along the Mweka Route back down to Barafu Campground in time for lunch. After a brief rest, an additional three to five-hour trek brings you to the Mweka Campground where you’ll overnight at 10,000 feet. This is a long and exerting day but standing on the summit of Kilimanjaro promises one of the most unforgettable experiences you’ll ever have! Enjoy dinner and a well-deserved good night’s sleep!  Meals B,L,D

A four to five-hour morning descent through the forest brings you to the Mweka Gate where you’ll be awarded with your Kilimanjaro Certificate! From here, we’ll drive you back to the Arusha Hotel for a hot shower and comfortable overnight.  Meals B

Enjoy day-use of your room here at the Arusha Hotel and maybe step out to do a bit of shopping or exploration at your own pace. After an early dinner, transfer to the airport for your departure flight.  Meals B,D