Kilimanjaro. 9th to 17th SEPTEMBER 2023.
Kilimanjaro
Are you ready for an incredible adventure to the Roof of Africa? You are invited to join our Wild Edge trek to the summit of Kilimanjaro. Our 7-day journey will follow the spectacular Machame Route. The trek will be guided by professional expedition leader and Founder of Wild Edge, Oli France.
We are proud to have achieved an enviable 97% Kilimanjaro summit success rate across our previous Kilimanjaro expeditions, achieved through rigorous planning, attention to detail, extensive global expedition experience, and working closely with all trekkers to help you achieve your goal.
Dates:
9th to 17th September 2023.
Introduction:
Wild Edge invites you to embark on an adventure to the highest peak in Africa. Kilimanjaro is a famous and spectacular extinct volcano, rising from the vast Tanzanian plains. Standing at 5895 metres, Kilimanjaro is not to be underestimated, but is an achievable objective for keen hill walkers with good general fitness.
The primary aim of this expedition will be to reach the summit of Kilimanjaro, which stands as one of the 'Seven Summits'. We will be ascending via the beautiful Machame route. The climb begins in lush jungle and continues through forest, moorland, alpine desert and beside icecaps. It is one of the only places on earth where you can walk from the equatorial heat to an arctic landscape in a single journey. An early start on summit day will bring the opportunity to watch a breath-taking sunrise across the Great Rift Valley from the African continent's highest point.
Who is the trek suitable for?
Kilimanjaro is not to be underestimated; however, it is an achievable goal for anyone who has good physical health and a good endurance base. Reaching the summit will also require a strong dose of determination and teamwork. By the time of departure, trekkers should feel comfortable walking for 6-8 hours on hilly terrain at an easy pace while carrying a light (~5kg) daypack (or be willing to work towards such fitness).
During the trek, we will average 4-8 hours of walking each day, taking regular breaks as needed. The summit day will be a longer and more challenging day, with 12-14 hours of trekking required. Excellent support will be provided throughout from your expedition leader and expert local team. Your main rucksack will be carried by a local porter.
As part of the build-up to the expedition, suggested 12-week training plans will be circulated. Or, take a look at out training plan here. As a general rule, the fitter you are, the more enjoyment you will find in the trek, and the greater your chances of reaching the summit. This is an extraordinary goal to work towards, and a vision of team summit-success will be a great training motivator!
We are also happy to share a Comprehensive Kit List, to help you feel prepared for ths journey.
Should you have any questions whatsoever, please Contact Us today and we will be very happy to help.
Jan 27th | Day 1 | Kilimanjaro Airport – Moshi
Distance approx. 40km; driving time: 45 - 60 minutes.
Upon your arrival at Kilimanjaro Airport, you will be greeted by our transfer driver and taken to our beautiful traditional lodge in Moshi. The rest of the day is for you to enjoy at leisure. Relax at the lodge pool or take a taxi and explore the town of Moshi. In the late afternoon you will be met by Oli and the local Kilimanjaro team leaders, who will brief you on our upcoming trek. Dinner and overnight at our lodge. Dinner
Jan 28th | Day 2 | Moshi – Machame Gate (1790m) – Machame Camp (3010m)
Altitude ↑1220m; walking time approx. 5-6 hours
After breakfast we will be collected from our lodge and taken to the Machame Gate. After completion of all the necessary paper work, our adventure commences. Our destination for today is the Machame Camp. Soon we will be hiking through the lush rainforest with its large ancient trees and primeval ferns. We might also spot blue monkeys, or black and white colobus monkeys, peeking through the leaves. Reaching the campsite, we will have time to relax, stretch our legs and enjoy a hearty meal before climbing into our tents for the night. Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner
Jan 29th | Day 3 | Machame Camp (3010m) – New Shira Camp (3845m)
Altitude ↑835m; walking time approx. 4-6 hours
Today’s early start will allow us to reach New Shira Camp at around mid-afternoon. We will notice the dramatic change in landscape: from lush and green rainforest to dry moor and heath land. Arriving at our campsite, a beautiful view of the mountain range opens up before us. The glaciers of Kilimanjaro glisten in the setting sun as we enjoy another lovingly cooked meal before climbing into our tents. Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner
Jan 30th | Day 4 | New Shira Camp (3845m) – Lava Tower (4640m) – Barranco Camp (3960m)
Altitude ↑795m|↓680m; walking time approx. 7-8 hours
Acclimatisation is on today’s agenda. We will climb roughly 800 metres, but sleep barely higher than the previous night. Starting at Shira Plateau, we will make our way up to Lava Tower. Here we will rest a while and enjoy a hot lunch before continuing through the Barranco Valley to the beautiful Barranco Camp. The trek will take approximately 8 hours. A well-deserved dinner awaits us at Barranco Camp, along with views down into Moshi town and up towards to summit. Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner
