Tanzania
Trek through dense rainforest, wild camp in glaciated terrain, and summit the highest mountain in Africa.
You’ll be picked up from Kilimanjaro International Airport and taken to Moshi - a small town at the foothills of Kilimanjaro. In the evening you'll have a welcome dinner and briefing from the head guide. This trip includes all food, accommodation and airport transfers.
One hour’s drive lies the gate to the Machame route, where you will complete the Flag Off ceremony and begin your trek. The first section of the route passes through dense rainforest towards Machame Camp.
The route continues up through the forest and onto the Shira Plateau, with it's impressive views of the mountain. Looking back, you will be able to see Mt Meru (4,565m) rising high in the distance.
Today the landscape changes dramatically to barren moorland. You traverse the southwest side of Kilimanjaro, passing underneath the Lava Tower from the now dormant volcano. The day has been spent at a relatively high altitude (up to 4,600m), but you have followed the mountaineering code of ‘walk high, sleep low’ to acclimatize.
Our day starts by descending into the Great Barranco, a huge ravine, and then back up over the Great Barranco Wall. It’s an easy scramble and doesn't require any rock climbing. Passing underneath the impressive Heim and Kersten glaciers, you head towards Barrafu Camp (4,642m).
Today we start at around 2am and begin the steady hike to the summit. As the first sun rays hit, you'll start to see the glaciers around you, and we aim to be at the summit of Kilimanjaro for sunrise! We spend about 30 minutes on the summit celebrating and taking photos, before hiking all the way down to Millennium Camp for some well-earned rest.
A gentle trek takes us down through the rain forest to Mweka Gate, where you will receive certificates before taking a short 4x4 ride to the hotel in Moshi. In the evening you'll have a celebratory meal with the rest of the team.
You'll be taken back to Kilimanjaro International Airport, in time for your flights home.
Fri 23 Jun 5:00PM Fri 30 Jun 12:00PM | $1,950 Based on $1,950 USD | Book 10 spaces |
Fri 18 Aug 5:00PM Fri 25 Aug 12:00PM | $1,950 ($249 deposit) Based on $1,950 USD | Book 7 spaces |
Fri 20 Oct 5:00PM Fri 27 Oct 12:00PM | $1,950 ($249 deposit) Based on $1,950 USD | Book Just 1 space |
Fri 10 Nov 5:00PM Fri 17 Nov 12:00PM | $1,950 ($249 deposit) Based on $1,950 USD | Book 12 spaces |
Wed 3 Jan 5:00PM Wed 10 Jan 12:00PM | $1,999 ($259 deposit) Based on $1,999 USD | Book 15 spaces |
Sat 6 Jan 5:00PM Sat 13 Jan 12:00PM | $1,998.75 ($259 deposit) Based on $1,998.75 USD | Book 14 spaces |
Sun 21 Jan 5:00PM Sun 28 Jan 12:00PM | $1,998.75 ($259 deposit) Based on $1,998.75 USD | Book 15 spaces |
Wed 31 Jan 5:00PM Wed 7 Feb 12:00PM | $1,998.75 ($259 deposit) Based on $1,998.75 USD | Book 15 spaces |
Mon 5 Feb 5:00PM Mon 12 Feb 12:00PM | $1,998.75 ($259 deposit) Based on $1,998.75 USD | Book 15 spaces |
Fri 9 Feb 5:00PM Fri 16 Feb 12:00PM | $1,998.75 ($259 deposit) Based on $1,998.75 USD | Book 15 spaces |
Mon 19 Feb 5:00PM Mon 26 Feb 12:00PM | $1,998.75 ($259 deposit) Based on $1,998.75 USD | Book 15 spaces |
Tue 27 Feb 5:00PM Tue 5 Mar 12:00PM | $1,998.75 ($259 deposit) Based on $1,998.75 USD | Book 15 spaces |
Sun 3 Mar 5:00PM Sun 10 Mar 12:00PM | $1,998.75 ($259 deposit) Based on $1,998.75 USD | Book 15 spaces |
Tue 2 Jul 5:00PM Tue 9 Jul 12:00PM | $1,998.75 ($259 deposit) Based on $1,998.75 USD | Book 15 spaces |
Sat 6 Jul 5:00PM Sat 13 Jul 12:00PM | $1,998.75 ($259 deposit) Based on $1,998.75 USD | Book 15 spaces |
Tue 16 Jul 5:00PM Tue 23 Jul 12:00PM | $1,998.75 ($259 deposit) Based on $1,998.75 USD | Book 15 spaces |
Thu 25 Jul 5:00PM Thu 1 Aug 12:00PM | $1,998.75 ($259 deposit) Based on $1,998.75 USD | Book 15 spaces |
Tue 3 Dec 5:00PM Tue 10 Dec 12:00PM | $1,998.75 ($259 deposit) Based on $1,998.75 USD | Book 15 spaces |
Fri 6 Dec 5:00PM Fri 13 Dec 12:00PM | $1,998.75 ($259 deposit) Based on $1,998.75 USD | Book 15 spaces |
Fri 20 Dec 5:00PM Fri 27 Dec 12:00PM | $1,998.75 ($259 deposit) Based on $1,998.75 USD | Book 15 spaces |
Fri 27 Dec 5:00PM Fri 3 Jan 12:00PM | $1,998.75 ($259 deposit) Based on $1,998.75 USD | Book 15 spaces |
32 verified reviews
(Apr 2023)
(Feb 2023)
(Feb 2023)
Includes:
Excludes:
Please note that all plastic bags regardless of their thickness will be prohibited from being brought into Tanzania. Plastic packaging for medical services, sanitary is not prohibited.
