Experience a 6 day Kilimanjaro hike starting at Umbwe gate and ascending via Stella Point. Note that it joins the Machame route at Barranco valley, and hence has similar levels of people on trail as the Machame route thereon. There is a night time ascent to the summit and descent is via Mweka camp. This route is perfect for those looking for more of a challenge with fewer crowds. Climb highlights include: afromontane forest, glacial valleys and alpine desert, views of Mawenzi, ascent of Kibo and possible views of Kibo caldera and ash pit, in addition to glaciers and the roof of Africa! Luxury Specification: All of our luxury treks include a larger mess tent than the lightweight specification, backed chairs instead of stools, a larger client tent with a 3 inch foam mattress. A pillow and -18 Celcius rated sleeping bag with liner are also included. There is a private portable toilet. Evening meals have an additional course (entrée) and there is fresh pressed coffee available. All in all, highly recommended. We have 3 camping specifications for our Kilimanjaro treks along with many different route options. Please speak to one of our Travel Consultants to choose the right route and comfort level for you.

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
Your private, English-speaking driver will meet you in the public waiting area after passing through baggage claim to transfer you to your hotel.  
Prior to departing on your first day of activities, a trip representative will meet you at your hotel (often in the morning) to give you a briefing on the details of your trip.

While you are in the care of Kensington Tours, your safety and security are our number one priority. As such, in the unlikely event of serious illness or injury, all Kensington Tours clients are covered by “Flying Doctors” Insurance policy. This emergency evacuation insurance covers the cost of the evacuation flight back to Nairobi for treatment. This insurance policy however DOES NOT cover the cost of any medical treatment received. We highly recommend travel insurance for full coverage.

Lodging: Mount Meru Hotel
The Mount Meru Hotel lies on 9 acres of lush landscape, surrounded by some of Africa’s most breath-taking vistas. Situated at the foothills of Mount Meru in the city of Arusha, this area is rich with a diverse array of wildlife, etched against the fertile slopes of this beautiful mountain. The Mount Meru Hotel, its management, and its staff members have made every endeavour to ensure that your stay is a rejuvenating and refreshing experience of African hospitality. Tanzanian warmth and kindness is renowned all over the world, and the opportunity to prove this fact much more than mere legend is an exhilarating opportunity to all at this pinnacle of splendor, the Mount Meru Hotel.

Day 2: Kilimanjaro
Tips during the duration of your climb are included in your itinerary pricing.
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.

Lodging: Luxury Tent 

An overnight camp area will be set up in a clearing on the trail. Clients will be provided with:

• Client Tent: a luxury 3-person "pup" tent used for 2 people (singles will use a 2-person tent), a 3" mattress, pillow, -18 Celcius rated sleeping bag, and thermal liner. The 3-person tent is 54" high, 106" front to back, 99" across. Floor area: 65 sq. ft.
• Mess Tent: communal walk-in mess tent, lightweight table and backed chairs.
• Other: lavatory tent.

Cooks will be on site to provide meals.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3: Kilimanjaro
The second day ascends from the forest zone into the heath zone and there are some very steep sections here. Taking it easy is essential to allow your body to acclimatise. A picnic lunch is taken on route and then in the afternoon you arrive into Barranco camp in time to relax for a while before dinner. The views of the Barranco wall and western breach pertain to events some 60,000 years ago when this whole part of the mountain collapsed.
Lodging: Luxury Tent
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4: Kilimanjaro
From Barranco camp, famous for its giant groundsels (Dendrosenecio species), you ascend the Barranco wall and hike glacial valleys to Karanga camp. Today is a relatively short day hiking and lunch is taken at Karanga camp. In the afternoon a walk can be taken with your guides for great views of the southern walls of Kibo and deep glacial valleys.
Lodging: Luxury Tent
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5: 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 peak are the norm. A relatively early dinner is taken before heading to rest for the evening.
Lodging: Luxury Tent 
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6: 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 before dusk.
Lodging: Luxury Tent 
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 7: 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 accommodation.
You'll have access to a day room prior to your international departure. Clean up from the road, take a nap, use the room as a base while you explore, or simply relax before checking out at 6pm and heading on to check into your international flight home.
You’ll enjoy an airport transfer between your Arusha hotel and Kilimanjaro International Airport with a private vehicle and English speaking driver.

Lodging: Onsea House, Depart (Int`l Airport) (standard)
Onsea House is located just outside Arusha, perched on a hill, overlooking the Maasai steppe, Arusha, the Monduli Mountains and Mount Meru. It is situated in a peaceful setting, perfect for spectacular sundowners and a truly rural feel only a 7 minute drive from Arusha town centre and 30 minutes from Kilimanjaro International Airport. The lodging style includes self contained guest cottage, prime guestroom, and private family room within a calm African-Colonial setting, featuring elegant decorations.

Depart from International Airport. End of itinerary.

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