Northern Route VIP+

Day 2: Arusha National Park On day 2, prepare yourself to be amazed by the beauty of Arusha National Park, which is just a short drive away. This park is a symphony of diverse landscapes, featuring stunning natural gems such as the Momela lakes, Ngurdoto Crater, and the majestic Mount Meru. Your guide will take you on a scenic hike through the park’s lush forests, which are home to a fascinating array of wildlife including bushbucks, duikers, and the elusive colobus monkey, waterbuck, reedbuck, and giraffe. Along the way, you will have the opportunity to observe and learn about the park’s 400 species of birds and other wildlife. As you explore this natural wonderland, your guide will provide you with insights into the park’s history, geology, and ecology, enhancing your understanding and appreciation of the area’s unique biodiversity. A picnic lunch in a picturesque setting is included, providing a perfect opportunity to rest, refuel, and take in the breathtaking scenery. After a day of adventure in the park, return to the Gran Melia Hotel for a general briefing from your guide regarding your Kili climb. You’ll then pack your bags in preparation for the next day, have dinner, and get a good night’s sleep to prepare for Day 1 of your Kilimanjaro climb. Please note that you are free to leave behind anything that you don’t need to take with you to the mountain. However, do not leave anything in the rooms as you will be checking out today. Instead, hand them to the reception for storage, where you can collect them on your way back. Your DKE guide will be there to assist you with this.

DAY 3 Shira 1 camp:

Today at 08:00 AM you will be leaving the hotel with lunch boxes and driving to Londrosi Gate where our northern Kilimanjaro summit route package starts at 7000 feet in the West. The drive to Londorossi Gate takes approximately three hours from Arusha. Registration with Kilimanjaro National Park authorities at the gate and then you will proceed with driving further up the mountain to what is known as the Morum Barea starting point. You will be served lunch before the short first day trek to Shira 1 Camp begins. Today will be a very short and easy hike, the estimated time of arriving at the Shira 1 camp is about two and half hours. You will have dinner and spend the night at Shira 1 Camp, which is located at an elevation of 3610 meters or 11600 feet.

Day 4 Moir camp:

Wake up at 5:30 am and enjoy a steaming hot beverage of your choice while you plan how to pack your luggage before breakfast, so you are ready to go right after eating breakfast. Today, you will be walking to Moir Camp, which will take approximately 5-6 hours and you’ll reach the camp in time for lunch. The trek crosses the Shira Plateau and will continue with the trek heading east, passing through the ‘Garden of the Shrubs and Tussock Grass” listening to sounds of birds before entering the high Alpine Desert Zone and Moir Camp for your hot lunch then dinner and overnight at 1400 altitude feet.

Day 5 Pofu camp:

Wake up at 5:30 am and enjoy a steaming hot beverage of your choice while you plan how to pack your luggage before breakfast, ensuring you are ready to go right after eating. Day 5 involves a moderately steep climb out of Moir Valley. Trekkers can take a small diversion here to climb the summit of Little Lent Hill, 14550 altitude feet. before returning to the Northern Circuit trail. From here the route tracks a series of inclines and declines, dodging around the northern slopes of Kibo to Pofu Camp, 13400 altitude feet. The trek gives great vistas out across the plains that lie north of Kilimanjaro and stretch out to the Kenyan / Tanzanian border. You will arrive at Pofu Camp just a bit after midday, where you will have hot lunch and have time to rest after a long day of hiking.

Day 6 Third Cave:

Wake up at 5:30 am and enjoy a steaming hot beverage of your choice while you plan how to pack your luggage before breakfast, so you are ready to go right after eating breakfast. Day 6 starts with a climb up the Buffalo Ridge. The route then continues east around the northern slopes to the Rongai Third Cave at 12600 feet. The trek is shorter than the day before and by now you should be feeling well acclimatized to the altitude. You will arrive at the Third Cave around mid-afternoon, where you will have a pleasant, hot lunch.

Spend this afternoon resting and enjoying the view of Mawenzi Peak from the camp.

Day 7 School hut:

Wake up at 5:30 am and enjoy a steaming hot beverage of your choice while you plan how to pack your luggage before breakfast, so you are ready to go right after eating your Breakfast. Today includes a steady gradient up and over the Saddle which is located between the peaks of Kibo and Mawenzi Peak. Trekkers then continue walking south-west up to School. You will be walking for 3-4 hours to School Hut 16000 feet. After arriving at School Hut for hot lunch. In the afternoon, your guides will help you to plan and prepare for the summit. You will start the climb from School Hut at midnight, stretching through the slopes of Kibo under the cover of darkness. Your first check-point is Hans Meyer Cave where you will take a short break. The climb steepens as you approach Gilman’s Point (18875 feet), which will be around 5-6 hours after departing School Hut. Take a moment to enjoy the approaching dawn and incredible view out and across to Mawenzi Peak, but remember you still have 2 hours trekking and it will take you which will make the total of 6 to 7 hours total to reach the summit (Uhuru Peak), so you should wake up one and a half hours early before the starting time.

Day 8: Summit / Mweka Camp.

The slope flattens as you head west around the crater rim and you should arrive at the summit at or just after sunrise. Your stay here will be brief so get as many pictures as you can of the incredible views and surrounding glaciers. You will then retrace your steps back around the crater rim to Stella Point where you will turn south and head down the heavily screed slopes of Kibo to Barafu Camp. Most trekkers take a short break here before continuing down to Millennium Camp for lunch then proceed to Mweka Camp for dinner and your final night on the mountain. In total you will be trekking for 14-16 hours on this particular day.

Day 9: Gran Melia Arusha.

Today, you will wake up knowing that you are returning to civilization and a nice hot shower. After a farewell breakfast, you will have a few minutes to meet with the entire team and say goodbye before starting your descent to Mweka Gate, which will take approximately 4 hours. Your driver will be waiting for you at the gate to pick you up and drive you back to the Gran Melia Hotel in Arusha.