Kilimanjaro
| country: | Tanzania |
| location: | Kilimanjaro |
| departures: | This trip is no longer running |
| price: | From £250 deposit + £2955 sponsorship (9 days) including flights from the UK. This trip can also be booked without flights |
the amazing things you'll be doing
For the challenge and experience of a lifetime, climb Africa’s highest mountain.
It’s 19,340 ft at the summit and to climb to the top is one of life’s greatest experiences. The challenging Rongai route - rarely used in comparison to the Southern Route - offers incredible views. Plus a chance to see amazing wild animals in their natural habitat.
By joining this trek you will be raising funds for our charity projects worldwide, working to prevent animal suffering and protect threatened species for generations to come.
It’s 19,340 ft at the summit and to climb to the top is one of life’s greatest experiences. The challenging Rongai route - rarely used in comparison to the Southern Route - offers incredible views. Plus a chance to see amazing wild animals in their natural habitat.
By joining this trek you will be raising funds for our charity projects worldwide, working to prevent animal suffering and protect threatened species for generations to come.
day-by-day itinerary
| Day 1: | London - Kilimanjaro. Transfer to lodge and briefing. (D) |
| Day 2: | Moshi - First Camp (3-4hrs). We take a 4x4 vehicle to Rongai and we begin from the attractive village of Nale oru (1950m). Our climb takes us through fields and forests home to the beautiful Kilimanjaro Colobus monkey. The First Camp is at 2600m and has great views of the Kenyan plains. (B,L,D) |
| Day 3: | First Camp - Third Cave (5-6hrs). We walk up to Second Cave (3450m) with superb views of Kibo and the Eastern ice fields on the crater rim. We continue on to Third Camp (3900m). (B,L,D) |
| Day 4: | Acclimatisation Day. Today will be spent at Third Cave camp allowing your body to acclimatise. (B,L,D) |
| Day 5: | Third Cave - Camp Kibo (4-5hrs). Our steady ascent continues, soon reaching the lunar desert between Mawenzi and Kibo, where we may see the herd of eland that inhabit this area. We reach School campsite (4750m) at the bottom of the Kibo crater wall and spend the remainder of the day resting in preparation for the final ascent. (B,L,D) |
| Day 6: | Camp Kibo - Camp Horombo (11-15hrs). We start the final & most demanding part of the climb by torchlight at 1am, plodding slowly through volcanic scree to reach the crater at Gillman's Point (5685m). After enjoying the sunrise over Mawenzi and a rest those who feel strong enough can make the 3 hour round trip to the true summit of Uhuru Peak (5896m), passing spectacular glaciers. The descent to Kibo (4700m) is surprisingly fast and, after some refreshment, we continue down to our final campsite at Horombo (3720m). (B,L,D) |
| Day 7: | Camp Horombo - Moshi (5-6hrs). A steady descent takes us down through moorland to Mandara Hut (2700m), the first stopping place at the Marangu route. We then continue through lush forest to the National Park gate at Marangu (1830m), where we will be met and transferred to moshi for dinner. (B,L,D) |
| Day 8: | Kilimanjaro - London. Afternoon departure for overnight flight back to the UK. (Alternatively, take an optional 2 night safari extension to Tarangire - please contact us for details of this.) (B) |
| Day 9: | Arrive London. |
how this holiday makes a difference
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We are assured that the ground agents used for the Kilimanjaro Challenge – Shah Tours, treat their porters fairly with high wages in comparison to other companies which are paid straight after the trek. Food, fuel and tents are provided for the porters during the trek.
Trekkers will stay at Mountain Inn, conveniently located just 6kms from Moshi town on the road to Marangu and the main gate to Kilimanjaro National Park for Day 1 & Day 7. Nights on Day 2-6 are spent camping in tents with spectacular sweeping views over the broad flat Maasai lands. No firewood is used for cooking. This is all done with gas or kerosene. All rubbish is taken off the mountain. The rubbish has to be weighed every day before each camp is left and the site inspected by the park authorities. There are rules set in place by the Kilimanjaro Park Authorities to help minimise waste and energy use which we adhere to. Additionally, we add an extra day to the standard five-day itinerary to ensure maximum acclimatization and to give our participants the best possible opportunity of enjoying the magnificent scenery. Recent statistics indicate that the chance of reaching the summit increases by at least 20% if an extra day is spent acclimatising. By completing this challenge, not only will you have the satisfaction of standing on the roof of Africa - a fantastic achievement in itself, a minimum of £1000 from the funds raised is used to promote animal conservation worldwide, building a better future for generations to come. |
Tourism can be good and bad for destinations & local people. We carefully screen every holiday against our criteria for responsible travel. 'Look behind the brochure' to find how each holiday makes a difference (see left). We don't claim to be perfect - there is no global accreditation - but we've led the way since 2001 and screened 1000's of holidays. We invite every traveller to write a review about their experiences and responsible tourism. This valuable feedback is sent to the people who run the holidays. We keep a very close eye on it and take off holidays that don't live up to our standards. |