Kilimanjaro National Park

Sometimes known as the 'Coca-Cola' route, because it is the most popular route up the mountain, the Marangu Route is in fact probably followed by ninety percent of all climbers. It has a well defined path, which has been well set out and where most obstacles have been modified to make them 'climber friendly'. Accommodation on this route is in purpose built mountain huts providing adequate shelter and even bottled water, beer and soft drinks ( at high altitude prices!).

Despite the human traffic (it can be fun to mingle with climbers from all over the world), this is a very scenic route with good views of Mawenzi and excellent prospects for viewing wildlife.

Recommended Itinerary (Tour Ref STT - 001):

7 days and 6 nights (5 Days on Trek)

DAY 1
Arrive at Mountain Inn in time for an early evening pre-climb briefing on the trek, dinner and overnight stay.

DAY 2
Drive to Kilimanjaro National Park Gate at Marangu for the first section of the climb through the montane forest to Mandara Hut at 9000ft/ 2750m. taking 3 to 4 hours. Overnight Mandara hut

DAY 3
Leaving the forest, you trek along a good path through open grassy moorland to reach Horombo Hut at 12000ft/3700m. taking 5 to 7 hours. Overnight Horombo hut

DAY 4
Continue ascending past ‘the last water point' traversing the saddle between Kibo and Mawenzi to Kibo Hut at 15000ft/4700m. taking 5 to 7 hours. Overnight Kibo hut

DAY 5
An early start for the summit on steep and heavy scree up to Gilman's Point at 18640ft / 5681m. on the crater rim to arrive in time for sunrise. Continue on to Uhuru Peak the highest point in Africa at 19340ft / 5896m. Descend to Horombo Hut for overnight taking 7 to 8 hours ascent and 4 to 7 hours descent. Overnight Horombo hut

DAY 6
Descend the mountain to the Park Gate taking 5 to 7 hours to be met and transferred to Mountain Inn for dinner and overnight stay.

DAY 7
Breakfast at Mountain Inn - End of tour

One day longer on trek, climbing a natural, rather than man made path, the Machame Route is a more demanding but much quieter and scenic route up the mountain. Overnights are spent camping in tents which are carried and pitched by the accompanying porters. Highlights of this route are the Shira Plateau, Barranco wall and the Karanga Valley reaching the summit via Stella Point.

Because this route is more taxing it is recommended that trekkers should be physically fit and with the additional day on trek to assist with acclimatization there is a good chance of reaching the summit.

Recommended Itinerary (Tour ref STT - 002):

8 days and 7 nights (6 days on trek)

DAY 1
Arrive at Mountain Inn in time for an early evening pre-climb briefing on the trek, dinner and overnight stay.

DAY 2
Drive to Kilimanjaro National Park Gate at Machame for the first section of the climb through the montane forest to Machame Campsite at 10000ft/3000m. for overnight camp taking 5 to 7 hours. Overnight Machame camp

DAY 3
Following the steep ridge and across heath and moorland to ‘picnic rock' and the Shira plateau, to Shira Campsite at 12500ft/3800m for overnight camp taking 5 to 7 hours. Overnight Shira camp

DAY 4
Heading towards Kibo, crossing a broad valley and climbing to a ridge crest, crossing scree slopes and a river valley to reach Barranco Campsite 13000ft/3900m. for overnight camp taking 5 to 7 hours. Overnight Barranco camp

DAY 5
Cross the floor of the Great Barranco Valley, up the Barranco Wall to the Karanga river - the last water point on this route. A steep climb over rocky slabs to Barafu Campsite at 15500ft/ 4600m. for overnight camp taking 8 to 9 hours. Overnight Barafu camp

DAY 6
An early start for the summit - Uhuru Peak the highest point in Africa at 19340ft/5896m taking 6 to 7 hours. Descend via Barafu Campsite through the forest to Mweka Campsite at 10000ft/3000m. for overnight camp.- taking 5 to 7 hours. Overnight Mweka Camp

DAY 7
Descend through the forest to the park gate at Mweka Wildlife College taking 3 to 4 hours to met and transferred to Mountain Inn for dinner and overnight stay.