Jan 31st | Day 5 | Barranco Camp
(3960m) – Karanga Camp (4035m)
Altitude ↑300m; walking time
approx. 3-4 hours
Today the Barranco Wall stands before us. Some stages will require you to use your hands for a better grip, but only easy scrambling is necessary. Your expedition team will be with you every step of the way to lend a helping hand. The route's numerous ascents and descents allow for further acclimatisation. We can take in the beautiful landscape with its stunning contrasts of desert and vegetation, before one final climb takes us to Karanga Camp. Afternoon rest, evening meal and overnight at Karanga Camp. Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner
Feb 1st | Day 6 | Karanga Camp (4035m) – Kosovo Camp (4840m)
Altitude ↑805m; walking time approx. 4 hours
We will enjoy a hearty breakfast before setting out to today’s destination: Kosovo Camp, the final camp before the summit push. Most of the day will be spent walking through very dry desertic terrain, with Kilimanjaro ever present on our left side. After around 4 hours we will reach Kosovo Camp, where we will have an afternoon rest and early dinner ahead of the summit bid. Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner
Feb 2nd | Day 7 | Barafu Camp (4640m) –
Uhuru Peak (5895m) – Millenium Camp (3880m)
Altitude ↑1255m|↓2015m; total walking time approx. 12-14 hours
Around midnight we will be woken with a warm cup of tea and breakfast to get ready for our final ascent. The moon and our headlamps will be our only source of light as we make our way up to Stella Point (5730m), reaching the crater rim in about 5 to 7 hours. Another 1 hour will take us to Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa, where we can enjoy the sun rising over the Tanzanian landscape. After capturing this incredible view and achievement on film, we will start our descent along the same route back to Kosovo Camp, where our local team awaits us with some lunch and refreshments. After a short rest, we will continue our descent for a further 3 hours to Millenium Camp for our last night on the highest mountain in Africa. Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner.
Feb 3rd | Day 8 | Millenium Camp (3880m) – Mweka Gate (1630m) – Moshi
Altitude ↓2250m; walking time approx. 6 hours
Breakfast is followed by the final stretch down the mountain. We will once more trek through pristine rainforest, giving us another opportunity to spot some monkeys, finally reaching the Mweka Gate after around 6 hours. We will be met at the gate and taken back to our lodge for a long shower and relaxed afternoon by the pool. Celebratory dinner and overnight at our lodge. Breakfast | Dinner.
Feb 4th | Day 9 | Moshi – Kilimanjaro Airport
After breakfast you will be taken to Kilimanjaro 'International Airport or you can opt to extend your trip with a safari or a beach holiday on Zanzibar. Breakfast.
Items included:
- 9-day Kilimanjaro trek according to the itinerary, with 7 days spent on the mountain.
- Expedition led by Oli France, Founder of Wild Edge.
- Suggested training plans, kit lists and altitude sickness information provided by Wild Edge.
- Accompanied by professional
English-speaking local guides.
- Extensive mountain crew including cooks and porters (crew ratio: 3-4 local staff per participant).
- Overnight stays in hotels and mountain tents.
- Camping equipment (tents, sleeping mats, chairs, tables etc.).
- Portable chemical toilet and toilet tent.
- Meals according to the itinerary.
- Drinking water while on the mountain.
- All national park fees.
- All mentioned transfers.
- Post-trek celebration dinner.
- A selection of high-resolution photographs to be shared with the group.
- A live-tracking link so friends,
family and supporters can watch our progress in real-time as we ascend the mountain.
Items excluded:
- Sleeping bag (this can be hired locally if needed for approx $20USD).
- Flights.
- Alcoholic and soft drinks.
- Tanzanian visa fees (currently $50USD for British passport holders).
- Tips for porters and local support guides (essential - we recommend budgeting an additional $200 to $250 USD for tipping the exceptional mountain crew).
- Personal spending money for souvenirs etc.
- Suitable travel insurance (We will suggest appropriate providers).
You can secure your place on this Wild Edge Kilimanjaro trek with a £250 deposit. Upon receipt of your deposit, you will receive a booking form requesting some basic details.
In the lead-up to the expedition, you will also receive an additional 'Expedition Pack' containing pre-departure information, a suggested kit list, altitude sickness information and suggested training plan.
If you have any other questions at any time, we are here to offer our expertise and support. We want you to feel able to book and travel with absolute confidence. Please do not hestiate to Get in Touch.
The final balance is payable 6 weeks before departure.
Covid-19 policy
At the time of writing, there are no UK travel restrictions for Tanzania.
In the unlikely event that we are forced to cancel the expedition due to Covid-19, you will receive a full refund or be offered the option to roll-over your booking to a future date.
