Kilimanjaro: The Ultimate Trek to the Roof of Africa

Arrive in the Foothills of Kilimanjaro
Experience the challenge and achievement of a lifetime as you summit Mount Kilimanjaro with AdventureWomen on this ultimate, remote ten-day Northern Circuit trek. On this transformational journey, (re)discover your power, persevere with like-minded women, and walk among some of Africa’s greatest wonders.

AdventureWomen has upgraded this trek to be the ultimate way to reach the summit. This ten-day trek has a 98% summit success rate and gives you the maximum time to acclimatize to the altitude. Not only do you have the best Wilderness First Responder guides, but some of them will be women guides, who have been mentored by AdventureWomen to help advance their guiding career. You will have your own single tent, complete with a comfortable cot and foam mattress, and the dining tent is furnished with a heater, making mealtimes with your group cozy affairs. You are also accompanied by an AdventureWomen Ambassador, committed to helping make your experience a fun and personally rewarding adventure, and cheering you on as you reach beyond your comfort zone to take on new challenges in your own unique way!

You will be picked up at Kilimanjaro Airport and transferred to your comfortable lodge. Transfers are included for the Delta/KLM flight arrival this evening. Private transfers at other times are available for an additional fee.
Meals on your own

Overnight: Ndarakwai Ranch

Arusha

Have a trek briefing this morning, during which you will receive your rental gear (if applicable). Please try on and inspect each item to make sure that it’s comfortable and that you understand all the features. This will be your last chance before the trek to modify, exchange or add gear.

Today you will weigh your duffle bag to ensure that it does not exceed 33lbs, as it will be carried throughout the trek by a member of your porter team. If your duffle weighs more than 33lbs, or if you would like someone to carry your daypack, a personal porter may be hired for an additional fee.

Arusha National Park’s diverse landscapes and abundant wildlife often draw a comparison to its larger counterparts in northern Tanzania. In the park stands Tanzania’s second tallest mountain, Mount Meru (14,980 feet), an ancient extinct volcano that is sometimes referred to as Mount Kilimanjaro’s “little cousin.” You can also explore Ngurdoto Crater, nicknamed “Little Ngorongoro,” which is home to wildlife including buffalo, elephant, giraffe, and bushbuck.

Head into the foothills of Mount Meru with a park ranger and your guide, and follow a gentle uphill trail to the Tulutuluisia Waterfall. From this vantage point, you have beautiful views of the park’s diverse landscapes. Enjoy a boxed lunch along the way

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Overnight: Ndarakwai Ranch

Foothills of Kilimanjaro to Heath
Wake up to a chorus of birds this morning. After a thorough briefing and gear check, it’s off to the wide-open plains that lead to Kilimanjaro. Passing coffee farms and mountainside villages, you will drive through dense rainforest. Under the tangled canopy of moss-coated vines, search for black and white colobus monkey, blue monkey, and a vibrant array of exotic birds.

Weigh Your Duffel Bag: Today you will weigh your duffel bag to ensure that it does not exceed 33lbs, as it will be carried throughout the trek by a member of your porter team. If your duffel weighs more than 33lbs, or if you would like someone to carry your daypack, a personal porter may be hired for an additional fee.

Start your Trek: Meet your guides and porters at the park gate, where you’ll complete your registration formalities. Head to an expansive plateau that marks the start of your trek. Arrive at your camp after a fairly leisurely walk. (Trekking time 1-2 hours)
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Overnight: Shira Camp 1 (11,499’)

Heath to Alpine Desert
Trek across the Shira plateau, one of the highest plateaus on earth averaging 12,500 feet, toward Kibo’s glaciered peak. Immediately veer away from the tourist trails towards the northeast edge of the Plateau. The trek is over easy terrain, and Moir camp is isolated, seldom used, and affords views over the Shira Plateau. (Trekking time 4-5 hours)
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Overnight: Moir Camp (13,700’)

Heath to Moorland

Move up the mountain steadily and gradually, heeding your guides’ advice to go “pole, pole,” or slowly, slowly, and eventually arrive at your camp in the moorlands.

