Classic Kilimanjaro Trek tour
8 Days Starting and ending in -3.429167,37.074444
Visiting: Tanzania
Tour operator:
Tour code:
59
Recommended For:
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
1 - 12
Age range:
8-85
Special diets catered:
Request dietary needs
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Tour Overview
Experience stunning panoramic views on one of the world’s most renowned treks when you join us on this iconic climb of Africa’s tallest mountain, Mt Kilimanjaro.
This trek takes you on the popular Marangu route, which uses comfortable trekking lodges for the overnight accommodation. You’ll be climbing for five hard and breathless days to reach the summit so you better be fit. We also add in one acclimatisation day en-route to give you a bit more time on the mountain and to give you the best chance of reaching the summit. We recommend you do plenty of training before undertaking this challenge, but when you reach the summit the spectacular views out across the African landscape will make all the hard work and pain so worthwhile. Truly a once in a lifetime achievement!
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive Moshi
Accommodation Name: Springlands Hotel or similar
Today we meet in Moshi - if you are flying in to Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), we can add an airport transfer for you. If you are making your own way to Moshi please advise your estimated arrival time in order to organize the briefing. If the weather is favourable we might get a first glimpse of the world's tallest freestanding mountain, Mt Kilimanjaro (5,895 m). When you arrive at the hotel you will have some time to relax. One of our representatives will brief you on what to expect in the upcoming week.
Single Room Supplement, Extra night - pre-tour, Airport arrival transfer
Day 2: Kilimanjaro National Park: Mandara Hut
Accommodation Name: Mandara Hut
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
1700m to 2740m (5500ft to 9000ft). 7km, 4-5 hours. Mountain forest After breakfast and briefing, drive to the Kilimanjaro National Park Gate (45 minutes), register and commence the climb. Walk through the rainforest to the Mandara encampment located at 9000 ft / 2740 m. A side trip to Maundi Crater is a good way to see the surroundings including Northern Tanzania and Kenya. In the rainforest, look for towering Eucalyptus trees, bird life, and Colobus monkeys.
Day 3: Kilimanjaro National Park: Horombo Hut
Accommodation Name: Horombo Hut
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
2700m to 3700m (9000ft to 12,100ft). 11km, 6-8 hours. Heathland After about 1 hour hike, you will leave the glades of the rainforest and follow an ascending path on the open moorlands to the Horombo encampment. Views of Mawenzi and the summit of Kibo are amazing. Look for giant lobelias and groundsels. You will start to feel the affects of the altitude. If you wish to extend you trek, here you can spend an extra day resting at Horombo or climbing the small peak of Mawenzi.
Day 4: Kilimanjaro National Park: Horombo Hut
Accommodation Name: Horombo Hut
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
We spend a second night at the Horombu Hut tonight, giving our bodies the chance to acclimatise to the altitude. This should make the next two days of hiking feel easier and give you a better chance of reaching the summit.
During the morning you can walk up the steep grassy slope to Mawenzi Hut for some great scenic views over towards Kibo. The rest of the day can be spent resting or taking some other short walks in the area. Your guides are on hand to provide advice and ideas based on how you are feeling.
Day 5: Kilimanjaro National Park: Kibo (4:020M)
Accommodation Name: Kibo Hut
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
3700m to 4700m (12,100ft to 15,400ft). 10km, 6-8 hours. Alpine Desert Ascending, we now pass the last watering point, walking onto the saddle of Kilimanjaro between the peaks of Kibo and Mawenzi. Vegetation begins with upper heathland but then disappears into "moonscape". Dinner, rest, and prepare for summit climb.
Day 6: Kilimanjaro National Park Uhuru Peak (Summit 5:895M)
Accommodation Name: Horombo Hut
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
4700m to 5895m and down to 3700m (15,400ft to 19,300ft and down to 12,100ft) 4 km up / 14 km down, 10-15 hours. Alpine Desert
Very early in the morning (midnight to 2am), commence the climb to the summit on steep and heavy scree or snow up to Gilman's point located on the crater rim at 18640 ft / 5861 m (4-7 hours). Continuing, we now ascend to Uhuru Peak, which is the highest point in Africa 19340 ft / 5895 m (1-2 hours). Unbelievable views at every turn. Get your picture taken at the summit to show your friends. From here, we now descend, stopping for lunch and a rest at Kibo before continuing on to the Horombo encampment for dinner and overnight (1-2 hours). The beginning of this climb is done in the dark and requires headlamps or flashlights. It will be very cold until you start descending, so you will need all of your warm layers. This is, by far, the most difficult part of the trek with many switchbacks. "Pole pole" and an optimistic attitude will get you there!
Day 7: Kilimanjaro National Park: Moshi
Accommodation Name: Moshi Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
3700m to 1700m (12,100ft to 5500ft). 18km, 5-7 hours After breakfast, A steady descent takes us down through moorland to Mandara Hut (2,700m.), the first stopping place at the Marangu route. Continue descending through lovely lush forest on a good path to the National Park gate at Marangu (1,830 m.). At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy. Gaiters and trekking poles will help. Shorts and t-shirts will probably be plenty to wear (keep rain gear and warmer clothing handy).A vehicle will meet you at Marangu village to drive you back to Moshi. Overnight at Springlands hotel or similar
Day 8: Moshi: Departure Transfer
Accommodation Name: None
Meals Included: Breakfast
Free time until your departure airport transfer.
Extra night - post-tour
What's Included
What's Not Included
Mode of Transport
A/C minibus/car
Accommodation
Hotel & trekking huts
Check out our Q&As
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Are airport transfers included in this tour?
Airport transfers are not included in the price of this trip, but are available to book as an optional extra. Please contact us for details.
