Kilimanjaro Trek

Arusha

Rivertrees Country Inn

Dinner, Bed and breakfast

Rivertrees Country Inn

Rivertrees lies nestled in the foothills of Mt Meru and commanding a majestic view of Kilimanjaro. This picturesque country estate combines old-world ambience, rustic African elegance, excellent farm cuisine, personal service and genuine warmth from your hosts. The inn’s timeless tranquillity is complemented by its contemporary comforts, rendering it the perfect spot for rest and rejuvenation: weary travellers, mountain-climbers and safari-goers alike gather here to commence or conclude their adventures.

Idyllically situated amongst ten acres of lush greenery and riverine vegetation, Rivertrees is perfect for birdwatching, wandering in the gardens, and taking in the memories or the prospects of the trip of a lifetime. The lodge is conveniently located just off the main road, 40 minutes from Kilimanjaro International Airport, halfway to Arusha, and only 15 minutes from the Arusha National Park gate.

Each well-appointed cottage at Rivertrees is individually styled and tastefully furnished, making it the ideal choice for travellers looking for peace and quiet away from the hustle and bustle of city hotels. The open grounds and winding paths create a serene setting for resting, relaxation and extended stays, with possibilities for massage treatments, lounging by the swimming pool, river walks, bird watching, and of course gourmet meals in the renowned restaurant. While staying here guests can expect personal attention as well as discretion and privacy.

Materuni Waterfalls and Coffee Tours

Arusha

Rivertrees Country Inn

Dinner, Bed and breakfast

Exact departure time from the hotel to be determined the night prior. We will have a pack lunch on the excursion.
Materuni Waterfalls tour is an ideal getaway for those strapped for time. The waterfalls are located 30 minutes from Moshi town. This tour is accompanied by a visit to the Materuni village as well as a coffee tour.

You will depart the lodge and head to the Materuni village. While at the village you will get to explore the lives of the Chagga people and do a coffee tour to see how the locals grow and brew coffee. After the coffee tour you will head to the waterfalls where you will have your packed lunch and spend the rest of the afternoon. Afterwards you will be transferred back to the lodge. (Option of having picnic boxes or hot lunch at the lodge)
Cost includes:

• Transport from Weru Weru River Lodge and back
• Lunchboxes
• Mineral water
• Guided tour of Materuni Waterfalls
• All entrance fees

Londorossi Gate – Mti Mkubwa Camp

Mt Kilimanjaro

Londorossi Gate – Mti Mkubwa Camp

Lunch, Dinner, Bed and breakfast

Trek

This route is extremely beautiful and has a high success rate. You would choose this route if you wanted a more private experience with less climbers. However, it is slightly more pricey, due to the starting point being around the other side of the mountain and higher transport costs in getting yourself and the crew there. It is one of our favorite routes because it offers a great balance of high summit success rate, scenic views, and low traffic.

The Lemosho Route is relatively new. It starts on the Western side of Mount Kilimanjaro at the Londorossi Gate. The Londorossi Gate is a fair drive from the town of Moshi, and considerably further from Arusha. At the gate, you will register with the authorities before being driven a further 12km to the starting point. The western side of Kilimanjaro is still very wild and you may get lucky and spot large antelope, buffalo, and maybe even elephant.

On day three the Lemosho Route joins the Machame Route at Lava Tower and down towards Barranco Valley via the Southern Circuit. As with the Machame Route, Lemosho trekkers need to transverse the Barranco Wall and then summit from Barafu Camp.

Elevation Gain: Lemosho Trailhead (2,000m / 6,600ft) to Mti Mkubwa Camp (2,800m / 9,100ft)
Hike distance: 5.4km
Hike duration: 3.5 hours
Habitat: Montane forest

Mti Mkubwa Camp – Shira 1 Camp

Mt Kilimanjaro

Mti Mkubwa Camp – Shira 1 Camp

Lunch, Dinner, Bed and breakfast

Trek

Mt Kilimanjaro
Today your trek will begin in the forest; however, you will soon leave this ecosystem behind taking a steep track into a zone of giant heather and volcanic rock. This is a full day ascending through the lush rolling hills below the Shira Plateau. Shira is the third of Kilimanjaro’s volcanic cones. It is filled with the lava flow from Kibo and its rim has eroded and been blasted away by weather and volcanic action. Finally, the trail begins to ease as you reach the edge of the plateau. You will camp at Shira One after 5-6 hours of trekking. The view of Kibo from across the plateau is incredible.

Elevation Gain: Mti Mkubwa (2,800m / 9,100ft) to Shira 1 Camp (3,500m / 11,500ft)
Hike distance: 8.1km
Hike duration: 4 – 5 hours
Habitat: Moorland

Shira 1 Camp – Shira 2 Camp

Mt Kilimanjaro

Shira 1 Camp – Shira 2 Camp

Lunch, Dinner, Bed and breakfast

Trek

Mt Kilimanjaro
Your third day on the mountain consists of a trek across the Shira Plateau with an optional climb to Shira Cathedral (3,880m). Shira is one of the highest plateaus on earth. The day finishes with a gradual climb to Shira 2 Camp. The optional acclimatization to the peak of Shira Cathedral will add approximately 1 hour to your hike today.