Laugh along the trail with your fellow trekkers – even things like bathroom stops along the way will become funny! (Trekking time 3-4 hours)

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Overnight: Pofu Camp (13’200’)

Moorland to Heath
Continue your trek onward through valleys and over ridges through the alpine desert and moorland, continuing the circuit to the east, enjoying a vast mountain wilderness to yourselves. (Trekking time 5-7 hours)
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Overnight: Rongai Caves Camp 2 (11,450’)

Heath to Moorland
This short trekking day is taken to reach Karanga Valley Camp, between Barranco and Barafu Camps. Today is important for acclimatization. The day begins with a scramble up the steep Barranco Wall, then traversing up and down the slopes of valleys which have carved their way into the mountain’s southern face. Kibo’s glaciers loom above to your left and the jagged peaks of Mawenzi jut into the African sky at just under 17,000 feet straight ahead. Reach the Karanga Valley for a hot lunch served at camp. The afternoon can be taken to relax with your new friends, or take excursions from camp. (Trekking time 4-5 hours)
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Overnight: Kikelewa Caves Camp (11,850’)

Moorland to Alpine Desert
Trekking onward through the barren alpine desert, you will reach the placid shores of a high-elevation lake. Your camp is nestled in an alcove beside the steep walls of Kilimanjaro’s second tallest volcanic cone, Mawenzi peak. (Trekking time 4-6 hours)
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Overnight: Mawenzi Tarn Camp (14,210’)

Alpine Desert to Heath

A steaming hot drink will arrive very early on this momentous day – your summit day! After a midnight wake-up call, begin trekking with your headlamp at 1:00am. The temperatures range from just below freezing at midnight, to between -10 degrees and 10 degrees just before dawn at the summit. The winding path of endless switchbacks will take form and shape in the shadows of the Ratzel and Rebman glaciers at early dawn, and behind you, the spires of Mawenzi will be silhouetted against the red glow of the sun from beneath the clouds.

After about six hours of walking, you will come to the edge of the crater; Stella Point, at 19,000 feet on the crater rim is the end of the steep climb. From here, there is a gentle slope to Uhuru Peak, which takes about an hour. The strength it takes to ascend this final 340 feet is for many monumental. You will all encourage each other to take those final few steps to reach your goal – the Roof of Africa at 19,341 feet! (Total trekking time to the summit is 6-8 hours)

After taking photos at the summit, descend the steep scree trail back to Barafu Camp for some rest, then summon your strength again for further descent to Mweka Camp for the night. (Total trekking time to Mweka Millennium Camp is 4-7 hours)

Total Trekking Time For the Day is 12-17 hours

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Overnight: Outward Bound Camp (15,450’)

Alpine Desert to Arctic Zone
At 19,341’, flat-topped Uhuru Peak is truly the Roof of Africa. The trek is tough but you’re hiking with women who share your grit and drive, lifting each other up to ensure everyone reaches the top as one.

With exuberant cheers and shouts, share your triumphant summit of Uhuru’s rocky crown with the victorious women who’ve hiked alongside you, challenging you to press on. Savor this moment of glory and gratitude. (Trekking time 7-10 hours)

After your celebrations at 19,341’, descend into Crater Camp from the summit and cap your achievement with a hot meal and views of towering glaciers from your tent. (Trekking time 1-2 hours)
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Overnight: Crater Camp (18,802’)

Arctic Zone to Heath
Wake to the glow of a brilliant sunrise reflecting off the glaciers that surround your camp. Savor the unique privilege of being inside Kilimanjaro’s ancient crater.

After breakfast, you’ll begin your descent, winding down over loose scree and continuing to your camp nestled in thick heather. (Trekking time 4-7 hours)

Celebrate your achievement with your fellow trekkers and mountain crew and partake in a tipping ceremony to thank your guides and porters, acknowledging their hard work and contribution to your success.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Overnight: Mweka Millennium Camp (12,500’)

Finish Your Trek
Complete your descent through the rainforest to the park gate. (Trekking time 3-6 hours)

Celebrate the completion of your mountain adventure with a farewell lunch at the park gate. This is a great opportunity to thank your crew and say your goodbyes to those who made your trek a success!

Enjoy a day room in Arusha, resting up and readying yourself for your departure. Have a nutritious snack, including a variety of nuts, fruit, vegetables and other treats to enjoy now or on your flight home.

