Book this 9-Day Kilimanjaro Climbing tour and have a challenging hike via Machame Route to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro – Africa’s tallest mountain. At high altitude, it is an epic trek through varied landscapes of lowland forest and dry mountain desert. With local guides and porters making your climb that much easier, set up camp at night and soak up all the marvelous scenery along the route. Then at the very top of Uhuru Peak, rising 5895 metres (19341 feet) above sea level, feel the exhilaration and sense of achievement as you marvel at the incredible views and consider what you have just accomplished. Congratulations – you have hit the peak of Mount Kilimanjaro.
9-Day Kilimanjaro Climbing Tour Highlights
- Marvel at the mighty Mount Kilimanjaro from the lush tropical surrounds of Marangu, as you prepare to ascend the incredible mountain with the help of an experienced climber.
- Hike with expert guides and porters. You’ll be in great hands – with one guide for every two passengers – so all you will have to worry about is soaking up the scenery and keeping your footing!
- Mount Kilimanjaro’s changing scenery – magnificent rainforests and high-alpine deserts to ice fields and vast glaciers – is all on display as you tackle the trails to the roof of Africa.
- Catch a breathtaking African sunrise from Stella Point on your way to summit Africa’s highest mountain peak – unquestionably a rewarding experience after an early wake-up call!
Is this trip right for you?
- You need a good level of fitness for this tour. Although the distances covered are not far, the effects of altitude will make it much harder than the usual uphill hike.
- The hike will be slow to allow your body to adjust to the altitude. The speed of the trekking may be much slower than you are use too. But, we have found that this slow speed allows your body’s reserve levels to remain higher plus also allows for your body to adjust to the altitude as you walk.
- You need tried and tested all-purpose hiking equipment. The temperatures at night can get very cold above 3500 meters so warm clothing and sleeping bag is essential. Hiring of equipment or a sleeping bag is also possible.
- Your safety comes first. All our guides and trek leaders have been trained and are proficient in first aid. They also carry oxygen cylinders on all treks for emergency use.
- Prepare for dusty and dirty conditions. It can be very difficult going hiking for continuous days without a shower. A dust mask, wet wipes and face washer may become your best friends.
9-Day Kilimanjaro Climbing Tour Itinerary
Day 1: Moshi
Jambo! Welcome to Tanzania. Your 9-day Kilimanjaro climbing tour begins in the foothills of Mount Kilimanjaro in Moshi. The hotel is a short walk from the bustling market of the village and some excellent coffee shops. Please ensure that you are at the hotel by early evening, as your adventure starts with a full briefing and kit inspection by an experienced Mount Kilimanjaro climber. After the meeting, fuel up on delightful dinner and get a good night’s sleep ready to start your Kilimanjaro climb tomorrow.
Accommodation: Hotel (1 night)
Meals: Dinner
Included activities
Mount Kilimanjaro – Trek Briefing
Mount Kilimanjaro – Complimentary equipment hire (sleeping bag and walking poles) – must be requested at time of booking
Day 2: Machame Camp
After a good breakfast, meet your guides and porters and take the chance to organise your gear. After that, set off on a one-hour road transfer to the Machame Gate – the south western entrance to the Mount Kilimanjaro National Park. En route, stop into one of the clothes lending offices of Kilimanjaro Porters Assistance Projects and learn how their program is assisting porters. Begin your trek around lunch time, starting with a pleasant stroll through the rainforest, where many species of colourful birds can be spotted. Set up your camp at Machame in the mid-afternoon ready for your first night on Mount Kilimanjaro. The huts fell into disrepair some years ago, so with the assistance of the porters you will set up tents for the night. Enjoy an evening meal prepared by the porters and savour the first night of sleeping outdoors.
Accommodation: Camping (with basic facilities) (1 night)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Included activities
- Fully catered trek including National Park entrance fees, climbing fee, tented camps & rescue services (7 days)
- Mount Kilimanjaro – Porterage of 1 bag (9kg/20lb max)
- Mount Kilimanjaro – Return transfers from hotel to park gate
- Mount Kilimanjaro – Emergency oxygen and comprehensive first aid kits
- Moshi – Kilimanjaro Porters Assistance Project
Special information: From Moshi to Machame Huts, ascend to 3000 metres (9800 feet) and walk for 15 kilometres (approximately 6–8 hours).
Day 3: Shira Camp
Your second day of the 9-day Kilimanjaro Climbing tour takes you out of the rainforest and up a steep ridge into moor land zone. Watch as the vegetation becomes sparser as you ascend along the path to the Shira Plateau. Soon, a number of distinct species, including the giant groundsel and lobelia, will be the only plants dominating the harsh landscape. Spend the night camping on the edge of the Shira Plateau and be treated to a golden sunset over the snow-dusted Kibo Peak.
