“As wide as all the world, great, high and unbelievably white in the sun was the square top of Mount Kilimanjaro,” wrote Ernest Hemingway of the highest mountain in Africa, which rises to 5,895 meters above sea level. Situated near the town of Moshi in northern Tanzania, Mount Kilimanjaro rises from the dry plains, through a wide belt of forest and high alpine heath to an almost bare desert and finally the snow capped summit, Uhuru Peak, just 3 degrees south of the Equator.
One of the world's highest free standing mountains, Mt. Kilimanjaro is comprised of three extinct volcanoes: Kibo 5895 m (19340 ft.), Mawenzi 5149 m (16896 ft.), and Shira 3962 m (13000 ft.).
The name itself is shrouded in mystery. It might mean Mountain of Light, Mountain of Greatness or Mountain of Caravans. The local people, the Wachagga tribe, call the whole massif- "Kilemakyaro" meaning "Our Mountain" with its highest point only Kipoo (now known as Kilimanjaro and its highest point Kibo or Uhuru Peak) for the familiar snowy peak that stands imperious, as overseer of the continent and the summit of Africa.
Kilimanjaro is one of the world's most accessible high summits, a beacon for visitors from around the world. Most climbers reach the crater rim with little more than a walking stick, proper clothing and determination. And those who reach Uhuru Point, the actual summit, or Gillman's Point on the lip of the crater, will have earned their climbing certificates and the accompanying memories.
Tro-Peaks Adventures offers both Private Climbs and Open Group Climbs. Private climbs can start any day of the year and on any route. Our Open Group Climbs have pre-set departure dates and routes.
This route approaches Mount Kilimanjaro from the west. It offers a chance to visit Shira Plateau (Cathedral peak) and Shira Caldera. Lemosho Route crosses from Shira Ridge to Shira 2 Camp, in a pleasant hike. Climbers encounter low traffic until the route joins the Machame route. Afterwards, Lemosho follows the same route as Machame Route through Lava Tower, Barranco and Barafu, known as the southern circuit. The minimum days required for this route is 7 days, but eight days is recommended as it will give more chance to acclimatize and achieve the summit. Like Machame, this is a scenically spectacular and varied route. Lemosho is highly recommended and it has an abundance of wildlife such as elephant, buffalo, eland and lion which come over to forage during dry season from Longido Game Controlled Area.
Arrival Day: Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) to Moshi.
Elevation: 1,000m to 1,200m.
Distance: 36 km
Driving Time: 45Min
Habitat:
Town
Tro-Peaks Adventures staff will meet you at JRO (Kilimanjaro International Airport) and transfer you to your hotel in Moshi. This day
there will be a pre-climb briefing with your guide where all quesitons will be answered. There will be an equipment check to make sure that you have all
the neccessary gear for your trek. If you are lacking any items,they can be rented locally this day. If your arrival is late in the day, the briefing
and equipment check can be done early the next morning. No meals are included this day.
Day 1: Moshi to Londorosi Gate to Big Tree Campsite.
Elevation: 1,200 m to 1,950 m to 2,850 m
Distance: 9 km
Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: Montane Forest
After breakfast (included), we will pick you up from your hotel and transport you to Londorosi Gate for registration. After this formality, you board the vehicle and drive again to Lemosho Glade. From this point you will start the trek across undisturbed montane forest decorated with black and white colobus monkeys to the camp where dinner and overnight will take place.
Day 2: Big Tree Campsite to Shira One Campsite
Elevation(m): 2850m to 3500m
Distance: 13km
Hiking time: 8 hours
Habitat: Moorland and heather land
This is an acclimatization trek because you will gain over 650m by starting walking across a beautiful valley outside Shira’s caldera rim (3600m). After few hours you will reach into Shira Caldera. A high altitude desert, Shira is the one among the three peaks which erupted in Kilimanjaro ecosystem. The peak later collapsed and formed a crater which eventually became filled with the lava flow from Kibo Peak. Its rim is eroded and blasted away by weather and volcanic action. Camp and overnight at 3500m elevation at the Shira One Cmpsite.
Day 3: Shira One Campsite to Shira Two Campsite
Elevation: 3500m to 3800m
Distance: 7km
Hiking time: 5-6 hours
Habitat: Moorland and rocky
This day you will trek to east across Shira Plateau visiting Cathedral Peak (3850m) for acclimatization. Arriving at this peak you will find spectacular views of Mt. Meru and Kibo Peak. We then continue trekking to Shira Two Camp where we will stay for dinner and overnight place.
Day 4: Shira Two Campsite to Barranco Campsite
Elevation: 3800m to 3950m
Distance: 13km
Hiking time: 7-8 hours
Habitat: Moorland
This is long acclimatization day. You will have an early breakfast then trek east to a junction leading to Lava Tower Rock 4600m for acclimatization. Afterwards, you will descend down to Barranco Campsite for dinner and overnight.
Day 5: Barranco Campsite to Barafu Campsite
Elevation: 3950m to 3900m
Distance: 6 km
Hiking time: 4-5 hours.
Habitat: Moorland
Today is long day walk. In the morning you will start climbing Barranco Wall and reach 4200m for acclimatization and continue crossing ridges and valleys to Karanga Campsite for hot lunch. After lunch you will proceed to Barafu Campsite for dinner and overnight before the midnight ascent to the summit..
Day 6: Barafu Hut Campsite to Uhuru Peak to Crater Campsite
Elevation: 4620m to 5895m to 3650m
Distance: 10km
Hiking time: 7-8 hours
Habitat: Desert and ice
After breakfast you will departure for the summit switchback up steep scree or possibly snow, and reach Stella Point on the crater rim (5,861 m/18,640 ft) At this point you will be having the views of the fabled crater and its icecaps facing you. Then after 1 hour of hiking along the Kibo’s crater rim near the celebrated snows takes you to Kilimanjaro true summit, Uhuru Peak here you will spend some minutes for taking photos. After your summit activities, you will descend down to Crater Camp for your dinner and overnight.
Day 7: Crater Campsite to Ash Pit to Mweka Hut Campsite
Elevation: 5650m to 5750m to 3100m
Distance: 12km
Hiking time: 7 -8 hours
Habitat: Desert, ice, moorland, and forest.
After breakfast you will firstlascend 100m to the rim of Ash Pit then descend back to the Barafu Huts Campsite, for lunch, and continue down through moorland and heath zone to Mweka Huts Campsite. Dinner and overnight at Mweka Hut Campsite.
Day 8: Mweka Hut Campsite to Mweka Gate
Elevation: 3100m to 1700m
Distance: 9k
Descending time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: Montane forest
Today is your last day on the mountain. After breakfast, you will descend down to Mweka Gate walking across montane forest. This descent will take 3-4 hours. At the gate you will sign out and board the vehicle, ready for the transfer back to your hotel for your certificate presentation and celebration.
Departure Day: Moshi to Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO)
Elevation: 1,200m to 1,000m.
Distance: 36 km
Driving Time: 45Min
Habitat: Town
Tro-Peaks Adventures staff will pick
you up from Moshi and transfer you back to JRO (Kilimanjaro International Airport) or you can have Tro-Peaks Adventures arrange a safari or a Zanzibar
beach holiday. (Breakfast at your hotel is included this day)
Arrival Day: Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) to Moshi.
Elevation: 1,000m to 1,200m.
