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You will be picked up at the Kilimanjaro International Airport and transferred to your hotel in Arusha town; you will meet your guide who will brief you on your upcoming trek and do an equipment check to make sure you have all the necessary mountain gear. Gear which is missing can be rented on this day.
Depending on your arrival time, visit Arusha (not included but can be arranged)
Spend some time in Arusha, both the gateway city for most safaris in northern Tanzania and a fascinating place to explore. Enjoy good restaurants, streets filled with energy and so many snapshots of vibrant Tanzanian city life. It’s everything you look for in an urban pit stop.
Dinner and Overnight at Green Mountain Hotel or similar
Distance: 10.8 km
Hiking Time: Approximately 6 hours
Habitat: Mountain Rain Forest
Elevation Change: 1220m
After an early breakfast from your lodge, your guide will brief you on the day. You will drive from Arusha (1400m) to the Machame Gate.
At the gate, the porters will organize and pack the belongings for the hike while you and your guide register with the Tanzania National Park (TANAPA).
Once the necessary paper work has been completed, your trek can begin and you will soon be hiking through the dense rainforest.
The first section of the route climbs steadily and passes through magnificent, dense rainforest. This path is less well-trodden so it can get somewhat overgrown in places and it is often wet and muddy underfoot.
The path could also be steep and slippery, therefore trekking poles square measure and gaiters are suggested. because the route heads toward the Shira tableland, the trees disappear and the square measure replaced by low brush within the heather zone
At Machame Camp, on the lower slopes of Mt Kilimanjaro, you’ll be sleeping at an altitude of 2835m. That means there are still some trees around, and the views of the higher country to the north are quite beautiful. There are no facilities but you’ll spend the evening sharing climbing stories with other travellers.
At nighttime, mountain temperatures may drop to freezing so be prepared!
Hiking time: 5 hours
Habitat: Moorland
Distance: Approximately 5.4 km
Elevation Change: 1.0202m
Our route continues on up through the forest until we reach the steep ascent onto the Shira Plateau, where there are rewarding views of the mountain.
Looking back, you will be able to see Mt Meru rising high above Arusha town in the distance.
Located on the Vast Shira tableland that could be a volcanic spill-off from the last explosion some one hundred,000 years past. Open and exposed and infrequently soiled with smaller, you may notice a lot of fragile plants among the rocks.
Along the challenging but rewarding Shira Route that scales Mt Kilimanjaro, Shira 1 Camp is above the tree line, sitting on high-altitude, treeless plains at 3810m above sea level. From the camp you can see both the Kibo volcanic cone (to the north-east) and Mount Meru (west). It’s not as busy as some of the camps along other climbing routes, so it can be nice and quiet
Expect it to be colder here, very windy. The views of the summit formation are extremely superb, particularly at dawn and the end time of day. If there is a visible phase of the moon, you van visualize it rise behind the summit.
Hiking time: 8 hours
Habitat: Moorland/Pine Forest
Distance: Approximately 10.8 km
Elevation Change: 115m
Walking now on high moorland, the landscape changes the entire character of the trek. We traverse the southwest side of Kilimanjaro, passing underneath the Lava Tower and the final section of the Western Breach and finally reach camp.
The day has been spent at altitude (up to 4600m), but we have followed the mountaineering code of ‘walk high, sleep low’ to aid your body’s acclimatization to altitude.
Barranco Camp (3983m) is typical of the desert-like landscapes that occur here above the tree line. You’ll be camping here (there are no huts or buildings for accommodation), and you’ll wake up to views of the summit from the camping area.
Hiking time: 5 hours
Distance: Approximately 5.5 km
Habitat: Moorland
Elevation Change: 677m
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.
When you stay at Barafu Camp, at an altitude of 4681m on Mt Kilimanjaro, you’re surrounded by a landscape where nothing grows and the views extend out across the mountain’s high and treeless valleys. ‘Barafu’ means ‘ice’ in Swahili and it’s always cold up here, as well as beautiful.
Enjoy talking with the other climbers who’ve reached this milestone.
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 at between 11pm and 12pm to start the climb to the summit.
