Mount Kilimanjaro

Days

10

Activity Level

Advanced

Host country

Tanzania

From

$3,595 USD

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Mount Kilimanjaro

Join The Explorer’s Passage (TEP) on an incredible journey to the top of Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest peak. On this Expedition, you will ascend up this mighty mountain along the famed Machame route. This route offers some of the most spectacular scenery while on the mountain. The Machame route starts in the southwest side of the mountain and proceeds steeply north, traversing the Shira plateau and eventually joining the Shira and Lemosho routes at the Shira camp.

Explore mount kilimanjaro with TEP

Trip Highlights

Embark on an unforgettable journey to conquer Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest peak in Africa and one of the world’s most renowned climbing challenges. Trek through diverse ecosystems, from lush rainforests to barren alpine landscapes, as you ascend towards the iconic Uhuru Peak.

Experience the breathtaking vistas from the summit at 19,341 feet (5,895 meters), with panoramic views over Tanzania’s expansive savannah and the stunning glaciers atop the peak.

Relax in luxury accommodations before and after your climb, ensuring you rest and recharge in comfort as you prepare for your adventure or celebrate your successful ascent.

Customize your ideal trip to Mount Kilimanjaro! Desire wildlife safaris in nearby reserves, or wish to explore local cultures and traditions? We offer personalized options to enrich your journey.

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Let’s Plan Your Trip Today:


TRIP COST

From $3,595 USD per person
Prices are per person, based on double occupancy

*More info. on pricing

Single Supplement Fee (Hotels): from $575 USD
Single Supplement Fee (Tents): from $400 USD

More questions? Read more about pricing here

Start dates

Fixed group and private departure dates available.

To inquire about a custom date,
please contact us!

Duration

10 Days / 9 Nights 

Trek Duration: 7 Days / 6 Nights

Accommodations

Relax in comfort

*Various Options

Choose between 3 and 4 star hotels before and after the trek. Tented camps along the trek.

*Read more about your accommodations in Tanzania

max. group size

Fixed group departures: 12 Guests

Private departures: 20 Guests

ACTIVITY LEVEL

Advanced*

Primary activities:

Trekking

*Please refer to our Trip Activity Level Guide for more information

10 Day / 9 Night Trip Daily Overview

Sample Trip Itinerary

Custom trip itineraries are available for any size group. Please contact us for a complete detailed itinerary.

Want more information? Download a detailed itinerary.

Itineraries include detailed descriptions of each day, tips on travel arrangements, regional highlights, and more. It’s the perfect resource to help you choose!

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Day 1: Arrival in Tanzania

Enjoy a warm welcome to Tanzania and meet your fellow explorers as the excitement builds for the beginning of your adventure. The rest of your day will be free; you might want to explore the small town of Moshi, or you can just relax by the pool.  Later on, our team and your mountain guide will meet with you and give you a thorough briefing in preparation for your trek.

Accommodations: Weru Weru River Lodge

Day 2: Explore local culture

While at the village you will get to explore the lives of the Chagga people and take a coffee tour to see how the locals grow and brew coffee. After the coffee tour you will head to the waterfalls where you will have your lunch and spend the rest of the afternoon. Afterwards you will be transferred back to your hotel in Moshi.

Accommodations: Weru Weru River Lodge

Day 3: First day of Kilimanjaro Trek

You arrive at the gate of Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s Highest Peak. The first section of the route climbs steadily and passes through magnificent, dense rainforest. This path is less well-trodden so it can get somewhat overgrown in places and it is often wet and muddy underfoot.

Accommodations: Campsite – Machame Camp

Day 4: Second Day of Trek

Our route continues on up through the forest until we reach the steep ascent onto the Shira Plateau, where there are rewarding views of the mountain. Looking back, you will be able to see Mt Meru rising high above Arusha town in the distance.

Accommodations: Campsite – Shira Camp

Day 5: Third Day of Trek

Walking on high moorland, the landscape changes the entire character of the trek. We traverse the southwest side of Kilimanjaro, passing underneath the Lava Tower and the final section of the Western Breach and finally reach camp. The day has been spent at altitude (up to 4,600m), but we have followed the mountaineering code of ‘walk high, sleep low’ to aid your body’s acclimatization to altitude.

