Detailed Itinerary
Day One: Machame Gate to Machame
Awake for an early morning briefing. Embark on a short drive from Moshi to the village of Machame, then hike through the lush lower slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro. The journey slowly gains altitude while participants admire the diverse flora and fauna of the rain forest. Upon arrival at the Machame Camp, a set-up campsite will await you where you can relax and unwind for the evening.
Elevation: 3000 meter, Hiking time: 5-7 hrs Overnight Accommodations: Campsite (shared accommodation) Meals Included: Lunch & dinner
Day Two: Machame Camp to Shira 2 Camp
From Machame Camp, set out an early morning climb to the top of the rainforest. Once out of the rainforest, ascend for a few hours before reaching the Shira Plateau. From this vantage point, the Western Breach is viewable revealing the mountain's glaciers. A short ascent later, end your day at the Shira Camp where accommodations will be set up upon your arrival. NOTE: at this elevation, you will begin feeling the colder temperatures that may dip below freezing.
Elevation: 3840m, Hiking time: 5-7 hrs
Overnight Accommodations: Campsite (shared accommodation)
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Day Three: Shira 2 Camp to Barranco Camp
Ascend to an altitude of 4630 meters "pole pole" (slowly, slowly). At this elevation, the symptoms often associated with such a high altitude may begin taking effect and often consist of difficulty breathing and constant headaches. Around midday, descend to Barranco Camp, viewing the Western Breach and the Breach Wall en route. Weather permitting, a beautiful sunset can be seen from the vantage point available from the day's final campsite.
Elevation: 3950m, Hiking time: 7-8 hrs
Overnight Accommodations: Campsite (shared accommodation)
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Day Four: Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp
Today we tackle the Great Barranco Wall – an imposing face above your camp. A steady climb up the eastern wall takes us just below the Heim Glacier, where we may have some awesome views of Mount Kilimanjaro. Our trail continues down into the alpine desert of the Karanga Valley, where we finish this acclimatization day at Karanga Camp.
Elevation: 3900m, Hiking: 4-5 hours
Overnight Accommodations: Campsite (shared accommodation)
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Day Five: Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp
We begin the day trekking through the alpine desert of the Karanga Valley. Here the temperature will grow colder as we follow the trail climbing through this empty and dry landscape up to the Barafu Camp. The two peaks Kibo and Mawenzi can been seen from our camp, at 4550 meters. Here you will be able to familiarize yourself with the terrain before dark, and prepare you equipment and thermal clothing for the midnight start of the summit attempt.
Elevation: 4550, Hiking time: 4-5 hrs
Overnight Accommodations: Campsite (shared accommodation)
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Day Six: Barafu Camp to Summit to Mweka Camp
Today you will wake up before midnight. In the cover of darkness, you begin the most difficult though most rewarding day of the trek – your hike up to the top of Mount Kilimanjaro. After several hours of slow but strenuous hiking, you will reach the rim of the main crater, Stella Point, at 5685 meters. Continue on the scree and snow-covered trail to Uhuru peak, which is the highest point in Africa, at 5895 meters. Take a few minutes to appreciate your accomplishment, and start back down the same trail. Head down the rock and scree path into the Heather zone, reaching the forest, and eventually arriving at Mweka hut in the late afternoon.
Hiking time: 14-17 hrs
Overnight Accommodations: Campsite (shared accommodation)
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Day Seven: Descent - Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate
Awake in the middle of the night (just before midnight) and set out for Stella Point situated on the crater rim. Stopping for a short rest just around dawn, behold the area in all its glory as the sun rises over the Kilimanjaro area. Walking from Stella Point and setting out for Uhuru Peak, you will ascend snow covered trails until reaching the summit of mighty Mount Kilimanjaro. Observe the mountain and this astonishing vantage point. After spending some considerable time atop Africa's highest mountain, begin a descent (approximately 3 hours) to Barafu Camp where you can rest before heading back down to Mweka Hut - the descent being significantly easier than the previous days' climbs.
Overnight Accommodations: Campsite (shared accommodation)
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Dates and Price
Dates:
Flexible/climate/ground coordinator determines
Price:
US $2,150 ONLY for current Global Crossroad volunteers
Program Fee Covers:
- National park entry fees, camping fees
- English-speaking guide(s), cook and porters
- Rooms/Meals as per itinerary
- All camping equipments
- Transfer to the gate and return to Moshi
- Comprehensive insurance
Program Fee Does Not Cover:
- Airport pick-up and drop-off
- Sleeping bag and other clothes for climbing
- Beverages and bottled water
- Tips to porters and leaders
Please note: our safari packages are with verified, certified travel guides. When you arrive in Africa, you will almost certainly be approached by different people offering safaris to tourists for a cheaper price – in most cases, these are individuals with one vehicle and no back-up, and if they show you certification, it is almost always a forgery. We strongly encourage you to take advantage of our careful research and utilize the services of the partners we've formed in Africa. Our insurance will cover you through those trips, and you'll be in very safe hands, with people who take their responsibilities seriously and won't leave you unaccompanied at a campsite or on the road when their vehicle breaks down in the middle of a safari and they have nobody to call for back-up. Your safety is of the utmost importance to us, and we hope it's high on your priority list, as well!