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: RONGAI GATE TO FIRST CAVES CAMP
Breakfast at hotel then drive and register at Kilimanjaro National Park Gate and transfer (approximately two and a half hours) to the Rongai trailhead near the Kenya border. Begin hiking from the village of Nale Moru.
The small winding path crosses maize fields before entering pine forest, then climbs gently through a forest sheltering a variety of wildlife, including the Kilimanjaro Colobus monkey. Our campsite is on the edge of the moorland zone with expansive views of the Kenyan plains.
Altitude: 2 020m to 2 600m
Hiking Time: 3-5 hours
Distance: 8Km
Difficulty: Low
Habitat: Rain Forest
DAY 3: 1ST CAVES CAMP TO KIKELEWA CAVES
Challenging ascent to the “Second Cave” where you will relax and have lunch with superb views of Kibo and the ice fields on the crater rim. After lunch proceed towards the jagged peaks of Mawenzi, where we camp in a sheltered valley near Kikelewa Caves.
Altitude: 2600m to 3450m
Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
Distance: 10Km
Difficulty: Medium
Habitat: Rain Forest
DAY 4: KIKELEWA CAVE TO MAWENZI TARN
A short but steep climb up grassy slopes offers superb views of this wilderness area. The vegetation zone ends shortly before we reach our next camp at Mawenzi Tarn spectacularly situated beneath the towering spires of Mawenzi. Spend the afternoon relaxing and acclimatising.
Altitude: 3450m to 4335m
Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
Distance: 6Km
Difficulty: Medium
Habitat: Moorland
DAY 5: MAWENZI TARM TO SCHOOL HUT CAMP
The day is spent trekking to School Hut Camp (4 715m). The trek is not difficult but the landscape changes significantly moving into the rocky semidesert. From this camp, hydration becomes more important and carbo-loading before the summit push.
Altitude: 4335m to 4715m
Hiking Time: 5-6hours
Distance: 9Km
Difficulty: Medium
Habitat: Alpine desert
DAY 6: SUMMIT DAY - UHURU PEAK
A very early start (midnight) for the final challenge to reach Gilman’s Point (5 756m). We hike slowly on a switchback trail through loose volcanic scree. Rest for a short time to enjoy the spectacular sunrise over Mawenzi. Continue slowly across to Uhuru Peak passing close to spectacular glaciers and ice cliffs in the summit area.
After some summit celebrations and photo’s of your achievement we descend to Kibo. After a welcome break we then continue down the Marangu Route to Horombo Camp for a well-deserved rest. This is a long, yet highly rewarding day.
Altitude: 4750m to 5895m to 3720m
Hiking Time: 12-14hours
Distance: 21Km
Difficulty: High
Habitat: Rain Forest
DAY 7: DECENT TO HOTEL
Descend steadily through the moorland, past Mandara Hut and through a lush rain forest to the Marangu Park Gate where transport will be waiting to drive you back to Moshi. Overnight and time for a well-deserved hot shower, dinner and enjoy summit celebrations.
Altitude: 3720m to 1900m
Hiking Time: 5-6 hours
Distance:18Km
Difficulty: Medium
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
- Kilimanjaro that covers high-altitude trekking up to 6000 m.
- Any unforeseeable increase in Park permit and entrance fees, camping fees and/or any other associated park and government fees.
- Any costs outside the itinerary.
- 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.