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Kilimanjaro Trek
Check that the cost of your trip includes Park and Camping fees, Staff tips and return airport transfers; ours do. Our full inclusions.
Kilimanjaro – home to the highest point on the African continent (Uhuru) and the highest free standing mountain in the world. For trekkers, Kilimanjaro is still one of the great challenges.
Guaranteed departures:
10 Feb - Lemosho route
26 Feb - Machame route
Acclimatisation on Kilimanjaro is essential and we therefore offer the 3 longest routes: Lemosho (8 days), Rongai and Machame (both 7 days). It is important to understand the dangers of altitude, particularly on Kilimanjaro. Read more>>
Our policy on Staff Tips
Full itinerary and Map of the 3 routes.
A summary of our 3 Kilimanjaro preferred routes:
Lemosho. At 8 days inside the Kilimanjaro National Park, this is the longest, most remote and considered the most beautiful. Sightings of Colobus and Blue monkey are common on Day 1. It approaches from the far west and has that 'wilderness feel' to it. It tracks under the southern side of the mountain. If you have time, take the extra day; it counts when acclimatising.
Machame. One day shorter than the Lemosho, it has a more direct approach from the south west getting up onto the Shira Plateau quicker. The Lemosho and Machame routes join at Barranco (night 3 of this route; 4 of the Lemosho). At 7 days, it is still a decent acclimatisation process but obviously not as good as the lemosho.
Rongai. The only route to approach from the north (on the Kenyan border), this is very different from the other two. You may find evidence of more animals here. The ascents and descents are slightly more gentle too, although that increases the foot distance (not a problem here!).
Regardless of what route you choose, we will meet you at Kilimanjaro’s airport and transfer you to one of our preferred hotels (more details are in the pdf itinerary) where you can relax and prepare for the trek.
Our fully supported treks will get you safely and fully acclimatised ready to summit. From either Barafu or Kibo, you will begin the summit attempt at about midnight.
This overnight, slow ascent is demanding but ultimately rewarding. The timing of the ascent is to get you to the summit to witness the sunrise over Africa, above the clouds. You will stand on the highest point (Uhuru Peak, 5895m/19340’), which is on the edge of the dormant Kibo volcano with fantastic views of Mt Meru and into the huge crater. After recording the moment, it will be time to descend down through the scree to your start point (short break) before descending further to your next overnight stop. Be aware that this can be quite demanding after your overnight activity!
The final day takes you out of the Park; time to relax and celebrate with your fellow trekkers and Guide/support team.
Kilimanjaro - The Safe Way To Ascend
We take your enjoyment but most importantly your safety very seriously. Please take a few minutes to read this; it may increase your chances of a successful summit.
Although statistics vary, the percentage of trekkers that do not make the summit on the shorter itineraries (less than 6 nights) due to altitude sickness is reputed to be very high. Martina Navratilovo was one of them in December 2010.
Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS, aka altitude sickness) is a serious danger when attempting to summit Kilimanjaro; it can kill. It is brought on by ascending too fast thus not allowing the body to acclimatize properly.
The shorter 6 day itineraries offered by most companies is largely driven by the high level of ‘Park fees’ charged for every day that you are in the Park. Clearly prices can be kept down if they get you in and out quickly. It may also be putting you at risk.
If you are going to attempt to reach the summit of Kilimanjaro, do it safely and enjoy the experience.
As if to emphasize our point, Sunday Telegraph journalist Liz Hunt climbed Kilimanjaro and published her account in the newspaper's travel section (24 Jan 2010). To quote the article....
'At altitude, when the body's ability to acclimatise quickly is the tipping point between success and failure, one extra day counts.......Of some 20,000 people who attempt Kili each year, a third don't make it – as Roman Abramovich found out last September.'
Read the full article
Travel and Trek's Guide to trekking at High Altitude.
Tips - Our Policy
We have a responsibility to ensure that your holiday runs smoothly and that includes advising you on tipping staff. In this region, it is expected but should be reasonable. There have been many stories of excessive demands. Our policy is clear and transparent and above all, fair. It has been agreed with our support company.
Tips for all trekking staff is INCLUDED within the trip fee. The level is set at US$90 per trekker regardless of the size of the trekking group or number of staff supporting you. At the end of the trek, you will be given the 'tips pot' (equivalent to the number of trekkers in the group) to present to the Guide, who will in turn allocate out to the crew.
