10 Days Mountain Kilimanjaro Climbing Trek Crater Route Tanzania Safari
10 Days Mountain Kilimanjaro Climbing Trek Crater Route Tanzania Safari – SAFARI OVERVIEW
Your 10 Days Mountain Kilimanjaro Climbing Trek Crater Route Tanzania Safari is a 10 days Kilimanjaro trekking safari tour, taking you for a lifetime adventure of trekking to the top of Africa’s tallest mountain: 5,895m (19,341ft).
This 10 Days Mountain Kilimanjaro Climbing Trek Crater Route Tanzania Safari is the extended version of the scenic and less explored Lemosho Route which includes 2 extra days to get sufficient acclimatization before overnighting at Crater Camp.
Situated near Mount Kilimanjaro summit at the altitude of 5790 m, this is the highest overnight possible at the Equator. Therefore, we will do our best to make your 10 days Kilimanjaro climbing trek comfortable, as well as memorable.
At this elevation, only a few who are fortunate enough can lay claim to having seen the night skies and they are indeed a sight to behold: Kilimanjaro Glaciers against the backdrop of the Milky Way!
You can book or customize this 10 Days Mountain Kilimanjaro Climbing Trek Crater Route Tanzania Tour for a full and rich Kilimanjaro mountain climbing experience – at a reasonable price!
10 Days Mountain Kilimanjaro Climbing Trek Crater Route Tanzania Safari – PRIME SAFARI ACTIVITIES
- Summit Africa’s highest peak
- Trek past magnificent forests, moorland, and high-alpine deserts
- Marvel at the ancient Equatorial glaciers and snow
- See the spectacular Shira Plateau
- Sleep tents on the mountain
- Watch the sunrise from Uhuru Peak
10 Days Mountain Kilimanjaro Climbing Trek Crater Route Tanzania Safari – FEATURED SAFARI DESTINATIONS
- Kilimanjaro National Park
10 Days Mountain Kilimanjaro Climbing Trek Crater Route Tanzania Safari– SAFARI HIGHLIGHTS
Day 1: Londorossi Gate (2,200m) To Mti Mkubwa (Big Tree) Camp (2,780m).
Day 2: Mti Mkubwa Camp to Shira 1 Camp (3,505m)
Day 3: Shira 1 Camp to Shira 2 Camp (3,900m)
Day 4: Shira 2 Camp to the Lava Tower (4,630m) & Descent to Moir Hut (4,200m).
Day 5: Moir Hut to Buffalo Camp (4,020m).
Day 6: Buffalo Camp to 3rd Cave Camp (3,870m).
Day 7: 3rd cave Camp to School Hut (4,750m).
Day 8: School Hut to Crater Camp (5,700m).
Day 9: Ascend Uhuru Peak (5,895m) & Descend to Millennium Camp (3,820m).
Day 10: Descend from Millennium Camp to Mweka Gate (1,650 m)
10 Days Mountain Kilimanjaro Climbing Trek Crater Route Tanzania Safari – DETAILED SAFARI ITINERARY
Day 1: Hike from Londorossi Gate (2,200m) To Mti Mkubwa (Big Tree) Camp (2,780m)
On day one of your 10 Days Mountain Kilimanjaro Climbing Trek Crater Route Tanzania Safari, begin your trek to the ‘roof of Africa’. Your guide/mountain support crew will arrive at your Arusha hotel in the morning to meet you. After a quick briefing, you’ll be driven for about 2½ hours to the western entrance of Kilimanjaro National Park: Londorossi Gate (2,200m).
After receiving a climbing permit and registering with the search and rescue service, start a gradual hike and a slight descent into the Lemosho Glades. Enter the lush rainforest and listen to the sounds of many exotic birds. Spot monkeys such as the black and white colobus. Spend the day in the gorgeous and fascinating forested slopes of Mt Kilimanjaro, most of which is considered to be a rainforest zone.
By the time you reach Mti Mkubwa Camp (2,780m), our professional mountain crew will prepare everything necessary, put tents, and cook lunch for you.
After lunch, depart on an acclimatization hike towards Shira 1 Camp which features a 300-meter gain in altitude. Then descend to Mti Mkubwa Camp, where a hot dinner will be waiting. Take the time to freshen up, enjoy the views and absorb the privilege of being in such a pristine setting.
Accommodation: Mti Mkubwa Camp
Meal Plan: Lunch, & Dinner
Altitude: Climb 895m, Descend 315m
Hiking Distance: 2km
Hiking Time: 4-6 hours
Difficulty: Low
Habitat: Rainforest
Day 2: Hike from Mti Mkubwa Camp to Shira 1 Camp (3,505m)
After an early breakfast on day two of your Days Mountain Kilimanjaro Climbing Trek Crater Route Tanzania Safari, head out of the montane forest zone and into the moorland zone. Admire trees such as the Giant Heather and Erica.
