Overview
Experience Tanzania through an unforgettable trek to the ‘rooftop’ of Africa. Mt. Kilimanjaro’s snow-capped peak towers over the Great Rift Valley. Rainforest, tarns, alpine meadows, exotic high-altitude vegetation, sunbirds, rock hyrax and soaring eagles make a trek on these peaks one of the most unique mountaineering experiences in the world. To increase enjoyment, expert guides lead your group up routes allowing adequate time for acclimatizing.
Sample Itinerary
Expand All FieldsDay 1: Welcome to Tanzania.
Wilderness Inquiry staff will pick you up from the Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) and help you get settled at your hotel in Arusha for a night of rest. You will meet your mountain guide in the evening for a trip briefing.
Day 2: Start your trek from the Machame Gate.
After breakfast, set your sights on the mountain as you drive to the edge of Kilimanjaro’s montane forests, where our trek begins. Keep an eye out for wildlife as you begin your ascent into this dense cloud forest.
Day 3: Traverse rocky ridges along the Shira Plateau.
We leave the glades of the rainforest and continue up steep, rocky slopes of the sub-alpine zone. On the Shira Plateau, we pass through heather and open moorlands. Enjoy the scenery across a large river gorge as the landscape unfolds its expansive beauty.
Day 4: Climb along volcanic craters with snow covered landscapes.
Trek across the remains of an ancient volcanic crater, and then follow the trail up the western slope of the Kibo Massif. Here in the upper heath zone, the snowy summit looms above our camp, glowing in the late-afternoon light.
Day 5: Spend the day at the Karanga Valley.
Hike without ascending for a full day in the Karanga Valley to better acclimate. Enjoy one of the most spectacular areas of this route, with fantastic views of Kibo, the Western Breach and the first of the southern glaciers.
Day 6: Trek to the edge of the world at Barafu Camp.
Continue your ascent to Barafu Camp. This area has an otherworldly feel to it, perched on an exposed ridge in a bleak and barren landscape.
Day 7: Summit the rooftop of Africa!
Awake around midnight and, after a light breakfast, begin the hike to the Stellar Point and peer into the mighty Kibo Crater. From there it is only 45 minutes farther along the crater rim to Uhuru Peak, the rooftop of Africa! After celebrating at the summit you will descend slowly all the way to Mweka Campsite. NOTE: Approximately 70% of the people who do this trip actually summit. The decision to summit is solely the responsibility of our guides. You will not summit if our guide decides it would be unsafe to do so.
Day 8: Spot wild Colobus monkeys as you descend to Mweka Gate.
After breakfast, trek all the way down to the Mweka Gate. Keep your eyes peeled for Colobus monkeys in rainforest along the way. Transfer back to Kibo Palace for a hot shower and a celebratory meal.
Day 9: Say farewell to your trip mates.
Shop for some gifts to bring back and prepare for the journey home or opt for a longer adventure to the Serengeti Plains.
Dates & Fees
Wilderness Inquiry leads trips to Mount Kilimanjaro but currently has no dates scheduled. If you have a group of people interested, we can set up a customized adventure just for you! Please contact us or request a trip quote below if you are interested in a group trip to this destination.
Request Trip Quote »What to Expect
TERRAIN/ROUTE CHOICES: Mt. Kilimanjaro routes involve hiking 3-8 hours a day over rough terrain. Porters and/or pack animals will be used to help carry equipment and food. Altitude gains will be optimized for best acclimatization. No technical climbing is necessary to reach Uhuru Peak, Kilimanjaro’s 19,340 ft summit. It is necessary to wake up very early (around 12 am) on the morning of the summit climb in order to reach it around sunrise. The early timing is critical because clouds typically engulf the summit from mid-morning until dusk, making for poor views and more difficult climbing conditions. The summit attempt can take 8-12 hours round trip. Approximately 70% of the people who do this trip actually summit. The decision to summit is solely the responsibility of our guides. You will not summit if our guide decides it would be unsafe to do so.
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