Mt. Kilimanjaro Trek Routes

About Marangu Route

The Marangu route is also referred to as the “Coca-Cola” route, as it is considered to be the easiest path on the mountain given its gradual slope and direct path. It is the oldest and the most well-established route on the Kilimanjaro. This is the only route that offers sleeping huts in dormitory-style. Guests are supplied with mattresses and pillows, but sleeping bags are still required. The huts have communal dining halls, basic washrooms, and toilets.
The short time frame of the route makes altitude acclimatization fairly difficult. The route approaches Mount Kilimanjaro from the southeast. Marangu is, unfortunately, less scenic than the other routes because the ascent and descent are along the same path. It is also the most crowded route for that reason. We offer Marangu Route climbing for a five and six days climb. The difference being five days climb does not have an acclimatization day on day three at Horombo Hut.

Marangu 5 Days Itinerary

Day 1: Marangu Gate to Mandara Hut

After breakfast and briefing, drive to the Kilimanjaro National Park Gate (45 minutes), register and commence the climb. Walk through the rainforest to the Mandara encampment. A side trip to Maundi Crater is a good way to see the surroundings including Northern Tanzania and Kenya. In the rainforest, look for towering Eucalyptus trees, birdlife, and Colobus monkeys.

Meals: Lunch & Dinner
Altitude: 1,700 m to 2,740 m
Distance Covered: 7kms (4-5 hours)
Accommodation: Mandara Hut

Day 2: Mandara Hut to Horombo Hut

You leave the glades of the rainforest and follow an ascending path on the open moorlands to the Horombo encampment. Views of Mawenzi and the summit of Kibo are amazing. Look for giant lobelias and groundsels. You may begin to feel the effects of the altitude.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Altitude: 2,700 m to 3,700 m
Distance Covered: 11kms (6-8 hours)
Accommodation: Horombo Hut

Day 3: Horombo Hut to Kibo Hut

Ascending, we now pass the last watering point, walking onto the saddle of Kilimanjaro between the peaks of Kibo and Mawenzi. Vegetation begins with upper heathland but then disappears into “moonscape”. Dinner, rest and prepare for the summit climb.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Altitude: 3,700 m to 4,700 m
Distance Covered: 10kms (6-8 hours)

Day 4: Kibo Hut to Summit then Horombo Hut

Very early in the morning (midnight to 2:00 AM), commence the climb to the summit on steep and heavy scree or snow up to Gilman’s point located on the crater rim. Continuing, we now ascend to Uhuru Peak, which is the highest point in Africa. There are unbelievable views at every turn. Have your picture taken at the summit to show your friends and family. From here we descend, stopping for lunch and a rest at Kibo before continuing on to the Horombo encampment.
The beginning of this climb is done in the dark and requires headlamps or flashlights. It will be very cold until you start descending, so you will need all of your warm layers. This is by far the most difficult part of the trek with many switchbacks. Going slowly “pole pole” and an optimistic attitude will get you there!

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Altitude: 4,700 m to 5,895 m then 5,895 m to 3,700 m
Distance covered: 4kms up / 14kms down (10-15 hours)

Day 5: Horombo Hut to Moshi

After breakfast, a steady descent takes us down through moorland to the Mandara Hut. Continue descending through the lush forest path to the National Park gate at Marangu. At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy. Gaiters and trekking poles will help. Shorts and t-shirts will probably be plenty to wear (keep rain gear and warmer clothing handy).

A vehicle will meet you at the Marangu gate to drive you back to your hotel in Moshi or Arusha. Don’t forget to tip your guides and porters. It is time for a celebration!

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch
Altitude: 3,700 m to 1,700 m
Distance Covered: 18kms (5-7 hours)

Pricing

Route: 5-Day Maranga Route (including Tanzanian VAT)

Details: 5 days/4 nights hike + 2 nights hotel accommodation before and after + airport pickup and drop off

Sharing or joining a group (For solo or couple travelers): $1,550

Private Group:

1 climber – $1,620

2 -4 climber – $1,560

5 – 16 climber – $1,500

16 and above climber – $1,440

*All prices are per person per tour

Valid for 2020

Included:

General

  • Guide
  • Park fees
  • Tax
  • Gate transfer
  • Crew wages
  • Environment fees

Accommodation

During the climb you will be sleeping in the huts

Food

  • 4 breakfasts
  • 5 lunches
  • 4 dinners
  • Drinking water

Other

  • Guide
  • Cook
  • Porters

Not included:

  • Flights
  • Tipping the crew
  • Visas

About Marangu Route

The Marangu route is also referred to as the “Coca-Cola” route, as it is considered to be the easiest path on the mountain, given its gradual slope and direct path. It is the oldest and the most well-established route on the Kilimanjaro. This is the only route that offers sleeping huts in dormitory-style.
Guests are supplied with mattresses and pillows, but sleeping bags are still required. The huts have communal dining halls, basic washrooms and toilets The short time frame of the route makes altitude acclimatization fairly difficult. The route approaches Mount Kilimanjaro from the southeast. Marangu is, unfortunately, less scenic than the other routes because the ascent and descent are along the same path. It is also the most crowded route for that reason. We offer Marangu Route climbing for five and six days climb.

