Mount Kilimanjaro

Kilimanjaro is remote, alluring and, simply put, awe inspiring. Starting off on the dusty plains of equatorial Africa and trekking to near arctic conditions at the summit; you will pass through tropical rain forest, moorland and alpine desert onto snow and ice. Your fist trip to this mountain will be nothing short of dramatic.

Kilimanjaro offers thrilling adventure taking you to the highest point in Africa . It is accessible to all but the mountain demands to be treated with respect. Train in the months leading up to your climb so as to enjoy in full this experience in this unique setting. Aardvark Expeditions embraces fair trade practices and responsible tourism.

Located in Northern Tanzania and bordering Kenya, Kilimanjaro dominates the landscape. This, the worlds largest fee-standing mountain is in fact an extinct volcano and must be one of life’s most impressive sights.

This mountain attracts nature enthusiasts as well as mountain climbers with the its distinctive eco-systems; also the accent to this majestic peak is a non-technical climb. Having said this it also affords a full mountaineering experience, as the assent has its challenges and rewards. You must be in a strong physical condition attempt the climb which typically takes five days. It is better, if you are able, to coordinate your assent to the summit with the light of the full moon.

As the climb is classed as non-technical often climbers will underestimate the fineness level required to enjoy their trip and to succeed in climbing to the summit. You should be comfortable in walking four to eight hours per day. The accent to the summit being the most demanding day of all; usually taking eight hours on the steep accent to Uhuru Peak and another seven hours on the decent; this requires both strength and endurance. The secret, if there is one, is in taking the climb slowly; Kilimanjaro stands at an extreme high altitude and all too often this is underestimated; Uhuru Peak stands at 5,895 meters above sea level.

Mount Kilimanjaro Climbing: Itinerary for 5 days 4 nights Marangu Route

Day 01 – Marangu Gate:

Breakfast, drive from the hotel to Marangu gate, after registration start climbing through dense semi-tropical to the first hut- Mandara hut (9,000ft). Stay overnight at Mandara Hut on Full Board basis.

Day 02 – Mandara Hut:

Breakfast; ascend through the alpine meadow, and grassland and moorland to Horombo hut (12,000ft). Both Mawenzi and Kibo peaks can be viewed easily on the way. Stay overnight at Horombo Hut on Full Board basis.

Day 03 – Horombo Hut:

Breakfast, further ascending to Kibo hut (15,000ft); the landscape becomes very stony and eroded. Spectacular mountain vegetation like giant cactus, groundswell and lobelia appear on the way. Dinner and an overnight stay at Kibo hut.

Day 04 – Kibo Hut – Uhuru Peak:

Wake up at midnight for a snack and then proceed to the summit through Gilman’s point (18,640ft). It is about 5-6hours and 1 – 2 hours from Kibo hut to Gilman’s point and from Gilman’s point to Uhuru Peak (19,340ft) respectively. Reaching the peak in the early morning of the fifth day and start descending after picture taking on the top to Horombo hut for diner and an overnight after a short break at Kibo hut

Day 05 – Horombo Hut – Marangu Gate, Back to Arusha:

After finshing your breakfast, you will descend from Horombo hut to Marangu gate and then you will be met and transfer to Arusha.

…………End of the Kilimanjaro Climbing………

Price for Marangu Route:

5 days 4 nights will be US$ …… per person
6 days 5 nights will be US$ …… per person
Minimum 2 people, single supplement per person will be US$ …….

Price Include:

Park fees, hut/camping fees, rescue fees, guide, porters, cook, breakfast, lunch and dinner, transport to/from park gate from/to Arusha, bottled water for the first day only and "treated" water thereafter, camping equipments, VAT where applicable.

Price Exclude:

Airport drinks, tipping, laundry, hire of any clothing/equipment, sleeping bags/roll mats, airport transfers, personal toiletry requirements, insurance, and all items of a personal nature.

Mount Kilimanjaro Climbing: Itinerary for 7 days 6 nights Machame Route

Day 01 – Kilimanjaro – Machame Campsite:

After breakfast you depart by vehicle to Kilimanjaro. At the gate your crew finalizes packing and after finishing with formalities you start of from Machame gate. Today's hiking is through verdant afromontane forest to Machame camp and on route you have a picnic lunch. Look out for pretty endemic flora and a gradation of forest zones. Stay overnight Machame Campsite on Full Board basis.

DAY 02 – Kilimanjaro – Shira Campsite:

From Machame camp you hike to Shira Camp. The first section is relatively steep and altitude is gained rapidly. A picnic lunch is taken on trail today. The zone you pass through today is known as the heath zone where attractive Helichrysum and lobelia plants become apparent. Various geologic features can be seen today from lava tubes to glacial valleys. Stay overnight at Shira Camp on Full Board basis.

Day 03 – Kilimanjaro – Barranco Campsite:

Today is a walk high sleep low day. You ascend into alpine desert and for those that are feeling strong you can even head up to Lava Tower before descending to Barranco camp. Lunch is taken as a picnic lunch on route. This is long day but note that the next time you head to this altitude is in two days time - great acclimatization day. Stay overnight Barranco Camp on Full Board basis.

