Mount Kilimanjaro

Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport, transfer to our hotel to rest prior to starting our journey.

After breakfast, head out on a walking tour in Nkoaranga, near the slopes of Mount Meru. Visit a family-run coffee plantation, stopping for lunch along the way. Back at our lodge, gather for a briefing and gear check in preparation for tomorrow’s journey to Mount Kilimanjaro National Park.

This morning, transfer to Londorossi Gate (7,824), where we register with park authorities. Continue up the mountain to the trailhead for our first day’s trek. Upon arrival at Big Tree Camp, settle into our tents and enjoy a hot meal prepared by staff.

Our first full day on the mountain takes us up and out of the rain forest, into expansive savannahs and grasslands. We will make our way through lush hills and up to the Shira Ridge before descending slightly into Shira I Camp.

Enjoy a beautiful trek heading east, passing through the ‘Garden of the Senecios’ before entering the alpine desert zone. The morning is spent traversing the Shira Plateau, which is one of the highest plateaus on earth and an excellent acclimatization day as we head to Moir Camp.

Today involves a moderately steep climb out of Moir Valley. We may take a small detour to climb the summit of Little Lent Hill at 15,337’ before returning to the Northern Circuit trail. Our route then follows a series of inclines and declines, skirting around the northern slopes of Kibo to Pofu Camp (13,205’). Enjoy expansive vistas across the plains that lie north of Kilimanjaro and stretch out to the border between Tanzania and Kenya.

Our route continues east around the northern slopes to Rongai Third Cave. This trek is shorter than the previous day, with a mid-afternoon arrival at the Third Cave.

After breakfast, we climb at a steady incline over the saddle between the peaks of Kibo and Mawenzi Peak. Continue inching closer to Uhuru Peak, walking southwest to School Hut Camp, where we rest before our final ascent to the “Roof of Africa.”

Summit day! We begin our final ascent in the darkness, wearing headlamps until the pre-dawn light reflects off the African plains and high mountain glaciers. Trek along a ridge to the rim of the crater and then traverse to the main summit of Uhuru Peak at 9,341 feet. Take in incredible views of the sprawling plains of Tanzania and East Africa and catch sight of Mount Meru, Tanzania’s second highest point. Then descend to Kosovo Camp to rest for the night.

After a good night’s sleep following our long summit day, begin our descent. Follow the rocky and steep route to Mweka Camp in the upper forest, spending our final night on the mountain surrounded by lush greenery.

Continue our descent into a primordial environment of thick jungle, where 20-foot-tall fern trees create a prehistoric atmosphere. After reaching the Mweka Gate, bid farewell to our guides and mountain staff and return to Arusha. Toast our journey at a farewell dinner this evening.

This morning, pay a visit to the Human Outreach Project: Kilimanjaro Kids Community for a site tour. There is time to relax and pack at the hotel before departing on flights bound for home.