8 Days Mount Kilimanjaro Hiking Safari: Guided trek to Africa’s highest peak.
8 days Mount Kilimanjaro hiking safari is a rewarding Tanzania safari experience that takes you to a dormant volcano that is located in Tanzania. Mount Kilimanjaro is the highest mountain in Africa, with the highest peak, Uhuru, which stands at a height of 5896 m above sea level. The name ‘Uhuru‘ means freedom. The mountain is known for the tropical rainforest, savannah vegetation, alpine woodland, snow and glaciers at the top.
Mount Kilimanjaro has seven routes that lead to the top of Mount Kilimanjaro, which are a bit difficult depending on one’s fitness level. During the hiking, most trekkers like using the Machame route on the southwestern side due to the incredible views it offers. Then the Lemosho route on the western slopes of the mountain, which offers the Machame route of the famous Lava Tower landmark. The Marangu route is easier than the Machame route, with steeper routes. Then the Umbwe route is located in Karanga Valley.
Day 1: Transfer to Mount Kilimanjaro/Moshi town.
On the first day of the safari, you will be picked up at Kilimanjaro airport, welcomed to the safari and then transferred to your hotel for lunch and check-in. Opt for a tour around Moshi town late in the afternoon before heading back to the hotel for dinner and an overnight stay.
Day 2: Transfer to Machame Gate.
Leave Moshi town after breakfast and drive to Kilimanjaro’s Machame gate on the southwestern side. Our guide will have registered for the experience. Enter the montane rainforest as you start off the hike with muddy and slippery trails when it rains. This takes about 7 hours to get to Machame Camp at a distance of 11 km and a height of 2850 m. Enjoy your lunch once you arrive at the camp, and also get to know other tourists at the campfire while relaxing. Have dinner later in the evening and rest.
Day 3: Transfer to Shira Camp.
Shira Camp is located 5 km from Machame Camp and is well known for moorland vegetation. After breakfast, you will hike to the top as you pass through a gentle gradient. Passing through the rocky ridge to the Shira plateau, where you will view the wonderful western breach with its breathtaking glaciers. Head to Shira camp for lunch and relax. Explore the camp, which is known for the cold temperatures in the evening. Enjoy the evening’s rest and prepare for tomorrow.
Day 4: Trek to Lava Tower and later Barranco.
After breakfast, prepare for today’s toughest as you trek past the Lava Tower at 4600 m before descending to the Barranco Hut at 3900 m. This is where you notice the change from moorland terrain to semi-desert and rocky, steep slopes that surround the Lava Tower. Descend the Barranco wall up to the Barranco camp for the day’s rest.
Day 5: Hike to Karanga Camp.
Enjoy breakfast, then start hiking the Barranco breach wall that takes you to Heim Glacier. Descend to Karanga Valley, which merges with the Umbwe route. The hike takes you about 5 hours, and the valley is semi-desert. Arrive at Karanga Camp for relaxation, unpack and then get something to eat. Relax for the next day ahead at the camp.
Day 6: Transfer to Barafu Camp.
After breakfast, get ready for another wonderful day on the mountain by transferring from Karanga camp to Barafu (ice) camp. The area is characterised by the steep valleys and rocks on the way to the camp and is known for its alpine desert climate at an elevation of 4200m to 4673m. The distance to the camp is about 5 hours. Upon arrival, get to explore Mawenzi Peak and Kibo if the weather is suitable. Relax at the camp; you prepare for the next day.
Day 7: Hike to Uhuru and Mweka Camp.
This is the day you finally get to ascend to the highest peak of Mount Kilimanjaro. Get up early in the morning, enjoy your breakfast, and with your packed lunch, start on the tough hike with the headlamps or flashlights. This requires you to pack the heavy clothes because of the cold and snow. This is a steep and then chilly hike, but it will be worth it.
If you are lucky, you will get to the peak earlier to witness the sunrise, and then the rest can view it from Stella Point. Take beautiful pictures once at the top of the ice-capped summit and spend some time there as well. Later, descend to the bottom of the mountain to Mweka Huts, where you will have dinner and have an evening’s rest.
Day 8: Transfer from Mweka camp to Mweka Gate.
After breakfast, you will head to Mweka Gate, which is about 10 km from Mweka Camp, and then be awarded certificates for a wonderful and successful mountain trek. Transfer to Moshi town, where you will explore the city more before getting your flight back home, which brings you back to the end.