Day 04 – Kilimanjaro – Karanga Valley:

From Barranco camp, famous for its' giant groundsels (Senecio species), you ascend the Barranco wall and hike glacial valleys to Karanga camp. Today is a relatively short day hiking and lunch is taken at Karanga camp. In the afternoon a walk can be taken with your guides for great views of the Southern walls of Kibo and deep glacial valleys. Stay overnight Karanga Camp on Full Board basis.

Day 05 – Kilimanjaro – Barafu:

Today is another half day ascending to Barafu campsite; Once again lunch is taken in camp allowing plenty of time to relax before the summit bid. Desolate alpine desert and at times strong winds rip over this campsite and yet in the evening splendid views of Mawenzi peak are the norm. A relatively early dinner is taken before heading to rest for the evening. Stay overnight Barafu Camp on Full Board basis.

Day 06 - Kilimanjaro – Mweka Gate:

Most people depart just before midnight for the final summit bid. Patience and persistence is the name of game to reach the summit and by dawn as the first rays of light start to appear, most arrive near the rim. Ascending via Stella Point affords a relatively short final section to Uhuru peak, the Roof of Africa! What goes up must come down and your goal today is to reach Mweka campsite. Stay overnight at Mweka Campsite on Full Board basis.

Day 07 – final descend, Back to Arusha:

After breakfast you descend once again through rain forest and around mid day after saying farewell to your crew, you are picked up and transfer back to your hotel for a well deserved shower!

…………End of the Kilimanjaro Trekking………

6 days 5 nights will be US$ …… per person.
7 days 6 nights will be US$ …… per person
Minimum 2 people, single supplement per person will be US$ …….

Price Include:

Price Exclude:

Airport drinks, tipping, laundry, hire of any clothing/equipment, sleeping bags/roll mats, airport transfers, personal toiletry requirements, insurance, and all items of a personal nature.

Mount Kilimanjaro Climbing: Itinerary for 8 days 7 nights Londorossi Route

Day 01 – Londorossi Gate:

From Arusha drive to Londorossi Gate on the western side of Kilimanjaro Mountain via Boma Ng’ombe and Sanya Juu. Driving across a deep stream valley to a fork where a forestry road leads uphill to the Londorossi Glades; from there start trekking through the rain forest to Mti Mkubwa (Big Tree) Campsite (you will be accompanied by armed ranger). Stay overnight at Mti Mkubwa Campsite on Full Board basis.

Day 02 – Mti Mkubwa Campsite:

After breakfast, continue with ascending across the dense rain forest, climbing is gradually become steeper before reaching a wide moorland zone. Proceed toward Game and Marshall One Valley for Lunch Break. Then cross a high altitude desert plateau Shire Caldera to Shire Cave 1 (on request this can be omitted). Stay overnight at the Campsite on Full Board basis.

Day 03 – Shira Cave:

After breakfast at Shire Cave proceeds gently east across the Shira Plateau and the Shira Cathedral towards Shira Hut 2 on the moorland meadow; It is an excellent place in this route for acclimatization, while gaining the altitude slowly. Stay overnight at Shira Campsite on Full Board basis.

Day 04 – Barranco Hut/Campsite:

From Shira Hut turn eastward and continue climbing towards the Barranco Hut through Lava Tower while getting great views of the spectacular Barranco Valley. Stay overnight stay at Barranco Hut (see Climbing Conditions below).

Day 05 – Karanga Valley Campsite:

After overcoming the volcanic rock barrier “the Great Barranco (locally known as breakfast)” descends through scree and ridges to Karanga Valley and the rest. Stay overnight at the Campsite on Full Board basis.

Day 06 – Kibo Crater Floor:

After breakfast, start climbing early in the morning (normally 01:00 am) to reach the Kibo Crater rim at the Stella Point before sunrise. And then descent to the crater floor to Furtwangler Glacier for camping (Climbing Conditions).

Day 07 – Kibo to the UHURU PEAK 5896 MASL:

Ascending towards the peak between glaciers to UHURU PEAK at 5,896m the highest point in Africa; it is here that you can have that feeling “I have Conquered Kilimanjaro, the highest mountain of Africa” Then descend to Mweka Hut at the edge of the rainforest, for overnight camping, with a stopover at Barafu Hut for Lunch (Climbing Conditions).

Day 08 – Mweka Hut to Mweka Gate:

After breakfast you descend once again through rain forest and around mid day after saying farewell to your crew, you are picked up and transfer back to your hotel for a well deserved shower!

…………End of the Kilimanjaro Trekking………

7 days 6 nights will be US$ …… per person.
8 days 7 nights will be US$ …… per person
Minimum 2 people, single supplement per person will be US$ …….

Price Include:

Price Exclude:

Airport drinks, tipping, laundry, hire of any clothing/equipment, sleeping bags/roll mats, airport transfers, personal toiletry requirements, insurance, and all items of a personal nature.

