9 Days/ 8 Nights
$ 3000.00
Crater Camp – A Unique Experience
Perched at 18,865 feet above sea level, Crater Camp is the highest campsite on Mount Kilimanjaro, sitting just 475 feet below the summit.
We offer the option to stay at Crater Camp on the Lemosho and Northern Circuit routes. This adds an extra day to the standard itineraries, creating the 9-day Lemosho Crater Route and 10-day Northern Crater Route. Climbers depart for the summit during daylight hours and return to Crater Camp afterward, aiding better acclimatization.
On most other Kilimanjaro routes, only the climbers and guides continue to the summit while the support crew remains at the high camp (e.g., Barafu). Staying at Crater Camp requires substantially more effort, as the entire expedition team and all equipment must ascend roughly 4,000 feet higher than usual. This increased logistical demand results in higher costs.
From Crater Camp, climbers can optionally hike for about an hour to Reusch Crater, or explore the surroundings near Furtwangler Glacier. Reusch Crater is a spectacular, nearly circular formation, with an ash pit measuring 400 feet (120 m) deep and 1,300 feet (400 m) wide—an extraordinary sight rarely seen by tourists.
While the appeal of Crater Camp is undeniable, sleeping at such high altitude carries risks. Severe altitude sickness (AMS) can occur if proper acclimatization hasn’t been achieved. For safety, the 9-day Lemosho Crater Route and 10-day Northern Crater Route are available only upon special request and require approval by Almighty Kilimanjaro.
Program:
Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport, you will be met and transferred to Salinero B&B for overnight accommodation. Your head guide will conduct a briefing, check your gear, and help arrange any equipment rentals you may need.
Elevation: 7,742 ft → 9,498 ft
Hiking Time: 3–4 hours
Distance: 6 km / 4 miles
Habitat: Rainforest
We leave Moshi and drive approximately 4 hours to Londorossi Gate to complete the park entry formalities. From there, we continue to the Lemosho trailhead. Once at the trailhead, the hike begins, taking us through pristine rainforest as the trail winds its way to the first campsite.
Elevation: 9,498 ft to 11,500 ft
Hiking Time: 5-6 hours
Distance: 8 km | 5 miles
Habitat: Health
We continue on the trail leading out of the rain forest and into a savannah of tall grasses, heather and volcanic rock draped with lichen beards. As we ascend through the lush rolling hills and cross several streams, we reach the Shira Ridge before dropping gently down to Shira 1 Camp. Here we catch our first glimpse of Kibo across the plateau.
Elevation: 11,500 ft → 13,800 ft
Hiking Time: 5–7 hours
Distance: 11 km | 7 miles
Habitat: Heath
We spend the day exploring the Shira Plateau, taking an easy walk east across moorland meadows toward Shira 2 Camp. From there, we branch off the main path to Moir Hut, a seldom-visited spot at the base of the Lent Hills. The Lent Hills offer a variety of trails, making this an ideal opportunity for acclimatization. Shira Plateau is among the highest plateaus in the world.
Moir Hut to Lava Tower
Elevation: 12,500 ft → 15,190 ft
Hiking Time: 4–5 hours
Distance: 7 km / 4 miles
Habitat: Alpine Desert
Lava Tower to Barranco Camp
Elevation: 15,190 ft → 13,044 ft
Hiking Time: 2–3 hours
Distance: 3 km / 2 miles
Habitat: Alpine Desert
The day starts with a climb up a ridge before turning southeast toward Lava Tower, a striking volcanic rock formation standing 300 ft tall. From there, we descend to Barranco Camp, passing through the unusual yet beautiful Senecio Forest to reach an altitude of 13,000 ft. While the day begins and ends at roughly the same elevation, the period spent at higher altitudes provides excellent acclimatization benefits.
Elevation: 13,044 ft → 13,106 ft
Hiking Time: 4–5 hours
Distance: 5 km | 3 miles
Habitat: Alpine Desert
The day starts with a descent into a ravine at the base of the Great Barranco Wall. We then tackle a steep, non-technical climb of nearly 900 ft. From the top, the trail winds over a series of hills and valleys before a sharp descent into Karanga Valley. A final steep climb brings us to Karanga Camp. This shorter trek is designed to aid in acclimatisation.