Marangu 6 Days Itinerary

Day 1: Marangu Gate to Mandara Hut

You will be picked up from the hotel and a drive to Marangu gate follow as you drive towards the gate you will be enjoying excellent views of the mountain, you will meet your team of guides and porters at the gate. Whilst in the forest you could see brightly colored birds, colobus monkeys and other species of monkey as well as mosses, lichens and flowers and delicate orchids. If the skies are clear you can see the town of Moshi lying at the edge of the plain further down. Once registrations finished you will start ascending leave the park buildings the walk is 4-5 hours through areas of coffee plantation and thick rainforest to Mandara Hut for Dinner and overnight.

Meals: Lunch & Dinner
Distance Covered: 7kms (4-5 hours)
Accommodation: Mandara Hut

Day 2: Mandara Hut to Horombo Hut

The second day on the mountain starts just after breakfast with a steep climb through the last swathe of the rainforest, though this soon gives way to rolling alpine meadow dotted with giant heather. Once you leave the forest sunshade, Kilimanjaro’s two peaks snow covered Kibo and rocky Mawenzi – lie straight ahead overlooking the skyline. Further on you cross a zone of open moorland with diminutive vegetation, today you gain roughly 1,000m altitude; the walk can take five to seven hours depending on your pace but always POLE POLE. Tonight for Dinner and overstay at Horombo Huts.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Distance Covered: 11kms (6-8 hours)
Accommodation: Horombo Hut

Day 3: Horombo Hut

A day here provides an opportunity for you to acclimatize step by step to the altitude, Information shows that an acclimatization day effectively doubles the chance of succession to reach the summit, thus the time is well spent! The day is not precisely wasted as there are several walks you can take just in the locality of the hut, but we will take the most famous walk of which most people take for acclimatization which leads you to the base of Mawenzi Peak the dramatic eastern summit of Kilimanjaro. The walk takes 4-5 hours a round trip and will go till to an altitude of 4,600Mts then you will return back to Horombo Hut for Dinner and Overnight this walk will put you in good shape later on.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Distance Covered: 5kms (4 hours)
Accommodation: Horombo Hut

Day 4: Horombo Hut to Kibo Hut

The scenery turns out to be more rocky and rough as you leave behind Kibo, everlasting flower and other bizarre alpine plants Massive groundsels and lobelias appear in the sparse moorland. The trail up to Kibo will take between five and seven hours. Skirting Mawenzi Peak ass you pass the Last Water point then you cross a stark, almost lunar landscape to the Saddle which is a wide tundra desert between the two peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo. Here you will start getting fantastic views of the upper ranges of the mountain before arriving at Kibo Hut (4,705m), a dry-stone-walled hut with dorms and limited facilities. Tonight you prepare for tomorrow’s final assault – THE SUMMIT – re-packing to leave any non-essential items with the porters; you need to summon all your energy to get to the summit so there’s absolutely no point in carrying anything you don’t need! An early night is imperative as you must make a midnight start in order to reach the summit in the morning before the cloud cover settles, and then have time to get back down to the hut. Overnight stay at Kibo Hut for 1 night (Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner)

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Distance Covered: 9.5km (7 hours)
Accommodation: Kibo Hut

Day 5: Uhuru Peak

This is a long and demanding day! The guides wake you soon after midnight and you start out in the darkness, zigzagging up a long scree slope by the light of your torch in the extreme cold. At this time of day, the scree is still frozen – which makes it easier to walk on! After roughly two hours you should reach Hans Meyer’s Cave – named after the German geologist who made the first successful ascent in 1889 – where he found the remains of a frozen leopard. The gradient gets steeper and three hours on (this is the hardest stretch of the climb! you should reach the crater rim at Johanne’s Notch. From here it’s a short scramble to Gillman’s Point (5,685m) in time for dawn. Your reward is the dramatic spectacle of the sun rising over the ice fields and craggy peaks of Mawenzi – the profusion of colors and shapes make all the suffering seem worthwhile! For those who still have the energy and drive, it takes another couple of hours along the crater rim to reach Uhuru (Freedom) Peak (5,896m). Your descent (approx. 3 hours) retraces the route back down past Kibo Hut to Horombo Hut for a well-deserved rest. Overnight stay at Horombo Hut for 1 night (Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner)

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Distance Covered: 22kms (12-15 hours)
Accommodation: Horombo Hut

Day 6: Back to Moshi

The pace quickens as you continue your triumphant way back down across alpine meadow and past Mandara Hut through the rainforest to Marangu Gate where you board the vehicle for the journey back to Moshi.

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
Distance Covered: 20.8kms (8 hours)

Pricing

Route: 6-Day Maranga Route (including Tanzanian VAT)

Details: 6 days/5 nights hike + 2 nights hotel accommodation before and after + airport pickup and drop off

Sharing or joining a group (For solo or couple travelers): $1,670

Private Group:

1 climber – $1,740

2 -4 climber – $1,680

5 – 16 climber – $1,620

16 and above climber – $1,560

*All prices are per person per tour

Valid for 2020

Included:

General

  • Guide
  • Park fees
  • Tax
  • Gate transfer
  • Crew wages
  • Environment fees

Accommodation

During the climb you will be sleeping in the huts

Food

  • 5 breakfasts
  • 6 lunches
  • 5 dinners
  • Drinking water

Other

  • Guide
  • Cook
  • Porters

Not included:

  • Flights
  • Tipping the crew
  • Visas

About Machame Route

The Machame route, also known as the “Whiskey” route, is the most popular route on Kilimanjaro. Machame’s draw is in its scenic beauty. However, the trail is considered difficult, steep and challenging, particularly due to its shorter itinerary. Therefore this route is better suited for more adventurous folks or those with some high altitude, hiking or backpacking experience.
The route approaches Mount Kilimanjaro from the south, beginning with a short drive from Moshi to Machame Gate. The path leads hikers through the rain forest to Shira Plateau. Here, many of Kilimanjaro’s routes converge. Then the route turns east and traverses underneath Kilimanjaro’s Southern Ice Field on a path known as the Southern Circuit before summiting from Barafu. The descent is made via the Mweka route.
Africa Natural Tours® offers Machame as a seven-day group climb or as a six-day private climb. The six-day variation combines days four and five, going from Barranco Camp to Barafu Camp without staying at Karanga.