DAY 8
Breakfast at Mountain Inn. End of tour.

Starting on the southern side of the mountain at Umbwe gate this is a fairly steep route and is recommended for the very fit or practiced trekker. Steep forest paths give way to heath and moorland before becoming rocky and where the trek becomes more demanding. Approach to the summit is via Barafu and Stella Point with descent being via Mweka.

Recommended Itinerary (Tour Ref STT - 003):

8 days and 7 nights (6 days on trek)

DAY 1
Arrive at Mountain Inn in time for an early evening pre-climb briefing on the trek, dinner and overnight stay.

DAY 2
Drive to Kilimanjaro National Park gate at Umbwe for the first section of the climb through the forest along a narrow ridge between the Lonzo and Umbwe rivers to reach Bivouac No 1 at 9400ft/2800m taking for overnight camp taking 4-5 hours. Overnight Bivouac No 1 Camp

DAY 3
Leaving the forest the path continues to follow the ridge, passing through heather and open moorland to reach Barranco Camp at, 13000ft/3900m for overnight camp taking 3 to 4 hours. Overnight Barranco Camp

DAY 4
The path climbs steeply out of the Barranco Valley, crosses the Karanga Valley. Overnight Karanga Valley.

DAY 5
The path turns north to reach Barafu campsite at 15500ft/4600m for overnight camp taking 7-8 hours. Overnight Barafu camp

DAY 6
A long day and an early start to reach Stella Point in time for sunrise. Continue on to Uhuru Peak the highest point in Africa at 19340/5896m. Descend to Mweka campsite at 10000ft/3000m for overnight camp taking 6-8 hours ascent and 5-7 hours descent. Overnight Mweka camp

DAY 7
Descend through the forest to the park gate at Mweka Wildlife College taking 3-4 hours to be met and transferred back to Mountain Inn for dinner and overnight stay.

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This route starts an altitude of 11600ft (3500m) and should only be attempted by trekkers who are already acclimatized or know from previous experience that they can tolerate altitude. From the trail head the trail heads east across the centre of the Shira Plateau, where it is often likely to spot big game, such as elephant and buffalo. The route then joins up with the Machame Route at Shira Camp and approaches the summit via Stella Point descending via Mweka Camp.

Recommended Itinerary (Tour Ref STT - 004):

8 days and 7 nights (6 days on trek)

Day 1
Arrive at Mountain Inn in time for an early evening pre-climb briefing on the trek, dinner and overnight.

DAY 2
Drive to the Kilimanjaro National Park Gate at Londorossi for the first section of the climb through the lush forest to reach Forest Campsite close to the gate at 9000ft/2750m taking 4 to 5 hours. Overnight Forest Camp

DAY 3
Continue through the forest on to the Shira Plateau to reach Shira Campsite at 12,500ft/3800m for overnight camp taking 5 to 6 hours. Overnight Shira Camp

DAY 4
Heading eastwards, continue ascending through the dry landscape before reaching Barranco Campsite at 13,000ft/3900m for overnight camp taking 5- 7 hours. Overnight Barranco Camp

DAY 5
The path climbs steeply out of the Barranco Valley, crosses the Karanga Valley, then turns north to reach Barafu Campsite at 15,500ft/4600m for overnight camp. Overnight Barafu Camp.

DAY 6
A long day and an early start to reach the crater rim at Stella Point in time for sunrise. Continue on to Uhuru Peak 19,340ft/5896m the highest point in Africa. Descend to Mweka Campsite at 10,000ft/3000m for overnight camp taking 6 to 8 hours ascent 5 to 7 hours descent. Overnight Mweka Camp

DAY 7
Descend through the forest to the park gate at Mweka wildlife college, taking 3 to 4 hours to be met and transferred back to mountain inn for dinner and overnight stay.

DAY 8
Breakfast at Mountain Inn. End of tour.

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This route is fast gaining in popularity and is considered to be one of the easiest routes up the mountain. It is the only route starting from the north side of the mountain at Rongai a small village close to the Kenya border. The climbing conditions are drier on the northern side of the mountain and there are spectacular sweeping views over the broad flat Maasai lands. Overnights are spent camping in tents. The summit is reached via the east side of Kibo and the descent is via the Marangu route.