Mount Kilimanjaro Climbing: Itinerary for 5 days 4 nights Umbwe Route

Day 01 – Umbwe Gate:

After breakfast, collect your picnic and drive to Umbwe Gate, after registration start the trail. It is climbing through steep slopes covered with a dense natural rain forest, which then walk along the narrow ridge between the Lonzo River and Umbwe River to reach Umbwe Caves Campsite. Stay overnight at the campsite on Full Board basis.

Day 02 – Umbwe Caves:

The forest ends shortly after leaving the Umbwe Caves, the path continue up past moorland and along a narrow spectacular ridge before reaching Barranco Hut at 3,900m on Full Board basis.

Day 03 – Barranco Hut:

Breakfast at Barranco Hut, and then proceed with a short hard climb over a vertical wall to the top of the Great Barranco (locally known as breakfast), descend through scree and ridges to Karanga Valley, have a break here before climbing over a ridge to the Barafu Hut near glacier stream for stay overnight on Full Board basis. This is the hardest part; it might take 8 to 9 hours (see the note below).

Day 04 – Barafu Hut to UHURU PEAK 5895 meters:

After breakfast, start climbing early in the morning (normally 01:00 am) to reach the Kibo crater rim at the Stella Point (sometimes it is bitterly cold here) before sunrise. Ascending between glaciers and sometimes it is covered with snow; therefore, an ice-axe or ski stick become useful for balance, proceeds to UHURU PEAK at 5,896 meters the highest point in Africa. After taking the pictures descend to Barafu Hut for Lunch, then Mweka Hut for stay overnight on Full Board basis.

Day 05 – Mweka Gate, Back to Arusha:

After breakfast you descend once again through rain forest and around mid day after saying farewell to your crew, you are picked up and transfer back to your hotel for a well deserved shower!

…………End of the Kilimanjaro Trekking………

5 days 4 nights will be US$ …… per person.
Minimum 2 people, single supplement per person will be US$ …….

Price Include:

Price Exclude:

Airport drinks, tipping, laundry, hire of any clothing/equipment, sleeping bags/roll mats, airport transfers, personal toiletry requirements, insurance, and all items of a personal nature.

Mount Kilimanjaro Climbing: Itinerary for 6 days 5 nights Rongai Route

Day 01 – Rongai Gate:

Drive from Arusha to Marangu Gate for the necessary registration formalities and then transferred by Land Rover to Rongai, which should take about 1.5 hours. The climb starts at the village of Nale Moru (1,950 m.) through fields of maize and potatoes before entering pine forest. The climb is consistently and gently through attractive forest that shelters a variety of wildlife. You will reach the first Campsite, at the edge of the moorland zone (2,600 m.), giving you extensive views over the Kenyan plains, (7 kilometers, 3 – 4 hours of the Trekking Kilimanjaro).

Day 02 – Kikelewa Caves:

After breakfast start with steady walk ascent up to the 'Second Cave' (3,450 m.). Start seeing Kibo Peak and the Eastern ice fields on the crater rim. Leave the main trail and strike out across the moorland on a smaller path towards the jagged peaks of Mawenzi. The campsite is in a sheltered valley near Kikelewa Caves (3.600 meters) (15 kilometers, 5 – 7 hours of trekking Kilimanjaro).

Day 03 – Mawenzi Tarn Campsite:

Trailing start with short but steep climb up grassy slopes, which are rewarded with superb circular views and a tangible sense of wilderness, before reaching Mawenzi Tarn (4,330 m.), for camping, spend the rest of the day resting or exploring the surrounding area as an aid to acclimatization (10km, 5-7 hrs. of trekking).

Day 04 – Kibo Campsite/ School Campsite:

Early morning proceeds with trekking crossing the saddle between Mawenzi and Kibo to reach School Campsite at the foot of the Kibo crater wall, (8 kilometers, and 6 – 7 hrs of trekking). Today you can spend the rest of the day to prepare for the final Kilimanjaro ascent.

Day 05 – Trek to Uhuru Peak 5895 meters:

The last day will be a really early beginning for the summit, normally 01:00 am, trailing through loose volcanic scree to reach the crater rim at Gillman's Point, take a rest for short while before continuing to the Uhuru Peak (which might take 3 hours) After relaxing, watching the sun rise and taking memorable pictures, start descending to the Horombo Hut and spend overnight there.

Day 06 – Horombo to the Hotel:

After breakfast you descend once again through Horombo rainforest and around mid day after saying farewell to your crew, you are picked up and transfer back to your hotel for a well deserved shower!

…………End of the Kilimanjaro Trekking………

6 days 5 nights will be US$ …… per person.
7 days 6 nights will be US$ …… per person.
Minimum 2 people, single supplement per person will be US$ …….

Price Include:

Price Exclude:

Airport drinks, tipping, laundry, hire of any clothing/equipment, sleeping bags/roll mats, airport transfers, personal toiletry requirements, insurance, and all items of a personal nature.