Kilimanjaro with optional Safari. Graded CHALLENGING

Location

Tanzania

Altitude

5895 m

Duration

11 / 12 days

Weather

10 Day Forecast

Information

Have you ever wanted to go on Safari? Well you can with this trip’s Safari add-on!

About Mount Kilimanjaro

Mt Kilimanjaro the famed ice capped mountain lies just 3° south of the equator. As Tanzania’s landmark, Kilimanjaro towers over the surrounding African plains. In fact, it is the highest freestanding mountain in the world (5,895 meters/ 19,341 ft). It is also the highest mountain that can be climbed without technical equipment and climbing skills. For the most part, it takes just putting one foot in front of the other. Although this sounds simple, i will challenge your body and mind. The biggest obstacle is lack of oxygen at such a high altitude. Without expert guidance, this climb can be very dangerous. Our ground team has over sixteen years of experience in leading climbs. Their success rate places them among the industry leaders and we guarantee that we will not compromise your safety; using only quality equipment and only the best experienced guides and cooks. Our guides are trained to monitor your physical condition and know how to pace the group accordingly; offering you the greatest chance of a successful summit.

Climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro is truly unique because within the span of just a few days, you pass through a wide variety of climates and vegetation zones; from tropical rain forest to near arctic conditions. The mountain is regulated by Kilimanjaro National Park which has strict rules concerning routes allowed and climber’s safety. Because of the challenge of altitude acclimatization, have included for a 7 day climbing itinerary (as opposed to other leaders of 5 / 6 days), which improves the chance of success substantially.

Our experienced mountain guides will ensure that your climb to the roof of Africa is as safe and easy as possible. Our guides have an intimate knowledge of the various routes and climate conditions, allowing them to predict changes and avoid accidents along the way.
We ensure all of our guides are 100% physically and mentally prepared so that they can react quickly to counter potentially dangerous situations or to assist climbers. In addition to all of this, we use only the best professional quality mountain climbing equipment, provide you with in-depth pre-trip information, and make sure you’re fed with plenty of delicious food on the climb to keep those energy levels stocked up… there may even be roast potatoes!

Dates
Date Start
19 August, 2022
Date End
30 August, 2022
Duration
12 days
Price (inc. accommodation)
£2400
Duration
Extra information
What's included?
Included
  • Transfers to and from the airport in Tanzania
  • Transfers to and from Kilimanjaro gates
  • Two night hotel with bed and breakfast (based on 2 sharing per room, single room available for an upcharge) This includes for one night before and one night after the climb
  • Park fees
  • Rescue fees if required
  • Breakfast, lunch and dinner on the mountain
  • Fair wages for the supporting crew cooks and porters as approved by Kilimanjaro National Park Authority (KINAPA) and the Kilimanjaro Association of Tour Operators (KIATO)
  • Oxygen cylinder for emergency use
  • Porters per client
  • Sleeping mats and tents
  • Filtered water
  • 10% of all Outdoor Amore profit goes directly to the local community of the ground crew so by booking with us you’ll be giving aid back to the community of Tanzania
Excluded
  • International flights
  • Visa
  • Safari extension
  • Tips (we recommend £100pp)
Itinerary
Day 1

Depart UK for Tanzania

We will meet at the airport, socialise and get ready for our adventure together

Day 2

Arrival in Tanzania

You will be picked up at the Kilimanjaro International Airport and transferred to your hotel in Moshi 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. Overnight at Weru Weru River Lodge (or alternative).
Meals: No Meals Included

Day 3

Machame Gate (1790m) to Machame Camp (3010m)

One hour’s drive from Moshi lies the gate to the Machame route, where we complete park formalities, meet our crew of porters and start to climb! 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.
Distance covered: 10.8km / 6.7mi
Approx. time taken: 6 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included

Day 4

Machame Camp (3010m) to Shira Camp (3845m)

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.
Distance covered: 5.4km / 3.4mi
Approx. time taken: 5 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included

Day 5

Shira Camp (3845m) to Barranco Camp (3960m)

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.
Distance covered: 10.8km / 6.7mi
Approx. time taken: 8 hrs
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included

Day 6

Barranco Camp (3960m) to Karanga Camp (3963m)

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 south-eastern 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.
Distance covered: 5.5km / 3.4mi
Approx. time taken: 5 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included

Day 7

Karanga Camp (3963m) to Barafu Camp (4640m)

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 at between 11pm and 12pm to start the climb to the summit.
Distance covered: 3km / 1.9mi
Approx. time taken: 3 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included

Day 8

Barafu Camp (4640m) to Uhuru Peak (5895m Summit!) and back down to Millennium Camp (3790m)

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 breath-taking. 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.
Distance covered: 13.4km / 8.3mi
Approx. time taken: 12 – 15 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included

Day 9

Millennium Camp (3790m) to Mweka Gate (1630m)

A gentle trek takes us down through the rain forest 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. Overnight at the Weru Weru River Lodge (or alternative)
Distance covered: 12.1km / 7.5mi
Approx. time taken: 6 hours
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch Included

Day 10

Depart Tanzania

The day is left free to wind down after the trek before your flight home. Depending on flight times you could go and explore Moshi town and grab some souvenirs before heading to the airport.
*We also welcome you spare an hour of your day to plant a tree, as part of our environmental conservation efforts in the Kilimanjaro region.
*Safari and Zanzibar add-ons are available if you wish to continue exploring Tanzania

Day 11

Arrive back in the UK

Well done – you’ve done it! Whether you reached the summit or decided it wasn’t for you, as long as you’ve given it your best shot and taken in the experience, treasuring the journey you deserve that bag of fish and chips on the way home!