Documents
• Passport
• Travel insurance details
• Boarding passes for flights
• 2 passport photos
• Driver’s license (if needed)
• Cash
• Credit/Debit Card
Sleeping
• Sleeping bag liner (optional)
Footwear
• Trekking boots: 3 or 4 season lightweight
• Shoes for the plane (optional)
Clothing
Please make sure that you have non-cotton clothing for trekking.
• 2 base-layer t-shirts (e.g. running t-shirts)
• Fleece/soft-shell jacket
• Waterproof jacket
• Down jacket for warmth
• Travel clothes and City Wear
• Underwear
• Base-layer trousers (optional)
• Waterproof trousers
• Trekking trousers
• Trekking shorts (Optional)
• 2 thick wool mountaineering socks
• Lightweight and breathable trekking socks
• Gloves and wool hat
Other
• A daysack: 35 litres
• A duffel or rucksack with straps to go over your back
• Dry Liner or Dry Bag
• Water bottle/thermos: At least 2L. Nalgene bottles best.
• Sunglasses
• Suncream
• General Toiletries, Contact lenses, Glasses (if needed)
• Towel
• Electronics - Head torch, travel adaptor, phone & charger
• Lipsil
• Book
• MP3/Music and headphones
• Travel wash
• Hand sanitizer, wet wipes
• Trekking Poles (Optional)
Kilimanjaro is a steep mountain with a long summit day. We recommend you train with sport or jogging 2-3 times a week in the run-up to your trip.
Start: There are three pick-up times (10:00 am, 5:00 pm or 11:59 pm) from Kilimanjaro International Airport on the first date of your trip.
End: On the last date you can fly at any time, and your guides will arrange transfers that work best for the group.
Guests typically fly with BA, Air France or Qatar, however we'd recommend comparing a few airlines e.g. https://www.skyscanner.net .
You can see the latest NHS advice at https://www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk/destinations/africa/united-republic-of-tanzania
When you go above altitudes of 2,500m, you need to allow your body time to acclimatise properly. When you are at altitude, you enter a lower oxygen environment. All relevant itineraries are designed to ensure that this process is met.
So, what does this mean? This may mean that you may need to follow a longer route during the ascent phase to achieve the end goal. In this case, reaching the summit of Kilimanjaro. It may also mean that you must rest for a day or so at certain altitudes to ensure that our bodies acclimatise properly to the change in environment. You will work alongside some of the most experienced local guides to help you reach your goals when at altitude. High altitude sickness can happen to anybody – old or young, in a good shape or not. Being in hurry in the mountains can be deadly. Your body can adjust to this altitude, but only if given enough time. If you find symptoms of altitude sickness, then you must descend down at any cost. The symptoms are totally different from one person to other. Sometimes you might feel a headache, you may feel you need to throw up, your fingers may go slightly numb or you may start breathing heavy. If you have these kinds of symptoms you should stop at this height. Drinking lots of water can help you out.
You are advised to move slowly, don’t rush and ensure you protect yourself from the weather.
Most groups have 12 people, with a maximum of 14.
You stay in a hotel at the beginning and end of the trek. The lodges offer twin shared rooms and basic showering facilities.
During the trek, you will be given a 3-man tent and use it as a twin share.
Single supplements are available for the duration of the trip for $90. Please ensure you request this on your registration form before you depart.
If you need to book any additional nights at the hotel, you can do so here: http://www.panamagardenresort.com/
Kilimanjaro is very close to the equator, so the temperatures are very similar year-round. They can range from around 20C (70F) at the base -10C (-15F) on the summit.
The dry season is June-September, and during these times there is typically just a dusting of snow on the summit. These are also the busiest months. The wet season is Nov-May, where snow depth on the summit can regularly be 20-30cm.
It is customary in Tanzania to tip guides and porters.
The amount that you tip is completely up to you. As a good rule of thumb, generally participants will tip around $150 USD per customer (not per guide). You can give this to the head guide and they will distribute it amongst the team of guides, porters and cooks.
You will have chefs with you on the hike who can cater for all dietary requirements. You will have 3 nutritious and filling meals each day, which help keep your energy levels high. Please make us aware of any requirements on your registration form before departure.
Filtered water will be readily available free of charge.
Yes - citizens from most countries do need a visa. When purchasing your visa, be aware that there are many companies online that are not legitimate. Please be mindful of this if buying online.
The currency used in Tanzania is Tanzanian Shillings. Some places will accept USD ($), but generally with a poor exchange rate.
There is a Wildlife Safari trip which works well with the Kilimanjaro dates.
The minimum age for this trek is 18, or 16 with a parent/guardian.
All trips on Skyhook are run by small, hand-picked local guiding companies. For this trip your guides run Ahsante Tours, based in Moshi.
By booking through Skyhook you'll be joining a small-group trip. This can make it nice and sociable (you'll be added to a group chat after booking), and guarantees great value for money!