Kilimanjaro via Crater Route – 12 DAYS

You will arrive latest 1pm to begin the expedition. Destination airport is Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) where you will be greeted by our friendly ground staff and transferred for an overnight stay in Moshi in an exclusive setting. There will be a final gear inspection on arrival with the opportunity to procure any last minute items locally.

A lead guide and a mountain support team will arrive at the hotel in the morning in order to meet you and hold another briefing, after which you will travel by vehicle for about 4 hours to the Kilimanjaro National Park’s western entrance; Londorossi Gate (2,200 m).

There will be a few formalities in oder to acquire climbing permits and registering with the search and rescue service. Everyone will then start trekking to the first camp on your route – Mti Mkubwa Camp (2,780 m). The route will go through the rain forest and depending on the season, you may need to carry rain gear.

By the time you reach the camp, our mountain crew will prepare everything necessary, put tents and cook lunch for you. After having lunch you will complete an acclimatization hike up to 300 m towards Shira 1 Camp and go back to Mti Mkubwa, for a hot meal and rest.

Altitude: 1,800m to 2,200m to 3,095 then back to 2,780m
Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
Distance: 8Km
Difficulty: Low
Habitat: Rain Forest/Meadows

Early start with breakfast, and a gradual trek upwards until 3,500 meters; at that point for the first time you will be able to see stunning views of Shira Plateau and Kibo Volcano. On the whole, the passage from Mti Mkubwa Camp to the second high-altitude Shira 1 Camp (3,505 m) is rather easy.

This will allow you to start the acclimatization process gradually, which is a mainstay of good trekking. When you reach the camp, your team of experts will cook lunch and you will have the chance to rest in your tent or walk around the nearby area.

Altitude: 2,780m to 3,505m
Hiking Time: 5-6 hours
Distance: 5Km
Difficulty: Low
Habitat: Moorland

After breakfast you leave Shira 2 Camp (3,810 m) and start trekking for the day towards the route’s key feature: Lava Tower (4,630 m). This section of the route has a lot of highs and lows that end in a camp at over 4,600 meters.

It will be hard, and you may encounter some discomfort, but in order to successfully acclimate to the altitude you have to spend at least 1-2 hours here, so this is where lunch will be offered. After lunch you will trek a little higher, after which there is a gradual descent to Moir Hut. This camp is located on the way to the northern part of Kilimanjaro.

Note: If one or more participants feel sick, the group may refrain from passing the Lava Tower and adjust the route, following instead the road for porters. In this case you will not reach an altitude of 4,630 meters, getting up only to a maximum of 4,400 meters.

Altitude: 3,810m to 4,630m
Hiking Time: 5 – 7 hours
Distance: 14km
Difficulty: Medium
Habitat: Moorland

On this day you will have a rather long but at the same time easy trek. After a short steep climb out of Moir Valley you will start going around the northern slope of Kilimanjaro, and just like on the way to Lava Tower the path will be full of highs and lows, without any steep gains in altitude.

This route passes close to the border with Kenya, so you will be treated to amazing views of the Tsavo and Amboseli Valleys.

Altitude: 4,200m to 4,020m
Hiking Time: 5 – 7 hours
Distance: 12km
Difficulty: Medium
Habitat: Moorland

The team will finish trekking up the northern slope of Kilimanjaro and stop for the night in 3rd Cave Camp, where the route will meet up with the traditional Rongai route. On this day the trekking will be shorter than on the day before, and by this time your body will already have become completely acclimated to an altitude of 4,000 meters, which will contribute to your general feelings of well-being.

Altitude: 4,020m to 3,870m
Hiking Time: 4 – 6 hours
Distance: 8km
Difficulty: Medium
Habitat: Moorland

After breakfast on this day, you will be trekking to the School Hut Summit Camp (4,750 m). The actual trekking is not very hard, so remember to just choose an appropriate pace in order to keep your strength up for the next day.

When you reach the camp, we recommend you sleep well, avoid strenuous activity and drink as many fluids as you can, because tomorrow you will manage the trekking to the crater.

Altitude: 3,870m to 4,750m
Hiking Time: 4 – 5 hours
Distance: 5km
Difficulty: Medium
Habitat: Arctic

This day will be one of the toughest on your route. The cooks will make a warm breakfast for you to reinforce your energy. Reaching the crater rim requires much dedication. Reaching the crater, you will be astonished by the ancient glaciers and snow. If you want, you may further climb to the Ash Pit (it takes some 90 minutes), or leave this exploit for the next day.

It is very cold at the campsite, and the possibility of snowing during the night is high. If you are in the crater, you are among the few who did it. Warm dinner and supper will energize you, but try reducing your physical activities to the utmost.

Altitude: 4,750m to 5,700m
Hiking Time: 4 – 6 hours
Distance: 5km
Difficulty: Hard
Habitat: Arctic

Starting early at 5:30 with breakfast and then hiking out into the dark. The chances that you will be striding in the snow are very big. Technically, this leg of your journey is not difficult, but high altitude is really a challenge.