Distance: 36 km
Driving Time: 45Min
Habitat:
Town
Tro-Peaks Adventures staff will meet you at JRO (Kilimanjaro International Airport) and transfer you to your hotel in Moshi. This day
there will be a pre-climb briefing with your guide where all quesitons will be answered. There will be an equipment check to make sure that you have all
the neccessary gear for your trek. If you are lacking any items,they can be rented locally this day. If your arrival is late in the day, the briefing
and equipment check can be done early the next morning. No meals are included this day.
Day 1: Moshi to Londorosi Gate to Big Tree Campsite.
Elevation: 1,200 m to 1,950 m to 2,850 m
Distance: 9 km
Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: Montane Forest
After breakfast, will pick you up from your hotel your hotel and transport you to Londorosi Gate for registration. After this formality, you board the vehicle and drive again to Lemosho Glade. From this point you will start the trek across undisturbed montane forest decorated with black and white colobus monkeys to the camp where dinner and overnight will take place.
Day 2: Big Tree Campsite to Shira One Campsite
Elevation(m): 2850m to 3500m
Distance: 13km
Hiking time: 8 hours
Habitat: Moorland and heather land
This is an acclimatization trek because you will gain over 650m by starting walking across a beautiful valley outside Shira’s caldera rim (3600m). After few hours you will reach into Shira Caldera. A high altitude desert, Shira is the one among the three peaks which erupted in Kilimanjaro ecosystem. The peak later collapsed and formed a crater which eventually became filled with the lava flow from Kibo Peak. Its rim is eroded and blasted away by weather and volcanic action. Camp and overnight at 3500m elevation at the Shira One Campsite.
Day 3: Shira One Campsite to Shira Two Campsite
Elevation: 3500m to 3800m
Distance: 7km
Hiking time: 5-6 hours
Habitat: Moorland and rocky
This day you will trek to east across Shira Plateau visiting Cathedral Peak (3850m) for acclimatization. Reaching at this peak you will find spectacular views of Mt. Meru and Kibo Peak. We then continue trekking to Shira Two Camp where we will stay for dinner and overnight place.
Day 4: Shira Campsite to Barranco Campsite
Elevation: 3800m to 3950m.
Distance: 13km
Hiking time: 5-7 hours
Habitat: Moorland.
This is long and important acclimatization day so you will be having an early breakfast then continue trekking east to a junction leading to Lava Tower Rock 4600m for acclimatization. Afterwards you will continue down to Barranco Camp. The camp location is in the bottom valley of Barranco Wall where you will stop for dinner and overnight.
Day 5: Barranco Campsite to Barafu Campsite
Elevation: 3950m to 3900m
Distance: 6 km
Hiking time: 4-5 hours.
Habitat: Moorland
Today is long day walk. In the morning you will start climbing Barranco Wall and reach 4200m for acclimatization and continue crossing ridges and valleys to Karanga Campsite for hot lunch. After lunch you will proceed to Barafu Campsite for dinner and overnight before the midnight ascent to the summit..
Day 6: Barafu Camp/ Uhuru Peak/ Mweka Camp
Elevation: 4620m to 5895m to 3100m
Distance: 15km
Hiking time: 10 – 12 hours
Habitat: Desert and ice.
Wake at midnight to a light breakfast and then prepare for your summit ascent. The goal is to climb before dawn so that you can reach Uhuru Peak shortly before or after sunrise. The trails is a series of switchbacks up steep scree or possibly snow, and reach Stella Point on the crater rim at 5,861 m/18,640 ft between 4 and 5 AM. At this point you will be having the views of the fabled crater and its glaciers facing you. Then after 1 hour of hiking along the Kibo Crater Rim near the celebrated snows takes you to Kilimanjaro true summit, Uhuru Peak. Here you will spend some minutes taking photos and enjoying the achievement. After your summit activities done, you will descend back to the Barafu Campsite, for lunch, rest, collect your equipment, and continue down through moorland and heath zone to Mweka Campsite. Dinner and overnight at Mweka Campsite.
Day 7: Mweka Campsite to Mweka Gate.
Elevation: 3100m to 1700m
Distance: 9km
Descending time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: Montane forest.
Today is your last day on the mountain. After breakfast you will descend down to Mweka Gate walking across montane forest. This descent will take 3-4 hours. Here at the gate you will sign out and get ready to board the vehicle ready for the transfer back to the hotel for your certificate presentation and a well deserved celebration.
Departure Day: Moshi to Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO)
Elevation: 1,200m to 1,000m.
Distance: 36 km
Driving Time: 45Min
Habitat: Town
Tro-Peaks Adventures staff will meet and pick you up from Moshi and transfer you back to JRO (Kilimanjaro International Airport) or Tro-Peaks Adventures
can take you on a safari or arrange a Zanzibar beach holiday.
Machame Route, also known as the Whisky Route, has become very popular. This is camping route which offers spectacular views of various landscapes such as Mt Meru, Pare Mountains, Lake Chala, and Lake Jipe. This is a well designed route for altitude acclimatization. While the 6 day itinerary is very possible, it is very benefitable to choose the seven days Machame climb because of having one more extra day for acclimatization and resting before the summit day. Doing this will maximize your chance of reaching the top.
Arrival Day: Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) to Moshi.
Elevation: 1,000m to 1,200m.
Distance: 36 km
Driving Time: 45Min
Habitat:
Town
Tro-Peaks Adventures staff will meet you at JRO (Kilimanjaro International Airport) and transfer you to your hotel in Moshi. This day
there will be a pre-climb briefing with your guide where all quesitons will be answered. There will be an equipment check to make sure that you have all
the neccessary gear for your trek. If you are lacking any items,they can be rented locally this day. If your arrival is late in the day, the briefing
and equipment check can be done early the next morning. No meals are included this day.
Day 1: From Hotel /Machame Gate /Machame Campsite.
Elevation: 1200m to 1700m to 3000m.
Distance: 13 km.
Hiking time: 5-7 hours.
Habitat: Montane forest.
After breakfast our vehicle will transport you from the hotel drive to Machame Gate. Here you will go through the registration procedures then you will start the trek through the rainforest to Machame Camp where you will find the tents are already setup for you. Dinner and overnight at the campsite.
Day 2: Machame Campsite to Shira Campsite
Elevation: 3000m to 3800m
Distance: 9km
Hiking time: 6-7 hours
Habitat: Moorland.
After breakfast leave the glades of rainforest and continue ascending by crossing little valleys and steep rocky ridge covering with heather plants to the western side of the mountain where the camp is situated. At this camp you will able get the spectacular view of Mount Meru, Shira Plateau, Kibo Peak and the sunset. Here is where dinner and overnight will be enjoyed.
Day 3: Shira Campsite to Barranco Campsite
Elevation: 3800m to 3950m.
Distance: 13km
Hiking time: 5-7 hours
Habitat: Moorland.
This is long and important acclimatization day so you will be having an early breakfast then continue trekking east to a junction leading to Lava Tower Rock 4600m for acclimatization. Afterwards you will continue down to Barranco Camp. The camp location is in the bottom valley of Barranco Wall where you will stop for dinner and overnight.
Day 4: Barranco Campsite to Karanga Campsite
Elevation: 3950m to 3900m
Distance: 6 km
Hiking time: 4-5 hours.
Habitat: Moorland
Today is short day walk. In the morning you will start climbing Barranco Wall and reach 4200m for acclimatization and continue crossing ridges and valleys to Karanga Campsite for hot lunch. After lunch you will have a bit of rest and get another acclimatization of trekking up the scree slopes towards the southern ice field. You will then return to the camp for supper and overnight.
