Mountain Kilimanjaro, Tanzania
Mt. Kilimanjaro is the highest freestanding mountain as well as 4th most prominent mountain in world. Rising 5,882 metres or 19,298 ft from the base. The exact meaning and origin of name Kilimanjaro is unknown. It is thought to be a combination of the Swahili word Kilima (Meaning “Mountain”) and the Kichagga word Njaro, loosely translated as “Whiteness” giving the name White Mountain. The name Kibo in Kichagga means “Spotted” and refers to rocks seen on snowfields.
01
Lemosho Forest
After breakfast, you depart by vehicle to Kilimanjaro National Park. At the gate your crew finalizes packing and after finishing with formalities you return to your vehicle for another 30 minutes or so until you arrive at the start of the Lemosho Trail. Today’s hiking is through verdant afromontane forest and is steep in places. A picnic lunch is usually taken on the trail during the hike before reaching Forest Camp for the night.
START – 6,890FT / 2100M
END – 8,695FT / 2650M
DISTANCE – 4 MILES / 7KM
TIME – 4-6 HRS
CLIMATE ZONE – AFROMONTANE FOREST
02
SHIRA 1
From the forested slopes of Lemosho, you ascend through podocarpus and juniper forest and break out of the forest onto the heath zone and the Shira Plateau. A hot lunch is taken at Shira 1 Camp and the rest of the afternoon is spent relaxing and acclimatizing to the new environment.
START – 8,695FT / 2650M
END – 11,844FT / 3610M
DISTANCE – 4 MILES / 7KM
TIME – 5-7 HRS
CLIMATE ZONE – HEATH
03
Moir Camp
Crossing the Shira plateau can be one of the most scenic parts of the trip and this morning we hike for around 4-5 hours to Moir Camp, where lunch is taken. The afternoon is spent acclimatizing and for those with the energy, a hike in the late afternoon up to a viewpoint is highly recommended to keep the blood flowing.
START – 11,844FT / 3610M
END – 13,780FT / 4200M
DISTANCE – 6 MILES / 10KM
TIME – 4-5 HRS
CLIMATE ZONE – ALPINE DESERT
04
Lava Tower
Another half day today as you start to cross glacial valleys on the western side of the mountain. By not ascending much today we allow our bodies better acclimatization. A half-day where lunch is taken in camp. In the afternoon there is time to go for an acclimatization walk before dinner.
START – 13,780FT / 4200M
END – 15,093FT / 4600M
DISTANCE – 4 MILES / 7KM
TIME – 4-6 HRS
CLIMATE ZONE – ALPINE DESERT
05
Arrow Glacier
The ascent to Arrow Glacier is relatively short and leaves plenty of time to rest for a large part of the day. Short walks are possible with the guides to enjoy views of the Great Barranco Wall and remnants of the once-mighty glaciers that filled the breach before having dinner and an early night.
START – 15,093FT / 4600M
END – 16,087FT / 4903M
DISTANCE – 0.6 MILES / 1KM
TIME – 1-2 HRS
CLIMATE ZONE – ARCTIC
06
Crater Camp
The starting time this morning will be dependent on the previous day’s guide’s assessment of the weather, temperature, ice, and snowfall conditions. All ascents are relatively early to avoid the part of the day when significant thawing occurs. Ascent to the crater floor takes around 4 to 6 hours and a picnic refuel stop is taken near the top of the breach wall. Once on the crater floor, there is time to rest and for those that are feeling strong a hike to the ash pit is a superb option.
START – 16,0871FT / 4903M
END – 18,866FT / 5750M
DISTANCE – 2 MILES / 3KM
TIME – 6-8 HRS
CLIMATE ZONE – ARCTIC
07
KILIMANJARO SUMMIT / MWEKA CAMP
Unlike other routes with a nighttime ascent, your hike selection affords you a daytime ascent to the summit. Leaving an hour before dawn you ascend to the Roof of Africa! From here you descend to Mweka Camp for the evening. Dinner and overnight Mweka Camp. Alt 3,100m,10,171ft (full board).
START – 18,866FT / 5750M
END – 10,171FT / 3100M
DISTANCE – 8 MILES / 13KM
TIME – 7-9 HRS
CLIMATE ZONE – ARCTIC, ALPINE
DESERT, HEATH, AFROMONTANE FOREST
08
Arusha
After breakfast you descend once again through the afromontane forest and around midday, after lunch, diplomats collection and saying farewell to your crew, you are picked up and transferred back to your lodge for a well-deserved shower! Later that evening you will be visited by a Travelcation Africa Safaris Representative to congratulate you, find out how the trip went, and answer any final questions you may have about your onward journey.
START – 10,171FT / 3100M
END – 5,381FT / 1640M
DISTANCE – 6 MILES / 10KM
TIME – 3-4 HRS
CLIMATE ZONE – AFROMONTANE FOREST
