Mount Kilimanjaro

Mount Kilimanjaro (5895m) is the highest mountain in Africa and world’s highest free standing mountain. This wonderful geographical feature is just 325 km from equator. Kilimanjaro was formed as a result of movements of the earth’s crust that created the Great Rift Valley.

Climbing Kilimanjaro is the only way to experience   tropical climate and arctic climate in the continent. Foot slopes of Kilimanjaro are characterized by lush Montane forest, which is the home of elephants, buffaloes, small antelopes as well as primates. More than 50,000 people reach Kilimanjaro summit (Uhuru peak) annually. Climbing Kilimanjaro does not require special equipment or technical skills.

A specific packlist for the climbing tours is provided here.

This route is also known as ‘coca-cola’ route as it is the most popular route and the oldest. It has well developed path and most of climbing obstacles has been modified to make climbing easier. While using Marangu route you will accommodate in mountain wooden huts, where bottled water, soft drinks and beer can be consumed (off course at high altitude prices!).

Although Marangu route can be crowded the route still gives a great view of Mawenzi peak as well as wild animals can be spotted while climb.

Climbing route: Marangu

Duration: 4 nights / 5 days.

Accommodation: Mountain wooden huts

 Day 1. Arusha town-Marangu gate (1900m) – Mandara hut (2700m)

Leave Arusha hotel/Arumeru river lodge/Coffee house/Outpost lodge in Arusha early in the morning after breakfast drive direct to Marangu gate. You will meet your guide, chef, and porters at Marangu gate, after introduction you will start to climb from Marangu gate to Mandara hut. You will take a picnic lunch with you.

Dinner and overnight at Mandara hut.

Walking time; 3-5 hours.

Altitude gained; 800m

Day 2. Mandara hut (2700) – Horombo hut (3700m)

Leave Mandara huts early in the morning after breakfast,take your picnic  lunch with you.

Dinner and overnight at Horombo hut.

Walking time; 5-6 hours.

Altitude gained; 1000m.

Day 3. Horombo hut (3700m) – Kibo hut (4700m)

Leave Horombo hut after breakfast walk to Kibo hut,On this day you will have nice view of Mawenzi peak while climb.Take  a picninc lunch with you. Once in kibo hut you will have to sleep as early as possible so as to have enough sleep because at night you will have to wake up early to climb to Uhuru peak.

Dinner and overnight at Kibo hut.

Altitude gained 1000m

Walking time 5-6 hours.

Day 4. Kibo hut (4700m) – Uhuru peak (5495m)-Kibo huts -Horombo hut.

Wake up at midnight with your guide, take some snacks and start to climb to Uhuru peak. You will reach the summit early in the morning. After a rest at the peak (highest point in Africa), you will start to walk back to Kibo hut for a meal which will be ready prepared. You will have a break at Kibo hut before you start your way down to Horombo hut.

Dinner and overnight at Horombo hut

Altitude gained  from kibo hut to Uhuru peak (1195m)

Altitude lost from Uhuru peak to Horombo hut (2159m)

Walking hours 6-10 hours

Day 5. Horombo hut (3700m) – Marangu gate (1900m)-Arusha.

Leave Horombo hut after breakfast and walk down to Marangu gate, Once you reach Marangu gate you the transfer car will be waiting for you ready to pick you up to drive back to your hotel in Arusha.

Lunch,dinner and overnight in Arusha.

Altitude lost from Horombo hut to Marangu gate (1800m)

Walking time 3-5 hours

This route is also known as ‘’whiskey route’’ while using Machame route you will approach Kibo peak from south-west. This route probably seen as one of the most scenic hike to the top of Kilimanjaro.

When you are climbing Kilimanjaro through Machame route you will sleep in a tent at the mountain campsites. Sunday safari will arrange all needed camping equipments, Porters will support your climb by carrying camping equipments, your luggage food and water.Machame route provides more adventurous hike as well as nice photo opportunities, while using this route you will also be able to experience new scenery everyday and new vegetation zones everyday as well.

Climbing route: Machame route.

Duration: 5 nights / 6 days.

Accommodation: Camping

Day 1. Arusha – Machame gate (1790m)–Machame camp (3010m).

Leave Arusha hotel/ Outpost lodge/ Coffee house/ Arumeru river lodge drive to Machame gate, It takes approximately 2 hours by car. At machame gate you will meet your guide, chef, and porters and after introduction you will start to climb. You will take a picnic with you.

Walking time; 6-7 hours.

Dinner and overnight at Machame camp.

Altitude gained 1220m.

 Day 2. Machame camp(3010m) – Shira camp(3845m).

Start to climb to Shira camp after breakfast; this will be a short day climb. Depending on the clouds cover you may enjoy the beautiful view of mount Meru. You will take a picnic lunch with you.

