The Kilimanjaro experience

Climb the world’s highest free-standing mountain in beautiful Tanzania

Are you looking for adventure, and action and want the option to brag (yes, we said brag) about having climbed the highest mountain in Africa? Then we recommend you join us on this amazing adventure where we will climb Mount Kilimanjaro, reward ourselves with a swim in natural hot springs and lastly give back to the community. This trip will require a bit of preparation from your side, as you need to be in good physical condition, but we just want to point out this hike can be done by anyone (youngest was 6 years, oldest was 89 years) so we believe you can do it as well. One of the best things is that you do not have to carry your equipment yourself. Porters will be carrying your stuff and all you have to carry is your water and perhaps a jumper, so you can put on layers as you get higher in altitude.

At a glance

From: $2,920

First part of the climb

Your adventure to the top of Kilimanjaro starts here. You will arrive in Tanzania where you will prepare for the climb in Moshi, a town located at the foot of Kilimanjaro. Here you will spend a day checking your gear and also pass safety and health checks. On the third day, you will take your first steps through the entrance and here on there is only one way – and that is up. Day by day we are gonna get closer to the top, camping out in tents at different altitudes from 3500 meters to 5000 meters. You will feel the temperature drop and the air gets thinner, but it is all worth it in the end.

  • Try the local cuisine in the small town of Moshi
  • Prepare for the climb with professional local guides
  • Start the hike in a forest and watch how the scenery changes to desert and snow
  • Enjoy how the fresh air feels as you climb higher in altitude
Last part of the climb

We are almost at the top now. We need to climb the last 800 meters before we reach the summit. The last part of the hike is the roughest as we need to leave around midnight so we can reach the summit and enjoy the beautiful view that awaits us. Take in the surroundings and congratulate yourself, we reached the top – this is what we came for! From here on we will descend down to 3800 meters before exiting the area and returning to Moshi. A much-needed reward is awaiting us once we return, as we will spend a day at the natural hot springs close to Moshi. Before we return home, we spend a day helping out at a local primary school where we will paint blackboards, paint classrooms and much more that will help enhance the children’s school life.

  • Reach the highest point in Africa when you are at the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro
  • Prepare to have your breath taken away by the view awaiting you
  • Relax in the natural hot springs after the hike
  • Help the local primary school with enhancing the children’s school life

Your adventure to climb Mount Kilimanjaro starts now! You will arrive in Tanzania and a guide will meet you at Kilimanjaro International Airport and take you to Moshi. Moshi is a small town located about an hour away from the airport and is at the foot of Mount Kilimanjaro. You can spend the rest of the day settling in and preparing for the next few days.

Day 1 - Moshi

Today we will check your gear to make sure everything fits you. We will also do safety and health checks before we start the climb tomorrow. The rest of the day you can spend around town and with the others who are going to climb Mount Kilimanjaro as well. Make sure you get a good night’s rest.

(Breakfast and dinner included)

 

U. Local Committment

U. only works with registered porters from the National Porters Association. Sure they might be slightly more expensive but they are guaranteed local people from Tanzania and hold the highest safety and guiding qualifications available. This ensures the money you are paying is going directly in to the local economy.

Day 2 - Moshi

It is time to gear up – after breakfast we are leaving for the entrance to Mount Kilimanjaro, about 1500 meters above sea level. The car will drop us off and you will be taking your first step on this incredible adventure. We will start the hike through a forest, and we recommend you take your time to enjoy the hike, as the forest will be swapped for snow in a few days. We reach the first camp at 2980 meters and will be sleeping in tents tonight.

(Breakfast, lunch and dinner included)

Day 3 - Mount Kilimanjaro entrance

Guess what – we will spend the day ascending higher up the mountain. We will spend the whole day with one foot in front of the other, though remember to do it in your own tempo. There is no need to rush to the top, it is the whole journey that we are here for! We will end today’s hike at 2840 meters at Camp Shira. You will start to feel the altitude, so remember to drink fluids to adjust and avoid a headache.

(Breakfast, lunch and dinner included)

Day 4 - Shira camp

We are continuing our ascend upwards and will enjoy the beautiful view over the landscape beneath us. We will reach Lava Tower at 4500 meters and afterwards slowly descend to Barranco Camp at 3950 meters, so we are almost at the same elevation as the day before to help your body acclimatize. It will start to feel colder when the sun has gone down and the air will start to feel thinner. It is important to layer up if you are cold, there is absolutely no shame in being the first one adding a layer – most likely the rest of the group will do the same soon.

(Breakfast, lunch and dinner included)

Day 5 - Lava Tower

Today will be a bit of a challenge, as we will have to climb the non-technical but steep Barranco Wall. Along with this climb, we will also be crossing hills and valleys before we enter into a steep climb to reach Camp Katanga at 4200 meters. We will end the day here and it is time to mentally prepare for the summit which is only a day away!

(Breakfast, lunch and dinner included)

Day 6 - Barranco Wall

It is the last day before the summit, and the hike today will be shorter than the other days, as we need to prepare for the summit. We will end the day at Barafu camp at 4600 meters. It is much colder here than when we started a couple of days ago. At this point, we will be wearing a few extra layers and it is important to stay warm. You better crawl into your sleeping bag right after dinner as you will be woken up around midnight to begin the summit.