A guide will monitor your stamina and health closely. Within two hours you will reach the Uhuru Peak, where you will see one of the most amazing sunrises. Summit time depends on the weather conditions, but do not stay there for long – starting again may be very difficult because of coldness and fatigue.

Then, you will start descending to Millennium Camp through Barafu.

Altitude: 5,700m to 5,895m back to 3,820m
Hiking Time: Dependent on the group’s pace
Distance: 16km
Difficulty: Hard
Hard Habitat: Arctic

The camp is situated in a tropical rainforest. When you wake up, you will feel relief from the reduction of the height and the satisfaction of reaching the summit. After a warm breakfast, you will head for the park’s exit: Mweka Gate (1,640 m).

After your descent the whole group will gather to congratulate you, followed by offering you a chance to share your opinions on the climb in the guestbook. Lastly, we will present you with your commemorative certificates in our office and provide you a transfer to the hotel.

Altitude: 3,820m to 1,640m
Hiking Time: 4 – 5 Hours
Distance: 12km
Difficulty: Low
Habitat: Rain forest

Depart from Tanzania – Expedition ends.

Transfers:

• Pick-up and drop-off at Kilimanjaro International Airport
• Transfer to the Rongai gate – entry gate to Kilimanjaro National Park
• Pick-up at the exit from Kilimanjaro National Park and transfer to the hotel

Accommodation-Shared:

• One night at 3* hotel before the expedition and one night after; The hotels have everything for your comfortable stay – caring staff, nice rooms, reliable Wi-Fi, restaurant and swimming pool
• Tented accommodation on Mount Kilimanjaro (modern, comfortable 4-Season tents)

Please Note:

• All accommodation is on sharing basis (i.e. you will be sharing with your travel companion a twin/double room in the hotel and a tent during the hike. If you travel alone, we will match you with a same-sex adventurer)

Meals:

• Breakfast in the hotel before and after the hike
• All meals on the hike. Our Kilimanjaro diet includes energy-rich and highly nutritious meals prepared by our professional high-altitude cooks .A typical diet on Kilimanjaro includes different soups, garnishes, several types of fish and meat, fresh fruit and vegetables; vegetarian/gluten-free/halal options are available at no extra cost
• All drinks on the hike (coffee, tea, hot chocolate and water)

Hiking & Safety Equipment:

• 4-inch (10-cm) thick and comfortable sleeping mats
• All group equipment (spacious and comfortable dining tent, camping table and chairs, crockery and cutlery)
• Oxygen cylinders and oximeters
• GPS-tracking service
• Complete medical kits

Climbing Crew:

• Professional guides, licensed by Kilimanjaro National Park. All our guides are the holder of Wilderness First Responder or Wilderness First Aid certifications. All our guides have 7+years of successful mountaineering experience
• Dedicated support crew (assistant guides, camp master, porters, cooks, etc.)

• Spending money for on mountain drinks, personal items and souvenirs for the full duration of the excursion.
• COVID and other vaccinations required and insurance.
• Mountaineering insurance. You’ll need special insurance for climbing.
  
• Any costs outside the itinerary.
• Any unforeseeable increase in Park permit and entrance fees, camping fees and/or any other associated park and government fees.
  
• All international flights
• Travel and Expedition cancellation Insurance recommended.
• Tips (250-300 USD per climber for the whole mountain crew)
• Visa fee (100 USD for American citizens and 50 USD for all others)
• Personal gear rentals
• Lunch and dinner at the hotel (before and after the climb)
• Portable toilets (if required – 250 USD per unit, one can be shared between 3 people)

Your passport needs to be valid for at least six (6) months after your journey ends, and should have a minimum of one (1) blank visa page for entry and exit stamps.

Every expedition or adventure is different. Adventures therefore, must be physically and mentally fit with a good deal of experience and skills for the selected activity to ensure their own safety and the welfare of the team.

Base2Summits Expedition requires all clients to have basic knowledge of their activity of choice skills and reasonable experience. The clients should be confident and comfortable to adopt to required practices such as using fixed lines to ascend, descend and crevasse crossing using ladders in the case of mountaineering in the Himalayas.

Booking confirmation must be done 120 days before the start of the expedition or adventure. A non-refundable 50% advance payment must be made after signing the Service Agreement. Clients must provide a Medical Report signed by a physician stating otherwise healthy and fit. Medical with rescue insurance is mandatory for all participants.

Food will be of the highest standard possible, given the remoteness of the certain area. We will take meals (breakfast, Lunch & Dinner) in lodges and teahouses along the trail or cook in the tents where applicable. We are able to accommodate most dietary requirements but please inform us in advance.

We believe in delivering highest standard of client care before and after the completion of trip. A team of dedicated and experienced Guide & Sherpas will provide support during the trek and for the summit climb as well.

All guests will be given an opportunity to provide feedback.