Machame 6 Days Itinerary

Day 1: Machame Gate to Machame Camp

The drive from Moshi to the Mount Kilimanjaro National Park Gate takes about 50 minutes. The journey passes through the village of Machame which is located on the lower slopes of the mountain. We now leave the park gate and walk through the rain forest on a winding trail up a ridge. Lower down, the trail can be muddy and slippery. Gaiters and trekking poles are a good idea here. We continue a short distance until we reach the Machame Camp.

Meals: Lunch & Dinner
Distance Covered: 10.8kms (6 hours)
Accommodation: Machame Camp

Day 2: Machame Camp to Shira Camp

After breakfast, we leave the glades of the rain forest and continue on an ascending path, crossing the little valley walking along a steep rocky ridge, covered with heather until the ridge ends. The route now turns west onto a river gorge. Time for rest, dinner, and overnight at the Shira campsite

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Distance Covered: 5.4kms (4-6 hours)
Accommodation: Shira Camp

Day 3: Shira Camp to Lava Tower to Barranco Camp

From the Shira Plateau, we continue to the east up a ridge, passing the junction towards the peak of Kibo. As we continue, our direction changes to the South East towards the Lava Tower, called the “Shark’s Tooth.” Shortly after the tower, we come to the second junction which brings us up to the Arrow Glacier at an altitude of 16,000ft. We now continue down to the Barranco Camp at an altitude of 13,000ft. Here we rest, enjoy dinner, and overnight. Although you end the day at the same elevation as when you started, this day is very important for acclimatization and will help your body prepare for summit day.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Distance Covered: 10.8kms (8-10 hours)
Accommodation: Barranco Camp

Day 4: Barranco Camp to Barafu Camp

After breakfast, we leave Barranco and continue on a steep ridge passing the Barranco Wall, to the Karanga Valley campsite. Then, we leave Karanga and hit the junction which connects with the Mweka Trail. We continue up to the Barafu Hut. At this point, you have completed the South Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many different angles. Here we make camp, rest, enjoy dinner, and prepare for the summit day. The two peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo are to be seen from this position.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Distance Covered: 8.5km (8 hours)
Accommodation: Barafu Camp

Day 5: Barafu Camp to Summit to Mweka Camp

Very early in the morning (midnight to 2:00 AM), we continue our way to the summit between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers. You head in a northwesterly direction and ascend through heavy screed towards Stella Point on the crater rim. This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek.
At Stella Point (18,600 ft), you will stop for a short rest and will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see (weather permitting). From Stella Point, you may encounter snow all the way on your 1-hour ascent to the summit. At Uhuru Peak, you have reached the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa. Faster hikers will see the sunrise from the summit.
From the summit, we now make our descent continuing straight down to the Mweka Hut camp site, stopping at Barafu for lunch. You will want gaiters and trekking poles for the loose gravel going down. Mweka Camp is situated in the upper forest and mist or rain can be expected in the late afternoon. Later in the evening, we enjoy our last dinner on the mountain and a well-earned sleep.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Distance Covered: 16.4kms (7-8 hours ascent – 4-6 hours descent)
Accommodation: Mweka Hut

Day 6: Back to Moshi

After breakfast, we continue the descent down to the Mweka Park Gate to receive your summit certificates. At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy. Gaiters and trekking poles will help. Shorts and t-shirts will probably be plenty to wear (keep rain gear and warmer clothing handy). A vehicle will meet you at the Mweka gate to drive you back to the hotel in Moshi.

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
Distance Covered: 9.1kms (3 hours)

Pricing

Route: 6-Day Machame Route (including Tanzanian VAT)

Details: 6 days/5 nights hike + 2 nights hotel accommodation before and after + airport pickup and drop off

Sharing or joining a group (For solo or couple travelers): $1,730

Private Group:

1 climber – $1,800

2 -4 climber – $1,740

5 – 16 climber – $1,680

16 and above climber – $1,620

*All prices are per person per tour

Valid for 2020

Included:

General

  • Guide
  • Park fees
  • Tax
  • Gate transfer
  • Crew wages
  • Environment fees

Accommodation

During the climb you will be sleeping in the huts

Food

  • 5 breakfasts
  • 6 lunches
  • 5 dinners
  • Drinking water

Other

  • Guide
  • Cook
  • Porters

Not included:

  • Flights
  • Tipping the crew
  • Visas

About Machame Route

The Machame route, also known as the “Whiskey” route, is the most popular route on Kilimanjaro. Machame’s draw is in its scenic beauty. However, the trail is considered difficult, steep and challenging, particularly due to its shorter itinerary. Therefore this route is better suited for more adventurous folks or those with some high altitude, hiking or backpacking experience.
The route approaches Mount Kilimanjaro from the south, beginning with a short drive from Moshi to Machame Gate. The path leads hikers through the rain forest to Shira Plateau. Here, many of Kilimanjaro’s routes converge. Then the route turns east and traverses underneath Kilimanjaro’s Southern Ice Field on a path known as the Southern Circuit before summiting from Barafu. The descent is made via the Mweka route.
We offer Machame as a seven-day group climb or as a seven-day private climb.