Accommodations: Campsite – Barranco Camp

Day 6: Fourth Day of Trek

Our day starts by descending into the start of the Great Barranco, a huge ravine. We then exit steeply, up the Great Barranco Wall, which divides us from the southeastern slopes of Kibo. It’s a climb over rock, not technical but long and tiring. Passing underneath the Heim and Kersten glaciers, we head towards the Karanga valley.

Accommodations: Campsite – Karanga Camp

Day 7: Fifth Day of Trek

After a good night’s rest and breakfast, we set off on our walk to Barafu camp at 4640m. The climb will take us across desolate scree slopes with no vegetation around us at all. It’s a tough steep walk made more difficult by the altitude. On arriving at camp we eat and spend the afternoon resting as we prepare for a long night and day ahead.

Accommodations: Campsite – Barafu Camp

Day 8: Sixth Day of Trek

We will be climbing for 4 to 5 hours but gain incredible height over a short distance. The views are spectacular. We should be on the crater rim at Stella Point (5739m) as the first rays of the sun hit us. Spectacular ice cliffs within the crater surround us and the views to jagged Mawenzi peak and beyond are breathtaking. Another hour’s walking takes us to the summit, Uhuru Peak (5895m).

Accommodations: Campsite – Millennium Camp

Day 9: Seventh Day of Trek

A gentle trek takes us down through the rain forest to Mweka Gate, where we complete park formalities and receive certificates, which you can hang up with pride! We are then met by our vehicles and return to the hotel in Moshi, where you can treat yourself to a welcome shower before dinner.

Accommodations: Weru Weru River Lodge

Day 10: Depart Tanzania

This morning you will say goodbye to Tanzania with memories for a lifetime. We look forward to sending you on your next adventure with The Explorer’s Passage soon!

Accommodations: N/A

Create your OWN Unique Experience

Customizing Your Kilimanjaro Trek

Are you interested in another activity or destination in Tanzania? Planning to spend extra time in the region, or interested in specific travel dates?  No problem. As experts in tailored trip planning, we can weave your interests and your timeframe into our customizable itineraries so that every detail of your extraordinary trip unfolds precisely the way you want it to. Click the options below to learn more:

With The Explorer’s Passage, you can choose between a variety of route options for Mount Kilimanjaro:

5 Days Trekking Routes (7 Day Tour)

  • Marangu Route

6 Days Trekking Routes (8 Day Tour)

  • Marangu Route
  • Machame Route
  • Umbwe Route

7 Day Routes (9 Day Tour)

  • Lemosho Route
  • Shira Route
  • Rongai Route
  • Machame Route
  • Umbwe Route

8 Day Routes (10 Day Tour)

  • Lemosho Route
  • Shira Route
  • Rongai Route
  • Machame
  • Northern Circuit Route

9 Day Routes (11 Day Tour)

  • Lemosho Route
  • Rongai Route
  • Northern Circuit Route

While in/around Mount Kilimanjaro, you can choose to add on one or several of the following excursions:

  • Serengeti National Park
  • Ngorongoro Crater
  • Tarangire National Park
  • Lake Manyara National Park
  • Selous Game Reserve
  • Ruaha National Park
  • Mikumi National Park
  • Gombe Stream National Park

In addition to their time in Tanzania, many travelers choose to add in other destinations to their trips, including (but not limited to) some of the following:

  • South Africa
  • Egypt
  • Morocco 
  • Zanzibar (Tanzania)

Contact us today to get started customizing your dream trip to Mount Kilimanjaro!

Hear what travelers are saying:

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“Just book with these guys, they are the best and I work in the industry! Had an amazing trip with Explorers Passage. Everyone from the start was so friendly and courteous and this got even better when we arrived in Chile. Guides, drivers and hotel staff were out of the world.
Couple this with the stunning scenery and it’s one of my top vacation ever!”
– Richard B.
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“Explorer’s Passage made our W trek adventure not only possible but seamless and amazing. It was clear from the start that they had thought of everything – from the transfers to tickets to gear. We were very prepared from all their detailed checklists and training guide. And we knew what to expect from all our pre-trip calls and emails. The level of detail in all they do is remarkable. We were able to enjoy the adventure that much more because we had so much trust in their guidance as well as execution of all those details.”
– Kate W.
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“My wife and I just got back from Patagonia after completing the W Trek that Explorers Passage had arranged for us. From our first contact with Jeff Bonaldi to our last transfer, our experience was stellar. Jeff guided us through the rather complicated logistics and was very responsive to concerns before and during the adventure. His focus was always on how to make the adventure memorable not on the bottom line for his company. I rarely write reviews but felt compelled to do so because our experience was beyond 5 stars.”
– Steve B.
relax in comfort

Trip Accommodations

For the nights before and after experiencing Mount Kilimanjaro, you can relax in the comfort of 3 or 4 Star accommodations. While on the trek, tented camps will be set up each night for your enjoyment.

