Private Kilimanjaro Hike – Mount Kilimanjaro

This Private Kilimanjaro Hike begins at the Kilimanjaro International Airport in northern Tanzania. Our driver is at the airport to welcome you to Tanzania and transfer you to our lodge in Usa River, near Arusha.

We spend the night before our Kilimanjaro trek at the charming Meru View Lodge in the small town of Usa River. Located 23km outside of Arusha city, Usa River is the capital of the Meru District.

The remainder of day one is free for you to relax. You can rest after your travels, prepare for your hike up Mount Kilimanjaro, and enjoy the peaceful lodge with a swimming pool in its 10-acre tropical garden. Another option is to take a taxi to nearby Arusha, to explore the bustling city on the lower slopes of Mount Meru.

In the evening you'll meet up for a preliminary talk at the lodge and do an equipment check, in preparation for our Private Kilimanjaro Hike.

> Meals included: Dinner

This morning, you are collected from the lodge and transferred to the Lemosho Gate at 2385m above sea level. Arriving at the gate, the Kilimanjaro National Park authorities register you before we set off. Then we head into the dense rainforest where the Lemosho Route up Kilimanjaro begins.

Our Kilimanjaro Hike begins with a moderately steep climb through an incredible, unspoiled forest. We walk for about two and a half hours before reaching our first overnight stop - the Big Tree Camp at 2780m. Birds and wild animals, such as colobus monkeys, are often spotted here, so keep your eyes open.

>Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

>Hiking time: 2 to 3 hours

>Climb: 395m

Our first full day of hiking in Tanzania awaits! Today’s long hike starts on a small trail that passes through the rainforest. As we climb Kilimanjaro steadily, the forest gradually thins out, giving way to heath (scrub) and moorland vegetation where Erica and Lobelia plants start to dominate.

Then we cross Shira Ridge and continue hiking for another 4 to 5 hours before reaching Shira Camp 1. This is where we stop for lunch and a rest. Sit back and enjoy the fantastic views of Mount Meru and the Great Rift Valley of Tanzania.

After lunch, we hike for about another three hours, climbing 250m (164ft) in altitude. Trekking over ground that was once a molten lava flow, the landscape continues to change as we climb Kilimanjaro.

Shortly before we reach our next overnight camp we pass some giant succulents (senecios). These perennial succulents grow up to 9 meters (30 feet) tall! Then we reach Shira Camp 2, at 3900m (12795ft), where we spend the next night of our Climb Kilimanjaro Hike. If the weather permits, you can enjoy the beautiful views of the snow-capped Kibo summit as the sun sets at camp. Settle in at camp, put your feet up after a long day's walk and enjoy a hearty meal in nature.

>Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

>Hiking time: about 7 to 8 hours

>Climb: Up 1120m

After breakfast we climb up to Lava Tower, hiking through dramatic boulder-strewn landscapes. Keep your eye on Kibo, the highest of Kilimanjaro's three volcanic cones marking the summit of the mountain.

When we reach Lava Tower, we take a break to rest and acclimatize to the higher altitude. Then we hike down to Barranco Camp. This method of climbing to a higher altitude and descending back down to a lower altitude to sleep helps your body to adjust to the changes in altitude. Seeping on the lower ground after hiking up also gives you a sense of how your body reacts to altitudinal changes.

Day four of our Private Kilimanjaro Hike takes us through changing scenery, with more giant senecias and lobelias awaiting. We hike for a total of about 6 to 7 hours to reach our next camp, Barranco Camp. This scenic, green camp offers beautiful views over the surrounding mountain peaks.

>Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

>Hiking time: about 6 to 7 hours

>Climb: Up 740m & Down 680m

Today, many climbs and dips lie ahead on our Kilimanjaro hike in Tanzania. We gradually climb higher, doing plenty of ascents and descents along the way.

Shortly after we set out, we reach the famous Barranco Wall, the steepest part of the Lemsoho Route. Although no technical climbing experience is necessary, some spots do require you to use your hands to get a better grip and pull yourself up. Your guide will be close by to help keep you safe, using a safety line to secure you whenever needed.

Once you've navigated the Kissing Rock, the hike follows the ridge of the mountain and passes through Karanga Valley. Here we pass the last water pitstop before reaching Karanga Camp where we enjoy a welcome meal and an early night.

>Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

>Hiking time: 3 to 4 hours

>Climb: 75m

On day six of our Kilimanjaro climb, the Lemosho hiking trail passes through an afro-alpine desert.

We hike through dry terrain where the earth crunches underfoot. Our destination for today, the rocky Barafu Camp. The final camp before our climb to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro. Excitement builds as we cover the last stretch to Barafu Camp, and our goal nears within a few hours reach.

Arriving at Barafu Camp we enjoy an early dinner and prepare for the final stretch of our Kilimanjaro climb. Stop to take in the spectacular views of Mawenzi Peak and the summit trail, before going to bed early. It will be a short sleep, waking up after a few hours to set off on the climb to the top of Kilimanjaro!

>Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

>Hiking time: 3 to 4 hours

>Climb: 605m

This is the day you climb to the Roof of Africa! You will be awoken at around midnight and served a hot cup of tea and a snack. Then we set off on the last stretch of our Kilimanjaro hike, to the summit.

Walking on with torchlights we climb northwest up the scree and ash paths of Kibo Peak, the highest volcanic cone of Mount Kilimanjaro. After five to seven hours of walking through the night, we arrive at Stella Point (5730m), on the crater rim of the dormant Kibo volcano. This is a good spot to rest before climbing the last stretch. Another one to two hours of climbing along the crater rim leads us to the summit of Uhuru Peak at 5895m. The top of Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania!

Standing at the summit of the tallest freestanding mountain in the world, you can see out for miles. We should reach the top in time to catch the sunrise from the peak. A moving and exhilarating experience! Bask in the joy of your achievement, soaking up the spectacular scenery in the warm light of dawn.

After taking a short break and numerous photographs at the summit of Mt Kili, we begin our descent. We return to Camp Barafu just before midday, where the rest of the climbing crew is waiting for us. Tuck into a warm meal and take a well-deserved break of one to two hours, before we hike to Camp Mweka (3000m), about three hours walk away. At Camp Mweka, we enjoy a delicious dinner, followed by a relaxing evening and a very good night’s sleep.

>Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

>Hiking time: 10 to 14 hours

>Climb: Up 1255m & Down 2815m

The last leg of your private Kilimanjaro hiking adventure begins after breakfast and a traditional farewell ceremony from the mountain guides. This morning we take a gentle two to three-hour hike through the rainforest to Mweka Gate. The hike passes through a lush rainforest where you may see the endemic Kilimanjaro Impatiens in flower.

At Mweka Gate your driver awaits to transfer you to the comfortable safari lodge in the foothills of Mount Meru, near Arusha. Spend the rest of the day resting and enjoying the comforts of the lodge. Have a nice hot shower, take a dip in the pool, and relax in the shade. This evening we enjoy a scrumptious dinner and unwind at the bar. Time to celebrate your epic feat of summiting Mount Kilimanjaro!

>Meals included: Breakfast & Dinner

>Hiking time: 2 to 3 hours

>Altitude: Down 1450m

After a good night's rest, enjoy breakfast at our charming lodge. Then you are transferred back to the Kilimanjaro International Airport, bringing your extraordinary Private Kilimanjaro Hike in Tanzania to a close.

> Meals included: Breakfast