Day 5: Karanga Campsite to Barafu Campsite
Elevation: 3900m to 4620m.
Distance: 8 km.
Hiking time: 3-4 hours.
Habitat: Alpine Desert.
On this day, the trek up to the Barafu Ridge Campsite is tough because of altitude. The walk take few hours although the distance is short but is steep needing a slow pace to avoid fatigue. You will trek across an alpine desert. Chances are that a strong, cold wind will be blowing from Kibo Peak and its ice. You will have an early dinner at 1700hrs then rest until midnight when we you will attack the summit.
Day 6: Barafu Camp/ Uhuru Peak/ Mweka Camp
Elevation: 4620m to 5895m to 3100m
Distance: 15km
Hiking time: 10 – 12 hours
Habitat: Desert and ice.
Wake at midnight to a light breakfast and then prepare for your summit ascent. The goal is to climb before dawn so that you can reach Uhuru Peak shortly before or after sunrise. The trails is a series of switchbacks up steep scree or possibly snow, and reach Stella Point on the crater rim at 5,861 m/18,640 ft between 4 and 5 AM. At this point you will be having the views of the fabled crater and its glaciers facing you. Then after 1 hour of hiking along the Kibo Crater Rim near the celebrated snows takes you to Kilimanjaro true summit, Uhuru Peak. Here you will spend some minutes taking photos but it will depend on how you feel. After your summit activities done, you will descend back to the Barafu Campsite, for lunch, rest, collect your equipment, and continue down through moorland and heath zone to Mweka Campsite. Dinner and overnight at Mweka Campsite.
Day 7: Mweka Campsite to Mweka Gate.
Elevation: 3100m to 1700m
Distance: 9km
Descending time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: Montane forest.
Today is your last day on the mountain. After breakfast you will descend down to Mweka Gate walking across a montane forest. This descent will take 3-4 hours. Here at the gate you will sign out and get ready to board the vehicle ready for the transfer back to the hotel for your certificate presentation and a well deserved celebration.
Departure Day: Moshi to Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO)
Elevation: 1,200m to 1,000m.
Distance: 36 km
Driving Time: 45Min
Habitat: Town
Tro-Peaks Adventures staff will meet and pick you up from Moshi and transfer you back to JRO (Kilimanjaro International Airport) or you can arrange through Tro-Peaks Adventures to enjoy a safari or a Zanzibar beach holiday.
Arrival Day: Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) to Moshi.
Elevation: 1,000m to 1,200m.
Distance: 36 km
Driving Time: 45Min
Habitat:
Town
Tro-Peaks Adventures staff will meet you at JRO (Kilimanjaro International Airport) and transfer you to your hotel in Moshi. This day
there will be a pre-climb briefing with your guide where all quesitons will be answered. There will be an equipment check to make sure that you have all
the neccessary gear for your trek. If you are lacking any items,they can be rented locally this day. If your arrival is late in the day, the briefing
and equipment check can be done early the next morning. No meals are included this day.
Day 1: From Hotel /Machame Gate /Machame Campsite.
Elevation: 1200m to 1700m to 3000m.
Distance: 13 km.
Hiking time: 5-7 hours.
Habitat: Montane forest.
After breakfast our vehicle will transport you from the hotel drive to Machame Gate. Here you will go through the registration procedures then you will start the trek through the rainforest to Machame Camp where you will find the tents are already setup for you. Dinner and overnight at the campsite.
Day 2: Machame Hut Campsite to Shira Campsite
Elevation: 3000m to 3800m
Distance: 9km
Hiking time: 6-7 hours
Habitat: Moorland.
After breakfast leave the glades of rainforest and continue ascending by crossing little valleys and steep rocky ridge covering with heather plants to the western side of the mountain where the camp is situated. At this camp you will able get the spectacular view of Mount Meru, Shira Plateau, Kibo Peak and enjoy the sunset. Here is where you will have dinner and overnight.
Day 3: Shira Campsite to Barranco Campsite
Elevation: 3800m to 3950m.
Distance: 13km
Hiking time: 5-7 hours
Habitat: Moorland.
This is long and important acclimatization day so you will be having an early breakfast then continue trekking east to a junction leading to Lava Tower Rock 4600m for acclimatization. Afterwards you will continue down to Barranco Camp. The camp location is in the bottom valley of Barranco Wall where you will stop for dinner and overnight.
Day 4: Barranco Campsite to Barafu Campsite
Elevation: 3950m to 3900m
Distance: 6 km
Hiking time: 4-5 hours.
Habitat: Moorland
Today is long day walk. In the morning you will start climbing Barranco Wall and reach 4200m for acclimatization and continue crossing ridges and valleys to Karanga Campsite for hot lunch. After lunch you will proceed to Barafu Campsite for dinner and overnight before the midnight ascent to the summit..
Day 5: Barafu Camp/ Uhuru Peak/ Mweka Camp Elevation: 4620m to 5895m to 3100m
Distance: 15km
Hiking time: 10 – 12 hours
Habitat: Desert and ice.
Wake at midnight to a light breakfast and then prepare for your summit ascent. The goal is to climb before dawn so that you can reach Uhuru Peak shortly before or after sunrise. The trails is a series of switchbacks up steep scree or possibly snow, and reach Stella Point on the crater rim at 5,861 m/18,640 ft between 4 and 5 AM. At this point you will be having the views of the fabled crater and its glaciers facing you. Then after 1 hour of hiking along the Kibo Crater Rim near the celebrated snows takes you to Kilimanjaro true summit, Uhuru Peak. Here you will spend some minutes for taking photos and enjoying your victory. After your summit activities done, you will descend back to the Barafu Campsite, for lunch, rest, collect your equipment, and continue down through moorland and heath zone to Mweka Campsite. Dinner and overnight at Mweka campsite.
Day 6: Mweka Campsite to Mweka Gate.
Elevation: 3100m to 1700m
Distance: 9km
Descending time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: Montane forest.
Today is your last day on the mountain. After breakfast you will descend down to Mweka Gate walking across a montane forest. This descent will take 3-4 hours. Here at the gate you will sign out and get ready to board the vehicle ready for the transfer back to the hotel for your certificate presentation and a well deserved celebration.
Departure Day: Moshi to Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO)
Elevation: 1,200m to 1,000m.
Distance: 36 km
Driving Time: 45Min
Habitat: Town
Tro-Peaks Adventures staff will meet and pick you up from Moshi and transfer you back to JRO (Kilimanjaro International Airport) or you can arrange a safari or a Zanzibar beach holiday through Tro-Peaks Adventures.
This route approaches Mount Kilimanjaro starting from the west. The trek follows the Lemosho Trail in the beginning, approaching Mt. Kilimanjaro where it offers a chance to visit Shira Plateau (Cathedral Peak) and Shira Caldera. However, instead of following the southern traverse like all the other west approaching routes, the Northern Circuit traverses the mountain around the quiet, rarely visited northern slopes. The Northern Circuit is the longest route in terms of time and distance as it can be trekked for 8 days or 9 days and it provides a high success rate, incredible varied scenery, and a very low number of visitors. The Northern Circuit Route is certainly one of the best routes on Kilimanjaro.
Arrival Day: Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) to Moshi.
Elevation: 1,000m to 1,200m.
