Popularly known as whisky route due to the steep elevation. Total distance approx. 100 kms.

Day 1: Nairobi – Arusha/Moshi ( Approx. 4 Hrs Drive)

8.00 a.m. Depart for Arusha i aboard the shuttle bus, lunch enroute. Spend the afternoon organizing any gear you may require for the trek. Overnight at Hotel on bed and breakfast basis. Lunch and dinner on own arrangement.

 

Day 2 :Arusha – Machame Camp

Elevation (m): 1830m to 3100m
Distance: 18km
Hiking Time: 5-7 hours
Habitat: Montane Forest
The drive from Arusha to the Mount Kilimanjaro National Park Gate takes about 50 minutes. The journey passes through the village of Machame which is located on the lower slopes of the mountain. We now leave the park gate and walk through the rain forest on a winding trail up a ridge. Lower down, the trail can be muddy and slippery. Gaiters and trekking poles are a good idea here. We continue a short distance until we reach the Machame Camp.

 

Day 3: Machame Camp – Shira Camp

Elevation (m): 3100m to 3840m
Distance: 9km
Hiking Time: 4-6 hours
Habitat: Moorland
After breakfast, we leave the glades of the rain forest and continue on an ascending path, crossing the little valley walking along a steep rocky ridge, covered with heather, until the ridge ends. The route now turns west onto a river gorge. Time for rest, dinner, and overnight at the Shira campsite.

 

Day 4: Shira Camp – Lava Tower – Barranco Camp

Elevation (m): 3840m to 4630m to 3860m
Distance: 15 km
Hiking Time: 5-7 hours
Habitat: Semi-desert
From the Shira Plateau, we continue to the east up a ridge, passing the junction towards the peak of Kibo. As we continue, our direction changes to the South East towards the Lava Tower, called the “Shark’s Tooth.” Shortly after the tower, we come to the second junction which brings us up to the Arrow Glacier at an altitude of 4876m / 15,997 ft. We now continue down to the Barranco Hut at an altitude of 3860m / 12,664 ft. Here we rest, enjoy dinner, and overnight. Although you end the day at the same elevation as when you started, this day is very important for acclimatization and will help your body prepare for summit.

 

Day 5: Barranco camp – Karanga valley camp

After breakfast, we leave Barranco and continue on a steep ridge passing the Barranco Wall, to the Karanga Valley campsite.

 

Day 6: Karanga Camp – Barafu Camp

Elevation (m): 3860m to 4600m
Distance: 13km
Hiking Time: 8 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert
After breakfast, we leave Barranco and continue on a steep ridge up the Barranco Wall, through the Karanga Valley (lunch at 4200m / 13,779 ft), and the junction which connects with the Mweka Trail. We continue up to the Barafu Hut. 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. The two peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo are to be seen from this position.

 

Day 7: Barafu Camp – Summit(Uhuru peak 5895m) – Mweka Hut

Elevation (m): 4600m to 5895m to 3100m
Distance: 7km ascent / 23km descent
Hiking Time:6- 8 hours ascent / 7-8 hours descent
Habitat: Stone scree and ice-capped summit
Very early in the morning (midnight to 2am), 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 (5685m / 18,652 ft), you will stop for a short rest and will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see (weather permitting).From Stella Point, you may encounter snow all they way on your 1-hour ascent to the summit. At Uhuru Peak, you have reached the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa. Faster hikers will see the sunrise from the summit. It can be very cold at night at these elevations, but it will be quite warm by the end of the hiking day. You will want clothing for both extremes with you. From the summit, we now make our descent continuing straight down to the Mweka Hut camp site, stopping at Barafu for lunch. You will want gaiters and trekking poles for the loose gravel going down. Mweka Camp is situated in the upper forest and mist or rain can be expected in the late afternoon.

 

Day 8: Mweka Camp – Arusha/Moshi

Elevation (m): 3100m to 1830m
Distance: 15 km
Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: Forest
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).From the gate, continue another hour to Mweka Village. A vehicle will meet you at Mweka village to drive you back to hotel in Arusha or Moshi

COST OF SAFARI

The cost of this safari will vary depending on date of travel, type of accommodation, transport mode and number of people on the safari.

Please contact us on email info@exploreafricaholidays.com or phone +254 721 255 306 or and we shall get back to you within the shortest time possible.

INCLUDES & EXCLUDES

Included in the Safari Cost

2 nights hotel accommodation in Moshi or Arusha (before & after climb)
Breakfast at hotel
Group transport to and from Moshi or Arusha to the mountain trail head
Kilimanjaro National Park fees
Guides/porters
Tents, double occupancy
All meals on the mountain
Not included in price:
Airfare
Lunch or dinner at hotel
Personal gear and equipment
Tips
Costs of additional services:
Pick up and drop off at Kilimanjaro Airport, per way $20
Single supplement, for single tent/room, per trip $120
Private parties of two persons or less, add $300 per trip
Extra porter, per day $15
Extra hotel night, per room $75
Bottled oxygen, only for rescue/emergency use $120
Gamow bag, per trip $150
Private toilet, per trip $120
Mount Meru climb (4 days/3 nights), per person $905
Sleeping bag rental, per trip $40
Trekking poles rental, per trip $12

Excluded in the Safari Cost

Airfare
Lunch or dinner at hotel
Personal gear and equipment
Tips
Costs of additional services:
Pick up and drop off at Kilimanjaro Airport, per way $20
Single supplement, for single tent/room, per trip $120
Private parties of two persons or less, add $300 per trip
Extra porter, per day $15
Extra hotel night, per room $75
Bottled oxygen, only for rescue/emergency use $120
Gamow bag, per trip $150
Private toilet, per trip $120
Mount Meru climb (4 days/3 nights), per person $905
Sleeping bag rental, per trip $40
Trekking poles rental, per trip $12

End – Arusha /Moshi/Nairobi

For more information:

Please contact us on email info@exploreafricaholidays.com or phone +254 721 255 306