TOUR DETAILS

AVT 2.1 KILIMANJARO CLIMB (LEMOSHO-SHIRA ROUTE) – 11 DAYS

Starting from the west side of Mt. Kilimanjaro, this is a scenically beautiful trail, longer and much gentler than Umbwe or Marangu (the “Coca Cola Route”). Our itinerary provides valuable time to acclimatize to the altitude by having extra, as well as longer and shorter walking days during the trek to the 19,340 foot summit and return. We believe that the longer you take on the mountain, the better chance to acclimatize to the altitude and have success in reaching the summit.

TOUR ITINERARY

antelope
Day 1 – Arrival/Arusha
Upon your arrival at Kilimanjaro Airport, you will be met by a driver/guide and transferred to the Ilboru Safari Lodge on the slope of Mt. Meru, just north of nearby Arusha for the night. Since the lodge is at a higher elevation than Arusha city, this will begin your acclimatizing to the higher altitudes of Mt. Kilimanjaro.
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DAY 2 – Arusha National Park – game drive
Visit Arusha National Park to view wild animals found in typical safaris, including buffalo, wildebeests, dik-diks, giraffes, and various primates. Return to lodge for a late lunch and relaxation. Before dinner meet with your guide to receive a briefing of your trek plan, and review the packing of your gear. Dinner and overnight at the Ilboru Safari Lodge.
kili Climbing
DAY 3 – Kili trekking
From Arusha drive three hours to Londorosi Gate, the National Park, for paper signing and the forest edge trailhead 2,122m/7,000ft. From here we will walk about 3 hours through the undisturbed forest to our camp for the night. With luck, on your walk to camp you will see animals such as Colobus monkeys and signs of elephants. The ascent today will be 607m/2,000ft and 6-7 hours walk. Dinner and overnight at Forest Camp.
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DAY 4 – Kili trekking
Taking our time walking through the forest will help us spot some of the plentiful game and bird life. The day’s hike will take us through the Montane Froest and the Hagenia zone to our camp located on the Shira plateau at 3,426m/11,300ft. We will point out the unique environmental differences that characterize these separate equatorial zones. The ascent today will be 697m/2,300ft and 6-7 hours walk. Dinner and overnight at Shira One Camp.
game-lions
DAY 5 – Kili trekking
Our hike today will be about 4 hours across the Shira Plateau and one hour up the western slope of the Kibo Massif. We will enjoy hiking through fine open moorland to Shira camp at 3,840m/12,650ft. Herds of eland up here (& occasional lion!) Also, there are fascinating geological features in the old volcanic caldera which can be viewed during a half-hour optional walk in the afternoon. The ascent will be 840m/2,500ft and 4-5 hours walking. Dinner and overnight at Shira TwoCamp.
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DAY 6 – Kili trekking
From Shira, climb towards the main peak, with the western glaciers clearly visible across the rugged high-altitude desert to volcanic rocks and boulders. Skirting around its base and under the imposing Western Breach, descend into the sheltered Barranco Valley for mid–way camp at 3,950m/12,900ft. This will be 5-7 hours walking and only 110m total ascent – after having climbed high and dropping down low to sleep and assist acclimatization. Dinner and overnight at Barranco Camp.
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Day 7 – Kili trekking
Climb the steep Barranco Wall, which includes some sections of very easy scrambling and drop down again to the Karanga Valley at 3,800m/12,700ft. This is a short walking day, 3-4 hours, with an optional acclimatization hike in afternoon up onto the scree below the glaciers. Dinner and overnight at Karanga Camp.
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Day 8 – Kili trekking
Up to Barafu camp perched high on a rocky bluff at 4,750m/ 15,200ft. Fantastic views across to Mawenzi peak and a bit less to climb tomorrow morning! This is another short walking day, about 4 hours, 950m, with less exertion and a good rest in afternoon immediately before the hard summit day. Dinner and overnight at Barafu Camp.
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Day 9 – Kili trekking/summit
Around midnight, enjoy breakfast and start to climb the steep frozen scree. This is unavoidable on any route but we aim to reach Stella Point on the crater rim for sunrise – another 40mins and you’re at the highest point on the continent 5,895m/19,340ft, usually in warm sunshine. Return on the Mweka descent route. Ascent of 1,300m/4,000ft over the seven hours trek to the summit, enjoy standing at the highest point in the African Continent and then descend over 2-3 hours back to Barafu camp for lunch. After lunch continue trek descent 1,750m/ 5,000ft over 3-5 hours to the Mweka camp at 3,000m/10,000ft. This is a long, hard day but you will feel absolutely ecstatic when you have finished! Enjoy dinner and a good night’s rest. Overnight at Mweka Camp.

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Day 10 – Kili trekking/Ilboru Safari Lodge in Arusha
A morning descent of 4-5 hours through the forest brings us to Mweka Gate where you collect your well-earned certificate and meet our vehicle for transfer to a hotel in Arusha. There you can take a hot shower, and enjoy the dinner prepared for you. Overnight at Ilboru Safari Lodge.

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Day 11 – Arusha/Departure
On this day, a dayroom will be provided for you at the Ilboru Safari Lodge. In the morning you can go shopping for souvenirs and goods in Arusha, then back to the hotel for lunch, leisure, and packing. An early evening dinner is prepared for you, then transfer to the airport for departure home, or extend your African experience with one of the available options.

GENERAL INFORMATION FOR TREKKERS

Optional extensions include: photo safari to Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro Crater, Tarangire, and Serengeti National Parks; walking safari; chimpanzee tracking; Zanzibar adventure

General information for trekkers

Accommodations while camping is in 3-person mountain tents shared by only 2 people. Vehicles or local porters will carry all your gear; you only have to carry a daypack with your personal belongings. During camping, you will not have to participate in camp chores. We buy fresh produce locally, and to ensure good standards of hygiene, all food is prepared by our own staff. We cater for special dietary requirements, and there are no extra food charges. We can also arrange extra hotel bookings and airport transfers for before and after your trip.

Please note

We do not post our pricing on our website so we can customize your trip to fit your exact needs. We pride ourselves on our very affordable and competitive pricing, and the flexibility in scheduling and arranging every detail of your trip. The best way to communicate with us is by email. Please send your contact information, general trip plans and questions to info@elevatetrekkingandsafaris.com to start planning your next adventure. See below for what is included and what is excluded in the price of this trip.

INCLUDES

Price quote includes
All ground transport – 4WD safari vehicles; guarantee of window-seating
Accommodations, as detailed, in comfortable and roomy hotels/lodges or tents when camping
Camping equipment, except sleeping bags and insulation mats, while Kili trekking, and we can arrange to have these items rented
Services of guides, cooks and porters
All national park entrance and camp site fees
All food — breakfasts, (packed) lunches, and dinners
High altitude emergency equipment (Garmow Bag, oxygen and pulse oximeter) during the climb
Private portable flushing and chemical toilet while trekking
Katadyn Combi Microfilter, to filter drinking water while trekking
Flying doctors evacuation service
Price quote excludes
International flights
Travel and personal accident insurance
Visa, passport, vaccinations, medicines
Tips/gratuities
Expenditure for alcoholic drinks and soda at lodges/hotels
Souvenirs and personal items
Optional excursions/activities not detailed in itinerary
Any additional services requested