Kilimanjaro Trek
Packstock or Porter Supported
10 Days, 3 Nights 39.4MI / 63.4KM *Optional Summit Attempt (*6MI / 9.7KM)
Trip Highlights
At Wildland, our approach is to get our guests ‘off the beaten path’ for a fuller, more novel experience of the world’s wilderness destinations. On this trip we follow the Rongai Route which provides wonderful solitude and exposes our guests to different environments and views of the mountain before merging with the more popular Marangu route. Trekking Kilimanjaro requires no technical ability, just hiking, while the main challenge is the elevation. We have created the ideal 10-day itinerary for optimal acclimatization and a high success rate of reaching the summit.
After our Kilimanjaro hike, we provide the option for an add-on Wildlife Safari and Cultural Tour. The Wild Africa Safari visits the Maasai, Datoga and Hadzabe tribes and Wildlife Safaris in Tanzania’s famous Serengeti, Lake Manyara, and Ngorongoro National Parks.
*Itinerary Note: Wildland Trekking stands alone in providing a complete experience on Kilimanjaro. We have a well-tested acclimatization process to increase your chances of a successful summit attempt. We are proud of our 91% summit success rate (summit success rates normally average around 65-85%). Your Kilimanjaro itinerary is not just a climb of the mountain but also includes an extra rest day after your travels in Tanzania to experience the local culture. Many companies economize by getting you in and out as quickly as possible, and that is the opposite of the Wildland approach.
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Attempt To Reach Africa's Highest Point, Uruhu Peak!
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Comfortable Tents & Camps
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World Class Trekking
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Amazing Natural & Cultural History
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Phenomenal Views
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Fresh, Local & Organic Cuisine
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An Array of African Wildlife
Book This Trip
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Trip Details
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Trip Type
Packstock or Porter Supported -
Trip Length
10 Days, 3 Nights -
Daily Hiking Distance
Up to 12.1 mi (19.5km) -
Group Size
2-12 Guests
- day by day itinerary
- logistical and travel information
- gear and clothing lists and more
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Is This Trip Right For me?
The primary challenge of hiking Kilimanjaro is the elevation. We spend 4 days above 14,000 feet (4,267 m.) and top out at 19,341 feet (5,895 m.). There are also some long days of hiking (up to 12 miles) and significant elevation gain/loss in single days (up to 4,000 ft/7,200 ft – 1,219m/2,195m). The heights exposure is primarily in one place on our summit day.
Difficulty Level
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Solitude Level
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Trip Itinerary
Wildland Trekking stands alone in providing a complete experience on Kilimanjaro. We have a well-tested acclimatization process to increase your chances of summiting. Your Kilimanjaro trek is not just a climb of the mountain but also includes an extra rest day to experience the local culture. Many companies economize by getting you in and out as quickly as possible, and that is the opposite of the Wildland approach.
Please Note: We always do everything in our power to follow the set itinerary, however occasionally trips are subject to itinerary changes based on a variety of circumstances, including but not limited to: lodging/campground availability, extreme weather, political or bureaucratic obstacles, earthquakes, fires, flooding and more. Normal terms and conditions apply to trips with itinerary changes.
Day 2
Hiking Mileage: 3.1 miles (5km)
Elevation Gain/Loss: Minimal
Trekking Duration: ~3 hours
Driving Time: 1 hour
Accommodations: Hotel in Moshi (~2,800 ft./ 853 m.)
After breakfast at the hotel, we will shuttle to the base of Mount Kilimanjaro to the village of Materuni. Here, we will set out on a light hike to an amazing waterfall along the Mware River. Today’s hike helps with acclimatization while not being too strenuous after your long travels. Materuni Falls, born from melting ice and snow flowing from the top of the mountain, plunges over 220 feet (67 meters)! At these majestic falls we’ll enjoy a relaxing break, a swim if you like, and a delicious picnic lunch before heading back to the village. We’ll then visit a coffee farm and see how Arabica and Robust coffee beans are grown by the Chagga people. They are known to be the best farmers in Tanzania. You will be served a delicious cup of rich and aromatic coffee. After enjoying this cultural treat, we’ll head back to the hotel to relax before dinner. Get some rest; tomorrow our expedition begins!
