You will be picked up at the Kilimanjaro International Airport and our driver will bring you to your Hotel in Moshi. The Chanya Lodge is located in a quiet location, 4 km from central Moshi, at the foot of Kilimanjaro and is an ideal starting point for your climb.
Your guide will meet you in the lodge to organise the final steps of the climb. He will make sure that you have all the necessary equipment, and he will go through the itinerary ensuring you are fully prepared.
You drive approximately two hours to the Landorossi Gate, which is located on the west side of Kilimanjaro. After your mountain guide stows away your luggage, the ascent begins through dense rainforest. Colombus monkeys populate the trail and, on occasion, Elephants and Buffalo as well. After about three hours of hiking, you arrive at the Mti Mkubwa Camp where tents are set up for the night.
14 Kilometers are hiked on day two. After breakfast, hikers make their way out of the rainforest and follow an ascending trail that is surrounded by Heather Bushes, Lobelia Flowers, and the tallest Senecio flowers in the world (measuring over 9 feet tall). At 3500 meters, you cross the Shira Plateau and arrive at Shira Camp Two. There is a beautiful view of Mount Kibo, Mount Meru and the edge of the Shira Crater. Tents are set up for your night’s stay.
Day three of the climb is important for altitude acclimation. In the morning, you begin your hike through enormous boulders to the Lava Tower (4600 meter). In the afternoon, you descend from the Lava Rock to the Barranco Camp and the landscape turns into beautiful lush vegetation. In the distance, the African red sun drops to the horizon as hikers arrive at the Barranco Camp.
Today’s start is a later one. Hikers are encouraged to have an easy morning and enjoy the warmth of the African sun. After a relaxing breakfast, there is a short scramble to the top of the Great Barannco and then a traverse over ridges to the Karanga Valley, beneath the icefalls and along glacier springs. After three hours of hiking, you arrive at the Karanga Camp and stay the night.
The first hike of the morning is easy and picturesque. There is a beautiful view of the Karanga Valley, Mountain Peaks in the Southwest, and Rebmann Glacier. Hikers cross the valley and begin to rise to the Barafu Camp which is surrounded by volcanic foothills. There is a spectacular view of the Mawenzi (5100m). This is where camp will be set for the night.
Just after midnight, hikers begin their summit attempt. There is a difficult six to nine hour ascent through rubble and snow in the cold and dark night. Hikers reach Stella Point (5745 m) and hike 150 meters further to the highest point in Africa. They are rewarded with a beautiful sunrise at Uhuru Peak (5895 m). The descent passes Stella Point and on to the Millennium Camp for the night.
The last day in Kilimanjaro National Park, hikers enjoy a descent through lush rainforest to the Mweka Gate. From there, you are returned to your hotel in Moshi for a chance to refresh and recover before your departure the following day.