Elevation: 13,106 ft → 15,331 ft
Hiking Time: 4–5 hours
Distance: 4 km | 2 miles
Habitat: Alpine Desert
We depart from Karanga and reach the junction that links to the Mweka Trail, then continue climbing toward the rocky terrain of Barafu Hut. At this stage, the Southern Circuit is complete, providing spectacular views of the summit from multiple angles. We set up camp here, rest, and enjoy an early dinner in preparation for summit day. From this spot, both Mawenzi and Kibo peaks are clearly visible.
Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak
Elevation: 15,331 ft → 19,341 ft
Hiking Time: 7–8 hours
Distance: 5 km | 3 miles
Habitat: Arctic
Uhuru Peak to Crater Camp
Elevation: 19,341 ft → 18,865 ft
Hiking Time: 0.5–1 hour
Distance: 1 km | 0.6 miles
Habitat: Arctic
Starting in the early morning, we tackle the final push to the summit, the most demanding section of the climb, both mentally and physically. The ascent is slow and steady, with frequent short breaks to conserve energy. The trail becomes loose scree as we climb steeply toward the crater rim. From Stella Point (18,900 ft), the summit sign comes into view, and we continue along the crater rim until reaching Uhuru Peak, the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the entire African continent.
After summiting, we descend a short distance to Crater Camp, where the team will help set up camp. There is an option to explore Reusch Crater and the ash pit, or to walk around the Furtwängler Glacier area. Sleeping at this extreme altitude carries risks, and guides will monitor closely for Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) if proper acclimatization hasn’t been achieved.
Elevation: 18,865 ft → 10,065 ft
Hiking Time: 4–6 hours
Distance: 12 km | 7 miles
Habitat: Arctic
Starting from Crater Camp, we descend steadily toward Mweka Hut, pausing at Barafu for lunch. The path is rocky and can be tough on the knees, so trekking poles are recommended. Mweka Camp sits within the upper forest, where mist or rain is likely in the late afternoon. In the evening, we enjoy our final dinner on the mountain before a well-deserved night’s rest.
Elevation: 10,065 ft → 5,380 ft
Hiking Time: 3–4 hours
Distance: 10 km | 6 miles
Habitat: Rainforest
On the final day, we make our way down to Mweka Gate to receive our summit certificates. The lower sections of the trail can be muddy and wet. From the gate, the trek continues for about an hour to reach Mweka Village, where a vehicle will be waiting to transfer us back to our hotel in Moshi.
Pick-up and drop-off at Kilimanjaro International Airport
Transfer to the trailhead - entry gate to Kilimanjaro National Park
Pick-up at the exit from Kilimanjaro National Park and transfer to the hotel
All park fees collected by the Kilimanjaro National Park ( conservation fees, camping fees, crew fees, vehicle fee, rescue fee and all other fees collected by the Tanzania National Parks Authority).
One night at Salinero hotel before the expedition and one night after; The hotels have everything for your comfortable stay - caring staff, nice rooms, reliable Wi-Fi, restaurant); Tented accommodation on Mount Kilimanjaro (modern, comfortable 4-Season tents North Face VE-25 or Almighty Kilimanjaro Tents).
Breakfast in the hotel before and after the hike
All meals on the hike. Our Kilimanjaro diet includes energy-rich and highly nutritious meals prepared by our professional high-altitude cooks. A typical diet on Kilimanjaro includes different soups, garnishes, several types of fish and meat, fresh fruit and vegetables; vegetarian/gluten-free/halal options are available at no extra cost; All drinks on the hike (coffee, tea, hot chocolate and water).
4-inch (10-cm) thick and comfortable sleeping mats
All group equipment (spacious and comfortable dining tent, camping table and chairs, crockery and cutlery)
Oxygen cylinders and oximeters
GPS-tracking service
Complete medical kits
Professional guides, licensed by Kilimanjaro National Park. All our guides are the holder of Wilderness First Responder or Wilderness First Aid certifications. All our guides have 10+years of successful mountaineering experience.
Dedicated support crew (assistant guides, camp master, porters, cooks, etc.)
Airline tickets
Visa fee
Personal gear rentals
Tips for the mountain crew
Mountaineering insurance
The best time to climb Mount Kilimanjaro is during the two trekking seasons: January to March and June to October. These periods offer favorable conditions for a safe and enjoyable climb.
The percentage of oxygen in the atmosphere at sea level is about 21%. Before planning your Mount Kilimanjaro Trip, it is crucial to explore the cost of climbing Kilimanjaro.
For high-altitude treks like Kilimanjaro, proper nutrition is crucial for maintaining energy levels and ensuring a successful climb. You will need nutritious foods to gain proper energy.
