Kilimanjaro Expedition

8 days / 7 nights
1 night lodging / 6 nights camping

Recommended: Year-round, Best Months: Dec – Feb and Jun - Oct

Mountaineering enthusiasts and big mountain beginners alike will find our Ascent to the Roof of Africa to be both challenging and exciting. We ensure all of our climbers are prepared for the climb by providing you with in-depth climbing and pre-departure information. Additionally, our package includes a day before the climb for acclimatization. During your pre-climb day you will have an opportunity to get to know the surrounding area and ensure that any lost luggage is accounted for before you start your climb.

We have hiked (and reached the summit of) Kilimanjaro several times and are familiar with most every route. We will be happy to discuss your abilities and the challenges you can expect of this mountain.

This departure can be run for any number of people. We are also happy to lead a pre-departure dinner for groups. Please call us for details (630.915.5618).Kilimanjaro Expedition via THE MACHAME ROUTE

You will be hiking the Machame Route to the summit of Kilimanjaro. The Route, while considered more difficult than the shorter Marengo Route, is also less crowded. And with the extra day hiking you will have a greater chance of success reaching the top of the mountain.
The Machame Route lies between the Umbwe and Shira routes. It joins the Shira Route at Shira Hut (where you will camp on your second night). The Machame Route is considered the most beautiful route up Kilimanjaro starting with a lovely gradual ascent through the rain forest. Other days will provide you with varied terrain including an opportunity or two to scramble over boulders. Along the trek you will be able to see wide views of the moorlands of Shira Plateau, Kibo, and the Western breach. Clear nights will treat you with views of the summit glaciers glowing blue in the moonlight.

You will be hiking with an English-speaking guide and all local support staff. A portion of your trip fee goes toward the community school of our mountain staff.


Day 1: PRE-HIKE
Today will be a wonderful day of discovery as you stretch your legs on a casual hike around the villages, stopping for a box lunch at the waterfalls. We have many fun surprises in store for you today. In the evening you will have a mountain briefing with your guide. Overnight at Keys Annex or similar. Lala salama!

Day 2: MACHAME PARK GATE TO MACHAME HUT
After breakfast depart for the mountain. Our staff will handle storage of your non-mountain gear. At Machame Gate you will be required to sign in before setting out on your climb. Today you will enter the rainforest and exit at the heather zone approximately 7 to 8 hours later where you will camp for the night.


Day 3: MACHAME HUT TO SHIRA HUT (3840 M)
Today’s hike will take you from the heather zone into the cloud zone. Be prepared for chilly weather as you scramble over boulders on your way to Shira Hut. Today’s hike is 4 – 5 hours. Enjoy your first views of the summit tonight!


Day 4: SHIRA HUT TO BARRANCO HUT (3900 M)
Your hike today will be long and will give you an opportunity to visit the Lava Towers at over 15,000 feet above sea level. In the late afternoon you will arrive at Barranco Valley which, when the sun sets will be filled with twinkling lights from the villages below.


Day 5: BARRANCO HUT TO KORANGA VALLEY (4000 M)
Another relatively “short” day on the mountain, you will be hiking to the last valley with water. Though many other parties will continue on towards Barafu today, you will stop. After lunch you will have an opportunity to do a day hike, again climbing over 15,000 feet – this time up through a long scree field which will help prepare you for hiking through scree on your summit night.


Day 6: KORANGA VALLEY TO HIGH CAMP (4600+ M)
Like your morning start out of Barranco Valley today will begin with a steep ascent up a valley wall. For the remainder of the day you will be hiking up and down the ridges that make up the high sides of this ancient volcano. In the afternoon you will arrive at Barafu, the High Camp on Kilimanjaro. This is where all the climbers will assemble for their summit attempt so you may find yourself surrounded by other climbing groups. You will have an early dinner, and head for bed as the sun sinks beyond Mount Meru. It’s nearly time now…


Day 7: HIGH CAMP TO SUMMIT, DESCENT TO MWEKA HUT
You’ll arise before midnight and have a small meal before setting out for the summit. Tonight you will be hiking in darkness, zig-zagging through miles of vertical scree on your way to Uhuru. Take comfort, for when you are tired of battling the steep scree of Heartbreak Hill (that’s OUR name for it) you will actually be just below Stella Point and the official “top” of Kilimanjaro. Climbers who make it to Stella (Gilman’s) will be awarded a green certificate for their accomplishment… but you must continue another hour along the rim of the cone to Uhuru to reach the official Summit Of Africa. Climbers who make it to Uhuru will receive a gold certificate.

After photos and whoops of joy it is time to return to High Camp. This downward hike will take you 2.5 – 3 hours. You will have breakfast and pack up your belongings before heading down to Mweka Hut several hours below. By late afternoon you will be drinking in the oxygen-rich air in the high mountain forest. Mweka Hut is at approximately 12,000’ but will feel much lower after your visit to the summit.


Day 8: MWEKA HUT TO MWEKA GATE
After a pleasant night’s sleep you will pack up for the last time and hike out finishing at Mweka Gate at approximately mid-day. After checking out and tipping your support staff you will be met by our drivers who will whisk you away to the hotel to shower and pick up your safari gear.

Please click here (link to our East African Safari) to visit our safari itinerary – a great way to celebrate your climb of Kilimanjaro!


Please contact us for a detailed or custom itinerary.


Note: You will make it down in time to catch the evening flight back to Amsterdam (and onward to home from there), or any late afternoon regional flights.

Depending on the itinerary you choose for your safari you may set out for one of the game parks immediately after descending, or overnight near Arusha.

In conjunction with submitting your deposit, you will be required to complete our forms and confirm that you are physically fit for climbing to high altitude.


Throughout the expedition, you will have the full services of our qualified guide, assistant guide, porters, and camp chef and his assistant. You will need to carry a daypack for personal belongings, but otherwise all equipment will portered ahead for you to the next camp. The expedition is fully inclusive of all such services, as well as all meals, park fees, camping fees, transfers etc. You will be responsible for tipping based on your perceptions of services rendered.

You are reminded that if you must leave the mountain early, it is your responsibility to pay for any transportation, accommodation, meals, beverages and other expenses that are incurred. You will be provided at least one porter for your descent, and they will arrange your ground transport to the hotel.

A complete packing list will be sent after receipt of your deposit.