Distance: 36 km
Driving Time: 45Min
Habitat:
Town
Tro-Peaks Adventures staff will meet you at JRO (Kilimanjaro International Airport) and transfer you to your hotel in Moshi. This day
there will be a pre-climb briefing with your guide where all quesitons will be answered. There will be an equipment check to make sure that you have all
the neccessary gear for your trek. If you are lacking any items,they can be rented locally this day. If your arrival is late in the day, the briefing
and equipment check can be done early the next morning. No meals are included this day.
Day 1: Moshi to Londorosi Gate to Big Tree Campsite.
Elevation: 1,200 m to 1,950 m to 2,850 m
Distance: 9 km
Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: Montane Forest
We will pick you up from your hotel your hotel and transport you to Londorosi Gate for registration. After this formality, you board the vehicle and drive again to Lemosho Glade. From this point you will start the trek across undisturbed montane forest decorated with black and white colobus monkeys to the camp where dinner and overnight will take place.
Day 2: Big Tree Campsite to Shira One Campsite
Elevation(m): 2850m to 3500m
Distance: 13km
Hiking time: 8 hours
Habitat: Moorland and heather
This is an acclimatization trek because you will gain over 650m by starting walking across a beautiful valley outside Shira’s caldera rim (3600m). After few hours you will reach into Shira Caldera. A high altitude desert, Shira is one of the three peaks which erupted in Kilimanjaro ecosystem. The peak later collapsed and formed a crater which eventually became filled with the lava flow from Kibo Peak. Its rim is eroded and blasted away by weather and volcanic action. Camp and overnight at 3500m elevation at the Shira One Campsite.
Day 3: Shira Two Campsite to Moir Hut Campsite
Elevation: 3500m to 4155m
Distance: 11km
Hiking time: 7 hours
Habitat: Moorland
It is a really good day whereby you will 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 hikers may continue to the ruined camp at Arrow Glacier (4,871 meters). Continue hiking from Lava Tower to Moir Hut.
Day 4: Moir Hut Campsite to Buffalo Campsite
Elevation: 4155m to 4145m
Distance: 6 km
Hiking time: 4 hours.
Habitat: Moorland
Today you will 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.
Day 5: Buffalo Campsite to Third Cave Campsite
Elevation: 4145m to 3936m. Elevation loss 209m
Distance: 8 km.
Hiking time: 5 hours.
Habitat: Alpine Desert.
Today you will climb to the top of Buffalo Ridge before continuing on through the barren landscape to Third Cave Camp. Cross many gullies during this day you will actually 209m of altitude today.
Day 6: Third Cave Campsite to School Hut Campsite
Elevation: 3936m to 4717m.
Distance: 8 km.
Hiking time: 5 hours.
Habitat: Alpine Desert.
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.
Day 7: School Hut Camp/ Uhuru Peak/ Mweka Camp
Elevation: 4717m to 5895m to 3100m
Distance: 15km
Hiking time: 10 – 12 hours
Habitat: Desert and ice.
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
Day 8: Mweka Campsite to Mweka Gate.
Elevation: 3100m to 1700m
Distance: 9km
Descending time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: Montane forest.
Today is your last day on the mountain. After breakfast you will descend down to Mweka park gate walking across Montane forest. This descent will take 3-4 hours. Here at the gate you will sign out and get ready to board the vehicle ready for the transfer back to the hotel for your certificate presentation and a well deserved celebration.
Departure Day: Moshi to Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO)
Elevation: 1,200m to 1,000m.
Distance: 36 km
Driving Time: 45Min
Habitat: Town
Tro-Peaks Adventures staff will meet and pick you up from Moshi and transfer you back to JRO (Kilimanjaro International Airport) or we can arrange
to take you on a safari or you can travel to Zanzibar for a beach holiday.
Arrival Day: Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) to Moshi.
Elevation: 1,000m to 1,200m.
Distance: 36 km
Driving Time: 45Min
Habitat:
Town
Tro-Peaks Adventures staff will meet you at JRO (Kilimanjaro International Airport) and transfer you to your hotel in Moshi. This day
there will be a pre-climb briefing with your guide where all quesitons will be answered. There will be an equipment check to make sure that you have all
the neccessary gear for your trek. If you are lacking any items,they can be rented locally this day. If your arrival is late in the day, the briefing
and equipment check can be done early the next morning. No meals are included this day.
Arrival Day: Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) to Moshi.
Elevation:
1,000m to 1,200m.
Distance: 36 km
Driving Time: 45Min
Habitat: Town
Tro-Peaks Adventures staff will pick you up from JRO (Kilimanjaro International Airport) and transfer you to your hotel in Moshi for overnight B/B.
Day 1: Moshi to Londorosi Gate to Big Tree Campsite.
Elevation: 1,200 m to 1,950 m to 2,850 m
Distance: 9 km
Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: Montane Forest
We will pick you up from your hotel your hotel and transport you to Londorosi Gate for registration. After this formality, you board the vehicle and drive again to Lemosho Glade. From this point you will start the trek across undisturbed montane forest decorated with black and white colobus monkeys to the camp where dinner and overnight will take place.
Day 2: Big Tree Campsite to Shira One Campsite
Elevation(m): 2850m to 3500m
Distance: 13km
Hiking time: 8 hours
Habitat: Moorland and heather
This is an acclimatization trek because you will gain over 650m by starting walking across a beautiful valley outside Shira’s caldera rim (3600m). After few hours you will reach into Shira Caldera. A high altitude desert, Shira is one of the three peaks which erupted in Kilimanjaro ecosystem. The peak later collapsed and formed a crater which eventually became filled with the lava flow from Kibo Peak. Its rim is eroded and blasted away by weather and volcanic action. Camp and overnight at 3500m elevation at the Shira One Campsite.
Day 3: Shira Two Campsite to Moir Hut Campsite
Elevation: 3500m to 4155m
Distance: 11km
Hiking time: 7 hours
Habitat: Moorland
It is a really good day whereby you will 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 hikers may continue to the ruined camp at Arrow Glacier (4,871 meters). Continue hiking from Lava Tower to Moir Hut.
Day 4: Moir Hut Campsite to Buffalo Campsite
Elevation: 4155m to 4145m
Distance: 6 km
Hiking time: 4 hours.
Habitat: Moorland
Today you will 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.
Day 5: Buffalo Campsite to Third Cave Campsite
Elevation: 4145m to 3936m. Elevation loss 209m
Distance: 8 km.
Hiking time: 5 hours.
Habitat: Alpine Desert.
Today you will climb to the top of Buffalo Ridge before continuing on through the barren landscape to Third Cave Camp. Cross many gullies during this day you will actually 209m of altitude today.
Day 6: Third Cave Campsite to School Hut Campsite
Elevation: 3936m to 4717m.
Distance: 8 km.
Hiking time: 5 hours.
Habitat: Alpine Desert.
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.
Day 7: School Hut Camp/ Uhuru Peak/ Mweka Camp
Elevation: 4717m to 5895m to 3100m
Distance: 15km
Hiking time: 10 – 12 hours
Habitat: Desert and ice.
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
Day 8: Mweka Campsite to Mweka Gate.
Elevation: 3100m to 1700m
Distance: 9km
Descending time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: Montane forest.
Today is your last day on the mountain. After breakfast you will descend down to Mweka park gate walking across Montane forest. This descent will take 3-4 hours. Here at the gate you will sign out and get ready to board the vehicle ready for the transfer back to the hotel for your certificate presentation and a well deserved celebration.