Day 3
Hiking Mileage: 4.1 miles (6.6km)
Elevation Gain: 2,075 feet (632m)
Elevation Loss: 50 feet (15m)
Trekking Duration: 3-4 hours
Elevation at Camp: 8,650 ft. (2,636 m.)
Today is the official start of our expedition to climb Kilimanjaro! We head out on a roughly 3-hour drive to the village of Nale Moru where our trek begins. In Nale Moru, after meeting our entire crew and team, we will have a hot lunch. Our porters will get our personal gear organized and packed for the hike, and then we begin the trek! We’ll start hiking on a path that climbs gently and consistently through the beautiful, temperate forests that drape the foothills of Kilimanjaro. Along the way, we may have opportunities to view some wildlife: Colobus Monkeys are often abundant along with many species of birds, reptiles and gazelles. We continue hiking until we arrive at Simba Camp (8,650 ft./2,636 m.) for the night. Facing North, we’ll have stunning views of the plains of Kenya while we enjoy a delicious meal and a relaxing evening.
Day 4
Hiking Mileage: 3.5 miles (5.6km)
Elevation Gain: 2,765 feet (843m)
Trekking Duration: 3-4 hours
Elevation at Camp: 11,415 ft. (3,480 m.)
Waking up on Kilimanjaro with Wildland means getting a hot drink of your choice delivered to your tent and a warm bowl of water to wash your hands and face. What a way to start the day! Then comes a nutritious breakfast to fuel our day’s activities. Today we head up the trail and immediately have outstanding views of Kibo Peak and the Eastern Ice Fields sitting on the crater rim. Arriving at Second Cave Camp (11,415 ft./3,480 m.) by lunch allows us to relax for a bit and give our bodies time to acclimatize before an afternoon walk to higher elevations, which helps us further our acclimatization process. Everything we do on the mountain is designed to prepare us for our summit bid. This includes constant self-care, proper acclimatization practices, and hiking “pole, pole”, translated “slowly, slowly” in Swahili.
Day 5
Hiking Mileage: 3.6 miles (5.8km)
Elevation Gain: 1,060 feet (323m)
Elevation Loss: 415 feet (126m)
Trekking Duration: 4 hours
Elevation at Camp: 12,175 ft. (3,711 m.)
After our morning drinks and full breakfast, we will pack up to hike towards the jagged peaks of Mawenzi. Our hike through the open moorlands continues until we reach a small set of caves created by past historic lava flows. We will briefly explore these caves (optional) before making our last push to Kikelewa Camp (12,175 ft./3,711 m.) and our awaiting lunch. Again, arriving to camp by lunch allows time to recuperate and relax before another afternoon acclimatization hike. The views from tonight’s camp are spectacular and the sunset not to be missed. As darkness falls, the lights in small, far off Kenyan villages dot the landscape below us. Warm dinner and drinks are served before the nightly briefing and health check by your guide.
Day 6
Hiking Mileage: 2.2 miles (3.5km)
Elevation Gain: 2,080 feet (634m)
Elevation Loss: 30 feet (9m)
Trekking Duration: 4-5 hours
Elevation at Camp: 14,120 ft. (4,304 m.)
On this morning, we depart Kikelewa Cave and ascend to Mawenzi Tarn camp (14,120 ft./4,304 m.). The hike today is relatively short, and we will make it to camp before lunch once again. The views from this campsite are absolutely stunning. After a hot lunch, we will enjoy an acclimatization hike in the surrounding area and take in more of the views from our incredible vantage point. We will be back at camp with time to wash up before dinner is served.
Day 7
Hiking Mileage: 5.2 miles (8.4km)
Elevation Gain: 1,720 feet (524m)
Elevation Loss: 400 feet (122m)
Trekking Duration: 6 hours
Elevation at Camp: 15,425 ft. (4,702 m.)
