Climb Kili

DAY 1, Sept. 7th: Karibu Kenya! Meet your fellow trekkers IRL, visit the Village Market Mall to stock up on any last minute needs, and join us for an afternoon orientation in Nairobi before you are treated to an incredible Ethiopian dinner and hotel stay.

DAY 2, Sept. 8th: Give yourself some time to get those jitters out and connect with your fellow climbers as we travel by train to the community Zawadisha calls home. You will be greeted by the women of Zawadisha and spend the evening at the remote Kivuli Camp in the Tsavo Conservancy. Keep your eyes peeled for more elephants, giraffes, and zebra on the drive to the camp and your ears open for late night lion roars. 

DAY 3, Sept. 9th: Get ready for an early morning game drive and then spend the day learning about life in rural Kenya from the women of Zawadisha. You'll travel into the community, visit a homesteads, and meet the Neema Women's Group. Bring your box of tissues and some extra cash for those handmade baskets ;)

DAY 4, Sept. 10th: Say goodbye to Kenya as you travel by car to Moshi to prepare for the hike. You'll meet your Tusker Mountain Guides
for the climb orientation and final equipment check. This is the perfect opportunity to get to know your team leaders and share your thoughts about the climb.

You'll also get to meet Sarah, who runs Tusker's operations team with her husband Julian in Moshi. Sarah is descendent from Chagga Chief Mangi Meli who fought the encroachments of the Germans on Tanzania in the late 1800s.

After the gear check, you'll be able to spend time in Moshi, a lively and bustling Tanzanian town of the north. Here, you can explore the colorful Moshi market at the base of Kilimanjaro, immersing yourself in the vibrant culture and getting a true taste of the adventure that awaits!

DAY 5, Sept. 11: Day one of hiking Kili! Our journey begins with excitement at Londerossi on the western slopes. We enter the verdant Lemosho Glades in the montane forest, where vegetation riots and trees are queen.

As we trek through the dense forest, we're greeted by the majestic Hartlaub's Turaco with its stunning purple plumage, and the barking of Colobus monkeys shouting from the upper branches. After four awe-inspiring hours, we arrive at Tusker camp, nestled deep in the rain-forest amidst the towering trees of Mti Mkubw.

10,600-ft/2,972-m • 7.2 miles/11 km • 3-4 hours

DAY 6, Sept. 12th: After breakfast, we hit the trail, leaving the verdant rain-forest behind. Our path leads us upward, towards the Shira Plateau, a caldera formed by the collapse of one of Kilimanjaro's original trio of peaks: Kibo, Mawenzi, and Shira.

We break for lunch, then set out again, climbing along the steep ridge towards the caldera's edge at 11,560-ft/3,534-m. As we trek through fields of heath and moorland, the landscape gradually opens up, offering breathtaking views of the caldera and our first view of Kibo Peak.

12,480-ft/3,804-m • 3.1 miles/5 km • 7-8 hours

DAY 7, Sept. 13th: With our bellies full from breakfast, we strike out towards the northeast, venturing across the rugged expanse
of the Shira Plateau.

Our destination? Moir Camp - a hidden gem nestled at the end of a colossal gorge, flanked by the imposing presence of a giant lava flow that we'll have the privilege of walking beneath. Before reaching our final stop, we take a well-deserved break for a hot lunch at Fisher Camp, halfway to Moir Camp.

13,650-ft/4,160-m • 6.2 miles/10 km • 7-8 hours

DAY 8, Sept. 14th:  With the dawn breaking, we set out on an uphill trek into the Alpine zone, towards the foreboding Lava Tower standing tall at 15,200-ft/4,633-m. As we reach the foot of the 320-ft/98 m tower, we take a well-deserved break for lunch, allowing our bodies to adjust to the altitude.

Then the steep 2,000-ft/610-m steep descent down into the Barranco Canyon takes us through a unique habitat, where Giant Senecios tower over us, and solitary Lobelias mark the trail. Our camp lies at the foot of the imposing Barranco Wall, with climbers from all corners of the globe buzzing with excitement for the next morning's climb up this monumental structure.