Distance: 5km up 9km down
Hiking Time: 12-15 hours
Habitat: Stone scree and ice-capped summit
Elevation Change: 1195m to Uhuru, -2195 to Horombo
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).
You will be able to spend a short time on the summit taking photographs and drinking tea before the descent to Barafu begins.
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.
You will have a dinner, wash, and rest soundly at the hut after a strenuous day. Rest your weary legs at Millennium Camp and enjoy the sense of achievement and the company of other travelers.
Distance: 12.1km down
Hiking Time: 6 hours
Habitat: Moorland to mountain forest
Elevation Change: -2160m
Following a well-deserved breakfast, your staff will have a big celebration full of dancing and singing. It is here on the mountain that you will present your tips, you may start with porters, cook and lastly the guides.
After celebrating, you will descend After celebrating, you will descend, a gentle trek takes us down through the rainforest to Mweka Gate.
The National Park requires all hikers to sign their names to receive certificates of completion receive green certificates and hikers who reached Uhuru Peak (5895m) receive gold certificates.
After saying goodbye to your mountain guides, we meet the driver at the gate and drive back to Arusha or drop off at the airport. Overnight at hotel.
After breakfast, transfer to Arusha airport for your flight home leaving with your heart full of amazing memories.
Unless, you plan an extension to Zanzibar or a Camping Safari…
END
Register here for the trip and further details will be sent:
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Group minimum 06
Rates:
Solo Traveller – on request
01-02 pax EUR2200 per person
03-04 pax EUR1865 per person
05-06 pax EUR1720 per person
07-10 pax EUR1595 per person
11-15 pax EUR1525 per person
30% payment required on booking
Remaining payments can be done in 2 instalments with the final payment, 2 weeks before departure.
Cancellation fees apply – for further details see:
https://hodophileexperience.com/index.php/about-our-trips/
Will be sent with full itinerary when confirmed
Will be sent with full itinerary when confirmed
Click here to check the visa requirements
Kilimanjaro
The temperatures on Mount Kilimanjaro range from hot to bitter cold. Climbing Kilimanjaro is unique for many reasons, and one of these is that from origin to summit, climbers find themselves weaving through several distinct climate zones. It is said that the journey from the gate to the peak is like traveling from the equator to Antarctica in a matter of days!
We generally advise that the best time to climb Kilimanjaro is during the warmest and driest times of year, from December to mid-March and mid-June to the end of October
From July until the end of October, conditions are generally colder, but much drier than the previous months. Whilst there is a chance of getting rained on throughout the year, particularly as you trek through the rainforest and moorlands, typically precipitation is low and infrequent.
If you remain dry, you’ll be more comfortable and the trek will be a more enjoyable experience overall. Another advantage of climbing during these months is that you’ll have clear and sunny skies, and spectacular views.
At the summit, Uhuru Point, the night time temperatures can range between -7 to -29 degrees Celsius. Due to Mount Kilimanjaro’s great height, the mountain creates its own weather. It is extremely variable and impossible to predict. Therefore, regardless of when you climb, you should always be prepared for wet days and cold nights.
Bring USD US Dollars and in small notes.
If you opt for the visa on arrival, have a $50 note ready. On departure, $25 for airport tax.
Most meals are included on Kilimanjaro hike but some on Zanzibar are not. Expect $50 per person for tips given to crew.
Kilimanjaro
Before you begin your climb you will meet your guide and porters. Typically guides can speak good English, porters less so.
Porters carry all your gear (excluding your daypack) and all the equipment you need on your climb (tents, cooking equipment, food, water etc.). Each porter carries up to 20kg on their back or head! Yes, 20kg.
Some tour operators limit the weight that porters carry to 15kg.
Porters race ahead of you and your guide to make sure they get to each Kilimanjaro campsite before you and have everything setup for your arrival (tent assembled, food ready etc.).
Guides are responsible for managing the porter team and ensuring you have a safe and enjoyable hike. Most are fully trained in mountain first aid, and have many Kilimanjaro summits under their belt.
What is the ratio of support staff to trekkers?