Machame 7 Days Itinerary

Day 1: Machame Gate to Machame Camp

The drive from Moshi to the Mount Kilimanjaro National Park Gate takes about 50 minutes. The journey passes through the village of Machame which is located on the lower slopes of the mountain. We now leave the park gate and walk through the rain forest on a winding trail up a ridge. Lower down, the trail can be muddy and slippery. Gaiters and trekking poles are a good idea here. We continue a short distance until we reach the Machame Camp.

Meals: Lunch & Dinner
Distance Covered: 10.8kms (6 hours)
Accommodation: Machame Camp

Day 2: Machame Camp to Shira Camp

After breakfast, we leave the glades of the rain forest and continue on an ascending path, crossing the little valley walking along a steep rocky ridge, covered with heather until the ridge ends. The route now turns west onto a river gorge. Time for rest, dinner, and overnight at the Shira campsite

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Distance Covered: 5.4kms (4-6 hours)
Accommodation: Shira Camp

Day 3: Shira Camp to Lava Tower to Barranco Camp

From the Shira Plateau, we continue to the east up a ridge, passing the junction towards the peak of Kibo. As we continue, our direction changes to the South East towards the Lava Tower, called the “Shark’s Tooth.” Shortly after the tower, we come to the second junction which brings us up to the Arrow Glacier at an altitude of 16,000ft. We now continue down to the Barranco Camp at an altitude of 13,000ft. Here we rest, enjoy dinner, and overnight. Although you end the day at the same elevation as when you started, this day is very important for acclimatization and will help your body prepare for summit day.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Distance Covered: 10.8kms (8-10 hours)
Accommodation: Barranco Camp

Day 4: Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp

After breakfast, we leave Barranco and continue on a steep ridge passing the Barranco Wall, to the Karanga Valley campsite. This is a short day meant for acclimatization.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Distance Covered: 5.5km (5 hours)
Accommodation: Karanga Camp

Day 5: Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp

After breakfast, we leave Karanga and hit the junction which connects with the Mweka Trail. We continue up to the Barafu Hut. At this point, you have completed the South Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many different angles. Here we make camp, rest, enjoy dinner, and prepare for the summit day. The two peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo are to be seen from this position.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Distance Covered: 3kms (3 hours)
Accommodation: Barafu Camp

Day 6: Barafu Camp to Summit to Mweka Camp

Very early in the morning (midnight to 2:00 AM), we continue our way to the summit between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers. You head in a northwesterly direction and ascend through heavy scree towards Stella Point on the crater rim. This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek. At Stella Point (18,600 ft), you will stop for a short rest and will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see (weather permitting). From Stella Point, you may encounter snow all the way on your 1-hour ascent to the summit. At Uhuru Peak, you have reached the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa. Faster hikers will see the sunrise from the summit. From the summit, we now make our descent continuing straight down to the Mweka Hut camp site, stopping at Barafu for lunch. You will want gaiters and trekking poles for the loose gravel going down. Mweka Camp is situated in the upper forest and mist or rain can be expected in the late afternoon. Later in the evening, we enjoy our last dinner on the mountain and a well-earned sleep.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Distance Covered: 16.4kms (13-15 hours)
Meals: Mweka Camp

Day 7: Mweka Camp to Moshi

After breakfast, we continue the descent down to the Mweka Park Gate to receive your summit certificates. At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy. Gaiters and trekking poles will help. Shorts and t-shirts will probably be plenty to wear (keep rain gear and warmer clothing handy).
From the gate, you continue another hour to the Mweka gate. A vehicle will meet you at the Mweka gate to drive you back to the hotel in Moshi.

Meals: Lunch & Dinner
Distance Covered: 9.1kms (3 hours)

Pricing

Route: 7-Day Machame Route (including Tanzanian VAT)

Details: 7 days/6 nights hike + 2 nights hotel accommodation before and after + airport pickup and drop off

Sharing or joining a group (For solo or couple travelers): $1,910

Private Group:

1 climber – $1,980

2 -4 climber – $1,920

5 – 16 climber – $1,860

16 and above climber – $1,800

*All prices are per person per tour

Valid for 2020

Included:

General

  • Guide
  • Park fees
  • Tax
  • Gate transfer
  • Crew wages
  • Environment fees

Accommodation

During the climb you will be sleeping in the huts

Food

  • 5 breakfasts
  • 6 lunches
  • 5 dinners
  • Drinking water

Other

  • Guide
  • Cook
  • Porters

Not included:

  • Flights
  • Tipping the crew
  • Visas

About Umbwe Route

The Umbwe route has a well-deserved reputation of being the most challenging route on Mount Kilimanjaro. Due to the fast ascent to high altitude, this route does not provide the necessary stages for acclimatization. Although the number of people on this trail is very low, the chances of success are also low. Umbwe is considered to be a very difficult, taxing route – one that should only be attempted by strong hikers who are confident in their ability to acclimatize quickly to altitude.
Approaching from the south, the Umbwe route is a short, steep and direct climb. After reaching Barranco Camp, the trail turns east and traverses underneath Kilimanjaro’s Southern Ice Field on a path known as the Southern Circuit before summiting from Barafu. The descent is made via the Mweka route.
We offer Umbwe as a six or seven-day private climb. The seven-day variation adds an acclimatization day on day three at Barranco Camp

