Your flight departure will be from London.
On arrival at Kilimanjaro Airport we transfer approximately one hour to our comfortable hotel. After freshening up we have a welcome lunch and meet our team of local guides who will be leading the Kilimanjaro climb. In the afternoon there is the chance to relax before the welcome briefing, given by your AC Leader, UK Doctor and head local guide, and kit check. This evening we enjoy an evening meal together before an early night.
Meals: L, D
After a good breakfast we make the road transfer to the Machame Gate. On arrival we meet the rest of our Kilimanjaro team, including our guides, cooks and porters. We register for the trek and our bags are weighed to ensure each is within the 15 kg limit. Finally it is here – the moment we have all been waiting for! We begin our Kilimanjaro trek through lush vegetation of the humid rainforest, the ascent is steady along a path which can get somewhat overgrown in places and it is often wet and muddy underfoot. We have some short breaks en route, with a picnic lunch before reaching our camp in the afternoon which lies above the forest. There is some time to relax before dinner, after which, we settle for our first night under canvas.
Meals: B, L, D
This morning we begin our first full day trekking, where we will gain over 1000m in height. It’s a tough day, but it’s a great way to kick start the process of acclimatisation. Shortly after departing camp we will notice a change in our surroundings as we enter the Moorland zone, characterised with shrub like trees and unique flora. Today includes moderate to steep, and sustained, slopes up onto the Shira Plateau, ascending along a broad ridge with ever increasing spectacular views. A slow and steady ascent allows for our bodies to acclimatise to the higher altitude, so we allow plenty of time for breaks to ensure everyone remains well fed and hydrated. Upon reaching the Plateau it is just a short 2-30 minute walk to our second camp. The terrain and views on the Shira Plateau are again markedly different as we have now ascended into the High Alpine Desert zone. Today is a tough day, but our local Kilimanjaro crew will have camp ready, and fantastic food cooked for us for dinner.
Meals: B, L, D
Today is one of the most scenic days, and also prepares our bodies well for the Kilimanjaro summit push in 2 days time. We trek north east across beautiful barren moon like landscape and around craters that scar the earth. We trek in the shadow of mighty Kibo, with it’s southern ice field visible above us, until reaching the Lava Tower where we stop for some lunch, the highest point of the day at 4630m. This afternoon we descend through the surrounding ravines and into a scenic valley with a wonderful micro climate and flora unique to Kilimanjaro. We reach our camp late in the afternoon. This ascent, up to Lava Tower, and descent aids the acclimatisation process and allows our bodies to adjust to the ever changing altitude. Baranco Camp is one of the most scenic on Kilimanjaro. Cliffs and glaciers tower above us, while views down into the forested Umbwe Valleys lie below.
Meals: B, L, D
Our first challenge today is a climb and scramble over the volcanic rock of the towering Barranco Wall. This is a real highlight of the challenge, breathtaking views and a real sense of achievement! On reaching the top, we have a well-earned snack break and enjoy fantastic views over to Barafu and Mount Meru, this is a brilliant spot for a group photo. We then head onwards to Karanga Camp, first through undulating terrain and then across the steep-sided Karanga Valley. We’ll be arriving at Karanga camp in time for a large cooked lunch; we need as much fuel as possible to prepare for our Kilimanjaro summit push that starts at midnight (on this day!). The afternoon is all about getting up to our high camp feeling as good as possible for the summit climb. That means moving at a slow and steady pace, eating lots of snacks and staying hydrated. It is a steady climb out of Karanga Camp towards Barafu. We reach camp in the late afternoon and after a good meal, we put on some extra layers to keep warm and try to relax and get some sleep in preparation for our early morning Kilimanjaro summit bid.
Meals: B, L, D
And so to Kilimanjaro summit day - and our toughest challenge yet. We awake just before midnight and after a hot drink and snack we begin our climb. For the next 7 hours or so we trek the steepest and most demanding part of the route by torch light. This is a long and gruelling trek to reach Stella point (5730m) at the crater rim - often as the sun comes up. After a short rest we make our final traverse to Uhuru Peak - the top of Kilimanjaro - and the highest point on the African continent at 5895m. The rising morning sunlight gives us spectacular views across the plains below and of Mount Meru in the distance and we feel on top of the world! After some photos we have a tough decent back to Barafu camp where we stop for a rest and brunch before continuing on to Millennium camp at 3950M. After a long but exhilarating day we can finally rest our tired legs and get a good night’s sleep, perhaps one of the heaviest nights sleep you’ll ever have!
Meals: B, L, D
After an early breakfast we continue our descent back through the rainforest to Mweka Gate. The warm and oxygen rich air is most welcome! The descent is long, but trekkers develop a spring in their step as they know the finish line is finally within reach. Reaching the gate marks the end of our challenge time on the mountain. A final farewell to our local support team includes singing and dancing, and an emotional goodbye. A short transfer by bus takes us to our hotel. Here we can finally take off our walking boots and enjoy our first hot shower in almost a week! We have the afternoon to relax by the pool with a drink and this evening we enjoy a fantastic gala dinner to celebrate our remarkable achievements and for those who have the energy we can party in to the night!
Meals: B, L, D
We can enjoy a free morning either by the pool or exploring the local area before transferring to the airport for our overnight flight back to the UK.
Meals: B
Please note: this Kilimanjaro itinerary is complex and may be subject to change.
