Dawn arrives in shades of orange and blue; you will your legs to take one more step, one more; and then you see it, a simple sign with the word “Congratulations.” As you look upon the quilted land far below you, a profound peace settles over your tired body; you’ve done it, you have climbed Kilimanjaro.
Feel the exhilaration as you become a member of an elite group, those who have stood on the highest point in all of Africa. The Machame route is challenging but the rewards are great, with sweeping views and a variety of striking habitats that stimulate your senses as you climb. Dirt trails snake through lush pine forests; moorlands give way to semi-deserts which give way to alpine deserts which, finally, give way to a rocky, ice-capped summit. Evenings on Kilimanjaro are meant for contemplation and star gazing, and you’ll do both from your pup tent.
You’ll slowly begin to ascend from the forest zone into the heath zone, allowing your body to acclimatize. As you make your way to the first camp, you’ll bear witness to events some 60,000 years ago when a large section of the mountain collapsed. Continuing on, ascending into alpine desert, where the only green you’ll see are tussock grasses and curious moss balls, you’ll enjoy splendid views of Mawenzi peak. Depart just before midnight for the final summit bid so you reach the top as the first rays of dawn make their glorious appearance. Be sure to snap plenty of pictures so you can show the world what you’ve accomplished!
Kensington Tours offers local support in each region you visit, another reason we deliver unbeatable value. Enjoy a personalized vacation that best suits your needs, developed by one of our experienced destination experts. Relax during your trip with our 24/7 support and expert local guidance
Highlights:
- Climb to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro with a team of specially trained excursion guides.
- Overnight camps set up each night for your comfort.
- Featuring a charming lodge pre-climb in Arusha
DAY 1: ARUSHA
You will be greeted by a private English-speaking guide in the public waiting area of Kilimanjaro International Airport after passing through baggage claim. This guide will transfer you to your hotel and assist with check-in.
Before departing on your first day of activities, a trip representative will meet you at your hotel to discuss the details of your trips and answer any questions you may have.
While in our care, your safety and security are our number one priority. As such, in the unlikely event of serious illness or injury, all guests are provided with a “Flying Doctors” insurance policy. This emergency evacuation insurance covers the cost of the evacuation flight back to Nairobi for treatment, however, does not cover the cost of any medical treatment received. We highly recommend travel insurance for full coverage.
DAY 2: KILIMANJARO
Every excursion team is equipped with a fully operational safety kit. The kit includes a portable altitude chamber (on crater ascents), first aid kids, pulse oximeters, oxygen with regulator & mask, neck brace, mobile phone, satelite phone (on shira & crater), water filter, stethascope, portable stretcher, guest & crew AMS monitoring sheets.
Excursion guides and crews are specifically trained and instructed to ensure, wherever possible, that our guests can walk off the mountain, unaided, themselves. They are also trained extensively on monitoring systems and also management of AMS (Acute Mountain Sickness), and more advanced forms of mountain sickness such as HAPE (High Altitude Pulmonary Edema) and HACE (High Altitude Cerebral Edema).
In the morning you are picked up at 8am from your hotel and drive to Machame gate to collect your permits. There is then an hour drive to the Umbwe gate where after checking in you set off up through the forest zone. This first day of hiking is not overly difficult but certainly steepens towards the latter end of the day. In the late afternoon you arrive in the first camp for dinner and overnight.
Accommodation: VIP Tent
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 3: KILIMANJARO
From the forested slopes of Lemosho you ascend through Podocarpus and Juniper forest and break out of the forest on to the heath zone and the Shira Plateau. Lunch is taken on trail and you arrive in camp mid afternoon.
Accommodation: VIP Tent
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 4: KILIMANJARO
After a relatively long hike and significant altitude gain, today is a short day and you arrive in Shira 2 camp in time for lunch. A good day for acclimatisation with the option of an afternoon walks with your guides.
Accommodation: Lightweight Tent
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 5: KILIMANJARO
The route to Lava Tower takes you out of the heath zone in to the alpine desert zone. Here relatively little flora or fauna can survive the extreme temperature ranges and conditions that typify this zone. A half day where lunch is taken in camp. In the afternoon, dependant on weather conditions, there is an option to scramble to the top of the nearby Lava Tower.
Accommodation: VIP Tent
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 6: KILIMANJARO
After 2 half days you now have a relatively long day to Karanga camp. The selection of Karanga camp is strategic - significant time at altitude is essential for safe acclimatisation and in the late afternoon you arrive in camp. Sunsets here are particularly spectacular with views of the southern glacial valleys and ice fields towering 1,000 meters (over 3,000 feet) above you.
Accommodation: VIP Tent
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 7: KILIMANJARO
Today is another half day ascending to Barafu camp. Once again lunch is taken in camp allowing plenty of time to relax before the summit bid. Desolate alpine desert and at times strong winds rip over this camp and yet in the evening splendid views of Mawenzi volcano are the norm.
Accommodation: VIP Tent
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 8: KILIMANJARO
Most people depart just before midnight for the final summit bid. Patience and persistence is the name of game to reach the summit and by dawn as the first rays of light start to appear, most arrive near the rim. Ascending via Stella Point affords a relatively short final section to Uhuru peak, the Roof of Africa! What goes up must come down and your goal today is to reach Mweka camp.
DAY 9: KILIMANJARO - ARUSHA
After breakfast you descend once again through montane forest and around mid day after saying farewell to your crew, you are picked up and transfer back to your hotel for a well deserved shower!
Accommodation: Legendary Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 10: ARUSHA
Enjoy a private airport transfer between Arusha and Kilimanjaro International Airport alongside an English-speaking driver.
Call us for latest price and avalibility.
Prices are based on double occupancy and do not include airfare. Prices are subject to availability and may change without notice.
TOUR CODE: KT