Walking time. 4-6 hours.

Dinner and overnight at Shira camp.

Altitude gained 835m.

Day3. Shira camp(3845m) – Barranco camp(3960m).

After breakfast climb to Barranco camp pass through black lava desert. Take a picnic lunch with you.

Walking time. 7-8 hours

Dinner and overnight at Barranco camp.

Altitude gained 680m.

Day 4. Barranco camp (3960m) – Brafaru camp (4640m).

After breakfast start to climb the great Barranco wall, it is recommended to start early to avoid a traffic jam at great Barranco wall.  It may take about 1 to 1.5 hours to climb the great Barranco. After Barranco wall you will go on walking on stone dominated landscape till Barafu camp.

Once in Barafu camp dinner will be prepared fast so as you can go to bed as early as possible to have enough sleep to be ready for upcoming night when you will climb to the summit.

Walking time. 7-8 hours.

Dinner and overnight at Barafu camp.

Altitude gained 680m.

Day 5. Barafu camp(4640m) –Uhuru peak (5895m) –Mweka camp (3080m).

Wake up at night with your guide take some snacks then climb to the summit (Uhuru peak) and reach the summit before the sun is up. You will rest at the summit before you start your way down, as you will walk back to Barafu camp for the hot lunch then you will continue to Mweka camp on your way down.

Walking time. 14-16 hours.

Dinner and overnight at Mweka camp.

Alitude gained 1255m ( Barafu camp to Uhuru peak)

Altitude lost 2815m ( Uhuru to Mweka camp)

Day 6. Mweka camp (3080m) – Mweka gate (1680m).

After breakfast you will leave Mweka camp for Mweka gate, It will be a last day and short as well. Once at Mweka gate a transfer car will be waiting for you ready to drive back to your hotel in Arusha.

Walking time. 3-4 hours.

Lunch, dinner and overnight in Arusha.

Altitude lost 1400m.

The shortest route and the toughest but reaching Kibo peak through Umbwe route is among the best non-technical mountaineering expedition. It is challenging route for those who has no enough climbing experience but for fit and experienced hikers Umbwe route is a paradise.

Climbing route: Umbwe route.

Duration: 5 nights / 6 days

Accommodation: Camping

Day 1. Arusha-Umbwe gate (1640m) – Cave camp (2930m).

Leave Arusha hotel/Arumeru river lodge/ Coffee house/Outpost lodge after breakfast drive direct to Umbwe gate. You will meet your guide, chef and porters at the gate and after introduction you will start to climb. Take your picnic lunch with you.

Walking time. 5-6 hours.

Altitude gained 1290m.

Dinner and overnight at Cave camp.

Day 2. Cave camp (2930m) – Barranco camp (3960m).

After breakfast you will start the second day as you will face a quit challenge on this day.

Walking time. 4-6 hours.

Altitude gained 1030m.

Dinner and overnight at Barranco camp.

Day 3. Barranco camp (3960m) – Karanga camp (4250m)

Start after breakfast and face the other fantastic challenge of climbing Great Barranco wall. It is recommended to start early so as to avoid a traffic jam at the wall. Take a picnic lunch with you.

Walking time. 3-4 hours.

Altitude gained 290m.

Dinner and overnight at Karanga camp.

Day 4. Karanga camp (4250m) – Barafu camp (4640m).

After breakfast start to climb to Barafu camp, on this day you walk much on stone dominated landscape. Dinner will be prepared early so as you can go to bed as early as possible so that to have enough sleep, to be fit for the upcoming night which you will wake up to climb to the summit.

Walking time. 3-4 hours.

Altitude gained 390m.

Dinner and overnight at Barafu camp.

Day 5.  Barafu camp (4640m)–Uhuru peak (5895m)–Mweka camp (3080m).

Wake up at night with your guide take some snacks and start to climb to the summit, you will reach the summit before the sun is up. You will rest at the summit for a while and enjoy sunrise at the highest point in Africa. After summit you will start your way down and you will walk back to Barafu camp for a hot lunch and then you will take a short break before you proceed your way down to Mweka camp.

Walking time. 14-16 hours.

Altitude gained 1255m ( Barafu camp-Uhuru peak).

Altitude lost 2515m ( Uhuru peak- Mweka camp).

Dinner and overnight at Mweka camp.

Day 6. Mweka camp (3080m) – Mweka gate (1680m).

Leave Mweka camp for Mweka gate after breakfast, from Mweka camp to Mweka gate the route is well developed. Once at the gate the transfer car will be already waiting for you ready to drive to Arusha.

Walking time 3-4 hours.

Altitude lost 1400m.

Lunch, dinner and overnight in Arusha.