Overview
This route is the steepest with the shortest and most direct routes to the Southern Glaciers, Western Breach and Uhuru Peak. It is probably the most scenic, non-technical route on Kilimanjaro. However it is quite taxing, primarily due to the relatively fast ascent to higher altitude, but the rewards are plentiful. Very steep route best suited to experienced trekkers.
Day 0Pre-trek Briefing
If you have opted for the optional airport transfers, we will pick you up from Kilimanjaro Airport or Arusha airport and transfer you to your hotel in Arusha. Pre-trek briefing at your hotel. You should be planning to arrive atleast one day before the start of the trek. Today we will spend in having a pre-trek briefing. We will also review your equipment and rent any equipment which is needed.
Day 1Hotel to Umbwe Cave Camp
Drive from Moshi to the Umbwe Gate (about 1 hour). Commence the climb through the rain forest with packed lunch on route.
Elevation
1660m/5450ft to
2850m/9350ft
Distance
11km/7mi
Hiking
5-6 hours
Habitat
Montane Forest
Meals
Lunch & Dinner
Day 2Umbwe Cave Camp to Barranco Camp
After breakfast, we leave the glades of the forest and follow an ascending path on the open moorland to Barranco Camp.
Elevation
2850m/9350ft to
4000m/13,000ft
Distance
6km/4mi
Hiking
4-5 hours
Habitat
Semi-desert
Meals
Breakfast,
Lunch & Dinner
Day 3Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp
After breakfast, we leave Barranco and continue on a steep ridge up the Barranco Wall to the Karanga Valley and the junction which connects with the Mweka Trail.
Elevation
4000m/13,000ft to
4050m/13,250ft
Distance
5km/3mi
Hiking
3 – 4 hours
Habitat
Alpine Desert
Meals
Breakfast,
Lunch & Dinner
Day 4Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp
We continue up to the Barafu Camp. You have completed the South Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many different angles. Here we make camp, rest, enjoy dinner, and prepare for the summit day.
Elevation
4050m/13,250ft to
4700m/15,350ft
Distance
4km/2mi
Hiking
3 – 4 hours
Habitat
Desert
Meals
Breakfast,
Lunch & Dinner
Day 5Barafu Camp to Summit to Mweka Camp
Very early in the morning (midnight to 2 am), we continue our way to the summit between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers. You head in a northwesterly direction and ascend through heavy scree towards Stella Point on the crater rim. This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek. At Stella Point you will stop for a short rest and will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see. Faster hikers may view the sunrise from the summit. From Stella Point, you may encounter snow all the way on your 1-hour ascent to the summit. Once at Uhuru Peak you have reached the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa! From the summit we begin our descent by continuing straight down to the Mweka Camp, stopping at Barafu for lunch. You may want gaiters and trekking poles for the loose gravel going down. We arrive at Mweka Camp and enjoy our last evening on the mountain.
Elevation
4700m/15,500ft to
5895m/19,340ft
Descending to
3090m/10,150ft
Distance
5km/3mi up &
13km/8mi down
Hiking
5-7 hours up &
5-6 hours down 3 – 4 hours
Habitat
Stone scree and ice-capped summit
Meals
Breakfast,
Lunch & Dinner
Day 6 Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate to Hotel
After breakfast we continue the descent down to the Mweka Park Gate to receive your summit certificates. At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy. Gaiters and trekking poles will help. Shorts and t-shirts will probably be plenty to wear (keep rain gear and warmer clothing handy)
Our vehicle will be waiting for you at Mweka gate to drive you back to your hotel in Arusha.
Elevation
3090m/10,150ft to
1680m/5500ft
Distance
10km/6mi
Hiking
3 – 4 hours
Habitat
Forest
Meals
Breakfast
Deposit policy
• Deposit is 20% of the total booking amount.
• Deposit can be paid either via a bank transfer or an online card payment.
• A 5% fee is applicable on all card payments (payment gateway charges), this is non-refundable.
• Once you make the advance payment you will receive a booking confirmation.
Balance Payment
• Balance can be paid via bank transfer, online card payment, or with cash.
• Bank payment can be done 15 days prior to the tour date (recommended 30 days prior).
• Card Payment can be done 1 day prior to the tour date (recommended 7 days prior).
• A 5% fee is applicable on all card payments (payment gateway charge), this is non-refundable.
• Cash can be paid on arrival (USD printed in or after the year 2009).
Cancellation Policy
8 days and above departure
• No cancellation fees.
0 to 7 days before departure
• 50% of the total tour price will be charged as cancellation fees.
• Trek can be postponed to any new date without any extra cost at any point in time.
• The 5% surcharge paid for either or both advance and balance payments is non-refundable in case of cancellation of the trek.
Supplements
• Off-season supplement = USD 90 Charged for solo trekkers to start a new departure in the month of March, April, May and November. Does not apply if you join an existing group. Does not apply if others trekkers also join your new group.
• Solo Supplement = USD 30 Charged for solo trekkers throughout the year.
Discounts
• Children between 5 years and 15 years old
Code: 5TO15 – USD 690 per person
• Expatriates/Residents living in Tanzania
Code: RESTAN – USD 245 per person
• East African Citizens
Code: EAC – USD 880 per person
Private trek itinerary prices
People
in
Group
Standard
package
1
$1821
Person
2
$1767
Person
3
$1706
Person
4
$1628
Person
5
$1616
Person
6
$1598
Person
7
$1594
Person
8
$1590
Person
9
$1585
Person
10+
$1582
Person
- All transfers to the mountain and back to your hotel
- Professional, experienced, mountain guides
- Guides, Porters, Cook salaries and park fees
- Sleeping Mattress
- Emergency Oxygen Cylinder
- VAT (18% charged by the Government)
- All meals while on the Mountain
- Large portions of fresh, healthy, nutritious food
- Conservation fees (part of park fees)
- Camping or Hut fees (part of park fees)
- Rescue fees (part of park fees)
- Kilimanjaro summit certificate
- Tanzania Visa
- International and domestic flights
- Hotel (available as an optional addon)
- Transfers (available as an optional addon)
- Personal Expenses (e.g. laundry, telephone, beverages, etc.)
- Surcharge for online payment of advance and balance (5% on each payment)
- Personal trekking equipment such as sleepings bags, hiking boots, clothes, etc (available for renting)
- Tips and gratuities
- Travel insurance
- Meals not listed in the itinerary
- Liquors, beers and bottled beverages