If you have booked an airport transfer with us, on arrival please look out for signboard with your name showing to find our representative. You may be pestered for tips by porters who try to carry your luggage. We suggest you either be firm and insist on carrying your own luggage, or if you want assistance, wait until you have met our representative and then let him arrange the porter for you. You will need to have some money ready for a small tip (eg. a single US Dollar bill). -
What should I know before traveling?
It is important when considering and preparing to travel anywhere in the world that you have a good understanding of the country you are visiting, its laws and customs, and the possible risks and situations that may occur. This includes specific risks related to your itinerary (eg. does it involve water & can you swim, are you fit enough for the activities included), as well as more general risks such as terrorism and natural disasters.
General details and links to more information about health risks, visa requirements, money, and travel insurance are given in these tour notes. We recommend that you re-read all these before your departure as well as the small print of your travel insurance policy so you know exactly what is covered and what is not.
You should take copies of your important travel documents with you and ideally also store them online securely as a backup. Make sure that you have given us your emergency contact details and told that person where and when you are travelling. Ensure you take enough money with you and that you have access to emergency funds.
Finally, you should read through and stay updated with the current official government travel advice for your destination. We are registered partners with the UK Foreign Office's 'Travel Aware' campaign which provides further useful and invaluable information. -
What currencies are required for this tour?
The local currency in Tanzania is the Tanzanian Shilling (TZS). Tanzania Shillings can be ordered from most major currency suppliers prior to departure or hard currency can be easily exchanged in all major cities, the currency of preference being US Dollars however Sterling and Euros are also widely accepted.
Credit cards are accepted in Tanzania but aren't widely used. ATM's are available in larger cities but aren't generally widely available outside of cities. Travellers cheques are slowly being phased out so instead, travellers are advised to bring sufficient hard currency.
Bank opening hours are generally Monday & Friday 0830-1400, Saturdays 0900-1200. -
Are all entrance fees included in the price?
The tour price includes entrance fees to all the tourist sites mentioned in the itinerary. You will need to cover the cost of entrance to any other extra sites that you may wish to visit.
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Is there a limit to luggage that can be brought on the tour?
Most international airlines restrict you to between 20kg and 23kg per person of luggage to go in the hold of the plane. Domestic flights often have smaller allowances around 15kg. As airline rules vary we recommend that you take no more than 20kg of luggage if your tour just includes international flights, and no more than 15kg if there are any domestic flights included in your itinerary. Please ask us for details if you are unsure about luggage allowances on your tour. Any excess baggage fees will be your responsibility to cover. Most airlines allow between 5kg and 10kg for hand luggage so we suggest that you take no more than 5kg unless you have confirmed that your airline(s) will allow more than this.
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Are all the relevant entry visa’s included in the price of the tour?
Visa arrangements are the responsibility of the traveller, and requirements are subject to change by the local authorities. Encounters Travel will not be held responsible if travellers are denied entry because they are not in possession of the relevant visas. We therefore recommend you re-check requirements with the relevant embassy/consulate around 4 weeks before travel.
You should also be in possession of a valid onward or return flight ticket, or proof of other means of transport enabling you to leave the country that your tour passes through or finishes in. In addition you should carry proof of sufficient funds to cover you during your time in the country (eg. credit card).
Should your tour be re-entering a country, please ensure that you have a multiple entry visa that allows this. Some countries have a visa on arrival service which can be more convenient and cheaper. However, for peace of mind and to speed up the border crossing process, Encounters Travel advises that you to get your visas prior to your trip if possible. -
Is travel insurance compulsory?
Yes! Travel insurance is compulsory on all of our tours and needs to cover personal accident & liability, medical expenses and repatriation, travel delay & abandonment. We also strongly recommend that you take out cover against cancellation and lost/stolen baggage. Personal medical insurance does not normally provide sufficient cover and is generally not suitable for travel on our tours. You will not be able to join your tour if you have not provided us with details of your insurance or if you arrive without cover in place (no refunds will be due in this event).
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What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?
You are always able to change your travel date. However, some charges may apply depending on how long before your departure you make the change. Our flexible booking conditions and reduced charges will apply if you are changing date because of a Covid-19 reason or because your government is advising against travel to your destination. Please check our detailed booking conditions for full details.
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When is my balance payment due?
60 days prior to departure
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
On most of our group tours, solo travellers may choose to form a temporary 'tour bubble' and share a room with another traveller of the same sex in the group. If a room share is not available then a single room supplement may be payable, with the costs for these kept as low as possible. We have also removed compulsory single supplements from many of our tours, and are reducing the cost by 50% on s
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Can I transfer my booking to someone else?
Customers may transfer their booking or any Credit on File to another person who satisfies all the relevant conditions to the tour, provided that we are notified not less than 7 days before departure, and the transferee agrees to these booking conditions and all other terms of the contract between us. The Client and new booker are jointly and severally responsible for any outstanding payments and a transfer administration fee of GBP50 / USD75 / CAD100 / AUD100 / NZD100 / EUR75 / ZAR1000 / INR5000 or GBP100 / USD150 / CAD200 / AUD200 / NZD200 / EUR150 / ZAR2000 / INR10,000 if the transfer is made less than 60 days before departure. Important Note: Certain arrangements may not be amended or transferred after they have been confirmed (for example flight tickets, Gorilla Permits) and any alteration could incur a cancellation and rebooking charge of up to 100% of that part of the arrangements.
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Transfer as credit to Future Tours
Encounters Travel allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform encounters travel, 60 days before departure.
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Low Deposit
Encounters Travel requires a minimum deposit of 150 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 60 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of encounters travel charges.
Up to 61 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 60 days before tour starts: Forfeit 35% of booking price.
At 41 days before tour starts: Forfeit 70% of booking price.
At 27 days before tour starts: Forfeit 90% of booking price.
At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.