3 Star Accommodations

Weru Weru River Lodge | Moshi, Tanzania

The Weru Weru River Lodge provides 32 spacious and fully air-conditioned rooms designed to provide exceptional comfort. Thanks to an unbeatable location, this superior quality lodge near Kilimanjaro is a perfect choice for travelers seeking an unforgettable and authentic African experience in a hotel with views of Kilimanjaro. The highly experienced and professional team at the riverside lodge in Moshi, Tanzania are focused on creating truly exceptional experiences at highly affordable rates, making the Weru Weru River Lodge the best value for money hotel in the region. Surrounded by coffee plantations and only 24 kilometers from the airport, the extensive range of quality facilities and services at the Weru Weru River Lodge make it the best choice for experienced international travelers.

Weru Weru website

‘Moving Villages’ While on the Trek (Campsites)

Moving Villages are exactly as they sound: camps that move with you as you go. Full adventure teams support these impressive temporary accommodations and can consist of up to 15 porters, cooks, and guide. Dining tables, fresh food, beverages, your extra bags, and roomy, two-person tents with sleeping pads await your arrival.

we’re always happy to help

Frequently Asked Questions

Looking for something?

Check here for our Frequently Asked Questions for the Mount Kilimanjaro Trek, and if you can’t find the answer you are looking for then send us a message.

Click the button below to access our general FAQ section!

SEE ALL FAQS

The main routes are Marangu, Machame, Lemosho, Rongai, Shira, Umbwe, and the Northern Circuit. Each route varies in difficulty, scenery, duration, and success rates.

The best times to climb are during the dry seasons: from January to mid-March and from June to October. These periods offer the best weather conditions and clearer views.

Climbers need to be in good physical condition and have strong cardiovascular fitness. While technical climbing skills are not required, training with aerobic exercises, hiking, and endurance workouts is recommended.

Depending on the route, the climb typically takes between 5 to 9 days. Longer routes offer better acclimatization and higher success rates.

Yes, it is mandatory to climb with a licensed guide. Most trekkers book through a tour operator that provides guides, porters, and necessary permits.

Altitude sickness is caused by the body’s reaction to lower oxygen levels at high elevations. Symptoms include headaches, nausea, and fatigue. To prevent it, climbers should ascend slowly, stay hydrated, and take acclimatization days. Medications like Diamox can also help.

Essential items include a good quality sleeping bag, warm clothing (layers), sturdy hiking boots, a daypack, a headlamp, water bottles, snacks, sunscreen, and a first aid kit. A detailed packing list is usually provided by tour operators.

Success rates vary by route and duration. Longer routes generally have higher success rates due to better acclimatization. On average, the success rate is around 60-70%, but it can be higher for routes like Lemosho and Machame which allow more days for acclimatization.

we’re Here every step of the way

Trip Support

mount kilimanjaro TRIP Support

There is no other operator in the travel industry that will provide the same level of personal attention to your travel experience.

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Personal Attention & Preparation Before Every Trip

We get very involved with our travelers before each trip by offering a series of pre-planning calls in the months and weeks before departure. This provides you with an opportunity to hear directly from us on preparation, trip experience, and training. It also gives you the platform to ask questions about any aspect of the trip. We also provide comprehensive packing lists, pre-adventure checklists, and other detailed information.

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Staff Support & Logistics

We go above and beyond our competitors in handling every aspect of your trip, so that you can focus exclusively on experiencing all that Tanzania and Mount Kilimanjaro have to offer. Our knowledgeable support staff takes care of the details of your in-country ground transportation, lodging, meals, tours, park fees, and activities. We’ve even scheduled a bit of free time for you to explore, relax, shop, or eat on your own.

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Additional Trip Information

Check out our detailed educational content on Mount Kilimanjaro, written by our adventure team. The article provides a complete overview of everything that you need to know about this amazing journey to Tanzania.

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We look forward to helping you plan your next big adventure!

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(855) 208-6800

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info@explorerspassage.com