Recommended Itinerary (Tour Ref STT - 005):

7 days and 6 nights (5 days on trek)

DAY 1
Arrive at Mountain Inn in time for an early evening pre-climb briefing on the trek, dinner and overnight.

DAY 2
The climb begins at the village of Nale Moru ( 1950 m) through cultivated land before entering the pine forest. Watch out for Kilimanjaro Colobus monkeys in the tree tops with their white fringed 'capes' and tail. Taking 3 - 4 hours the first camp is on the edge of the moorland zone where the forest begins to thin out at First Cave at 8500ft/2600m. Overnight 1st Cave Camp

DAY 3
The morning walk is a steady ascent up to Second Cave at 11300ft/3450m with superb views of Kibo and the eastern ice fields on the crater rim. Pushing on to reach Third Cave taking 3 to 4 hours at 12800ft/3800m for overnight camp. Overnight 3rd Cave Camp

DAY 4
Continue ascending on the east side of Kibo crossing the saddle between Mawenzi and Kibo taking 4 to 5 hours to reach Kibo Hut at 15000ft/4700m. The remainder of the day is spent resting in preparation for the final ascent which begins around midnight. Overnight Kibo Camp

DAY 5
An early start for the summit on steep heavy scree to arrive at Gilman's Point at 18640ft/5681m in time to see the sun rise. Those who want to reach the highest point in Africa can take the approximately three hour excursion to Uhuru Peak 19340/5896m passing close to the spectacular glaciers and ice cliffs that still occupy most of the summit area. The descent to Kibo is surprisingly fast and after some refreshment, continue the descent to reach the final campsite at Horombo at 12000ft/3700m taking 11 to 15 hours. Overnight Horombo Camp

DAY 6
A steady descent down through the moor land to Mandara Hut and then downward through the lush forest on a good path to the National Park gate at Marangu ( 1830m) taking 5 to 7 hours to be met and transferred to Mountain Inn for dinner and overnight stay. Overnight Mountain Inn

DAY 7
Breakfast at Mountain Inn. End of tour.

The longest route on the mountain. The Lemosho route starts to the west and ascends via the Shira Plateau. It then joins with the Machame route around Shira plateau and continues up to the summit via Stella Point. This is probably the best route on the mountain for acclimatization. Overnights are spent camping in tents

Recommended Itinerary (Tour Ref STT -007):

9 days and 8 nights (7 days on Trek)

Day 1

Arrive at Mountain Inn in time for an early evening pre-climb briefing on the trek.
Dinner and overnight.

Day 2

Drive to Kilimanjaro National Park Gate at Londorossi for the first section of the climb through the lush forest taking 3-4 hours to reach the campsite Mti Mkubwa (Big Tree) at 9,170ft/2779m.

Day 3

Continue through the forest on to the Shira Plateau to reach Shira campsite at 11500ft/3700m for overnight camp taking 5-6 hours. Overnight Shira One camp

Day 4

After breakfast continue hike east across the Shira Plateau past the Shira Cathedral towards Shira Two camp at 12200ft/3935m – this allows people to acclimatize slowly to the altitude. The views of the plateau are nothing less than spectacular. Overnight Shira Two camp

Day 5

Heading eastwards, continue ascending through the dry landscape before reaching Barranco campsite at 13000ft/3900m for overnight camp, taking 5-7 hours. Overnight Barranco camp

Day 6

The path climbs steeply out of the Barranco Valley, crosses the Karanga Valley, then turns north to reach Barafu campsite at 15500ft/4600m for overnight camp. Overnight Barafu camp

Day 7

A long day and an early start to reach the crater rim at Stella Point in time for sunrise. Continue on to Uhuru Peak at 19340ft/5896m the highest point in Africa. Descend to Mweka campsite at 10000ft/3000m for overnight camp, taking 6-8 hours ascent and 5-7 hours descent. Overnight Mweka camp

Day 8

Descend through the forest to the park gate at Mweka Wildlife College taking 3-4 hours to be met and transferred back to Mountain Inn for dinner and overnight stay

Day 9

Breakfast at Mountain Inn – End of tour.