(Breakfast, lunch and dinner included)

Day 7 - Camp Barafu

It is time to rise and shine just after midnight to start the summit. Our first stop will be Stella point at 5700 meters where we will be greeted by a stellar sunrise. After a short rest, we will continue on the last ascend to Uhuru Peak at 5895 meters. Congratulations – you have now reached the very top of Mount Kilimanjaro and the highest point on the African continent. After we have enjoyed the view (and perhaps toasted in champagne like Sheila MacDonald when she reached the top as the first woman in 1927) we will descend down to Meek Hut Camp at 3100 meters. It is a big descent so make sure you let your body acclimatize once again.

(Breakfast, lunch and dinner included)

Day 8 - Stella Point Uhuru Peak

It is time to say goodbye to Mount Kilimanjaro and you will take your last steps on this adventure as you reach Meek gate and Meek Village where our ride will await us and take us back to our hostel. We bet this night’s sleep will be one of the bests you will ever have, as you can sleep in a proper bed again after five days in a tent.

(Breakfast and lunch included)

Day 9 - Return to Moshi

We believe you if you say it was tough leaving the bed this morning – after the hike it is fully understandable if your body is sore. Therefore, we have planned the day so you can relax and soak in the natural hot springs. Whether you decide to just sit there and loosen your muscles or take a swim, we guarantee this will be the best way to spend the day after the climb.

(Breakfast and lunch included)

Day 10 - Hot Springs

Today it is time to give back to the friendly community who have assisted us the past few days. We will spend the day working at a local government school where we will help paint classrooms, repair blackboards, build toilets or other things they might need help with, that will enhance the children’s school life.

(Breakfast included)

Day 11 - Moshi

After breakfast it is time to say goodbye, this amazing adventure is over and you can officially say you have climbed the highest mountain in Africa. We hope this is not goodbye to Africa though, perhaps you will join our Tanzania safari and Zanzibar trip?

(Breakfast included)

Day 12 - Departure from Moshi

We can help you!

This itinerary is a guide only. Given the spontaneous nature of our trips, our lack of control over the weather,
and many other factors that can effect a group, where we go and what we do each day may vary.

Always included: 

  • Covered by the Travel Guarantee Fund in Denmark
  • 100% climate-neutral travel
  • Professional travel experts and local guides
  • We do all the planning for you
  • Personalized meetings before departure
  • 24/7 emergency telephone
  • Your own personal travel profile with program, add-ons, flight tickets etc.
  • Packing list and advice
  • Certification of participation
  • Advice and assistance with booking flights
  • Possibility of purchasing cancellation and travel insurance
  • All entrances and fees for experiences
  • All tour accommodation

 

Included on this trip: 

  • Transfer to and from Mount Kilimanjaro
  • All accommodation
  • Tents that you sleep in, on the way up
  • Meals as described in the itinerary
  • 7-day Kilimanjaro hiking route
  • Porters will carry your equipment (Note: U. only works with porters, cooks and guides from the National Porter Association)
  • Reaching the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro
  • Hot springs tour
  • Giving back to the community and helping at a local school

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U.Impact! Experiences

For the past few days, we have been assisted by local guides and porters, helping us to the summit of Kilimanjaro. So now, it is time to give back to the local community.

Instead this U.Impact! Experience is about enhancing children’s school life, by helping out at the local government primary school. So, roll up your sleeves and be ready to paint classrooms, build toilets, repair blackboards and do lots of other work they can use our help with. If you want to, it will also be possible to donate money to the school at the end of the day.

We don’t believe that children are there for entertainment. However, we do welcome serendipitous experiences and the opportunity for a game of football or a jump rope challenge is always just around the corner.

Combine or upgrade your trip with some of these trips

Tanzania is one of the poorest countries in the world – but it is also one of the most beautiful. This volunteer U.Impact! specially crafted for U. takes involvement in the town of Moshi to another level.

Explore wild animals on the savannah with a Tanzania Safari while also relaxing on the white sandbeach by the beautiful blue water at Zanzibar.

KNOWLEDGE IS POWER WHEN USED WELL

Your expected footprint on this trip: 0.27 tons of CO2

(not including flights). Find out more about our commitment to net-zero travel and how you can lower your footprint.

Accommodation: 185kgs Approx. 5 nights at 37kgs per night Optional activities: 30kgs Approx. average (2 activities) Transport: 24kgs Approx. 116km at 21kgs per 100km Food & drinks: 8kgs Approx. 700g per day

Your local investment on this trip: USD$3,950

The average expected amount our U.Traveller’s spend that goes directly into the local economy.

Find out more about our love for supporting local businesses

Why Choose a U. Trip

  • The only tour company carbon calculating and offsetting every part of your U.Trip, as part of your cost! From the flights, to all carbon costs associated with your accommodation, activities, meals and transport.  This means you are choosing to travel responsibly with a company dedicated to putting People + Planet first!  U. have simplified the decision making so you can focus on just choosing the best trip for your adventures!
  • More inclusions, head to head, than other trips meaning you get more value for your spend, you see more and you experience more!
  • Invest in yourself and your future with a U.Trip that seamlessly combines the fun, excitement and adventure of gap year and backpacker travel with Impact Experiences that add value to your ‘self’ and your CV.
  • U. creates the opportunity for you to challenge your own understanding of the world with first hand experiences of local communities and the challenges facing them.
  • A team with over 100 years collective travel experience

Would you like one of our U.Team to give you a call?

Let us know when and we will make it happen.

We can help you!

Would you like one of our U.Team to give you a call?

Let us know when and we will make it happen.

We can help you!

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