The Itinerary
DAY 1: ARRIVE IN TANZANIA
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.
DAY 2: DROP OFF & TREK TO SHIRA 2 CAMP
Abstain from consuming alcohol and caffeineDrink over 4 liters of bottled water daily (little by little, frequently) Most mountain climbers take Diamox in the morning, before they start their ascent, in order to reduce discomfort associated with altitude sickness.
We recommend you consult your doctor prior to the trip in case of potential allergies. At night you may experience discomfort associated with acclimatization to the high altitude: because of a reduction in your waking breathing pattern, your body gets less oxygen than during the day.
Taking altitude into account, you may therefore start feeling sick and have a headache. Pay attention to your own body and tell your guide if you start feeling any symptoms of altitude sickness.
Altitude: 3,500m to 3,900m
Hiking Time: 1-2 hours
Distance: 5Km
Difficulty: Low
Habitat: Meadows
DAY 3: SHIRA 2 CAMP TO LAVA TOWER
After breakfast you will leave Shira Camp and start your way to the key point of the route: Lava Tower. This section of the route has a lot of ascents and descents that end in a camp at over 4,600 meters.
It might be difficult, and you may feel 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. Then you will descend to Barranco Camp. Here you can see the famous Barranco Wall, impressive in both its massive size and steepness!
Next day you will be climbing it, but don’t worry: it features a very simple hiking trail.
Altitude: 3,900 m to 4,630m then descend to 3960m
Hiking Time: 6-8 hours
Distance: 12Km
Difficulty: Medium
Habitat: Moorland
DAY 4: BARRANCO CAMP TO KARANGA CAMP
Early wakeup, breakfast and the start of summiting Barranco Wall . To avoid crowds on the narrow trail, we recommend leaving the camp as early as possible. Hiking up the gorge wall is not difficult and only takes around an hour.
After the climb you can have a rest and take photos in front of the Kibo volcano. Then you start a more difficult hike to Karanga Camp, which features numerous ascents and descents during the route, but don’t worry: our guides are experts at choosing an optimal pace for the group.
After reaching the camp you will be offered warm lunch. After a couple of hours you will have to complete an acclimatization hike in the direction of Barafu Camp with a 200-meter gain in altitude, and then descent back down to the camp. It is better to spend the remainder of the day resting.
Altitude: 3,960m to 4,035m
Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
Distance: 5K
Difficulty: Medium
Habitat: Moorland
DAY 5: KARANGA CAMP BARAFU CAMP
In the morning after breakfast you begin your way to Barafu Summit Camp (4,640 m), the starting point for a night summiting Uhuru Peak (5,895 m). Our team will set up a camp for you ahead of time, including tents and sleeping bags, so you can relax.
After regaining strength, you have to complete an acclimatization hike towards the intermediate Kosovo Summit Camp (4,800 m) and then back to Barafu Camp, where you will be served a hot dinner.
It is better to spend the remainder of the day resting and sleeping before night summiting.
Altitude: 4,035m to 4,640m
Hiking Time: 8-12 hours
Distance: 6Km
Difficulty: Medium
Habitat: Arctic
DAY 6: BARAFU CAMP TO UHURU PEAK
Departure from Barafu Camp at night and the start of summiting Kilimanjaro: Uhuru Peak . Technically the climb is relatively simple; however, the most challenging part is the high altitude.
Each pair of climbers will get a personal guide for the entire ascent to monitor your physical and mental conditions. After your successful ascent to Uhuru Peak, you can descend to the nearest glacier if desired. Then you will return to Barafu Camp and after a 2-hour rest continue your descent to Millennium Camp.
Altitude: 4640m to 5895m and descend to 3820m
Hiking Time: 8-12 hours
Distance: 15Km
Difficulty: High
Habitat: Arctic
DAY 7: MILLENNIUM CAMP TO MWEKA GATE
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 back to the hotel.
Altitude: 3,820m to 1,640m
Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
Distance: 12Km
Difficulty: Low
Habitat: Rain Forest
DAY 8: DEPARTURE
Depart from Tanzania – Expedition ends.
Cost breakdown & Essential Info
INCLUDED IN THE COSTS
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.)
EXCLUDED IN THE COSTS
- 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)
PASSPORT & VISA INFORMATION
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.
CASH & CREDIT CARDS
We recommend travelling with some cash, and at least two different major credit cards, such as Visa and Mastercard, so you have backup if your card is not accepted or lost. Access to ATM machines is available in cities close to the mountain or safari but limited to none in rural areas. Contact your bank and credit card companies to let them know where and when you’ll be travelling, as well as confirm any foreign transaction fees.
When carrying cash, try to travel only with recently issued currency in smaller denominations; wrinkled or torn bills are not accepted. Only exchange currency at authorized outlets such as currency exchanges, ATMs or hotels and save receipts as they may be required for exit.
PHYSICAL CONDITION & EXPERIENCE
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
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
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.
THE TEAM
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.