Tanzania Kilimanjaro Expedition

Take on the ultimate bucket-list challenge of climbing Africa’s highest peak, Mount Kilimanjaro. Make no mistake – this expedition is a tough challenge, but the rewards are truly life-changing.

  • Location Tanzania, Africa
  • Duration 9 days
  • Expedition Type Trek

Climbing Kilimanjaro is one amazing experience to tick of the bucket list – with its glaciers, rock formations, chasms and snowfields it provides an excellent climbing terrain. This expedition along the Machame Route offers a fantastic opportunity to test your physical abilities whilst experiencing some of the most incredible views across the plains and soaking up the amazing achievement of reaching Africa’s highest summit.

Map of Tanzania AbC Trip
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Kilimanjaro_Sunset_Camp
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A fully supported expedition, from start to finish

Your expedition cost is comprehensive and covers the incredible activities you’ll be taking part in, as well as the extensive support you’ll receive in the lead up to, and during, your expedition.

Don’t forget you’ll also need your vaccinations, visas, kit and some spending money. You can find guidance on all of these on your personal Traveller Gateway once you sign up.

  • Expedition Leader
  • All meals
  • Unlimited drinking water
  • All accommodation mentioned in the itinerary
  • All activities mentioned in the itinerary
  • Entrance fees for all sights mentioned in the itinerary
  • All transfers mentioned are in private vehicles
  • Project costs and management
  • 24 hour support throughout expedition

*Flights and Travel Insurance are excluded from this trip. However should you wish to include them, then we can quote accordingly.

This sample itinerary will give you an insight into what you’ll be getting up to. Please note, the exact projects, activities and camps may change closer to the time of your expedition.

Day Activities More details
Day 1 Arrive at Kilimanjaro Airport Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport, you will be met by one of our team and transferred to the Keys Hotel. Here you will get the chance to settle in, freshen up and enjoy a tasty lunch. Following lunch, you will have a full expedition briefing where we will run through everything you can expect over the coming days. You will then be able to relax and enjoy a good night’s sleep.
Day 2 Machame Gate to Machame Hut 3,000m, 6-7 hours walking After a hearty breakfast, you will travel from the hotel to Machame Gate, where your trek will begin (1830m). You’ll spend the day walking through the lush lower slopes of Mt. Kilimanjaro, slowly gaining altitude whilst enjoying the diverse flora and fauna of the rainforest, before arriving at the first Machame Hut – situated 3,000m above sea level – where you will settle in for the night.
Day 3 Machame Camp to Shira Camp 3,840m, 4-6 hours walking Today you will enjoy a shorter day of walking – starting with a climb up a steep ridge to reach a small semi-circular cliff known as Picnic Site which will then continue up a gentler ascent through the lower alpine moorland. This area is known for its natural beauty and abundance of wild alpine flowers. Upon arrival at Shira Camp, you will be treated to one of the most spectacular views of Kibo peak.
Day 4 Shira Camp to Barranco Valley 3,900m, 5-7 hours walking This morning you will walk on a gentle ascent alongside some of the most amazing panoramic views. You will traverse the southwest side of Kilimanjaro, passing underneath the Lava Tower and the final section of the Western Breach. After a delicious hot lunch at the bottom of the Lava Tower (4,600m), you will descend to the bottom of the Great Barranco valley (3,900m) where you will spend the night.
Day 5 Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp 4,000m, 4-5 hours walking A steep climb up the eastern wall will kick off today’s adventure as you make your way to just below the Heim Glacier, where you may be lucky to enjoy some spectacular views of Kilimanjaro. You will then take a steep exit up the Great Barranco Wall, which divides you from the southeast slopes of Kibo. The trail continues down into the alpine desert of the Karanga Valley before finally, you have a steep climb up to Karanga Camp, where you will enjoy an evening of some much-needed rest.
Day 6 Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp 4,600m, 3-4 hours walking Upon finishing breakfast, this morning you will make your way up another steep climb heading away from Karanga Camp. Upon reaching the path you will be treated to wide views of the empty and dry landscape, which is like nothing you have ever seen before. You will continue along the path to Barafu Camp, where you will be able to see the two peaks Kibo and Mawenzi. After a nice hot lunch at the camp, you will spend the remainder of the day resting as you prepare for the final ascent before an early night.
Day 7 Barafu Camp to Summit to Mweka Camp 3,100m, 13-15 hours walking Waking before midnight in the cover of darkness you will begin a steep climb over loose volcanic scree. There are some well-graded zig-zag paths and a slow but steady pace will take you to the rim of the main crater, Stella Point, at 5,735m. Here you will rest and enjoy the sunrise over Mawenz – an unforgettable moment. If you are feeling strong you can continue to make the two-hour round trip along the crater rim to the main peak (5,895m), this is the highest point in Africa. Once you have taken your obligatory top of the mountain photos and you have taken some time to appreciate your accomplishment you will descend to Barafu. After enjoying some refreshments at Barafu Camp you will descend to Mweka Camp, where you will enjoy a good night’s rest.
Day 8 Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate 3-4 hours walking Today you will enjoy a short scenic hike back to Mweka Gate. Everyone that successfully climbed to the summit will receive their summit certificates; those who reached Stella Point will receive green certificates and those who reached Uhuru Peak will receive gold certificates. You will then travel back to the Keys Hotel, where you can enjoy a nice hot shower, dinner and a good night’s sleep on a comfy bed.
Day 9 Depart This morning you will say your final goodbye to the team in Tanzania and head to the airport ready for your flight home.
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See what life is like on expedition

Check out the photos from our previous travellers for a first-hand view into life on expedition.

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Going up Kilimanjaro
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Going up Kilimanjaro
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For more of our travellers’ best photos visit our photo competition gallery. See more

My trip to Kenya was everything I could have dreamed of and more! I climb Mt. Kilimanjaro, meet countless incredible people and played a part in some of the amazing ongoing projects Camps run. If you’re thinking about doing a trip with camps, stop thinking and BOOK IT! I’d do it all over again in a heartbeat.

Michael, Camp Kenya 2015

Our local camp legends

Our camps are staffed by members of the community who will make you feel like a local in no time. These legends will make your expedition spectacular and will show you the very best of their home country.

Laura Negus

The building of character, resilience, confidence and empathy is only the tip of the iceberg when travelling with Camps. I’ve led 10 expeditions to date and have the privilege of witnessing these developments within students each and every time they travel with us. Going on expedition is a valuable opportunity for individuals where they create positive impact and undoubtedly grow as a young person, make the most incredible memories and have stories to talk about for years. And if you think this isn’t for you – it’s you who will gain the most.

Meet our Crew

Interested in this expedition?

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