12,950-ft/3,950-m • 6.2 miles/10 km • 7-8 hours

DAY 9, Sept. 15th: With the sun rising, we're faced with our first major test: the imposing Barranco Wall. Our endurance and agility are tested as we climb this formidable obstacle. Throughout the day, we're mesmerized by the majestic presence of Kibo Peak, towering over us like an indomitable guardian.

Descending sharply into the Karanga Valley, we take a moment to catch our breath before launching into the final ascent to Karanga Camp, nestled
at the foot of Kibo. As we settle in for the night, we savor the rush of
adrenaline and the sense of accomplishment after overcoming yet another thrilling leg of this epic
journey.

13,230-ft/4,033-m • 3.6 miles/5.8 km • 4-5 hours

DAY 10, Sept. 16th: We push forward slowly towards Barafu High camp over the rocky terrain. The thin air forces us to take more breaks, but our spirits remain unbroken, knowing that the rewards that await us are well worth it.

Barafu camp, aptly named "ice" in Swahili, is true to its frigid reputation. Nevertheless, an electric energy permeates the camp, fueled by the thrill of the climb and the imminent challenge of reaching the summit tomorrow. As the clouds dance around us, the awe-inspiring Mawenzi peak looms at our backs, bathed in the warm hues of the African sun.

15,790-ft/4,813-m • 2.6 miles/4.18 km • 5 hours

DAY 11, Sept. 17th: It's your time to shine on summit day! You start
climbing Kilimanjaro before the sun rises, helping to avoid crowds. The steep and demanding ascent is no match for your determination as you reach the Crater rim by mid-day. The sight of Mawenzi Peak over
your shoulder and the towering ice-walls of the crater ahead fuel your
excitement. The ultimate prize is Uhuru Peak, the highest point in
Africa, just an hour away. At the summit, you bask in the breathtaking views during this unforgettable moment. Descending into the Crater camp for the night, just below the summit, you get a thrilling rush of euphoria, knowing that no one else is sleeping higher than you on the African Continent.

Summit: 19,341-ft/5,895-m • 2.55 miles/4.1 km • 6-7 hours

Crater Camp: 18,810-ft/5,733-m • 1.5 miles/2.4 km • 1 hour

Day 12, Sept. 18th: The descent through the scree is exciting. We make our way down the steep mountain, feeling the rush of adrenaline with each step. After two hours of downhill navigation, we reach Barafu, where we refuel with a much-needed lunch break.

But we're not done yet. We continue on, finally arriving at the magnificent Millennium Camp. As we settle in for the night, you can't help but feel a sense of adventure and awe. It's our last night on Mount Kilimanjaro, and we relish in the moment, enjoying a deep and restful sleep before tomorrow's final descent to the national park gate.

Millennium: 12,590-ft/3,837-m • 6.3 miles/10.1 km • 5-6 hours

Day 13, Sept. 19th: With a sense of accomplishment, you embark on the final leg of your climb. The downhill hike from Millennium Camp to the National Park Gate marks the end of your incredible journey. As you sign out, you revel in the memories of the challenging climb, the stunning views, and the camaraderie with your climbing team. A short ride back to the Bristol Cottages Hotel in Moshi awaits, where a well-deserved hot shower and a cold drink will refresh you. In the evening, you gather for a celebratory group dinner, reflecting on your extraordinary feat with pride and satisfaction.

Mweka Gate: 5,500-ft/1,676-m • 7.5 miles/12 km • 6 hours ~ Drive Moshi • 30 mins

Day 14, Sept. 20th: Enjoy a final breakfast at Bristol Cottages basking in the glow of Kilimanjaro and the memories created on the mountain. Hotel checkout is at 11:00, though dayrooms may be available, or you can spend the day by the pool before your flight home. Tusker will transfer you to the airport for your flight home or for your return flight to Nairobi.

FAQS

Do I need to be an expert hiker or hiked long distances before?