The average ratio of support staff is 3 porters for every climber, 2 guides for every 4 climbers, cook and assistant guides vary depending on numbers.
Here are some typical ration numbers:
1 climber: 1 guide / 2-3 porters / 1 cook
2-3 climbers: 1 guide / 5-6 porters / 1 cook / 1 assistant guide
4-5 climbers: 2 guides / 8-9 porters / 2 cooks / 1 assistant guide
5-6 climbers: 2 guides / 11-12 porters / 2 cooks / 2 assistant guides
7-8 climbers: 3 guides / 14-15 porters / 2-3 cooks / 2-3 assistant guides
9-10 climbers: 3-4 guides / 17-18 porters / 2-3 cook / 2-3 assistant guides
How much should I tip on a climb?
We’ve provided a guideline and worked example for calculating how much you should set aside for tips. Please use this as a guideline only.
We suggest 10-12% of your climb cost (approximately $300-500) per climber.
Tipping amounts are as follows.
Per main guide – US$20-25 per day
Per assistant guide – US$15-20 per day
Per cook – US$15 per day
Per porter – US$10 per day
Tips are usually paid at the end of your Kilimanjaro hike after you have reached your final checkpoint and signed out with the authorities.
It is customary to pay tips individually in separate envelopes unless advised otherwise (some tour companies suggest you pay your lead guide who then re-distributes the money).
Travellers should be up to date with routine vaccination courses and boosters as recommended. These vaccinations include for example measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine and diphtheria-tetanus-polio vaccine.
Country specific diphtheria recommendations are not provided here. Diphtheria tetanus and polio are combined in a single vaccine in some countries. Therefore, when a tetanus booster is recommended for travellers, diphtheria vaccine is also given. Should there be an outbreak of diphtheria in a country, diphtheria vaccination guidance will be provided.
Those who may be at increased risk of an infectious disease due to their work, lifestyle choice, or certain underlying health problems should be up to date with additional recommended vaccines.
The vaccines which are recommended for most travellers visiting this country:
Hepatitis A
Tetanus
Typhoid
The vaccines which are recommended for some travellers visiting this country:
Cholera
Rabies
Hepatitis B
Tuberculosis (TB)
Meningococcal Disease
Yellow Fever
Certificate requirements
Please read the information below carefully, as certificate requirements may be relevant to certain travellers only. For travellers’ further details, if required, should be sought from their healthcare professional.
Malaria
Travellers should follow an ABCD guide to preventing malaria:
Awareness of the risk – Risk depends on the specific location, season of travel, length of stay, activities and type of accommodation.
Bite prevention – Travellers should take mosquito bite avoidance measures.
Chemoprophylaxis – Travellers should take antimalarials (malaria prevention tablets) if appropriate for the area (see below). No antimalarials are 100% effective but taking them in combination with mosquito bite avoidance measures will give substantial protection against malaria.
Diagnosis – Travellers who develop a fever of 38°C [100°F] or higher more than one week after being in a malaria risk area, or who develop any symptoms suggestive of malaria within a year of return should seek immediate medical care. Emergency standby treatment may be considered for those going to remote areas with limited access to medical attention.
Altitude illness in Tanzania
There is a point of elevation in this country higher than 2,500 metres. An example place of interest: Mt Kilimanjaro 5,895m.
Prevention
Travellers should spend a few days at an altitude below 3,000m. Where possible travellers should avoid travel from altitudes less than 1,200m to altitudes greater than 3,500m in a single day. Ascent above 3,000m should be gradual. Travellers should avoid increasing sleeping elevation by more than 500m per day and ensure a rest day (at the same altitude) every three or four days. Acetazolamide can be used to assist with acclimatization, but should not replace gradual ascent. Travellers who develop symptoms of AMS (headache, fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea and sleep disturbance) should avoid further ascent. In the absence of improvement or with progression of symptoms the first response should be to descend.
Arusha
Full Moon view Summit on day!
Reaching the summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro is a lifetime accomplishment!
“Africa changes you forever, like nowhere on earth. Once you have been there, you will never be the same”
Brian Jackman
