17-Day Kilimanjaro Marathon 2020

Arrive Kilimanjaro Airport, Transfer to Moshi

*** A driver will meet you at the Kilimanjaro Airport after you go through immigration and customs. Look for someone with a sign that says "Adventures Within Reach" and/or your name. It takes a minimum of 45 minutes to get to Moshi with no traffic.

Meals included: n/a
Mid-Range Accommodations: Kilimanjaro Halisi at Machare Farm

Free Day to explore Moshi on your own.

There will be a trek orientation with your Kilimanjaro guide today and an opportunity to get any rental items that you may need and also pack for the trek. You can leave extra luggage that is not needed on the trek at the hotel.

Meals included: Breakfast
Mid-Range Accommodations: Kilimanjaro Halisi at Machare Farm

The drive from Moshi to the Mount Kilimanjaro National Park Gate takes about 45 minutes. The journey passes through the village of Machame which is located on the lower slopes of the mountain. We now leave the park gate and walk through the rain forest on a winding trail up a ridge. At lower elevations, the trail can be muddy and slippery. Gaiters and trekking poles are a good idea here. We continue a short distance until we reach the Machame Camp.

-- 1,830m to 3,100m / 6,000ft to 10,200ft
-- Distance: 18km
-- Hiking Time: 5-7 hours
-- Habitat: Montane Forest

Meals: B

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Budget Accommodations: Machame Camp

After breakfast, we leave the glades of the rain forest and continue on an ascending path, crossing the little valley walking along a steep rocky ridge, covered with heather, until the ridge ends. The route now turns west onto a river gorge. Time for rest, dinner, and overnight at the Shira campsite.

-- 3,100m to 3,840m / 10,200ft to 12,600ft
-- Distance: 9km
-- Walking Time: 4-6 hours
-- Habitat: Moorland

Meals: BLD

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Budget Accommodations: Shira 2 Camp

From the Shira Plateau, we continue to the east up a ridge, passing the junction towards the peak of Kibo. As we continue, our direction changes to the South East towards the Lava Tower, called the "Shark's Tooth." Shortly after the tower, we come to the second junction which brings us up to the Arrow Glacier at an altitude of 4,876m / 15,997 ft. We now continue down to the Barranco Hut at an altitude of 3,860m / 12,664 ft. Here we rest, enjoy dinner, and overnight. Although you end the day at the same elevation as when you began, this day is very important for acclimatization and will help your body prepare for summit day.

-- 3,840m to 4,630m to 3,860m / 12,600ft to 12,700ft
-- Distance: 15 km
-- Walking Time: 5-7 hours
-- Habitat: Semi-desert

Meals: BLD

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Budget Accommodations: Barranco Camp

After breakfast, we leave Barranco and continue on a steep ridge up the Barranco Wall to the Karanga Valley (lunch at 4,200m / 13,779 ft), and the junction which connects with the Mweka Trail.

-- 3,860m to 4,200m / 12,700ft to 13,800ft
-- Distance: 7 km
-- Hiking Time: 4 hours
-- Habitat: Alpine Desert

Meals: BLD

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Budget Accommodations: Karanga Camp

We continue up to the Barafu Hut. You have completed the South Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many different angles. Here we make camp, rest, enjoy dinner, and prepare for the summit day. The two peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo are to be seen from this position.

-- 4,200m to 4,600m / 13,800 ft to 15,100ft
-- Distance: 6 km
-- Hiking Time: 4 hours
-- Habitat: Alpine Desert

Meals: BLD

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Budget Accommodations: Barafu Camp

Very early in the morning (midnight to 2am), we continue our way to the summit between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers. You head in a northwesterly direction and ascend through heavy scree towards Stella Point on the crater rim. This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek. At Stella Point (5,685m / 18,652 ft), you will stop for a short rest and will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see (weather permitting). From Stella Point, you may encounter snow all they way on your 1-hour ascent to the summit. At Uhuru Peak, you have reached the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa. Faster hikers will see the sunrise from the summit. It can be very cold at night at these elevations, but it will be quite warm by the end of the hiking day. You will want clothing for both extremes with you. From the summit, we now make our descent continuing straight down to the Mweka Hut camp site, stopping at Barafu for lunch. You will want gaiters and trekking poles for the loose gravel going down. Mweka Camp is situated in the upper forest and mist or rain can be expected in the late afternoon. Later in the evening, we enjoy our last dinner on the mountain and a well-earned sleep.

-- 4,600m to 5,895m (and down to 3,100m) / 15,100ft to 19,300ft (and down to 10,200ft)
-- Distance: 7km ascent / 23km descent
-- Hiking Time:6- 8 hours ascent / 7-8 hours descent
-- Habitat: Stone scree and ice-capped summit

Meals: BLD

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Budget Accommodations: Mweka Camp

After breakfast, we continue the descent down to the Mweka Park Gate to receive your summit certificates. 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). From the gate, continue another hour to Mweka Village. A vehicle will meet you at Mweka village to drive you back to your hotel in Moshi (about 30 minutes). Don't forget to tip your guides and porters. It is time for celebration!

Meals: B

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Mid-Range Accommodations: Kilimanjaro Halisi at Machare Farm

Drive 3-4 hours from Moshi to Lake Manyara, lunch enroute. Afternoon game drive in Lake Manyara.

Meals: BLD

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Budget/Mid-Range Accommodations: Endoro Lodge

Drive 3-4 hours to the Serengeti/Ndutu, afternoon game drive.

Meals: BLD

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Budget/Mid-Range Accommodations: Serengeti Halisi Camp

Full day game drive in Serengeti/Ndutu in search of the migration.

Meals: BLD

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Budget/Mid-Range Accommodations: Serengeti Halisi Camp

Drive from the Serengeti to the scenic Ngorongoro Crater enjoying wildlife viewing along the way. En route, you'll have options to visit the Olduvai Gorge and/or an authentic Maasai village.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Budget/Mid-Range Accommodations: Rhino Lodge

Enjoy a morning game drive in the Ngorongoro Crater. In the afternoon, return to Moshi.

Meals: BL

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Mid-Range Accommodations: Kilimanjaro Halisi at Machare Farm

Rest day to prepare for the Kilimanjaro Marathon.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Mid-Range Accommodations: Kilimanjaro Halisi at Machare Farm

Kilimanjaro Marathon -- Good luck! (Entry fee and transfers not included.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
Mid-Range Accommodations: Kilimanjaro Halisi at Machare Farm

Transfer to Kilimanjaro Airport for departing flight.

Meals included: Breakfast