Tanzania, Africa: Kilimanjaro Climb-Only Detailed Itinerary

No place in Africa captures the imagination quite like Tanzania.  From the snow-capped summit of Kilimanjaro, the highest peak in Africa at 19,340 feet, to the wildlife-filled plains of the Serengeti to the coral reefs and beaches of Zanzibar.  Tanzania is a fascinating country situated in East Africa and bordering the Indian Ocean. It has great natural beauty and extensive protected land whose unique ecosystems are unparalleled.

Lotus Expeditions’ Kilimanjaro Climb is a first class adventure.  Our journey starts in Arusha from where we begin our eight day trek up the Shira Plateau to the summit of Kilimanjaro.  It is a superb route with a 98% success rate.  One of the best features of the route is the longer, slower ascent which gives the body time to acclimatize to the altitude.  The route also has the added benefit of traveling across a World Heritage Site and one of the Kilimanjaro wilderness areas. 

Lotus Expeditions has partnered with local agent, African Environments, to provide one of the most professional and first class services on the mountain.  Our African guides have hundreds of ascents under their belts and all are trained as Wilderness First Responders.  We take pride in our hygienic and tasty mountain cuisine and our full support staff, including mountain porters, takes care of all the small details to ensure your success and comfort.

Trip Summary

• Climb to the highest point in Africa on the Shira Plateau
• Eight days of challenging high altitude trekking
• Climb in luxury with first-class cuisine and full support staff
• Optional game drive in Arusha National Park
• Experience Maasai Culture first-hand

Itinerary

Key: B, L, D—breakfast, lunch, and/or dinner included; O/N—overnight in hotel or camping

Day One, Depart your Home Country

Travel from your home country to Kilimanjaro Airport in Arusha, Tanzania, Africa. Most international flights travel overnight and subsequently you will arrive on Day Two. 

Day Two, Arrive in Arusha

A Lotus Expeditions representative will meet you outside the baggage area and transfer you to a private luxury camp inside Arusha National Park at the base of Mt. Meru.  Here you can experience the still unchanged bush of Eastern Africa.  The camp is situated at 6,000 feet, helping you acclimatize in preparation for climbing Kilimanjaro.  Group orientation and welcome dinner in the evening.  D; O/N, Arusha Luxury Camp, 6,000 feet

Day Three, Arusha Luxury Camp

Today is an opportunity to relax, pack and recoup from the long journey.   Our African guide will give an expedition briefing and will answer any questions you have about the climb.  He will also check equipment and ensure you are fully prepared. If time allows we may go for a short game drive as giraffe, buffalo and antelope are often seen in this area.  Alternatively you may go on a short acclimatization hike on the slopes of Mt. Meru up to 8,000 feet.  B. L, D; O/N, Arusha Luxury Camp, 6,000 feet

Day Four, Begin Kilimanjaro Expedition

We will drive approximately one hour through beautiful grasslands and Maasai Villages to the Kilimanjaro National Park forest edge.   From there we will walk about three hours through undisturbed lush jungle to our camp for the night.  With luck you will be able to see Colobus monkeys and signs of elephant and other forest wildlife on your walk to camp. B, L, D; O/N, Montane Forest Camp, 9,000 feet

Day Five, Shira Plateau West Side

After breakfast we begin a leisurely hike through the forest where we will see abundant game and bird life.  The day's hike will take us up through the Montane Forest and the Hagenia forest zone.  Our guides will explain the unique environmental differences that characterize these equatorial zones.  B, L, D; O/N, Shira I Camp, 11,300feet

Day Six, Shira Plateau East Side

Our hike today will be about four hours across the Shira Plateau, a World Heritage Site, and one hour up the western slope of the Kibo Massif.  Camp will be in the upper heath zone in full view of the Western Breach. The views from this camp are stunning.  B, L, D; O/N, Fischer’s Camp, 12,950 feet

Day Seven, Lava Tower

Today we will hike approximately six hours to camp just under Lava Tower, a 300 foot high volcanic lava plug that juts out of the side of the mountain.   This will be our first introduction to the alpine zone, with the only plant life being the hardiest of grasses and lichens. We will have a spectacular view of our final ascent route up the Western Breach.  B, L, D; O/N, Lava Tower Camp, 14,300 feet

Day Eight, Arrow Glacier

With the Western Breach ascent route in full view we will spend two hours climbing to the base of the route where we will camp near Arrow Glacier.  An afternoon hike further up the route before relaxing in camp will help our acclimatization and improve our performance the following day.  B, L, D; O/N, Arrow Glacier Camp, 16,000 feet

Day Nine, Summit Crater Camp

We will wind our way up the Western Breach non-technical climbing route for about six hours to the crater rim of the main Kilimanjaro summit massif.  Those who still have the energy on top can explore the inner crater and the ash pit before moving to our highest camp on the crater floor.  There is often snow on this section of the route.  Our spectacular high camp is next to the Furtwrangler Glacier with stunning views westward toward Mount Meru and the setting African sun.  B, L, D; O/N, Summit Crater Camp, 18,500 feet

Day Ten, Summit Day!

We will start our ascent to the summit (19,340 feet) early enough to be on the summit by 10:00am.  The final ascent is only 800 feet and can be undertaken after sunrise and a leisurely breakfast.  After taking in the view from our high point on Uhuru Peak we will begin the long descent to Barafu Hut and down to our final camp near Mweka Hut.  We will descend nearly 9,000 feet!  B, L, D; O/N, Mweka Camp, 10,500 feet

Day Eleven, Return to Arusha, Depart for Home

It takes about 3 to 5 hours to make the 4,500 foot descent to the Park Gate and pick-up.  Rain is common in this vegetation zone making the trail muddy and the going slow.  We will have our lunch at the gate and say goodbye to our beloved mountain staff before heading to the hotel and “dayrooms” in Arusha.  After a well-deserved celebration dinner you will transfer to the airport for your flights home.  B, L, D; dayrooms

Day Twelve, Arrive Home

Additional Documents

Download Detailed Kilimanjaro Climb-Only Itinerary (Adobe PDF)
Download Reservation Packet (Adobe PDF)