Northern Magic 360° Kilimanjaro Experience

Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) or Arusha Airport (ARK), a friendly staff member from Serengeti Landmark Tours will be there to welcome you. You will then be transferred to your hotel in Arusha, where you can relax after your journey. In the evening, you will have a safari briefing, where our team will go over your itinerary, answer any questions, and ensure you are well-prepared for your adventure. Get a good night’s rest—your unforgettable safari begins tomorrow

Accommodation

✓  Name: Tulia lodge
✓  Type: Hotel
✓  Level: Mid-range

On this day you will have an early wake-up and a hearty breakfast. Then you will begin a gradual walk up to the altitude of 3,414 m / 11,200 f; at this point, you will be able to see stunning views of the Shira Plateau and Kibo Volcano for the first time.

On the whole, the passage from Mti Mkubwa to the second high-altitude camp, Shira 1 (3,414 m / 11,200 f), is rather easy and takes about 5-6 hours. This will allow you to start the acclimatization process gradually, which is the mainstay of good trekking towards the Kilimanjaro Crater Camp. When you reach the camp, your team of specialists will provide a hot lunch and you will have the chance to rest in your tent or take in the incredible scenery.

Trekking time:

5-6 hours

Distance:

5 km (3.1 miles)

On this day you will have an early wake-up and a hearty breakfast. Then you will begin a gradual walk up to the altitude of 3,414 m / 11,200 f; at this point, you will be able to see stunning views of the Shira Plateau and Kibo Volcano for the first time.

On the whole, the passage from Mti Mkubwa to the second high-altitude camp, Shira 1 (3,414 m / 11,200 f), is rather easy and takes about 5-6 hours. This will allow you to start the acclimatization process gradually, which is the mainstay of good trekking towards the Kilimanjaro Crater Camp. When you reach the camp, your team of specialists will provide a hot lunch and you will have the chance to rest in your tent or take in the incredible scenery.

Trekking time:

5-6 hours

Distance:

5 km (3.1 miles)

This day your group will depart from Shira 1 Camp (3,414 m / 11,200 f) and complete a light trek towards the second high-altitude camp: Shira 2 Camp (3,850 m /12,628 f). This trek is not difficult and you will be able to enjoy spectacular views of Africa and the unique plants endemic to Kilimanjaro. Shira 2 Camp is the best place on the trip to see Mount Meru (the fifth-highest summit of Africa), weather permitting.

When you arrive at the camp you will have lunch, and after a two-hour rest, everyone will complete an acclimatization hike towards Lava Tower Camp that features a 300 m /984 f gain in altitude. Remember, acclimatization hikes are very important, but this one also offers a stunning view from the top.

Acclimatization hike:

Change in Elevation:

Shira 2 Camp (3,850 m / 12,631 ft)

Destination point en route to Lava Tower (4,110 m / 13,484 ft)

Hiking distance:

2 km (1.2 miles)

Hiking time:

1-2 hours

Trekking time:

3-4 hours

Distance:

7 km (4.3 miles)

After breakfast, you will leave Shira 2 Camp (3,850 m /12,628 f) and start trekking to Lava Tower (4,600 m /15,088 f). The route is more challenging than the hikes on previous days and has more inclines and descents throughout. You may find it more physically demanding than the day before, however, it offers an ideal way to acclimatize to the high altitude. Lunch is served atop Lava Tower, allowing you 1-2 hours to rest and relax after a challenging morning.

After lunch, you will trek a little higher and then gradually descend to Moir Hut. This camp is located on the way to the northern part of Kilimanjaro.

Trekking time:

5-7 hours

Distance:

14 km (8.7 miles)

On this day, you will have a long but relatively easy trek. Initially, you will have a steep (although short) climb to depart Moir Valley, and then approach the northern slope of Kilimanjaro. While there will be more ups and downs on this trek, there are no steep altitude gains. This route passes close to the border with Kenya, so you will be treated to amazing views of the Tsavo and Amboseli Valleys.

Trekking time:

5-6 hours

Distance:

12 km (7.4 miles)

You will finish trekking up the northern slope of Kilimanjaro and stop for the night in 3rd Cave Camp, where the route will meet up with the traditional Rongai route. On this day the trekking will be shorter, and by this time your body should already have become completely acclimated to an altitude of 3,800 m / 12,464 f, which will contribute to your increased comfort and overall well-being.

Trekking time:

4-6 hours

Distance:

8 km (4.9 miles)

On this day you will be trekking to the School Hut Summit Camp (4,800 m /15,744 f). The actual trekking is not very hard, so remember to just choose an appropriate pace in order to keep your strength up for the next day. When you reach the camp, we recommend you sleep well, avoid strenuous activity, and drink as much water as you can, because tomorrow your group will trek into the crater.

Trekking time:

4-5 hours

Distance:

5 km (3.1 miles)

Around midnight, you will depart from the camp and walk along the edge of the crater rim to reach the highest point in Africa, Uhuru Peak, which stands at 5,895 meters. Once you arrive at the top, you will spend about 30-40 minutes taking photos and watching an amazing sunrise with views across Africa. You can explore the nearby glaciers (just a 30-minute walk from the top) or start descending to the crater camp whenever you're ready.

Reaching the crater floor requires much dedication, but it is well worth it! When you arrive, you will be astonished by the ancient glaciers and snow. If you want, you may choose to trek further to the Ash Pit (it takes approximately 90 minutes), or save this endeavor for the next day.

Trekking time:

4-6 hours

Distance:

5 km (3.1 miles)

On this day you can make another summit attempt in the morning, your general condition permitting. If you don’t want to get back to Uhuru, you can proceed with hiking out of the crater to Barafu summit camp and further down the slope to Millenium camp, your next overnight site.

Or, if you feel like it, you can go to the Ash Pit, a still warm ice-free part of the crater with a diameter of 340 m, consisting of lava gravel (in case you didn't explore it yesterday). Its whitish-yellow sulfur slopes drop about 200 m into the depth of the volcano. Together with the Reusch crater that is encircling Ash Pit, Kilimanjaro has one of the most perfect crater shapes on earth. The amount of snow in the crater will determine the possibility of getting to the Ash Pit.

Trekking time:

5-6 hours

Distance:

16 km (9.9 miles)

The camp is situated in a tropical rainforest. When you wake up, you will feel relief from the reduction of the height and the satisfaction of reaching the summit. After a warm breakfast, you will head for the park's exit: Mweka Gate (1,640 m /5,379 f). After your descent, the whole group will gather to congratulate you, followed by offering you a chance to share your opinions on the climb in the guestbook. Lastly, we will present you with your commemorative certificates in our office and provide you with a transfer back to the hotel.

Trekking time:

4-5 hours

Distance:

12 km (7.4 miles)

Accommodation

✓  Name: Tulia lodge
✓  Type: Hotel
✓  Level: Mid-range

Rest in the hotel and transfer to the airport.

PLEASE NOTE:Hotel check-out is at 10:00 AM. In case you need a late check-out because of an evening flight, there is the option to extend your hotel stay for an extra fee.