Kilimanjaro

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We offer two routes to the summit of Kilimanjaro; the best mountaineering route and the quietest of the trekking routes.

We have planned and led over 300 trips to Kilimanjaro. Overall, nearly everyone that joins our trips reaches the summit. The reason for this is simple: acclimatisation on nearby Mount Meru (4,556m) before climbing Kilimanjaro. Climbing Mount Meru first means you have a better chance of getting to the top of Kilimanjaro without suffering from altitude sickness. Add expert leadership and you have the formula for success.

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Introduction

We offer two routes to the summit of Kilimanjaro; the best mountaineering route and the quietest of the trekking routes.

We have planned and led over 300 trips to Kilimanjaro. Overall, nearly everyone that joins our trips reaches the summit. The reason for this is simple: acclimatisation on nearby Mount Meru (4,556m) before climbing Kilimanjaro. Climbing Mount Meru first means you have a better chance of getting to the top of Kilimanjaro without suffering from altitude sickness. Add expert leadership and you have the formula for success.

Why the Umbwe route?

When we first organised expeditions to Kilimanjaro, we avoided all of the popular trekking routes and took the steepest line of ascent, via the Umbwe route and Western Breach. As the Umbwe route takes you higher more quickly, we used nearby Mount Meru (see photo above) to get acclimatised first. At 4,556m it serves this purpose well. There is the added bonus that there is a lot more wildlife to see on its lower slopes than anywhere on Kilimanjaro. Having climbed Mount Meru it takes just two days to reach Baranco camp on Kilimanjaro via the Umbwe Route. From Baranco those on our 'Kilimanjaro - Western Breach' itinerary head up to Arrow Hut beneath the Breach Wall, from where they make your summit push. The Western Breach is a huge gash in the side of the volcano and it is rarely climbed. The route involves scrambling over rock in the dark and is often icy, so it's classed as a mountaineering route suitable for those with scrambling experience. It's the most exciting way to the summit of Kilimanjaro, which is why we continue to climb it each year. Those on our 'Kilimanjaro - Umbwe Route' trek traverse from Baranco Camp to Karanga camp and ascend from here to Barafu Camp. Barafu Camp is your highest camp on the mountain and the lauch pad for the summit.

Optional Safari Extension

We recommend the following four-day extension to either our Umbwe or Western Breach trips. You will take in the major parks of the area, Ngorongoro and Tarangire, to see more of Tanzania’s wildlife. You can book this online at the same time as your trek. The hotels cannot be guaranteed but if full we will endeavour to book hotels of the same standard.

Day 12:	Drive to Lake Manyara with picnic lunch for a game drive. Drive to Ngorongoro Wildlife Lodge. Dinner and overnight at lodge.
Day 13:	Tour of the Ngorongoro crater before picnic lunch. Travel to Tarangire for evening game drive. Dinner and overnight in the Tarangire Safari Lodge.
Day 14:	Breakfast followed by early morning game drive. Return for lunch at the lodge. Drive back to Arusha and the Meserani Snake Park. Dinner and overnight at hotel.
Day 15 - 16:	Rest day at the hotel followed by return journey home.