Umbwe Route 6 Days Itinerary

Day 1: From Hotel to Umbwe Cave Campsite

Pick up with our vehicle from the hotel, drive to the Umbwe gate. Hereafter 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

Meals: Lunch & Dinner
Distance Covered: 10kms (4-5 hours)
Accommodation: Umbwe Cave Camp

Day 2: Umbwe Cave Campsite to Barranco Hut Campsite

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 the ice cap on top of the mountain. Then you will arrive at Barranco camp for dinner and overnight.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Distance Covered: 9kms (4-5 hours)
Accommodation: Barranco Hut Campsite

Day 3: Barranco Hut Campsite to Karanga Campsite

Today you will be having a short day walk and in the late morning, you will start climbing the 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 scree slopes towards the Southern ice field then you will return to the camp for dinner and overnight.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Distance Covered: 6kms (4-5 hours)
Accommodation: Karanga Camp

Day 4: Karanga Campsite to Barafu Campsite

Today trek up to the Barafu ridge campsite is tough because of altitude. The walking hours are few because is steep so it need slowly walk so to avoid fatigue as well as high altitude sickness. You will walk across the alpine desert with a strong cold wind blowing because there are no trees around as well as getting closer to the Kibo glaciers. You will have lunch and early dinner of around 1700hrs then rest until midnight when you commence your push for the summit.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Distance Covered: 5km (3-4 hours)
Accommodation: Barafu Camp

Day 5: Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak to Mweka Hut Campsite

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 screed or possibly snow, and reach Stella Point on the crater rim at 5,861m between 4 and 5 am.
At this point, you will have views of the fabled crater and its icecaps facing you and all spectacular all areas surrounding 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 time taking photos. 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.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Distance Covered: 15kms (10-12) hours ascent – 4-6 hours descent)
Accommodation: Mweka Hut

Day 6: Back to Moshi

After breakfast, today is your last day on the mountain so you will descend down to Mweka park gate walking across Montana 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 Moshi.

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
Distance Covered: 9.1kms (3-4 hours)

Pricing

Route: 6-Day Umbwe Route (including Tanzanian VAT)

Details: 6 days/5 nights hike + 2 nights hotel accommodation before and after + airport pickup and drop off

Sharing or joining a group (For solo or couple travelers): $2,030

Private Group:

1 climber – $2,100

2 -4 climber – $2,040

5 – 16 climber – $1,980

16 and above climber – $1,920

*All prices are per person per tour

Valid for 2020

Included:

General

  • Guide
  • Park fees
  • Tax
  • Gate transfer
  • Crew wages
  • Environment fees

Accommodation

During the climb you will be sleeping in the huts

Food

  • 5 breakfasts
  • 6 lunches
  • 5 dinners
  • Drinking water

Other

  • Guide
  • Cook
  • Porters

Not included:

  • Flights
  • Tipping the crew
  • Visas

About Umbwe Route

The Umbwe route has a well-deserved reputation of being the most challenging route on Mount Kilimanjaro. Due to the fast ascent to high altitude, this route does not provide the necessary stages for acclimatization. Although the number of people on this trail is very low, the chances of success are also low. Umbwe is considered to be a very difficult, taxing route – one that should only be attempted by strong hikers who are confident in their ability to acclimatize quickly to altitude.
Approaching from the south, the Umbwe route is a short, steep and direct climb. After reaching Barranco Camp, the trail turns east and traverses underneath Kilimanjaro’s Southern Ice Field on a path known as the Southern Circuit before summiting from Barafu. The descent is made via the Mweka route.
We offer Umbwe as a six or seven-day private climb. The seven-day variation adds an acclimatization day on day three at Barranco Camp

Umbwe Route 7 Days Itinerary

Day 1: From Hotel to Umbwe Cave Campsite

Pick up with our vehicle from the hotel, drive to the Umbwe gate. Hereafter 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

Meals: Lunch & Dinner
Distance Covered: 10kms (4-5 hours)
Accommodation: Umbwe Cave Camp

Day 2: Umbwe Cave Campsite to Barranco Hut Campsite

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 the ice cap on top of the mountain. Then you will arrive at Barranco camp for dinner and overnight.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Distance Covered: 9kms (4-5 hours)
Accommodation: Barranco Hut Campsite

Day 3: Barranco Camp Acclimatization

You will spend Day 3 exploring near Barranco Camp for much-needed acclimatization. Keep your camera handy to capture the scenery of the groundsel-clad campsite. Many trekkers rank this as their favorite camp on this trail, which another reason this is the perfect spot for your acclimatization day. If you are highly confident in your body’s ability to acclimatize well, you can choose the 6-Day Umbwe Itinerary.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Barranco Camp

Day 4: Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp

After sleeping below the Great Barranco Wall, you get your chance to tackle this hurdle. Don’t worry…It’s much easier than it looks. Continue up until you reach just below the Heim Glacier. Then head down through the Karanga Valley. This is the last place for your porters to gather water. They will collect all the water for the remainder of the ascent here. You will settle in here at the Karanga Camp. After lunch, you can spend the afternoon doing light exploring or resting while taking in the views of Mawenzi’s towering spires.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Distance Covered: 7km (4 hours)
Accommodation: Karanga Camp

Day 5: Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp

After breakfast, you’ll head east, crossing over multiple ridges and valleys until you join up with the Mweka Route and turn left to continue up the ridge for an hour to reach the Barafu Hut. You will arrive at camp to find your tent pitched on a rocky ridge with high winds. Be sure to familiarize yourself with the camp before dark to be safe. Also, have your headlamp/flashlight handy if you need to leave the tent after dark. You will prepare your equipment (replace batteries for headlamp and camera) before you go to bed by 7 PM and try to catch a few hours of shut-eye before your summit attempt!