Trek over the Shira ridge, where, on a clear day, have direct views of Kibo, the peak and ultimate goal of the adventure. From there, descend to the Shira plateau and set up at Shira 1 Camp (3,505m), located next to a stream.
At the camp, your team of specialists will cook you lunch and you will have the chance to rest in your tent or walk around the nearby area.
On the whole, the hike is rather easy and takes about 5-6 hours. This will allow you to start the acclimatization process gradually, which is a mainstay of good trekking.
Accommodation: Shira 1 Camp
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner
Altitude: Climb 725m
Hiking Distance: 5km
Hiking Time: 5 – 6 hours
Difficulty: Low
Habitat: Meadows
Day 3: Hike from Shira 1 Camp to Shira 2 Camp (3,900m)
After two relatively easy-going days, day three of your 10 Days Mountain Kilimanjaro Climbing Trek Crater Route Tanzania Safari, see you taking another light trek towards the second high-altitude camp: Shira 2 Camp (3,900 m). You will traverse the Shira plateau and ascend gently through the lower alpine moorland, which is notable for beautiful wild alpine flowers and the unique giant lobelia and giant groundsel (Senecio Kilimanjaro) plants.
You will reach Shira 2 Camp in time for lunch. After lunch, have a two-hour rest and then take time to acclimatize to the reduced oxygen levels by hiking towards Lava Tower Camp which features a 370m gain in altitude. Descend back to Shira 2 Camp for a well-deserved dinner and overnight.
Accommodation: Shira 2 Camp
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner
Altitude: Climb 765m, Descend 370m
Hiking Distance: 9km
Hiking Time: 5-7 hours
Difficulty: Low
Habitat: Moorland
Day 4: Hike From Shira 2 Camp To The Lava Tower (4,630m) & Descent To Moir Hut (4,200m)
After breakfast on day four of your 10 Days Mountain Kilimanjaro Climbing Trek Crater Route Tanzania Safari, climb slowly through the rocky terrain to the Lava Tower (4630m) from the Shira 2 Camp.
The route becomes increasingly challenging and steep. Some hikers might start to feel weak or short of breath from the altitude so go slowly – “pole pole” as they say in Swahili – to avoid exasperating the symptoms. To successfully acclimate to the altitude you’ll spend 1-2 hours here, so this is where lunch will be offered.
After lunch, trek a little higher, after which there is a gradual descent to Moir Hut. This camp is located on the way to the northern part of Kilimanjaro.
Accommodation: Moir Hut
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner
Altitude: Climb 820m, Descend 430m
Hiking Distance: 14km
Hiking Time: 5-7 hours
Difficulty: Medium
Habitat: Moorland
Day 5: Trekking From Moir Hut to Buffalo Camp (4,020m)
On day five of your 10 Days Mountain Kilimanjaro Climbing Trek Crater Route Tanzania Safari, you will have a rather long but at the same time easy trek. After a short steep climb out of Moir Valley, start going around the northern slope of Kili, and just like on the way to Lava Tower the path will be full of highs and lows, without any steep gains in altitude.
This route passes close to the border with Kenya, so you’ll be treated to amazing views of the Tsavo and Amboseli Valleys.
Accommodation: Buffalo Camp
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner
Altitude: Descend 180m
Hiking Distance: 12km
Hiking Time: 5-6 hours
Difficulty: Medium
Habitat: Moorland
Day 6: Trekking From Buffalo Camp to 3rd Cave Camp (3,870m)
On day six of your 10 Days Mountain Kilimanjaro Climbing Trek Crater Route Tanzania Safari, you will finish trekking up the northern slope of Mt Kilimanjaro and stop for the night in 3rd Cave Camp, where the path will meet up with the traditional Rongai route.
On this day the hiking will be shorter than on the day before, and by this point, your body will already have become completely acclimated to an altitude of 4,000m, which will add to your general feelings of well-being.
Accommodation: 3rd Cave Camp
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner
Altitude: Descend 150m
Hiking Distance: 8km
Hiking Time: 4-6 hours
Difficulty: Low
Habitat: Moorland
Day 7: Trekking From 3rd Cave Camp to School Hut (4,750m)
On your day seven of the 10 Days Mountain Kilimanjaro Climbing Trek Crater Route Tanzania Safari, you will be hiking to the School Hut Summit Camp which is at 4,750m. The actual hiking is not very difficult, so just choose an appropriate pace to keep your strength up for tomorrow.