We leave camp early with beautiful views of Mawenzi and Kibo Peaks after a full breakfast. Above 14,000 feet, it can be challenging to hike, so we will take our time and begin trekking across the high-altitude desert to our basecamp at Kibo Hut (15,425 ft./4,702 m.). Upon our arrival at basecamp, we will eat lunch and then rest in our tents before an early dinner is served. After dinner, your guides will conduct a final briefing and health check. Then, we turn in to get our final rest and sleep before our summit attempt. We will be waking up around 11:30 pm to enjoy hot drinks and snacks before starting our ascent to the Kilimanjaro summit at Uruhu Peak!
Day 8
Today is the crown jewel of our adventure! It has two parts: an optional hike to the summit of Kilimanjaro, and a mandatory descent to Horombo Hut.
Part 1: Summit Attempt (Optional):
Hiking Mileage: 6 miles (9.7km)
Elevation Gain: 4,050 feet (1,235m)
Elevation Loss: 4,050 feet (1,235m)
Highest Elevation: 19,341 ft (5,895 m)
As we begin our summit attempt, we’ll only bring what we need. Typically, the sky is clear and filled with stars. It is a very peaceful time to be on the mountain. We’ll continue hiking with our goal to reach the edge of the crater at Gillman’s Point (18,652 ft./5,685 m.). Next, we will traverse the crater rim to Stella Point (18,885 ft./5,756 m.), where a few trails converge to start the final ascent to the summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro, Uhuru Peak (19,341 ft./5,895 m.). At the summit we’ll soak up the gratification of our achievement. Looking down towards the valleys and forests surrounding Kilimanjaro as the sun rises, most hikers feel this is one of the most memorable half-hours of their lives. After we take our photos at Uhuru Peak, we’ll begin our decent back to basecamp.
Part 2: Descent to Horombo Hut:
Hiking Mileage: 5.6 miles (9km)
Elevation Gain: 80 feet (24m)
Elevation Loss: 3,190 feet (972m)
Trekking Duration: 10-14 hours (Summit & descent hike combined here)
Elevation at Camp: 12,300 ft. (3,749 m.)
Upon arrival at basecamp, we will rest and have lunch before beginning our 3-hour, gentle descent to Horombo camp (12,300 ft./3,749 m.) along the famous and popular Marangu route. NOTE: This is a very long day, and most guests are very tired upon reaching basecamp and then walking to Horombo.
Day 9
Hiking Mileage: 12.1 miles (19.5km)
Elevation Gain: 220 feet (67m)
Elevation Loss: 6,350 feet (1,935m)
Trekking Duration: 6-8 hours
Accommodations: Hotel in Moshi (~2,800 ft./ 853 m.)
Today is the last day of our trek on Mt. Kilimanjaro and it’s a long, beautiful hike through a constantly changing landscape. Along the way, we stop at the Mandara Huts for a long break before continuing down. This tropical area often has groups of Blue monkeys and possibly the rarer Colobus monkeys. We’ll be descending to where the Marangu route begins/ends at the Marangu gate entrance of the Park. Here we’ll have a hot lunch upon our arrival. For those guests who made it to the summit of Kilimanjaro, climbed to Stella Point or Gilliman’s Point, you will collect official certificates from Kilimanjaro National Park before saying goodbye to your mountain crew — in classic Kilimanjaro style with songs and dancing!
Tonight, we get back to our accommodations in Moshi and have one final celebratory dinner capping off this adventure of a lifetime!
Day 10
For guests only joining our Kilimanjaro Trek, you will be transported back to Kilimanjaro International Airport today. We have one group departure planned.
For guests joining our Wild Africa Safari, today is Day 1 of the Safari itinerary! Your guide will meet you in the breakfast room of the hotel at 7 am.
Optional Add-on Safari
Make the most of your time in Africa with an add-on Safari tour that takes place after your trek to Kilimanjaro (on Day 10)! Six days in length and all-inclusive, our Safari Add-on tour is an opportunity to experience Africa’s amazing wildlife and unique, colorful cultures. Click here to read more about our Add-on Safari Tour!
