Your Next Adventure Starts Here
This is a 7-day Kilimanjaro hike starting at Machame Gate to the south west of the national park. It ascends sharply through afromontane forest, into the heath zone and on to the edge of the remnants of the Shira Volcano. The route then circumnavigates the main peak, Kibo, anticlockwise. En route we pass some spectacular features such as giant steps and glacial valleys. The final ascent is from Barafu Camp. It is a night time ascent to Uhuru Peak via Stella Point. The descent is via the Mweka Route.
HIGHLIGHTS
Kilimanjaro-Afromontane Forest, Shira Plateau, glacial valleys and alpine desert, views of Mawenzi, ascent of Kibo and possible views of Kibo caldera and ash pit. Glaciers and the roof of Africa.
In Brief
Hike Distance – 39miles / 63 km
Vertical Gain – 16,628ft / 5068m
Drop – 17,153ft / 5228m
Trekking Time – 45 hours
In Brief Highlights
- Scenic start through the rainforest
- Stunning views from Shira Plateau
- High-altitude acclimatisation at Lava Tower
- Dramatic scramble up Barranco Wall
- Summit via crater rim traverse
- Experience Arusha National Park located at the base of Mt. Meru
Tour Itinerary
Arrive Kilimanjaro International airport, clearing customs/immigration, met by Mimi 2 Africa Luxury Travel representative and transferred to Lake Duluti Lodge for check -in, freshen up, dinner and overnight.
Twenty minutes from Arusha in northern Tanzania lies the scenic crater lake, Duluti, and atop its steep-sided, forested shores, is Lake Duluti Lodge. The lodge is made up of 18 contemporary chalets on a small working coffee farm. All have luxurious bathrooms and decks from which to max out on views across the lake and towards impressive Mount Meru. Furnishings lend a glorious, cozy home from home feel with plump cushions and thick rugs on wooden floors, and the food is divine: all farm fresh and home cooked.
Lake Duluti is almost two thirds of a mile (one kilometer) across – and the same deep. The forested walls of the crater, up to 660 feet (200 meters) high, are home to a host of birds – herons, fish eagles, ospreys and kingfishers.
There’s plenty to do – you can go canoeing or bird watching. The walk around the lake is a must, the path shaded all day with a tangle of green. Or indulge in a coffee tour so you know where your brew begun.
Lake Duluti Lodge
Chalet Room
After breakfast you will be picked up from the hotel reception and drive to Arusha National Park for game viewing drive with picnic lunch. A day spent walking in Arusha National Park – guarded by an armed ranger and equipped with picnic lunches – is the perfect way to acclimatize yourself to the area before heading up the mountain.
Arusha National Park comes as an abruptly beautiful surprise; it rises suddenly out of the urban bustle before sprawling splendidly into one of Tanzania’s most topographically-varied national parks, which squeezes a montage of spectacular features into just 552 sq. km: the Momela crater lakes, Ngurdoto Crater (nicknamed by some as Little Ngorogoro) and, of course, Mount Meru, towering a glorious 4565 meters above to face Kilimanjaro across a broad valley.
Amongst the park’s forests live a fascinating diversity of creatures, from bushbucks and duikers which slip shyly between ancient cedar trees, to chattering colobus monkeys swinging from branches, their long white-haired epaulettes flying behind them like superhero capes. Down by the lakes an entirely different display of wildlife is on show; many of the 400 species of birds which reside in the park, as well as waterbuck and reedbuck.
The scenic landscapes are made up of the peaks of Mount Meru, the Ngurdoto Crater, and the lush grasslands of montane forests. Even though Arusha National Park doesn’t have as much wildlife compared to other National Parks in Tanzania. It more than makes up for it based on breathtaking landscapes, hiking opportunities on Mount Meru, and amazing outdoor activities.
After the game drive into the park, return to the hotel in time to freshen up, climb briefing and gear check with your professional mountain guide before dinner.
Lake Duluti Lodge
Chalet Room
After breakfast, met by our Mimi 2 Africa Luxury Travel driver guide and drive to Machame village (about 1.5 hours’ drive) on the lower slopes of Kilimanjaro where you begin the climb. Upon completion of entry formalities, begin walking through the mist on a 4 x 4 track for about an hour into the forest. Today is spent trekking through giant fig and rubber tree forests, where you may catch glimpses of Colobus and blue monkeys as they chatter and swing through the branches above you as if championing you on. The dense forest is alive with other creatures and many of Kilimanjaro’s unique and mystical plants.
As you emerge from the forest and begin to peep over treetops to extensive plains below, you reach the day’s destination: Machame Camp.
Hiking time: 5 – 7 hours
Distance: 11- 18 km
Habitat/Climate Zone: Afromontane Forest (Rainforest)
Overnight at Machame Camp (elevation 9,350ft)
You are awakened at 6am with a hot drink and, weather permitting, a stunning view of Uhuru Peak. Today you trek out of the forest and up into heath and moorland – the abrupt change in landscape a clear demonstration of Kilimanjaro’s famed ‘4 seasons in 4 days’. This Hagenia zone is savannah carpeted with tall grasses, bearded heather and rugged terrain of volcanic lava, caves and foamy streams. These are flanked by the mountain’s famous giant groundsels. The day’s destination is the rocky Shira Plateau, where you will spend the night at Shira Camp.
