Once you land at the Kilimanjaro International Airport, an Oltumure tour guide will come pick you and take you to your hotel. This specialist will help you settle fast answering some of your introductory questions and at least help you get what it means to say, ‘Hujambo.’ Just relax and get ready for the climb the next morning. In case you would need a second day to rest, let us know so that we plan that for you. We recommend that you have an adequate time to rest- it increases your chances of managing to climb to the summit. Your hotel expenses are catered for, except for the first and last day. These two are left free so as to give you some liberty to explore and have a personal choice on where to be. The itineraries include bed and breakfast (@ $40 per person) on the basic package. In case, you would prefer more luxury, we can get you a more luxurious hotel still in Moshi.

Now that you have had a good resting time, our driver will come pick you up at your hotel. The first part of your journey ends at Londorossi Gate (on the west side) where registrations are done. The drive will then proceed to Lemosho Trailhead where you will take your first lunch in Tanzania if you’ve never been here before. The climb starts after lunch. Today, it will be an easy trek in the thick forest taking you only about 4 hours. You can be lucky to spot wildlife, such as, monkeys and buffaloes. The section has only a few steeps. Big Tree Camp is located under a big tree, hence the name. It is a very beautiful camp endowed with monkeys and various birds species.

Your journey up starts where it stopped yesterday, in the forest. The trek will take you across heathers and moorland as you go up heading to Shira Plateau. The climb takes you 5 to 6 hours; this is because it’s quite steep hence calling for a number of stop-overs to rest. The route will however level at some point making the journey easier after the lunch break. From the edge of the plateau, you will be able to enjoy the sight of the extraordinary Kibo Peak just ahead of you. From Kibo Peak, the trail will take a slight decent down to Shira 1 Camp.

This will be a day full of exploration on the majestic Shira Plateau. If you feel fit enough and our expedition experts can justify it from the health tests, then don’t descend before going up the Shira Cathedral. Later, the move heads to Moir Hut through the alpine desert. It will then take you about 4 hours to get to the Lava Tower. Going up to the top of the tower allows you have a broader view of the beautiful environment. A gentle ascent and you will be right at the Moir Hut Camp. Alternatively, you can choose to explore the Lent Group and forego the Lava Tower Route. It could be an easier one for you and will also give you resplendent views of the Kenyan plains from the Shira Plateau.

Today, you will get into the alpine desert then on a steep ridge join the Northern Circuit route. If you didn’t get to explore the Lent Group on Day 4, may be you can consider a detour and climb the Little Lent Hill, 3,375b meters high before continuing to Buffalo Camp. The whole journey will take you between 5 and 7 hours.

This is one of the routes that are rarely used. It is however one of the easiest offering you a chance to trek across various landscapes, for example, desert, valleys, moorland and so on. The climb continues to the East side. The route could be the most calm trekking across the mountain wilderness. The journey will take you between 5 and 7 hours just like yesterday.

Nothing beats an adventurous experience on a lunar landscape (the area between Kibo and Mawenzi peaks). This is commonly referred to as, ‘The Saddle’. The climb continues gradually up to the School Huts. The time is early afternoon. Spend the rest of the day getting ready for your final section to the Summit. You need extra energy for this lapse, including enough to celebrate your victory; so rest.

This is tough; it will therefore start as early as at midnight. In the dark, you follow a steep trail all the way to the rim of the main crater, Gilman’s Point. The trek will then take an ascent for some hours- short breaks are inevitable to give your body a balance through the challenging trail. Sunrise around Gilman’s Point is the most beautiful experience you will ever have! The spectacular view over Mawenzi Peak rejuvenates you to carry on with the climb even stronger. In the next about 3 hours, you will be at Uhuru Peak, the very top of Mount Kilimanjaro; yes, you just made it! There is no better way to celebrate your victory, than by just gazing down on the expanse of breathtaking landscapes endowed with white snow and soaring peaks. Now that you’ve accomplished your summit goal, it’s time to start your journey down. The ascent will continue all the way to Mweka Camp through Kibo Huts. It is here that you will have your last dinner on the mountain. Once you are satisfied, you can enjoy a great reward in form of a sweet sleep for work well done. Day 8 is a total of about 14 hours of adventure, challenging but very exciting!

Through the marvelous forest, the trek descends for 2 to 3 hours all the way to Mweka Gate. You will not miss a company of monkeys enjoying themselves on those trees. Collect your certificate of recognition at Mweka Gate. You are officially done with your Mount Kilimnjaro climb! Congratulations… Your driver will then drive you back to your hotel in Moshi. It is your time to relax- a wholesome shower, a delicious dinner and a good sleep will go a long way to reward you for your victory.

Today, we chose to have nothing programmed for you to give you a good time to relax after the exhaustive adventure up Kilimanjaro. You can do some exploration in Moshi before your departure time in the evening. You can also decide to extend your visit and have a Tanzanian Safari, or you can decide to retreat on one of our beautiful islands, for example Zanzibar Island. If you are ready to go home, our driver will get you safe to the airport for your departure home. Oltumure Tours and Safaris wishes you a safe travel and is ready for you anytime in the future.