When you reach the camp, you are advised to sleep well, avoid active activity, and drink as many fluids as you can, because tomorrow you’ll manage the trekking to the crater camp.
Accommodation: School Hut
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner
Altitude: Climb 880m
Hiking Distance: 5km
Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
Difficulty: Medium
Habitat: Arctic desert
Day 8: Trekking From School Hut to Crater Camp (5,700m)
Your day eight of the 10 Days Mountain Kilimanjaro Climbing Trek Crater Route Tanzania Safari will be one of the hardest on your route. Your cooks will make a warm hearty breakfast for you to reinforce your energy. Reaching the crater rim requires much dedication.
When you arrive at the crater, you will be stunned by the ancient glaciers and snow. If you like, you may continue climbing to the Ash Pit (it takes around 90 minutes), or you can save this adventure for the following day. The campsite is quite chilly, and the likelihood of snowing during the night is high. If you’re in the crater, you’re one of the few who did it.
Warm dinner and supper will energize you, but try reducing your physical activities to the utmost.
Accommodation: Crater Camp
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner
Altitude: Climb 950m
Hiking Distance: 5km
Hiking Time: 4-6 hours
Difficulty: High
Habitat: Alpine
Day 9: Ascend Uhuru Peak (5,895m) & Descend To Millennium Camp (3,820m)
At around 5:30 am, have a rich, nutritional breakfast and enter the darkness. The chances that you’ll be striding in the snow are very high. Technically, this leg of your journey is not difficult, but high altitude is really a challenge.
A guide will accompany each couple of the climbers. He will monitor your stamina and health. Within two hours you’ll reach Uhuru Peak, where you will see one of the most amazing sunrises. Take a deep breath and celebrate a successful climb.
Summit time depends on the weather conditions, but do not stay there for long – starting again may be very difficult because of coldness and fatigue. Then, you’ll start descending to Millennium Camp through Barafu.
Accommodation: Crater Camp
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner
Altitude: Climb 195m, Descend 2075
Hiking Distance: 16km
Hiking Time: 5-6 hours
Difficulty: High
Habitat: Alpine
Day 10: Descent from Millennium Camp to Mweka Gate (1,650 M)
On day 10 of your 10 Days Mountain Kilimanjaro Climbing Trek Crater Route Tanzania Safari, enjoy your final ‘mountain breakfast’ and then pick your way through the verdant Afromontane forest to the park’s exit: Mweka Gate (1,640 m). After your descent, the whole group will gather to congratulate you, followed by offering you a chance to share your opinions on the Kilimanjaro climb in the guestbook.
Lastly, you will be given a commemorative certificate. Then it is back aboard your transfer vehicle to the very welcome soft bed and warm showers at your hotel of choice in Arusha for a blissful overnight stay.
Please note: An affordable Tanzania wildlife safari and/or Zanzibar Beach Holiday can easily be added to your booking as an extension to your 8 days Kilimanjaro Hike. Also, extensions to Uganda or Rwanda for gorilla trekking or a safari to Kenya parks can easily be arranged. Don’t hesitate to contact us for more details.
End of the 10 Days Mountain Kilimanjaro Climbing Trek Crater Route Tanzania Safari
10 Days Mountain Kilimanjaro Climbing Trek Crater Route Tanzania Safari − SAFARI INCLUSIONS
- Tented accommodation on Mount Kilimanjaro (modern comfortable 4-season North Face VE-25 tents).
- All Kilimanjaro National Park fees.
- 4×4 Safari Car Transfers
- All meals on the hike.
- All drinks on the hike (coffee, tea, hot chocolate, and water).
- 4-inch (10-cm) thick and comfortable sleeping mats;
- All group equipment (dining tent, table, chairs, crockery, and cutlery);
- Oxygen cylinders and oximeters;
- GPS-tracking service;
- Complete medical kits including Diamox.
- Professional guides licensed by Kilimanjaro National Park.
- Dedicated support crew (assistant guides, camp master, porters, cooks, etc.).
- Taxes: 18% VAT, 1% TDL and 0.3% Service Levy.
10 Days Mountain Kilimanjaro Climbing Trek Crater Route Tanzania Safari − SAFARI EXCLUSIONS
- General tips for the driver guide, site guides, and service staff,
- Laundry Services
- Visa fee
- Optional Activity fees
- International flights
- Airport transfers (can be arranged on request)
- Accommodation in Arusha (can be arranged on request)
- Personal gear rentals
- Lunch and dinner at the hotel (before and after the climb)
- Portable toilets (if required – 250 USD per unit, one can be shared between 3-4 people).
- Mountaineering insurance. You’ll need special insurance for climbing Kilimanjaro that covers high-altitude trekking up to 6000m.