Trip Dates
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What's Included
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Kilimanjaro National Park fees (approx. $1,400 per person)
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A detailed trip packet that takes the guesswork out of your travel, training, packing, and preparing for the trip
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Trained hiking guide(s) with years of personal wilderness and hiking experience, medical certifications, and a passion for leading people into breathtaking landscapes. See Guide Bios.
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Transportation for the duration of the tour
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Airport transfers (on arrival transfer on Day 1 and two group drop offs on Day 10).
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Lodging in Moshi before and after the trekking portion of the trip, and premier camping during the trek
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All camping gear and supplies (including a dining tent, kitchen tent, and bathroom tent)
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Porters to transport all gear, food, and most personal items
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Professional camp chef & waiter
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Drinking water and hot water for washing face, hands, etc.
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Use of a backpack and trekking poles
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All meals for the duration of the tour (dinner on Day 1 to breakfast on Day 10)
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Emergency equipment including a company-issued first-aid kit, emergency communication device, and emergency oxygen. *No supplemental oxygen use is permitted on our hikes.
What's Not Included
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Transportation to Tanzania (to Kilimanjaro International Airport) -
All expenses due to unavoidable events e.g. flight cancellation, personal illness, strikes, etc. (we recommend trip insurance coverage for these variables)
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Bar bills, drink bills, telephone bills, Wi-Fi bills and other personal expenses (shopping/ laundry)
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Clothes, rain gear, and footwear
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Water bottles and a headlamp (disposable plastic water bottles are prohibited in Kilimanjaro National Park; please have refillable water bottles and hydration bladders to use for the hike)
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Guide and crew gratuities are optional and at the discretion of each customer. A suggested guideline is to reward outstanding service with a tip of 10-20% of the total trip cost. This guideline comes directly from the Kilimanjaro Porters Assistance Project (KPAP). Local currency is preferred. See the tipping section below for more details.
Trip Logistics & FAQs
Entry Requirements (Visa Requirement)
For checking entry requirements for this trip, we recommend using this travel tool, Sherpa Travel. Here, you can view what is required to enter the country, including necessary travel documents, visas, and vaccinations. If a visa is required, you can apply directly through this service. You may also check for entry requirements for your nationality on consular websites or your country’s foreign travel advisories. Ensuring you have completed all necessary steps to enter the country is your responsibility.
Where Do We Meet?
We will meet you at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) in Arusha on Day 1 and transport you to our hotel in Moshi. Please plan for flights to arrive no later than 3 pm on Day 1. We will then meet before dinner for our orientation meeting.
Our pre-trip support team will be in contact approximately 45 days before your trip to coordinate your rendezvous and answer any last-minute questions you have.
Click here to see a printable, downloadable trip information packet with more detailed guidance about flights, shuttles, recommended lodging and more.
Pre and Post-trip On Request Lodging
We secure limited amounts of pre and post trip lodging in Moshi, Tanzania as an optional add-on for guests of this trip. This lodging is on request, and is available on a first come, first serve basis. If interested, please reach out directly to our team to check availability.
Travel to/from Tanzania
Start/End Location: Arusha, Tanzania
Closest Airport: Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) in Arusha, Tanzania
Day 1: Please plan for your flights to arrive no later than 3 pm on Day 1 into Kilimanjaro International Airport. Our driver will rendezvous with you at the airport and transport you to our hotel in Moshi. An orientation meeting, dinner, and accommodations are included on Day 1.
Day 10: Please plan for flights to depart no earlier than 9 am from JRO in order to take advantage of the included group shuttles.
Flights to and from Tanzania are the guest’s responsibility.
If you would like a shuttle to/from the airport at a different time, please contact the Adventure Consultant team to arrange a private shuttle for you.
Please Note: We caution guests wanting to fly with Kenya Airways because the connecting flight from Nairobi is often changed or cancelled, and they have a poor track record with losing luggage.
Porter Team
Anyone who has climbed to the summit of Kilimanjaro could not have achieved this goal without the tremendous support and effort made by local porters and guides. It takes a team, not an individual, to reach the summit of Africa and we have the upmost respect and fondness of every member of our expedition teams. Throughout Kilimanjaro’s climbing history and sadly still today, some porters do not receive the support and care from certain segments of the industry that they tirelessly deliver climb after climb to adventure travelers from all over the world.