Departure Day: Moshi to Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO)
Elevation: 1,200m to 1,000m.
Distance: 36 km
Driving Time: 45Min
Habitat: Town
Tro-Peaks Adventures staff will meet and pick you up from Moshi and transfer you back to JRO (Kilimanjaro International Airport) or we can arrange to take you on a safari or you can travel to Zanzibar for a beach holiday.
This is one of Kilimanjaro’s easiest routes, and its popularity has been increasing in recent years. This route is located on the northern side of Mount Kilimanjaro with a variety of spectacular landscapes together with different plants and animals species. A six day itinerary for this route is also commonly used but adding an extra day makes reaching the summit more obtainable yet.
The Rongai Route is more scenic than the Marangu Route and easier than other camping routes in climbing Kilimanjaro and the success rate on the Rongai Route is very high. Unlike the Marangu Route where you sleep in huts, on the Rongai Route you sleep in tents, the porter will have your tent pitched and waiting for you at the end of each days trek. On the descent, there are shared camps with Marangu Route at Kibo Huts and Horombo Huts, but the huts are not used for those using Rongai Route. This route starts on the north side of the mountain just south of the Kenyan border and is one of the least traveled routes. The route merges with the Marangu Route for the summit climb. The descend follows the Marangu Route on the mountain’s southeast side, so you will able see Kilimanjaro from many view points. The north side of the mountain receives less precipitation so it is a good choice during the wetter months of March - May, and November.
Arrival Day: Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) to Moshi.
Elevation: 1,000m to 1,200m.
Distance: 36 km
Driving Time: 45Min
Habitat:
Town
Tro-Peaks Adventures staff will meet you at JRO (Kilimanjaro International Airport) and transfer you to your hotel in Moshi. This day
there will be a pre-climb briefing with your guide where all quesitons will be answered. There will be an equipment check to make sure that you have all
the neccessary gear for your trek. If you are lacking any items,they can be rented locally this day. If your arrival is late in the day, the briefing
and equipment check can be done early the next morning. No meals are included this day.
Day 1: Moshi to Rongai Gate to Simba Camp
Elevation(m): 1,387/915 m to 1,950 m to 2,750 m
Distance: 9 km
Hiking Time: 4 hours
Habitat: Montane Forest
You will have an early breakfast. Transfer by our vehicles through many villages and coffee and plantations for 2-3 hour drive to Rongai Gate (1,950 m/6,398 ft). After signing in and preparing the porters, you will start hiking on a wide path winding through fields of maize and potatoes, and then enter into montane forest. You will then start to climb gently but consistently through attractive forest that shelters a variety of wildlife. The forest begins to thin as you arrive at Simba Camp (2,600 m/8,530ft) with fantastic views over the Kenyan plains.
Day 2: Simba Camp to Kikelewa Camp
Elevation: 2,750 m to 3,600 m
Distance: 17 km
Hiking Time: 7 hours
Habitat: Moorland
After an early breakfast you will have a steady ascent to the second cave where you will stop for lunch. You leave the direct trail at this point and strike out across the moorland on a smaller path toward Mawenzi Peak to Kikelewa Camp in a sheltered valley. At the Kikelewa Camp you will settle for your dinner and overnight rest.
Day 3: Kikelewa Camp to Mawenzi Tarn Hut Camp
Elevation: 3,600m to 4,330m
Distance: 7km
Hiking Time: 4 hours
Habitat: Semi-Desert
After breakfast you will face a short, steep climb up grassy slopes; rewarded by superb all-round views, immersed in the vast surrounding wilderness. Soon after, you leave the vegetation behind and arrive at the Mawenzi Tarn Camp, which is situated in a spectacular cirque directly beneath the towering spires of Mawenzi Peak. After this hike, you will reach to the Mawenzi Tarn Hut Camp where you will also see the amazing lake (tarn) with no inlet as well as no outlet. Here you will have lunch, rest, then dinner and overnight at this camp.
Day 4: Acclimatization day
This is your extra day on the mountain, and you will spend an extra night at Mawenzi Tarn. You will hike up towards Mawenzi for a splendid acclimatization hike. Then after return back to the camp for lunch the dinner and overnight.
Day 5: Mawenzi Tarn Hut Camp to Kibo Huts Camp
Elevation: 4,330 m to 4,695 m
Distance: 8km
Hiking Time: 5 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert
After an early breakfast you will cross the lunar desert of the saddle between Kibo Peak and Mawenzi Peak to Kibo Huts Camp at the bottom of Kibo’s crater wall. You will spend the remainder of the day resting and preparing for your summit climb.
Day 6: Summit Day! Kibo Huts Camp to Uhuru Peak to Horombo Huts Camp
Elevation: 4,695 m to 5,895 m to 3,690 m
Distance: 4 km up, 14 km down
Hiking Time: 10-15 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert.
Wake at midnight to a light breakfast and then prepare for your summit ascent. The goal is to climb before dawn so that you can reach Uhuru Peak shortly before or after sunrise. Leave to the peak at 12; 00AM, switchback up steep scree or possibly snow, and reach Gilman’s Point on the crater rim at 5,861 m/18,640 ft between 4 and 6 AM. At this point, you will have views of the fabled crater and its icecaps facing you. Then after 2 hours of hiking along the Kibo Crater Rim near the celebrated snows takes you to Kilimanjaro’s true summit, Uhuru Peak here you will spend some minites for taking photos and denjoying the achievement. After your summit activities done, descend back to the Kibo Huts Camp, have lunch, rest, collect your equipment, and continue on down, re-crossing the saddle to the Horombo Huts. Have dinner and overnight at Horombo Camp.
Day 7: Horombo Huts Camp to Marangu Gate to Moshi
Elevation: 3,690 m to 1,830 m to 1,387 m
Distance: 18 km
Hiking Time: 5-7 hours
After a long and enjoyable sleep you will be awaked for breakfast and pack up, start descend through the moorland to Mandara Huts. Here you will have lunch then precede with your triumphant recessional down through lush forest to Marangu Gate. Here you will sign out then after a vehicle will take you to back to the hotel where it is definitely time for certificate presentation and celebration!
Departure Day: Moshi to Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO)
Elevation: 1,200m to 1,000m.
Distance: 36 km
Driving Time: 45Min
Habitat: Town
Tro-Peaks Adventures staff will meet and pick you up from Moshi and transfer you back to JRO (Kilimanjaro International Airport) or you can arrange through Tro-Peaks Adventure for a safari or Zanzibar beach holiday.
Arrival Day: Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) to Moshi.
Elevation: 1,000m to 1,200m.
Distance: 36 km
Driving Time: 45Min
Habitat:
Town
Tro-Peaks Adventures staff will meet you at JRO (Kilimanjaro International Airport) and transfer you to your hotel in Moshi. This day
there will be a pre-climb briefing with your guide where all quesitons will be answered. There will be an equipment check to make sure that you have all
the neccessary gear for your trek. If you are lacking any items,they can be rented locally this day. If your arrival is late in the day, the briefing
and equipment check can be done early the next morning. No meals are included this day.