Hiking time: 4 – 6 hours
Distance: 5 km
Habitat/Climate Zone: Afromontane Forest (Rainforest)/Heath
Overnight at Shira Camp (elevation 12,500ft)
This morning you as you cross the Shira Plateau, a spectacular view of Kibo peak rears ahead. Eventually, you’ll meet the Lava Tower – a freestanding rock that rises 325 feet into the sky – and begin your descent through the immense Grand Barranco canyon. Winding through the gorge you’ll encounter more enormous groundsels, their strange fingered-trunks stretching far taller than the climbers, as well as several miniature waterfalls fed by mountain streams.
The night is spent at Barranco Camp, the most picturesque camp on the route, tucked beneath the snow-capped Great Barranco Wall and enveloped by lush landscape.
Hiking time: 6 – 8 hours
Distance: 10 km
Habitat/Climate Zone: Alpine Desert
Overnight at Barranco Camp (elevation 13,044ft)
Today is intended as a short, acclimatization day. At first you are confronted with ascending the Great Barranco Wall, and then the path winds down into pretty Karanga Valley, where malachite sunbirds can be seen amongst the flowers, their green plumage brilliant in the sunlight. You spend the night at Karanga Camp, which has no increase in elevation to allow for lots of acclimatization time.
Overnight at Karanga Camp
Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp
- Elevation (ft): 13,000ft to 13,100ft
- Distance: 5km
- Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
- Habitat: Alpine Desert
Today is another short day, spent trekking through strangely -beautiful lunar desert with views of both Mawenzi and Kibo peaks towering – intimidating as well as encouraging –ahead. You overnight at Barafu Camp, also known as Base Camp, and spend the afternoon resting and preparing for the much-anticipated summit day
Overnight at Barafu Camp
Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp
- Elevation (ft): 13,100ft to 15,300ft
- Distance: 4 km
- Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
- Habitat: Alpine Desert
On summit day, you are woken up at around midnight to start one of the most physically difficult challenges of your life. The group will ascend the path, flanked by Ratzel and Rehman glaciers, step by step, ensuring that everyone goes at a safe, slow pace – pole pole (slowly, slowly) the guides will softly urge in Kiswahili, on careful watch for signs of altitude sickness.
After about 6 hours you reach Gilman’s Point which lies on the rim of Kilimanjaro’s crater. From here you can watch as the sun rises majestically above snow and clouds – a truly extraordinary sight. From Gilman’s Point, it takes another 2 hours, and lots of willpower, to push through to Uhuru Peak. Uhuru means ‘freedom’ in Kiswahili – named thus when Tanzania gained its independence in 1961. From here you can finally admire Africa from her highest vantage point and revel in the enormous challenge you have just conquered. After taking photos and soaking up as much of this spellbinding, spilling view as you can, the descent begins. Stopping at Barafu Camp for breakfast, continue to Mweka Camp in the upper forest where you will spend your final night on ‘the Roof of Africa’.
Overnight at Mweka Camp
Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak to Mweka Camp
- Elevation (ft): 15,300ft to 19,345ft (and down to 10,000ft)
- Distance: 5 km ascent / 12 km descent
- Hiking Time: 7-8 hours ascent / 4-6 hours descent
- Habitat: Arctic
On your last day, you hike mainly through forest, trekking downhill – a pleasant change after summit day. At Mweka Gate you pick up your well-deserved certificate before being transferred by our A&K river to Lake Duluti Lodge. Here you will relax in the room and enjoy a hot shower and lunch.
Spend the rest of the day at leisure relaxing at the lodge.
Lake Duluti, formed dramatically inside a volcanic crater, lies placidly – stunningly – in the protective shadow of Mount Meru. Thick forest curls its way around the lake, alive with the hundreds of different reptile and bird species.
Lake Duluti Lodge sits on the lake’s shores: eighteen chicly African styled chalets across the thirty-acre coffee farm it encompasses. All have private decks facing the farm, so you feel at home in this cozy corner of northern Tanzania, secluded – but still a convenient 35-minute drive from Arusha’s busy center.
Canoeing trips on the lake, hiking in the Duluti Forest, bird watching, and coffee tours can all be arranged. If you prefer to relax and catch your breath before the big adventure there are plenty of options and lots of time to do just that; lounging areas ideal for a sundowner, looking out over the lake and her magnificent, mountainous mother.
Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate
Elevation (ft): 10,000ft to 5,400ft
•Distance: 10 km
•Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
•Habitat: Rain Forest
Lake Duluti Lodge
Chalet Room
After a memorable ascent of Mount Kilimanjaro and perhaps a relaxing post-trek stay, it’s time to bid farewell to Tanzania and your lodge staff. Enjoy a leisurely morning at your lodge—perhaps engaging in some last-minute souvenir shopping or reflecting on your incredible adventure.
Check-out is typically at 11:00 AM; however, late check-out may be available for an additional charge (please inquire with us). A representative from Mimi 2 Africa Luxury Travel will then pick you up from your lodge and transfer you to Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) for your international departure flight.
We hope you leave with cherished memories of your Tanzanian experience and look forward to welcoming you back in the future.
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