Kilimanjaro - Africa - 12 Day
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Climb Kilimanjaro in 12 Days!
OVERVIEW:
Kilimanjaro is not only the highest peak in Africa, it’s also the tallest freestanding mountain in the world! Called the “Mountain of Greatness” by the native Tanzanians, this journey to one of the famed Seven Summits is an experience of a lifetime! Additionally, the Seven Summit culture is unlike anything you’ve ever seen. The camps, the food, celebratory song and dance, and camaraderie take this already once-in-a-lifetime experience to the next level!
The non-technical Northern Circuit route is Kilimanjaro’s newest route and considered to be the most scenic. The Northern Circuit route is the only route to circumnavigate the summit on the north side. Due to its longer approach, this trek requires more days on the mountain thus allowing more time to acclimate. Solitude is prevalent as this route is the least traveled. The Northern Circuit ascends climbers through five ecosystems which begin in the rain forest and end in the arctic alpine zone with glaciers! Although Kilimanjaro is partially covered in glaciers, the Northern Circuit route meanders around the icy slopes to Uhuru Peak - the highest point in Africa. We do not use crampons, or rock climb at any time, making this expedition a high altitude trek.
Kilimanjaro appeals to first-time mountaineers who are eager to experience a high altitude expedition as well as to the seasoned climber in pursuit of the Seven Summits. Physically, climbers need to be able to trek for at least 4-5 hours each day.
BETA:
Dates:
January 12-23, 2025
January 12-23, 2026
Custom dates available
12 days
Arusha, Tanzania, Africa
Elevation 19,341’
Miles = 53
Airport = Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO)
Payment plans available; $1,000 deposits welcomed here.
Rental gear can be included at checkout and the Gear List can be found here.
Trip cancelation insurance is recommended and medical evacuation insurance is required. See details below!
BE has a 6-month training plan to get you ready! Click here and print!
ITINERARY:
Day 1: Arrive Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO)
Welcome to Tanzania! Let the journey to the roof of Africa begin! After immigration, retrieving your bags, and clearing customs, our representative, identifiable by a BELAY EXPEDITIONS sign, will transport you to Mount Meru Hotel in Arusha (1-hour travel). Included meals = None. Accommodations = Hotel.
Day 2: Orientation & Rest
After a leisurely breakfast, your guides will conduct a gear check and talk at the hotel and provide an orientation of the days ahead on Kilimanjaro. Afterward, you have the option to explore the town of Arusha or just relax, perhaps by the infinity pool. Meals included = Breakfast & Dinner. Accommodations = Hotel.
Day 3: Londorossi Gate to Mti Mkubwa Camp (7,838’ to 9,137’)
Good morning! Today we are Kilimanjaro National Park-bound as we make our way to Londorossi Gate - the start of the Northern Circuit. Lunch will be served at the trailhead before we begin our first trek to Mti Mkubwa Camp. If we’re lucky, we’ll spot and elephant or cape buffalo emerging from rain forest as we hike toward camp. Once at Mti Mkubwa Camp, we’ll enjoy a wonderful dinner before retiring to bed. Miles = 3. Hiking time = 3-4 hours. Zone = Rain Forest. Included meals = Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner. Accommodations = Tent.
Day 4: Mti Mkubwa Camp to Shira 1 Camp (9,137’ to 11,496’)
Today is our first full day on the mountain! After breakfast, we will spend the first hour trekking through the last of the rainforest before entering the moorland zone which takes us up and onto the Shira Plateau. The trek is relatively short and gradual, ending at Shira Camp 1. Good job! Miles = 5. Hiking time = 5-6 hours. Zone = Rain forest and Moorland. Included meals = Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner. Accommodations = Tent.
Day 5: Shira 1 Camp to Moir Hut (11,496’ to 13,651’)
Today we pass through the ‘Garden of the Senecios’ before entering the high alpine desert zone. The morning is spent trekking up to Lava Tower and the iconic Shark’s Tooth rock formation where we will have lunch. Post-lunch, we will head down to Moir Camp. This is an important day in your trek as you will hike high and sleep low, which is good for the acclimatization process. Miles = 6.1. Hiking time = 5-7 hours. Zone = Low and High alpine desert. Included meals = Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner. Accommodations = Tent.
Day 6: Moir Camp to Buffalo Camp (13,632’ to 13,232’)
Today we climb out of Moir Valley and follow a series of inclines and declines that skirt around the northern slopes of the summit en route to Buffalo Camp. The trek offers great vistas of the plains that stretch out into Kenya. You will arrive at Buffalo Camp just after midday, where you will have lunch and plenty of time to rest. Miles = 5.8. Hiking time = 5-7 hours. Zone = High alpine zone. Meals included = Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner. Accommodations = Tent.
Day 7: Buffalo Camp to Rongai 3rd Cave (13,232’ to 12,193’)
Good morning! Today we hike up onto Buffalo Ridge then hike down to Pofu Camp where lunch will be served. Our route then continues to our camp for the night - Rongai Third Cave. By now you should be feeling well acclimatized to the altitude. Miles = 4.3. Hiking time = 5-7 hours. Zone = High and Low alpine zone. Included meals = Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner. Accommodations = Tent.
Day 8: Rongai 3rd Cave to School Hut (12,193’ to 15,476’)
Today we journey through the Saddle which sits between the peaks of Kilimanjaro and the jagged Mount Mawenzi. We then continue onto School Hut. After arriving at School Hut, we will be served an early dinner because we need to lay down for some sleep. Tomorrow is summit day and we have an “alpine start" of midnight! Miles = 3. Hiking time = 4-5 hours. Zone = High alpine zone and Glacial zone. Included meals = Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner. Accommodations = Tent.
