Kilimanjaro Trek

Depart the UK for our overnight flight to Kilimanjaro International Airport.

Upon arrival we will be met by our local guides and transferred to our hotel. Later in the day we will have a climb briefing and the local guides will answer any questions we have about the challenge. We will also do an equipment check with each participant to be sure that we are all fully prepared.

After breakfast we take the transfer to Machame Gate where we register and complete the National Park formalities. It’s here that we will also meet the rest of our Support Crew – the cooks and porters! We start trekking ascending steadily through stunning rainforest, which can be quite muddy and wet underfoot – but it’s a magnificent way to start our challenge.
Trekking distance – 9km (approx.) / 5-7 hours.

Following breakfast at camp we push on with our ascent. Today is a short day but rather steep and rocky in places. It’s a slow hike with plenty of rests and enough time to acclimatise. We reach Shira Plateau where we will be rewarded with great views of the mountain and if we look back, magnificent views of Mt Meru rising above Arusha Town.
Trekking distance – 5km (approx.) / 5–6 hours.

Our day starts with trekking over high moorland with the scenery now changing the whole character of our challenge. We trek steadily uphill to the Lava Tower where we stop for lunch around noon. For those with enough energy, there may be time to climb up the Lava Tower (4,500m) to aid acclimatisation. From the Lava Tower we start our descent for about 2 hours to our camp at Barranco. The day today is great for acclimatisation as we climb up to 4,600m and sleep at 3,900m – the golden altitude rule as they say is “walk high, sleep low”.
Trekking distance – 10km (approx.) / 6–7 hours.

Following breakfast, we set off to conquer what the locals know as ‘breakfast wall’ – the Great Barranco Wall! It is a scramble using our hands and feet, (not technical like rock climbing) but certainly adds to our adventure. Once we take in our achievements at the top, we will be able to witness stunning views across the mountain towards the Karanga Valley and will be able to spot our previous night’s campsite. We continue undulating through the green valley until we reach our camp at Karanga Valley.
Trekking distance – approx. 5km/4 – 5 hours

We start with a short but steep ascent but are rewarded with breath-taking views of the Decken Glaciers. We’ll be remembering to keep our pace to a slow rhythm as we’ll need to conserve as much energy as we can for the summit attempt later this evening.

We reach our camp then it’s an early dinner before getting our heads down, as we will be woken at 10:30pm for our summit attempt!
Trekking distance – 6km (approx.) / 5 – 6 hours.

We aim to leave camp at 12am using our head torches to light the way. If it’s a clear night we may be able to trek using the moonlight which adds to the summit experience. The next 4 hours is spent trekking to Stella Point (5,750m) over scree and rock, but upon reaching Stella Point we will be rewarded with magnificent and spectacular views of the ice cliffs which surround us, and majestic views to the Mawenzi Peaks.

We make regular rest stops now every 15 mins or so to aid our chances of reaching Uhuru peak. It’s a long tough trek and night! We aim to reach the summit by about 6 / 7 am.

After taking in the ‘freedom’ (“Uhuru” in Swahili) of our successful challenge, we start our long descent via Stella Point and back to Barafu camp where we will enjoy some lunch and a good rest.

Our descent then continues down to Millennium Camp – today is a very long, emotional day – but at the same time, so memorable and exhilarating.
Trekking distance – 13km (approx.) / 6-8 hours to Millennium Camp.

We descend for approximately 6 hours to the Mweka Gate (1,600m). After lunch we transfer back to our lodge. This journey takes us through beautiful coffee plantations and traditional small villages.
In the evening we meet as a group to mark our achievements at our celebratory dinner.
Trekking distance – 13.5km (approx.) / 6 hours.

Depending on the flight times we may have some free time to relax at the lodge or go shopping in Moshi before transferring to the airport to catch our flight back to the UK.

After arriving back in the UK, we say our final goodbyes as a group and make our onward journey home.

This challenge has been graded as Extreme (3) on Global Adventure Challenges grading scheme, meaning the trek has been designed to be challenging but achievable as long as you train beforehand. You will be trekking for 7 consecutive days, and at high altitude and in varied temperatures, a good cardiovascular fitness is required – the fitter you are the more you will enjoy the challenge! They will provide you with a full training guide once you register, this is also available to download via their website. Why not join one of their challenge training weekends – it’s a great opportunity for you to meet the team and other challengers, and train together prior to the event.

Global Adventure Challenges policy is to encourage and support as many people as possible to take part in their challenges. But they may not be suitable for all people due to restrictions posed by limitation in mobility, physical or cognitive disability, pregnancy or other various medical conditions. If you have any doubts regarding your suitability for your challenge please contact Global Adventure Challenges to speak to one of their team.

Global Adventure Challenges will supply you with a kit list of what to take once you register to take part. Apart from some broken-in trekking boots and some waterproofs you do not need any specialist kit.

This is a fully supported trek. There will be a strong support team with a professional Global Adventure Challenges leader from the UK as well as local guides and porters. Full comprehensive medical kits will be taken with the group and all guides are trained in first aid. Mobile telephones and ICOM radios will be used to ensure your safety and security at all times. A local English-speaking medic will also be joining the trek.