Day 1: Moshi to Rongai Gate to Simba Camp
Elevation(m): 1,387/915 m to 1,950 m to 2,750 m
Distance: 9 km
Hiking Time: 4 hours
Habitat: Montane Forest
You will have an early breakfast. Transfer by our vehicles through many villages and coffee and plantations for 2-3 hour drive to Rongai Gate (1,950 m/6,398 ft). After signing in and preparing the porters, you will start hiking on a wide path winding through fields of maize and potatoes, and then enter into montane forest. You will then start to climb gently but consistently through an attractive forest that shelters a variety of wildlife. The forest begins to thin as you arrive at Simba Camp (2,600 m/8,530ft) with fantastic views over the Kenyan plains.
Day 2: Simba Camp to Second cave Camp
Elevation: 2,750 m to 3,200 m
Distance: 7 km
Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: Moorland
After an early breakfast you will have a steady ascent to the second cave where you will stop for lunch. Then after lunch you will have a little rest before acclimatization session whereby you will be walking higher then descend back to the same camp for dinner and overnight.
Day 3: Second Cave Camp to Third Cave Camp
Elevation: 3,200m to 3,900m
Distance: 6km
Hiking Time: 3 hours
Habitat: Semi-Desert
Today after your breakfast you will start your walk to Third Cave Camp where you will have your hot lunch then short rest followed with acclimatization session then after you will be brought back to the same camp for dinner and overnight.
Day 4: Third Cave Camp to Kibo Huts Camp
Elevation: 3,900 m to 4,695 m
Distance: 7km
Hiking Time: 5 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert
After an early breakfast, you will cross the lunar desert of the saddle between Kibo and Mawenzi peaks to Kibo Huts at the bottom of Kibo’s crater wall. You should spend the remainder of the day resting and preparing for your summit climb.
Day 5: Summit Day! Kibo Huts Camp to Uhuru Peak to Horombo Huts Camp
Elevation: 4,695 m to 5,895 m to 3,690 m
Distance: 4 km up, 14 km down
Hiking Time: 10-15 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert.
Wake at midnight to a light breakfast and then prepare for your summit ascent. The goal is to climb before dawn so that you can reach Uhuru Peak shortly before or after sunrise. Leave to the peak at 12; 00AM, switchback up steep scree or possibly snow, and reach Gilman’s Point on the crater rim at 5,861 m/18,640 ft between 4 and 6 AM. At this point, you will have views of the fabled crater and its icecaps facing you. Then after 2 hours of hiking along the Kibo Crater Rim near the celebrated snows takes you to Kilimanjaro’s true summit, Uhuru Peak here you will spend some minutes taking photos and treasuring the moment. After your summit activities done, descend back to the Kibo Huts, have lunch, rest, collect your equipment, and continue on down, re-crossing the saddle to the Horombo Huts Camp. Have dinner and overnight at Horombo Camp.
Day 6: Horombo Huts Camp to Marangu Gate to Moshi
Elevation: 3,690 m to 1,830 m to 1,387 m
Distance: 18 km
Hiking Time: 5-7 hours
After a long and enjoyable sleep, you will be awaked for breakfast and pack up, start descend through the moorland to Mandara Huts. Here you will have lunch then preceed with your triumphant recessional down through lush forest to Marangu park gate. Here you will sign out then after a vehicle will take you to back to the hotel where it is definitely time for certificate presentation and celebration!
Departure Day: Moshi to Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO)
Elevation: 1,200m to 1,000m.
Distance: 36 km
Driving Time: 45Min
Habitat: Town
Tro-Peaks Adventures staff will meet and pick you up from Moshi and transfer you back to JRO (Kilimanjaro International Airport) or through Tro-Peaks Adventures a safari or Zanzibar beach holiday can be arranged.
Also known as “Coca-Cola” Route, Marangu approaches Kilimanjaro from the southeast of the mountain. It is the oldest established route. Many favor the Marangu Route because it is a short route and has the comfort of sleeping in huts overnight. The minimum days required for this route is five, although the probability of successfully reaching the top in that time is a bit low. Spending an extra acclimatization day on the mountain is highly recommended, increasing the chance of reaching to the summit. Marangu is the only route where overnights are in dormitory style accommodations with solar panel lighting. Camping is not an option for this route. This route is not as scenic as the others though and it is the only route where the descending path is the same as the ascending path, making some of the camps more crowded from people going both directions.
Arrival Day: Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) to Moshi.
Elevation: 1,000m to 1,200m.
Distance: 36 km
Driving Time: 45Min
Habitat:
Town
Tro-Peaks Adventures staff will meet you at JRO (Kilimanjaro International Airport) and transfer you to your hotel in Moshi. This day
there will be a pre-climb briefing with your guide where all quesitons will be answered. There will be an equipment check to make sure that you have all
the neccessary gear for your trek. If you are lacking any items,they can be rented locally this day. If your arrival is late in the day, the briefing
and equipment check can be done early the next morning. No meals are included this day.
Day 1:Moshi to Marangu Gate to Mandara Hut
Elevation: 1200 m to 1,750 m to 2,750 m
Distance: 9 km
Trekking Time: 3 hours
Habitat: Montane Forest
You will be transferred to Marangu Gate from your hotel after breakfast and go through registration at the gate. Afterwards, you will begins trekking through the rainforest to Mandara Hut. Here you will have an acclimatization opportunity of visiting Maundi Crater. Dinner and overnight at Mandara Hut.
Day 2: Mandara Hut to Horombo Hut.
Elevation: 2750 m to 3,807 m
Distance:13km.
Trekking time: 5-6 hours
Habitat: Moorlands
After breakfast you will out climb the rainforest and continue trekking to Horombo Hut where you will trek through rolling moorlands and get your first clear view of the towering Kilimanjaro peak.
Day 3: Horombo Hut
We spend an extra day at Horombo for acclimation purposes. This day you will hike to Mawenzi Ridge or Zebra Rock to have your body adjust to higher altitudes. After this session you will return back to Horombo Hut for lunch, resting until dinner and overnight.
Day 4: Horombo Hut to Kibo Hut
Elevation(m):3807m to 4725m
Distance: 13 km
Trekking time: 5-6 hours
Habitat: Desert
After a good night rest and breakfast you will trek past the last water point to reach Kibo Saddle, a great desert between the two peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo. An early dinner and overnight at Kibo Hut.
Day 5: Summit Day Kibo Hut to Uhuru Peak to Horombo Hut
Elevation: 4,695 m to 5,895 m to 3,690 m
Distance: 4 km up, 14 km down
Hiking Time: 10-15 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert.
Wake at midnight to a light breakfast then prepare for your summit ascent. Because you will climb to the summit in the dark you will need to have your headlamps / flashlights. It will also be very cold until you start descending, so you will need to have all of your warm layers. This is an important time to keep on slowly slowly (pole pole in Swahili). The goal is to climb before dawn so that you can reach Uhuru Peak shortly before or after sunrise. Switchback up steep scree or possibly snow, and reach Gilman’s Point on the crater rim at 5,861 m/18,640 ft between 4 and 6 AM. At this point, you will have a views of the fabled crater and its icecaps facing you. Then after 2 hours of hiking along the Kibo Crater Rim near the celebrated snows takes you to Kilimanjaro’s true summit, Uhuru Peak. Here you will spend some moments for taking photos and letting the victory sink into your mind. After your summit photos and taking in the view, descend back to the Kibo Huts, have lunch, rest, collect your equipment and continue down through re-cross the saddle to the Horombo Huts. Have dinner and overnight at Horombo Huts.