Accommodation: Camping (with basic facilities) (1 night)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Special information: From Machame Camp to Shira Camp, ascend to 3840 metres (12,600 ft), covering 12 kilometres (approximately 5–7 hours).
Day 4: Barranco Camp
Enjoy a fantastic hike as you proceed through the rolling landscape and deep river valleys. The undulating terrain provides a perfect chance to acclimatise and as you ascend to the more rugged areas of the mountain. There are great views of the Kibo Peaks and its magnificent surrounds. Spend your night at Barranco Camp.
Accommodation: Camping (with basic facilities) (1 night)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Special information: From Shira Camp to Barranco Camp, ascend to 3900 metres (12800 feet) and cover 12 kilometres (approximately 5–7 hours).
Day 5: Karanga Valley
Today is an important acclimatisation day. You are only going to be walking during the morning. First, climb the Barranco Wall (not a technical climb) before following the Kibo South Circuit. You can expect to have some magnificent views of Kibo’s southern glaciers if weather is clear. Arrive at your camp at about lunchtime and rest your legs as you enjoy great views by the river in the Karanga Valley.
Accommodation: Camping (with basic facilities) (1 night)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Special information: From Barranco Camp to Karanga Valley Camp, descend to 4200 metres (13,780 feet) and cover 7 kilometres (approximately 4 hours).
Day 6: Barafu Camp / Uhuru Peak
From Karanga, ascend to the intersection of the South Circuit and the Mweka route where you will begin climbing up a ridge to Barafu Hut. Barafu is Swahili world for ‘ice’ – it can be very cold here at night! You will arrive at Barafu at about late lunchtime, allowing plenty of time to relax before the final summit attempt very early tomorrow morning.
Accommodation: Camping (with basic facilities) (1 night)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner
Special information: From Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp, ascend to 4600 metres (15,100 feet) and cover 3.5 kilometres (approximately 4 hours).
Day 7: Uhuru Peak / Millennium Camp or Mweka Camp
At approximately midnight you will be woken by the guides with some hot tea and biscuits to give you energy. After that, you will embark on a long, difficult ascent up scree, and sometimes snow, to Stella Point at 5780m. Traverse the giant Rebmann Glacier along the way and hopefully arrive at Stella Point in time for sunrise and superb views of the crater, the glacier glistening in the morning sun. From Stella it is a further 1-hour trek along the rim of the crater to Uhuru Peak (5895metres), which is Africa’s highest point. From the peak, take in memorable views of the crater, the ice fields and the vast and distant East African plains below. After photos and back-patting, embark on your descent. Back at Barafu Camp, enjoy a well-deserved lunch and much thicker air! After lunch, proceed on to Mweka Camp for the night and have a well-earned rest.
Accommodation: Camping (with basic facilities) (1 night)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Special information: From Barafu Camp to the Uhuru Peak summit, ascend 1296 metres and cover about 4 kilometres (approximately 8 hours). The descent takes approximately 3 hours.
Day 8: Moshi
Today you will proceed down the mountain, passing through alpine meadows and rainforest to the Mweka park gate. From Mweka Camp to the Mweka gate, hike for about 10 kilometres (approximately 3–4 hours) descending a total of 1300 metres. Enjoy a nice lunch after checking out of the national park and then transport back to the hotel for a relaxing shower – a real treat after the physical exertions of the last few days! Tonight, you can gather with your trekking friends for a meal, sharing your experiences of the past 6 days on the mountain.
Accommodation: Hotel (1 night)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 9: Departure Day
With no safari activities or hiking planned for today, you are free to leave Tanzania at any time. Transfers to Kilimanjaro International Airport, Zanzibar for a beach holiday orUganda for gorilla trekking can be arranged locally – please inform us if you wish to organise this.
Meals: Breakfast
9-Day Kilimanjaro Climbing Tour Inclusions
- Meals: 8 breakfasts, 7 lunches, 8 dinners
- Transport: 4×4 safari vehicle
- Accommodation: Camping (with basic facilities) (6 nights), Hotel (2 nights)
- Mount Kilimanjaro – Trek Briefing
- Mount Kilimanjaro – Complimentary equipment hire (sleeping bag and walking poles) – must be requested at time of booking
- Fully catered trek including National Park entrance fees, climbing fee, tented camps & rescue services (7 days)
- Mount Kilimanjaro – Porterage of 1 bag (9kg/20lb max)
- Mount Kilimanjaro – Return transfers from hotel to park gate
- Mount Kilimanjaro – Emergency oxygen and comprehensive first aid kits
- Moshi – Kilimanjaro Porters Assistance Project