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Distance Covered: 5kms (3-4) hours
Accommodation: Barafu Camp

Day 6: Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak to Mweka Camp

Wake at 11:30 PM for tea or coffee and biscuits and then depart Barafu on your bid for the peak. You will climb 6 hours through thick scree following multiple switchbacks between the Ratzel and Rebmann glaciers until you reach Stella Point (18,650 ft/5,685 m). You have just completed what most climbers consider to be the most challenging part of their trek. Depending on your pace to this point, you may get the chance to enjoy the majestic sunrise during your short rest here. Although you will be fatigued, it is important to keep moving due to the extreme cold. At Stella Point, you have joined up with the last bit of the Marangu Route. You will hike along the rim for another 1-2 hours until you reach your ultimate goal of Uhuru Peak. Congratulations, you are now standing on the roof of Africa! You will have time to take pictures with the world-famous Uhuru Peak sign, but it is important to begin your descent soon in order to allow yourself enough time to rest at the Barafu Camp. After a 3-hour descent down sliding scree, you will reach Barafu to have a short rest while you collect your gear and then continue down the path back into the forest camp of Mweka. You might experience a little rain in the afternoon, so be sure to have your rain gear in your daypack. Enjoy some dinner and some well-deserved sleep. At Mweka Camp, the office sells bottled water, soft drinks, candy bars, and beer.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Distance Covered: 7kms up (8 hours) 22kms down (9-10 hours down)
Accommodation: Mweka Hut

Day 7: Back to Moshi

After breakfast, today is your last day on the mountain so you will descend down to Mweka park gate walking across Montana 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 Moshi.

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
Distance Covered: 9.1kms (3-4 hours)

Pricing

Route: 7-Day Umbwe Route (including Tanzanian VAT)

Details: 7 days/6 nights hike + 2 nights hotel accommodation before and after + airport pickup and drop off

Sharing or joining a group (For solo or couple travelers): $2,090

Private Group:

1 climber – $2,160

2 -4 climber – $2,100

5 – 16 climber – $2,040

16 and above climber – $1,980

*All prices are per person per tour

Valid for 2020

Included:

General

  • Guide
  • Park fees
  • Tax
  • Gate transfer
  • Crew wages
  • Environment fees

Accommodation

During the climb you will be sleeping in the huts

Food

  • 5 breakfasts
  • 6 lunches
  • 5 dinners
  • Drinking water

Other

  • Guide
  • Cook
  • Porters

Not included:

  • Flights
  • Tipping the crew
  • Visas

About Lemosho Route

The Lemosho route is considered the most scenic trail on Kilimanjaro, granting panoramic vistas on various sides of the mountain. As one of the newer routes, Lemosho is a superb choice for your climb. It is our preferred route due to its ideal balance of low crowds, beautiful scenery, and a high summit success rate. Climb and Safari Tours® specializes in guiding on the Lemosho route. Most of our clients climb Kilimanjaro using this route and they consistently report that they loved it. Thus, Lemosho is highly recommended.
The route approaches Mount Kilimanjaro from the west, beginning with a long drive from Moshi to Londorossi Gate. From there, the first two days are spent trekking through the rain forest to Shira Ridge. The Lemosho route crosses the entire Shira Plateau from west to east in a pleasant, relatively flat hike. Crowds are low until the route joins the Machame route near Lava Tower. Then the route traverses underneath Kilimanjaro’s Southern Ice Field on a path known as the Southern Circuit before summiting from Barafu. The descent is made via the Mweka route.
We offer Lemosho as an eight-day group climb or as a seven to eight-day private climb. The seven-day variation combines days five and six, going from Barranco Camp to Barafu Camp without staying at Karanga. A nine-day variation that includes an overnight at Crater Camp is available as a private climb by special request.

Lemosho Route 7 Days Itinerary

Day 1: Lemosho Gate to Big Tree Gate

You will be picked up at your hotel at around 08:00 am and transferred to the Lemosho gate located on the western side of Kilimanjaro. After the registration process, you will still start our climb steadily through the forests of the Lemosho glades to reach Big Tree camp where you will be spending the night.

Meals: Lunch & Dinner
Distance Covered: 7kms (4 hours)
Accommodation: Big Tree Camp

Day 2: Big Tree Camp to Shira Camp

Today you will cover a lot of ground as you trek across a plateau of grassy moorland and heather scattered with volcanic rock formations. We will trek through Shira 1 Camp from where there are often views of Kibo Peak floating on the clouds as we head towards our destination which is Shira 2. We gain a reasonable amount of altitude as we head towards Shira 1 and parts of the route are fairly steep. As you proceed towards Shira 2 you will get the chance to view the Northern Ice fields from the western side of the mountain with some unusual views of Kibo. Our steady climb across the moorland of the Shira Plateau will help with acclimatization and we enjoy great panoramic views.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Distance Covered: 16.5kms (9-11 hours)
Accommodation: Shira Campsite

Day 3: Shira Campsite to Barranco Campsite

Your trek starts with an ascent with far-reaching panoramic views, walking into the climatic zone of the upland desert and on the lava ridges beneath the glaciers of the Western Breach. You will reach the distinct pinnacle of the Lava Tower (4640 m), our high point for the day and a great place to enjoy your lunch. In the afternoon we make a steep descent to our camp for the night, located in the base of the Great Barranco Valley (3960 m), sheltered by towering cliffs but with extensive views of the plains below.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Distance Covered: 10km (7 hours)
Accommodation: Barranco Camp