Say goodbye to your new AdventureWomen friends as you transfer to the airport for your flights home. Transfers are included for the Delta/KLM flight departure this evening. Private transfers at other times are available for an additional fee.
Breakfast, Lunch, Snack

Day Room: Rivertrees Country Inn

IF YOU ARE CONTINUING ON THE EXTENSION

Complete your descent through the rainforest to the park gate. (Trekking time 3-6 hours)

Celebrate the completion of your mountain adventure with a farewell lunch at the park gate. This is a great opportunity to thank your crew and say your goodbyes to those who made your trek a success!

You will be transferred to your comfortable lodge for some rest and relaxation.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Overnight: Mount Meru Hotel

Arusha to Ngorongoro
Your head guide will brief you on your itinerary and review the expectations for your safari, giving you a taste of what’s to come.

Savor lunch at Gibb’s Farm, where nearly every ingredient comes fresh from the estate’s organic farm. With delicacies to suit every palate, this is sure to be a memorable meal. After lunch, take a leisurely stroll through the gardens to stretch your legs. You might also want to check out the gift shop or visit the arts in residence if there is time!

Take some time to rest at your Nyumba, enjoying the views as you write in your journal or simply put your feet up and relax.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Overnight: Ngorongoro Nyumba

Ngorongoro Conservation Area
Visit the Ngorongoro Crater, where you are likely to find an abundance of wildlife. With luck, you might even see rhinoceros and big cats, such as lion and cheetah. The diversity of species often inspires awe, from baboons and elephants in the Lerai Forest to wildebeest and mountain reedbuck over the crater’s grassy floor.

To maximize your wildlife viewing time on the crater floor, enjoy your picnic lunch near a hippo pool.

Head back to your Nyumba where you can sit by the fire and soak in your pristine surroundings.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Overnight: Ngorongoro Nyumba

Ngorongoro to Serengeti National Park
Depart the cool, grassy Ngorongoro Conservation Area and arrive on the great Serengeti plains by this afternoon for a different, but just as spectacular wildlife viewing experience. Make a short stop at Olduvai Gorge, a deep ravine and site of fossilized remains of animals and hominids that date as far back as two million years. A brief lecture and small museum tour are included.

Spend an afternoon wildlife viewing in the Serengeti. The big cats often spend these hours lying drowsily about the plains and up in the trees while many antelope and other animals continue to graze.

Enjoy your Nyumba, Swahili for “home”, this evening.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Overnight: Central Serengeti Nyumba

Serengeti National Park
Those with advance reservations will have the opportunity to balloon across the plains during one of your mornings in the Serengeti. A pre-dawn wake-up call leaves you time to drive to the balloon launch site in order to catch the most dramatic light. Then take to the skies just as the sun rises. Glide over the plains and acacia treetops, taking in spectacular views of the Seronera River Valley and the surrounding plains. After your descent, enjoy a magnificent champagne breakfast right amid the Serengeti wilderness. (Additional fee required)

Explore the pristine landscapes of the Serengeti with your guide’s uncanny wildlife spotting instincts leading the way. Expansive plains, rolling hills, dramatic granite outcrops and riverine valleys are home to an endless variety of fascinating creatures, from the lowly dung beetle to the impressive elephant.

Once you return from wildlife viewing, take time to sit by the fire and relax. Exchange stories of the day, write in your journals or simply enjoy the fresh evening breeze.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Overnight: Central Serengeti Nyumba

Depart Tanzania
Enjoy the views on your flight from the Serengeti to Arusha.

Stop at the Cultural Heritage Center, a shopping mainstay in Arusha, which attracts many travelers each year with its abundance of wooden carvings, artifacts, apparel, and crafts. The center also has Tanzanite and other gemstones for sale.

Have a special farewell lunch in Arusha as you prepare for your departure. Visit the adjoining Shanga workshop where physically challenged artisans create remarkable jewelry, learn glassblowing, and sell their work. This extraordinary project was created in order to mentor and empower those who are often marginalized in Tanzanian society. You will be surprised and inspired by the quality and beauty of their creations.

Enjoy a day room in Arusha, resting up and readying yourself for departure. Have a nutritious snack, including a variety of nuts, fruit, vegetables and other treats to enjoy now or on your flight home.

Say goodbye to your new AdventureWomen friends as you transfer to the airport for your flights home. Transfers are included for the Delta/KLM flight departure this evening. Private transfers at other times are available for an additional fee.
Breakfast, Lunch, Snack

Day Room: Mount Meru Hotel