Itinerary
Day 1: Wilderness Legends Africa staff will pick you up from the Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) and help you get settled at your hotel in Arusha for a night of rest. You will meet your mountain guide in the evening as well for a trip briefing.
Day 2: After breakfast, transfer to Machame gate. Start walk through the rain forest up to Machame Hut. Have your lunch and proceed to Machame Camp (3000m or 9843 ft) (4-5 hrs) walk. Dinner and overnight.
Day 3: After breakfast hike on the rock ridges to Shira Hut (3800m or 12467 ft) (5-7hrs). Have a picnic lunch on the way. Dinner and overnight at Shira Hut campsite.
Day 4: After breakfast, start walking to Barranco Hut via the Karanga Valley (4000m or 13123ft) (6-7 hrs). Dinner and overnight at Karanga campsite.
Day 5: Hike without ascending for a full day in the Karanga Valley. This option is highly recommended to help you acclimatize and feel better once you do reach higher altitudes.
Day 6: Ascend to Barafu Hut (4800m or 15748ft) (5-6 hrs). Dinner and (short) overnight.
Day 7: Awake around midnight and, after a light breakfast, begin the hike to the Stellar Point (5865m). Upon Stellar Point you can peer into the mighty Kibo Crater…and it is only 45 minutes further along the rim to Uhuru Peak (5895m), the top of Africa! After celebrating at the summit you will descend slowly all the way to Mweka Campsite.
NOTE: Approximately 70% of the people who do this trip actually summit. The decision to summit is solely the responsibility of our guides. You will not summit if our guide decides it would be unsafe to do so.
Day 8: After breakfast, trek all the way down to the Mweka Gate. Keep your eyes peeled for Colobus monkeys in rainforest along the way. Transfer back to Kibo Palace for a hot shower and a celebratory meal.
Day 9: Shop for some gifts to bring back and prepare for the journey home. Most people fly out on the late evening flight arriving home the next day.
Note: Please contact Wilderness Legends Africa if you would like information on a safari add-on.
Travel, Terrain, Etc…
TERRAIN/ROUTE CHOICES: Mt. Kilimanjaro routes involve hiking 3-8 hours a day over rough terrain. Porters and/or pack animals will be used to help carry equipment and food. Altitude gains will be optimized for best acclimatization. No technical climbing is necessary to reach Uhuru Peak, Kilimanjaro’s 19,340 ft summit. It is necessary to wake up very early (around 12 am) that night in order to reach the summit around sunrise. The early timing is critical because clouds typically engulf the summit from mid-morning until dusk, making for poor views and more difficult climbing conditions. The summit attempt can take 8-12 hours round trip. Approximately 70% of the people who do this trip actually summit. The decision to summit is solely the responsibility of our guides. You will not summit if our guide decides it would be unsafe to do so.
GROUND TRANSPORTATION: We use safe, insured passenger vehicles driven by professional drivers to transfer to and from the mountain. Land outside major cities is largely undeveloped and thus, we’ll travel on some bumpy roads.
WEATHER: Mt. Kilimanjaro’s climate is similar to other mountain ranges across the globe. Although unpredictable, most of the time the waether is warm during the day (55-75ºF) with clear skies in the morning and clouds building up by afternoon. Rain or snow is not uncommon, especially at higher altitudes. Temperatures can fall to 10º F at night, at the higher elevations.
EQUIPMENT AND CLOTHING: All you need to provide is personal gear, such as clothing, sleeping bag, and boots, however even these items can be rented from your guides if you let us know in advance. A detailed equipment list will be sent to you upon confirmation of your participation.
LEVEL OF DIFFICULTY: No previous experience is necessary to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro, however an adequate level of physical fitness is required to participate, and you are encouraged to be physically active as you prepare for your trip.
ACCOMMODATIONS: Before and after your trek you will stay in one of the nice lodges or hotels in Arusha and/or the surrounding area. On the mountain you will camp out in tents or stay in one of the very basic huts found on the mountain.
MEALS: Kick back and relax while all meals are made for you. You’ll indulge in a mix of Tanzanian cuisine and typical hiking food like pasta and rice dishes. We will use water from abundant streams–it is very fresh but typically we treat it just to be safe. The purchase of alcoholic beverages is not included in the trip fees.
HEALTH: It is important that you make an appointment at least 4-6 weeks before your trip and inform your doctor that you are traveling to Tanzania. This allows for adequate time to get new immunizations, if required, and ensure that others are current. Due to the elevation, there is no risk of contact with mosquitoes and you will not need anti-malarial medication for this trip unless you will also be going on a safari. Please talk to your doctor about the risks of exercise at high altitude as well. For the most up-to-date recommendations and requirements, please visit the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s website.
PASSPORT/VISA: U.S. citizens need a passport to enter Tanzania, and it must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your planned departure. One blank passport page is typically required for entry stamp and visa. U.S. citizens must obtain an entry visa, which can be obtained at the Kilimanjaro airport for a fee of approximately $100 USD before traveling. We encourage you to check the State Department website for the most up-to-date entry requirements for Tanzania.
A note about the itinerary: Our trips are real adventures in the outdoors. While we’ll make every effort to follow the itinerary listed here, elements may change due to weather or reasons beyond our control. Lunch is included all days.