Kit

Some kit can be rented so please check with us before flying if you are interested in renting kit

Bags

  • 100 – 120L water resistant duffel bag with carry straps. Wheeled bags and suitcases are not suitable due to the way in which they will be carried by our porters
  • Day pack – 30 – 40L rucksack which is either waterproof or has an attachable waterproof cover. Big enough to carry your personal medicines, snacks and plenty of water
  • Dry stuff sacks which contain your necessary items within your day pack – ensuring all is kept safe and dry

Sleeping

  • A 4 season sleeping back which conforms to comfort levels of -20 degrees C
  • A sleeping bag liner can provide extra warmth on those chilly evenings. We recommend a silk sleeping bag liner

Clothing

  • Base layers – these are extremely important for keeping you warm. Made from wicking material (non-cotton), designed to keep moisture (such as sweat) away from the skin.
  • Mid layers to be worn over your base layers. Ideally light-weight micro-fleece which can be layered on / taken off as the temperature / exertion changes. Suitable mid layers will be carried within your day pack for easy access when required
  • Light insulated jacket which can be worn at lower altitudes to keep you warm
  • Trekking trousers which will ideally be quick dry material
  • Underwear, similar to your clothing should ideally be wicking to reduce moisture (and to keep you smelling as fresh as you can!)
  • Hard shell jacket which provides both waterproof and windproof protection from the elements (there’s nothing worse than getting cold and wet on the trail without an overnight drying room to restore your kit)
  • Waterproof trousers to be carried in your day pack for easy access and can be quickly and easily worn over your trekking trousers
  • Down jacket which can be used at higher altitudes to keep you worn and can be used on chilly evenings. Down jackets should be rated to -20 degrees C so ask the assistant for advice when buying
  • Warm gloves or mitts. Consider thinner gloves or glove liners for lower altitudes and ski gloves for higher altitudes (thick gloves can also be rented or bought in Kathmandu for a low cost – your leader will be able to assist you)
  • Trekking socks should be just that – made for trekking. Everyday socks will cause blisters as moisture builds up and no-one wants to have to abandon their trip for uncomfortable blisters! We recommend thinner socks for lower altitude and thick socks for higher altitudes. 5 pairs will be sufficient
  • Warm hat to reduce the loss of heat from your head
  • A wide brimmed hat to keep the sun from your face and the back of your neck
  • Sunglasses rated to Cat 4 for UV filters needed at higher altitude to protect your eyes
  • Walking boots should be 4 season to protect you from the elements, provide ankle support and should be well worn in to prevent you getting blisters on the trip. Spare laces should also be packed

Hydration

We recommend you bring both a hydration bladder for easy access to water along the trip and 2 rigid water bottles which can be additionally used or to replace the hydration bladder should any accidents happen
Hydration salts are also a good idea along the trip
All water provided will be boiled drinking water but feel free to bring water purification tablets if you wish

Additional kit

  • lip balm UV to protect your lips in the thinner atmosphere
  • sun cream – we recommend factor 50
  • Personal medication – upon booking you will be asked regarding your personal medication and if requested, please keep relevant medication in your day sack within easy access of the guides if needed in an emergency situation
  • Small first aid kit including paracetamol / ibuprofen / plasters and blister patches. Your leader will hold a group first aid kit but access will be limited to emergency situations only
  • Wash kit including wet wipes and / or dry shower gels which can be used on the trail when no showers are available. This may also include a travel towel
  • Alcohol gel is required, particularly when considering Covid. Although the mountains are remote, we need to maintain high levels of sanitisation
  • Toilet paper will be provided but cannot always be guaranteed in tea houses and you never know when nature may call on the trek!
  • Decomposable dog poo or nappy bags which can be carried to each tea house. We operate a strict “leave no trace” policy on the trail
  • Head torch with spare batteries
  • Trekking poles
  • Snacks – plenty of snacks which you will carry through the trip to keep those energy levels stocked up. Trail mixes containing nuts and chocolate are a favourite of ours
  • Money – there will be limited need to buy once on the mountain but you may wish to purchase items before or after the trip. Please also bring enough to provide tips. For this trip we recommend £100pp
  • Trekking cheer! Some days will be easier than others but if we all bring some trekking cheer, there should be enough to go around on days which may be tough!For advice relating to kit, feel free to get in touch so we can offer you our best advice
FAQ
Will this trip include?

We will include this but only for an x, y, z of additional cost.

How long will it take to get there?

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Another FAQ heading

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And another FAQ header

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I gained something precious from this mountain which I've never experienced before, and it has stayed in my memories ever since and will remain there for the rest of my life

Steph Miller
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