Day 6: Horombo Huts to Marangu Gate to Moshi
Elevation): 3,690 m to 1,830 m to 1,387 m
Distance: 18 km
Hiking Time: 5-7 hours
After a long sleep you will be awaked for breakfast and pack, continue your descent through the moorland to Mandara Huts. Here you will have lunch then proceed your triumphant recessional down through lush forest to Marangu Gate. After the gate sign out, a vehicle will take you to back to the hotel where it is definitely time for your certificate presentation and celebration!
Departure Day: Moshi to Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO)
Elevation: 1,200m to 1,000m.
Distance: 36 km
Driving Time: 45Min
Habitat: Town
Tro-Peaks Adventures staff
will meet and pick you up from Moshi and transfer you back to JRO (Kilimanjaro International Airport) or or you can make arrangements though
Tro-Peaks Adventures for a safari or Zanzibar beach holiday.
Arrival Day: Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) to Moshi.
Elevation: 1,000m to 1,200m.
Distance: 36 km
Driving Time: 45Min
Habitat:
Town
Tro-Peaks Adventures staff will meet you at JRO (Kilimanjaro International Airport) and transfer you to your hotel in Moshi. This day
there will be a pre-climb briefing with your guide where all quesitons will be answered. There will be an equipment check to make sure that you have all
the neccessary gear for your trek. If you are lacking any items,they can be rented locally this day. If your arrival is late in the day, the briefing
and equipment check can be done early the next morning. No meals are included this day.
Day 1:Moshi to Marangu Gate to Mandara Hut
Elevation: 1200 m to 1,750 m to 2,750 m
Distance: 9 km
Trekking Time: 3 hours
Habitat: Montane Forest
You will be transferred to Marangu Gate from the hotel and do a registration at the gate. Afterwards, you will begins trekking through the rainforest to Mandara Hut. Here you will have an acclimatization opportunity of visiting Maundi Crater. Dinner and overnight at Mandara Hut.
Day 2: Mandara Hut to Horombo Hut.
Elevation: 2750 m to 3,807 m
Distance:13km.
Trekking time: 5-6 hours
Habitat: Moorlands
After breakfast you will out climb the rainforest and continue trekking to Horombo Hut where you will trek through rolling moorlands and get your first clear view of towering Kilimanjaro. In the evening then you will have an acclimatization session to Zebra Rock. Then back to the hut for dinner and overnight.
Day 3: Horombo Hut to Kibo Hut
Elevation(m):3807m to 4725m
Distance: 13 km
Trekking time: 5-6 hours
Habitat: Desert
After a good night rest and breakfast you will trek past the last water point to reach Kibo Saddle – a great desert between the two peaks Mawenzi and Kibo. An early dinner and overnight at Kibo Hut.
Day 4: Summit Day – Kibo Hut to Uhuru Peak to Horombo Hut
Elevation: 4,695 m to 5,895 m to 3,690 m
Distance: 4 km up, 14 km down
Hiking Time: 10-15 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert.
Wake at midnight to a light breakfast then prepare for your summit ascent. Because you will climb to the summit in the dark you will need to have your headlamps / flashlights. It will also be very cold until you start descending, so you will need to have all of your warm layers. This is an important time to keep on slowly slowly (pole pole in Swahili). The goal is to climb before dawn so that you can reach Uhuru Peak shortly before or after sunrise. Switchback up steep scree or possibly snow, and reach Gilman’s Point on the crater rim at 5,861 m/18,640 ft between 4 and 6 AM. At this point, you will have a views of the fabled crater and its icecaps facing you. Then after 2 hours of hiking along the Kibo crater rim near the celebrated snows takes you to Kilimanjaro’s true summit, Uhuru Peak here you will have a few minutes for taking photos and taking in the view. After your summit photos and taking in the view, descend back to the Kibo Huts, have lunch, rest, collect your equipment and continue down through re-cross the saddle to the Horombo Huts. Have dinner and overnight at Horombo Camp.
Day 5: Horombo Huts to Marangu Gate to Moshi
Elevation): 3,690 m to 1,830 m to 1,387 m
Distance: 18 km
Hiking Time: 5-7 hours
After a long sleep you will be awaked for breakfast and pack, continue your descent through the moorland to Mandara Huts. Here you will have lunch then proceed your triumphant recessional down through lush forest to Marangu Gate. After the gate sign out, a vehicle will take you to back to the hotel where it is definitely time for your certificate presentation and celebration!
Departure Day: Moshi to Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO)
Elevation: 1,200m to 1,000m.
Distance: 36 km
Driving Time: 45Min
Habitat: Town
Tro-Peaks Adventures staff will meet and pick you up from Moshi and transfer you back to JRO (Kilimanjaro International Airport), one of our safaris, or a Zanzibar holiday.
Umbwe is a short route, providing challenges as it is very difficult to climb due to its steepness. Due to the fast ascension, this route does not provide the enough time for altitude acclimatization for most people, so proceeding slowly is vital. This route is not busy at all until it merges with the Machame, Lemosho, and Shira routes. There is an option for a 6 days or 7 days itinerary. Since this route is chosen almost exclusively by seasoned mountaineers who are looking for the biggest possible challenge, the 6 days itinerary is the most common choice so it is the only itinerary listed here, but if you are interested in an Umbwe 7 Days itinerary, we can arrange this upon request.
Arrival Day: Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) to Moshi.
Elevation: 1,000m to 1,200m.
Distance: 36 km
Driving Time: 45Min
Habitat:
Town
Tro-Peaks Adventures staff will meet you at JRO (Kilimanjaro International Airport) and transfer you to your hotel in Moshi. This day
there will be a pre-climb briefing with your guide where all quesitons will be answered. There will be an equipment check to make sure that you have all
the neccessary gear for your trek. If you are lacking any items,they can be rented locally this day. If your arrival is late in the day, the briefing
and equipment check can be done early the next morning. No meals are included this day.
Day 1: From hotel to Umbwe Cave Campsite.
Elevation: 1200m to 1700m to 2850m.
Distance: 10 km.
Hiking time: 4-5 hours.
Habitat: Montane forest.
After breakfast, we pick you up with our vehicle from the hotel, drive to Umbwe Gate. Here after completing the gate registration procedures, the trek starts through the rainforest to Umbwe Cave Campsite where you will find all tents already setup then stop for dinner and overnight. Today you will walk across ridges and valleys into a really thick forest.
Day 2: Umbwe Cave Campsite to Barranco Campsite.
Elevation: 2850m to 3950m
Distance: 9 km
Hiking time: 4-5 hours
Habitat: Montane forest and heather
This day after breakfast you will trek through the remaining forest to the moorland and heath zone and you will be enjoying some wonderful views of Barranco valleys and ice cap on top of the mountain. Then you will arrive to Barranco Camp for dinner and overnight.
Day 3: Barranco Campsite to Karanga Campsite
Elevation: 3950m to 3900m
Distance: 6 km
Hiking time: 4-5 hours
Habitat: Moorland
Today you will be having a short day walk and in the late morning you will start climbing Barranco Wall and reach 4200m for acclimatization and continue crossing ridges and valleys to Karanga Campsite for hot lunch. After lunch you will have a short rest and get another acclimatization of trekking up the screed slopes towards the Southern Ice Field then you will return to the camp for dinner and overnight.
Day 4: Karanga Campsite to Barafu Campsite
Elevation: 3900m to 4620m
Distance: 5 km.