Day 4: Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp

Our day starts by descending into the start of the Great Barranco, a huge ravine. We then exit steeply, up the Great Barranco Wall, which divides us from the southeastern slopes of Kibo. It’s a climb over rock, not technical but long and tiring. Passing underneath the Heim and Kersten glaciers, we head towards the Karanga valley. From here we have a steep climb up from Karanga valley to our night’s camp at Karanga camp, set at 3963m. For those feeling strong, we will go for a mid-afternoon acclimatization trek up to around 4200m before descending back to camp for the night.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Distance Covered: 5.5km (5 hours)
Accommodation: Karanga Camp

Day 5: Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp

After a good night’s rest and breakfast, we set off on our walk to Barafu camp at 4640m. The climb will take us across desolate scree slopes with no vegetation around us at all. It’s a tough steep walk made more difficult by the altitude. On arriving at camp we eat and spend the afternoon resting as we prepare for a long night and day ahead. It is important to keep hydrated and warm. We have an early dinner and then try to get some sleep as we will be getting up between 11 pm and 12 pm to start the climb to the summit.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Distance Covered: 3kms (3-4) hours
Accommodation: Barafu Camp

Day 6: Barafu Camp to Uhuru Camp to Millennium Campsite

We start off at around midnight and walk steeply upwards to the summit glaciers. We will be climbing scree for 4 to 5 hours but gain incredible height over a short distance. The views are spectacular. We should be on the crater rim at Stella Point (5739m) as the first rays of the sun hit us. Spectacular ice cliffs within the crater surround us and the views to jagged Mawenzi peak and beyond are breathtaking. Another hour’s walking takes us to the summit, Uhuru Peak (5895m). We begin our descent by returning to Stella Point and then descending on scree slope and track back to Barafu Camp for breakfast, before finally heading down to Millennium Camp for a long well-earned rest.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Distance Covered: 13.4kms (12-15 hours)
Accommodation: Millenium Campsite

Day 7: Millennium Campsite to Mweka Gate

A gentle trek takes us down through the rainforest to Mweka Gate, where we complete park formalities and receive certificates, which you can hang up with pride! We are then met by our vehicles and return to the hotel in Moshi, where you can treat yourself to a welcome shower (and a cold beer or two!) before our big celebration.

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
Distance Covered: 12.1kms (6 hours)

Pricing

Route: 7-Day Lemosho Route (including Tanzanian VAT)

Details: 7 days/6 nights hike + 2 nights hotel accommodation before and after + airport pickup and drop off

Sharing or joining a group (For solo or couple travelers): $2,210

Private Group:

1 climber – $2,280

2 -4 climber – $2,220

5 – 16 climber – $2,160

16 and above climber – $2,100

*All prices are per person per tour

Valid for 2020

Included:

General

  • Guide
  • Park fees
  • Tax
  • Gate transfer
  • Crew wages
  • Environment fees

Accommodation

During the climb you will be sleeping in the huts

Food

  • 5 breakfasts
  • 6 lunches
  • 5 dinners
  • Drinking water

Other

  • Guide
  • Cook
  • Porters

Not included:

  • Flights
  • Tipping the crew
  • Visas

About Lemosho Route

The Lemosho route is considered the most scenic trail on Kilimanjaro, granting panoramic vistas on various sides of the mountain. As one of the newer routes, Lemosho is a superb choice for your climb. It is our preferred route due to its ideal balance of low crowds, beautiful scenery, and a high summit success rate. Climb and Safari Tours® specializes in guiding on the Lemosho route. Most of our clients climb Kilimanjaro using this route and they consistently report that they loved it. Thus, Lemosho is highly recommended.
The route approaches Mount Kilimanjaro from the west, beginning with a long drive from Moshi to Londorossi Gate. From there, the first two days are spent trekking through the rain forest to Shira Ridge. The Lemosho route crosses the entire Shira Plateau from west to east in a pleasant, relatively flat hike. Crowds are low until the route joins the Machame route near Lava Tower. Then the route traverses underneath Kilimanjaro’s Southern Ice Field on a path known as the Southern Circuit before summiting from Barafu. The descent is made via the Mweka route.
Africa Natural Tours® offers Lemosho as an eight-day group climb or as a seven to eight-day private climb. The seven-day variation combines days five and six, going from Barranco Camp to Barafu Camp without staying at Karanga. A nine-day variation that includes an overnight at Crater Camp is available as a private climb by special request.

Lemosho Route 8 Days Itinerary

Day 1: Moshi to Lendorossi Gate to Big Tree Camp

After breakfast, a briefing at your hotel will be given by your chief Guide followed by a drive to Londorossi Park Gate (2,250m / 7,380ft, 2.5 hours). After park rules and regulations the trail commencing takes us to the forest with our 4WD vehicle towards Lemosho Glades (2,390m 7,830ft, 11km, 45 minutes) and Walk along the forest trails to Mti Mkubwa campsite thereafter dinner and overnight at Mti Mkubwa campsite.