Day 9: School Hut to Summit to Barafu Camp (15,476’ to 19,341’ to 15,330’ )
Good ALPINE START morning! Today is summit day! We will be awoken at 11:30pm with coffee, cookies, and a light breakfast. After breakfast we’ll hike through the night until the first rays of sunlight illuminate the mountain and surrounding landscape. Then, we will take a long break, sip hot tea, and soak up this life-changing experience. Have you ever felt -20 degrees? You are right now. We still have about 2 hours of trekking around the crater’s rim before reaching the roof of Africa! CONGRATULATIONS! The summit will be busy. Full of like-minded individuals who share the same passion for climbing our world’s highest mountains. Post-summit, we’ll turn south at Stella Point and head down the scree slopes to Barafu Camp. At Barafu we will have lunch….and dinner. We are home for the night. Miles = 3.7 ascent & 6.5 mile descent. Hiking time = 12 hours. Zone = Glacial Zone. Included meals = Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner. Accommodations = Tent.
Day 10: Barafu Camp to Mweka Camp (15,330’ to 10,200’)
Still savoring our summit success, we awake and enjoy another incredible breakfast together on Kilimanjaro. Congrats to a Seven Summit! The morning will be spent descending to Mweka Camp, the lowest camp on the mountain. Tonight, we enjoy our last dinner on the mountain and our last night in tents. Miles = 7.3 Hiking time = 7 hours. Included meals = Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner. Accommodations = Tent.
Day 11: Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate to Arusha (10,200’ to 5,358’)
Good LAST morning! After an amazing night’s sleep in Mweka Camp, we’ll have our last breakfast on the mountain before descending our last few miles to Mweka Gate. Once at Mweka Gate, we’ll celebrate with song and dance and an outstanding buffet-style lunch! Here, we sadly part ways with our crew and drive 1-hour back to Arusha for a long and overdue shower at Mount Meru Hotel. Miles = 6. Hiking hours = 4. Zone = Rain Forest. Included meals = Breakfast & Lunch. Accommodations = Hotel.
Day 12: Depart for home.
After our final leisure morning in Tanzania, you will be shuttled to the Kilimanjaro Airport for your international flight home. It is recommended to arrive at the airport three hours before your flight. This is crazy bittersweet moment. Thank you for trusting BE to take you to 19,341’. Thank you for spending 12 days of your life with us. Thank you. Included meals = Breakfast.
PRICE:
Kilimanjaro = $5,300
Rental Gear = +$750
Single Hotel Room = +$200
COSTS INCLUDE:
Airport transfers
All transportation in-country
Porter service on the climb
All climbing staff including mountain guides and local support staff
Three nights at the Mount Meru Hotel in Arusha: 2 pre-climb and 1 post-climb. Breakfast provided!
Team welcome dinner
All meals while on the climb
All group gear on the climb (sleeping tents, dining supplies. and tents, toilette tents, first aid, etc.)
All park fees, permits and tour fees
6-month training plan found here!
COSTS DO NOT INCLUDE:
Guide Gratuities (10-20$ is customary)
Round-trip airfare to/from Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO)
Tanzania tourist visa
Alcoholic or bottled beverages
Specialty coffee or espresso drinks
Trip cancelation insurance or the required medical evacuation insurance
Any expenses incurred by early departure from the program
Personal items and equipment (see gear list and rental options below)
Charges incurred as a result of delays beyond the control of BELAY EXPEDITIONS.
GEAR LIST:
Your Kilimanjaro Gear List can be found here! The comprehensive list will highlight everything you need to bring and everything that you can rent through BELAY EXPEDITIONS. Rental gear is shipped to your home address one month prior to the expedition in a box with a pre-paid return label. Gear Rentals can be included at checkout.
INSURANCE:
Medical evacuation insurance is required and trip cancellation insurance is recommended. Here are 4 options:
Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance - They offer both medical and travel! 2-in-1
SPOT/Overwatch & Rescue - Belay uses a SPOT device which comes with medical evacuation insurance for $29. If you have a SPOT device or are planning on using one, this may be a good option!
Global + Rescue - Medical only.
AIG - Travel only.
FINANCING:
BE offers personalized payment plans to best meet your needs. To begin a payment plan, place a deposit here. Afterward, BE will email you regarding personalized monthly payment plans. No worries, there’s no interest or added fees. Our goal is to get you outside, living simply, and pursuing dreams. Our payment plans help you and us do that! All balances are due 120 days prior to expedition. Expeditionists whose balances are not received by the 120-day deadline risk forfeiture of their funds and their place on the expedition.
CANCELLATION/REFUND POLICY:
There are no refunds for the deposit or balance payments for this expedition. This includes but is not limited to, expeditions that conclude without reaching or making progress towards the summit due to route conditions, weather, insufficient manpower, or any other factor outside the control of Belay Expeditions.
Expedition leader has the final say on the expedition conclusion and will make all best efforts towards reaching the summit within our margin of safety.
Participants that choose to leave an active expedition for any reason are not entitled to any refunds
Due to the nature and heavy costs of government and operator permits, Belay Expeditions must adhere to a stringent refund policy
WHAT TO EXPECT AFTER BOOKING:
After booking, expect monthly emails from BE to get you prepped for Kilimanjaro! Seven Summits and international travel require a bit of preparation and we help you accomplish those tasks one-by-one. Our emails talk about clothing, visas, passports, vaccines, etc. We got your back off the mountain and on the mountain!
SEE YOU IN AFRICA!