The mistreatment of porters can be a troubling challenge in the hiking industry. We are proud to be an approved Partner company with the Kilimanjaro Porters Assistance Project – KPAP – and the International Mountain Explorers Connection – IMEC – Partner for Responsible Travel Program.
We voluntarily participate with KPAP’s monitoring activities and allow KPAP to evaluate the treatment of our porters on all of our climbs. By climbing with us you can be assured that your porters are well taken care of.
KPAP also helps to improve the working conditions of porters by:
- Lending donated clothing at no charge to the mountain crew for use while climbing
- Educating the public on porter working conditions and climbing responsibly
- Providing industry guidelines for proper porter treatment
- Offering educational classes to porters
Please consider supporting KPAP by making a financial contribution to enable them to continue with their Partner for Responsible Travel Program and free services for porters. To make a donation, please visit https://kiliporters.org/
Safety Precautions
Your safety is our top priority. Our hiking tours are led by professional hiking guides, all of whom are wilderness-certified first responders or EMT’s, each with years of guiding and wilderness experience. Guides adhere to standardized risk management protocols in case of any potential or actual incident, and all tours carry an emergency communication device and comprehensive first-aid kit. Additionally we have a “24/7” system through which guides or guests can reach Wildland support personnel at any time.
In the interest of your safety, it’s important to refer to the Center for Disease Control website for up-to-date recommendations on immunizations before your trip.
Guides
Our approach to international travel is to combine the best of two worlds: the dialed-in details, professionalism and consistency Wildland trips are known for; and the cultural immersion and intimate regional knowledge that only locals can provide. To excel with this approach, we vet and hire the best local guides, welcome them into the Wildland family and train them to meet our standard of excellence with every aspect of a trip. But along with managing logistics and safety, your guides will teach you about the area’s history and culture, and provide a level of familiarity and intimate detail only locals can.
Check out our Meet Our Team page for staff bios.
Age Restrictions
Age restrictions on this trip are as follows:
- 12 and older to join scheduled tours (mixed groups)
- 9 and older to join private tours, with final approval and specific logistical requirements (such as porter or stock assist) determined on a case-by-case basis
Trip Insurance
Field evacuation, repatriation, and medical insurance is REQUIRED on this trip as a condition of partnership terms with our Tanzania vendors (field evacuation and repatriation minimum coverage is a combined $200,000 USD).
We recommend IMG/iTravelinsured. They are one of the world’s leading providers of travel insurance and policies meet all requirements. The LX policy provides the appropriate coverage for the high-altitude requirements of this trip.
For information on the recommended IMG/iTravelinsured policies please click here.
If you already have the required insurance or wish to purchase from anyone other than IMG/iTravelinsured, we recommend careful consultation with the provider to ensure appropriate coverage. This is because many providers have a number of policy exclusions.
Reviews
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Dieter W
4 months agoOutstanding
Josh and his entire Team provided to us the experience of a lifetime - they welcomed us into their „Family“. They are the most attentive, friendliest people I have ever met - even when we were tired and maybe mentally a little bit down, Josh and his Team encouraged and motivated us in an excellent manner - the organisation/logistics of the trip were outstanding and the food arrangements throughout the entire trip were brilliant - we could not have wished for a better Team - they made our trip successful - we made it to the top of Kilimanjaro - thank you Josh and Team for this experience - we are grateful for everything -
Jacemine L
11 months agoCount on Wildland for our next adventure
Wildland trek runs a well planned and smooth operation. The staff is knowledgeable and detailed oriented. They left no room to doubt that you are the number one priority, my friends trust my decision, and already count on Wildland for their next adventure, I will definitely choose them for my next one as well
Elizabeth C
1 year agoThanks Wildland Trekking!!
I highly recommend Wildland Trekking for Kilimanjaro. Expert guides, delicious food, tireless porters and Positive Mental Attitude kept up our spirits to get through one of the hardest things I've ever done and it feels amazing! Thanks Wildland Trekking!!
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