Meals: Lunch & Dinner
distance covered: 7 km (4hrs)

Day 2: Big Tree Camp to Shira Camp

The trail slowly becoming very steep and enters the moorland zone, then crosses the Shira Ridge at 3,600 m/11,810 ft and drops gently to Shira Camp one located by a stream on the Shira Plateau. Early morning after breakfast continue as the trail gradually steeping and enters the giant heather moorland zone Several streams are crossed then it gains the Shira Ridge at about 3600m / 11,810ft and drops gently down to Shira one campsite located nearby the streams on the Shira Plateau. Dinner and overnight at Shira one campsite.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Shira Campsite
Distance: 16.5 km (9-11 Hrs)

Day 3: Shira Campsite

Today you will have a very moderate walk across the plateau which leads you to Shira Camp two on moorland meadows by a stream. Although variety walks are available on the plateau just to make this an excellent acclimatization day.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Distance: 10 km (7 hrs)

Day 4: Shira Campsite to Lava Tower

You will have breakfast and precede hiking east up to a steeping path above the vegetation toward Kilimanjaro looming mass. After several hours of walking now commence your walk through a rocky landscape to reach the prominent landmark called Lava Tower at 4,630 m/15,190 ft. This chunky remnant of Kilimanjaro earlier volcanic activity is several hundred feet high, and the trail passes right below it. For extra credit, the sure-footed can scramble to the top of the tower. After a lunch stop near Lava Tower, descend for 2 hours below the lower cliffs of the Western Breach and Breach Wall to Barranco Camp at 3,950 m/12,960 ft. There are plentiful photo opportunities on this hike, especially if the walls are festooned with ice. Barranco Camp is in a valley below the Breach and Great Barranco Walls, which should provide you with a memorable sunset while you wait for your dinner. On this day, be careful to become aware of any signs of altitude sickness.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Distance: 5.5 km (5hrs)

Day 5: Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp

After a good night’s rest and breakfast, we set off on our walk to Barafu camp at 4640m. The climb will take us across desolate scree slopes with no vegetation around us at all. It’s a tough steep walk made more difficult by the altitude. On arriving at camp we eat and spend the afternoon resting as we prepare for a long night and day ahead. It is important to keep hydrated and warm. We have an early dinner and then try to get some sleep as we will be getting up between 11 pm and 12 pm to start the climb to the summit.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Distance: 3km (3Hrs)

Day 6: Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp

This morning you will hike east over intervening ridges and valley to join the Mweka Route, which will be your descent route. Turn left toward the mountain and hike up the ridge through a sparse landscape for another hour to Barafu Hut where you will receive a hot lunch. The last water point on this route is Karanga Valley as there is no water at Barafu Camp. Even though Barafu is the Swahili word for ice. The famous snows of Kilimanjaro are far above Barafu Camp near the summit of the mountain. Your tent will be pitched on a narrow, stony, wind-swept ridge, so make sure that you familiarize yourself with the terrain before dark to avoid any accidents. Prepare your equipment and warm clothing for your summit climb, and drink a lot of fluids. After an early dinner, go to bed for a few hours of valued sleep.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Distance: 13.4 km (12- 15 Hrs)

Day 7: Barafu Camp to Summit to Mweka Camp

You will be up around 11:30 PM, and after some hot tea and biscuits you will drag your feet off into the night. 6-hour climb northwest up through heavy scree between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers to Stella Point on the crater rim is the most challenging part of the route for most climbers. At Stella Point 5,685 m/18,650 ft you stop for a short rest and a chance to see a supremely sanguine sunrise. At Stella Point, you join the top part of Marangu Route but do not stop here too long, as it will be extremely difficult to start again due to cold and exhaustion. Depending on the time of year and current storms you may stumble upon snow on your remaining hike along the rim to Uhuru Peak. On the summit, you can enjoy your accomplishment and know that you are creating a day that you will remember for the rest of your life. After your 3-hour descent from the summit back to Barafu Camp, you will have a well-deserved but short rest collect your gear, and hike down a rock and scree path into the moorland and sooner or later into the forest to Mweka Camp 3,100 m/10,170 ft This camp is in the upper forest, so you can anticipate mist or rain in the late afternoon., Dinner and washing water will be prepared and the camp office sells drinking water, soft drinks, chocolates, and beers.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 8: Mweka Campsite to Mweka Gate

After a well-deserved breakfast it is a short scenic 3-hours hike back to the park gate, please note no tips is given on the way until all your gears and the rest of the crew have reached the gate safely, but do remember to tip your staff at the gate, At Mweka Gate you will sign your name and add details in a register. This is also where successful climbers normally receive their summit certificates and can be followed by a bottle of champagne. Climbers who reached Stella Point are issued green certificates and those who reached Uhuru Peak receive gold certificates. From Mweka Gate you will continue down to Mweka Village 3 km where you will be served a delicious hot lunch after which you are driven back to Moshi.

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

Pricing

Route: 8-Day Lemosho Route (including Tanzanian VAT)

Details: 8 days/7 nights hike + 2 nights hotel accommodation before and after + airport pickup and drop off

Sharing or joining a group (For solo or couple travelers): $2,330

Private Group:

1 climber – $2,400

2 -4 climber – $2,340

5 – 16 climber – $2,280

16 and above climber – $2,220

*All prices are per person per tour

Valid for 2020

Included:

General

  • Guide
  • Park fees
  • Tax
  • Gate transfer
  • Crew wages
  • Environment fees

Accommodation

During the climb you will be sleeping in the huts

Food

  • 5 breakfasts
  • 6 lunches
  • 5 dinners
  • Drinking water

Other

  • Guide
  • Cook
  • Porters

Not included:

  • Flights
  • Tipping the crew
  • Visas