Hiking time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert
Today trek up to the Barafu Ridge Campsite is tough because of altitude. This part of the route is steep and because of the increasing altitude the pace will be very slow to avoid fatigue as well as high altitude sickness. You will walk across alpine desert with strong cold wind blowing from the Kibo glaciers. You will have lunch and early dinner of around 1700hrs then rest until midnight when you commence you push for the summit.
Day 5: Barafu Hut Campsite to Uhuru Peak to Mweka Hut Campsite
Elevation: 4620m to 5895m to 3100m
Distance: 15km
Hiking time; 10 – 12 hours
Habitat: Desert and ice
The day starts around midnight with a light breakfast, and then last preparations for your summit ascent. The goal is to climb before dawn so that you can reach Uhuru Peak shortly before or after sunrise. Leave to the peak at 12; 00am, switchback up steep scree or possibly snow, and reach Stella Point on the crater rim at 5,861m between 4 and 5am. At this point, you will have views of the fabled crater and its icecaps facing you and all spectacular all area surrounding you. Then after 1 hour of hiking along the Kibo’s crater rim near the celebrated snows takes you to Kilimanjaro’s true summit, Uhuru Peak. Here you will spend some minutes for photos and to cherish your accomplishment. After your summit activities are done, descend back to the Barafu Huts Campsite, have lunch, rest, collect your equipment, and continue your walk down through moorland and heath zone to Mweka Huts Campsite, then dinner and overnight at Mweka Hut Campsite.
Day 6: Mweka Hut Campsite to Mweka Gate
Elevation: 3100m to 1700m
Distance: 9km
Descendng time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: Montane forest
After breakfast, today is your last day on the mountain so you will descend down to Mweka Gate walking across montane forest this descent will take 3-4 hours. Then here at the gate you will do sign out and get ready to board the vehicle ready for the transfer back to the hotel in Moshi for certificate presentation and a well deserved celebration.
Departure Day: Moshi to Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO)
Elevation: 1,200m to 1,000m.
Distance: 36 km
Driving Time: 45Min
Habitat: Town
Tro-Peaks Adventures staff
will meet and pick you up from Moshi and transfer you back to JRO (Kilimanjaro International Airport) or you can arrange through us to take you
on safari or to go for a Zanzibar beach holiday.
This route approaches Kilimanjaro from the west and is nearly identical to the Lemosho Route. In fact, Shira was the original Lemosho Route in this western side of the mountain. While Lemosho starts at Londorossi Gate and treks through the rain forest to Shira 1 Camp, the Shira Route bypasses this segment by using a vehicle to transport climbers to Shira Gate, located near the Shira Ridge. On the first day on the mountain, climbers begin their hike from (3,400 m) and end at Shira One Campsite, (3,5OO m). The remainder of the route is follows the southern circuit route, traversing beneath the southern icefields before summitting from Barafu or Western Breach Route.
Arrival Day: Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) to Moshi.
Elevation: 1,000m to 1,200m.
Distance: 36 km
Driving Time: 45Min
Habitat:
Town
Tro-Peaks Adventures staff will meet you at JRO (Kilimanjaro International Airport) and transfer you to your hotel in Moshi. This day
there will be a pre-climb briefing with your guide where all quesitons will be answered. There will be an equipment check to make sure that you have all
the neccessary gear for your trek. If you are lacking any items,they can be rented locally this day. If your arrival is late in the day, the briefing
and equipment check can be done early the next morning. No meals are included this day.
Day 1: Moshi to Londorosi Gate to Shira One Campsite
Elevation:1200m to 1830m to 3500m
Distance: 18km
Hiking Time: 3 hours
Habitat: Montane forest to moorland and heath vegetation
Drive from Moshi to the trailhead to Londorosi Gate for registration. Following this you will board a vehicle again and drive further up to Moram Gate. You trek through the moorland and heather vegetation heading to the east crossing ridges and valley as well as a long flat distance to Shira One Campsite.
Day 2: Shira One Campsite to Shira Two Campsite
Elevation: 3500m to 3800m.
Distance: 7km
Hiking time: 5-6 hours.
Habitat: Moorland and rock.
This day you will trek to east across Shira Plateau visiting Cathedral Peak (3850m) for acclimatization. At this peak you will have great views of both Mt. Meru and Kibo Peak and other many spectacular special features then continue walk to Shira Two Camp where meal and overnight will take place.
Day 3: Shira Two Campsite to Barranco Campsite
Elevation: 3800m to 3950m
Distance: 13km
Hiking time: 7-8 hours
Habitat: Moorland
This is long but important acclimatization day. You will have an early breakfast then continue trekking east to a junction leading to Lava Tower Rock (4600m) for acclimatization after you will continue to Barranco Hut Camp for supper and overnight.
Day 4: Barranco Campsite to Karanga Campsite
Elevation: 3950m to 3900m
Distance: 6 km
Hiking time: 4-5 hours
Habitat: Moorland
Today is short day walk. In the morning you will start climbing Barranco Wall and reach 4200m for acclimatization and continue crossing ridges and valleys to Karanga Campsite for a hot lunch. After lunch you will have a bit of rest and get another acclimatization of trekking up the scree slopes towards the Southern Ice Field then after you will return to the camp for supper and overnight
Day 5: Karanga Campsite to Barafu Campsite
Elevation: 3900m to 4620m.
Distance: 8 km.
Hiking time: 3-4 hours.
Habitat: Alpine Desert.
Today trek up to the Barafu Ridge Campsite is tough because of altitude. Although the distance is short, the walk will take some time due to the steepness and the increasing altitude. You will walk across a alpine desert with strong and icy winds blowing from Kibo Peak. You will have an early dinner at 1700hrs then rest until midnight when we you commence your push for the summit.
Day 6: Barafu Hut Campsite to Uhuru Peak to Mweka Hut Campsite
Elevation: 4620m to 5895m to 3100m
Distance: 15km
Hiking time: 10 to 12 hours
Habitat: Desert and ice.
Wake at midnight to a light breakfast and then prepare for your summit ascent. The goal is to climb before dawn so that you can reach Uhuru Peak shortly before or after sunrise. Leave to the peak at 12; 00AM, switchback up steep scree or possibly snow, and reach Stella Point on the crater rim at 5,861 m/18,640 ft between 4 and 5 AM. At this point you will be having the views of the fabled crater and its icecaps facing you. Then after 1 hour of hiking along the Kibo’s crater rim near the celebrated snows takes you to Kilimanjaro true summit, Uhuru Peak where you will get a chance to stop for photos and taking in the reality of achieving your goal. After your summit activities done, you will descend back to the Barafu Huts campsite, for lunch, rest, collect your belongings, and continue down through moorland and heath zone to Mweka Huts Campsite. Dinner and overnight at Mweka Hut Campsite.
Day 7: Mweka Hut Campsite to Mweka Gate
Elevation: 3100m to 1700m
Distance: 9km
Descending time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: Montane forest.
After breakfast, today is your last day on the mountain so you will descend down to Mweka Gate walking across montane forest. This descent will take 3-4 hours. Then here at the gate you will sign out and get ready to board the vehicle ready for the transfer back to the hotel in Moshi for your certificate presentation.
Departure Day: Moshi to Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO)
Elevation: 1,200m to 1,000m.
Distance: 36 km
Driving Time: 45Min
Habitat: Town
Tro-Peaks Adventures staff
will meet and pick you up from Moshi and transfer you back to JRO (Kilimanjaro International Airport) or at your request we can arrange to take
you on a safari or travel to Zanzibar for a beach holiday.