Elevation Gain: Shira 1 Camp (3,500m / 11,500ft) to Shira 2 Camp (3,800m / 12,500ft)
Hike distance: 7.5km
Hike duration: 3 hours
Habitat: Moorland

Shira 2 Camp – Barranco Camp

Mt Kilimanjaro

Shira 2 Camp – Barranco Camp

Lunch, Dinner, Bed and breakfast

Trek

Mt Kilimanjaro
Your climb today will take you steadily up and over the expansive ridgelines of the high desert to Lava Tower. The trek to the base of Lava Tower is about 4 hours. This tower is a 300-foot-high volcanic plug. If time and energy allow, you can scramble to the top of Lava Tower for fabulous panoramic views. From Lava Tower we begin our steep descent into the Barranco Valley, passing large flowering plants which actually look like trees, the scenecios. This is good practice for your descent from the summit in a few days’ time and will take 1-2 hours. Although you will end your day at almost the same elevation as you started, today is very important for acclimatization and will help your body prepare for summit day. Barranco Camp is in a beautiful, sheltered valley below the imposing Barranco Wall.

Elevation Gain: Shira 2 Camp (3,800m / 12,500ft) to Barranco Camp (3,850m / 12,650ft) via Lava Tower (4,550m / 14,900ft)
Hike distance: 10.3km
Hike duration: 8 hours
Habitat: Semi Desert

Barranco Camp – Karranga Camp

Mt Kilimanjaro

Barranco Camp – Karranga Camp

Lunch, Dinner, Bed and breakfast

Trek

Mt Kilimanjaro
After breakfast, we leave Barranco Camp and begin our climb up the Barranco Wall. This is an impressive scramble where you will be rewarded with fantastic views back towards camp. The porters climbing the wall are also an impressive sight. From the top, at 4,200m, you will follow an undulating path around the mountainside. On a clear day, there are spectacular views of Kibo to your left and Mount Meru to your right. After descending into the Karranga Valley your climb takes you up a short steep path to Karranga Camp.

Elevation Gain: Barranco Camp (3,850m / 12,600ft) to Karranga Camp (3,950m / 13,000ft) via the Barranco Wall (4,200m / 13,800ft)
Hike distance: 6.6 km
Hike duration: 4 hours
Habitat: Moorland

Karranga Camp – Barafu Camp

Mt Kilimanjaro

Karranga Camp – Barafu Camp

Dinner, bed, breakfast, and lunch

Trek

Mt Kilimanjaro
Today you will spend the morning climbing steadily onto Barafu, which is Swahili for ice! This camp is located on the ridge below the summit cone. You have now completed the South Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many different angles. This walk will take around 3 hours meaning that you will arrive at Barafu in time to spend the afternoon resting and enjoy an early dinner in preparation for the summit climb. The two peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo can be seen from this position.

Elevation Gain: Karranga Camp (3,950m / 13,000ft) to Barafu Camp (4,600m / 15,100ft)
Hike distance: 3.5km
Hike duration: 3 hours
Habitat: Alpine desert

Barafu Camp – Uhuru Peak – Mweka

Mt Kilimanjaro

Barafu Camp – Uhuru Peak – Mweka

Lunch, Dinner, Bed and breakfast

Trek

Mt Kilimanjaro
In the early hours of the morning, you will begin your final ascent to the summit of Uhuru Peak. It can be very cold at night at these elevations, but it will be quite warm by the end of the hiking day and therefore you will want clothing for both extremes. Just when you think you’ve had enough of climbing in the dark the sun will rise and you will be rewarded with a rich red sky framing Mawenzi. At Stella Point (5,750m) you join the crater rim. From here, climb less steeply to Uhuru Peak which is the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa. From the summit, the descent will take you straight down to Mweka Camp, with lunch served on the way. Later in the evening enjoy your last dinner on the mountain and a well-earned sleep.

Elevation Gain / Loss: Barafu Camp (4,600m / 15,100ft) to Uhuru Peak (5,895m / 19,300ft) then descending to
Mweka Camp (3,110m / 10,200ft)
Hike distance: 4.5 km ascent and 10.8 km descent
Hike duration: 7 – 8 hours ascent / 6 – 7 hours descent
Habitat: Stone scree and ice-capped summit

Rivertrees Country Inn

Arusha

Rivertrees Country Inn

Dinner, Bed and breakfast

Trek

Descend straight to the gate through lush forest, looking for monkeys along the way. Return to Moshi from Mweka Village.
Elevation Loss: Mweka Camp (3,110m / 10,200ft) to Mweka Gate (1,830m / 6,000ft)
Hike distance: 8.5km
Hike duration: 4 – 6 hours
Habitat: Forest
Transfer from Moshi to Arusha for overnight

Arusha
Depart for home or safari
Lunch, Dinner, Bed and breakfast