Trip Overview
Summit Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania in September 2018 with AdventureWomen to feel the triumph and joy of standing at the summit of Uhuru Peak on Mt. Kilimanjaro – the Roof of Africa. Experience the challenge and extraordinary reward of this nine-day trekking trip up Mount Kilimanjaro on the Lemosho Route in Kilimanjaro National Park.
We’ve chosen this longer hiking route to give you ample time to acclimatize to the altitude and a 98% chance of conquering the summit. Mt. Kilimanjaro is the tallest freestanding mountain in the world, soaring to a mighty 19,340 feet. A young (in geology years) dormant volcano, “Kili” was created almost one million years ago when lava erupted from the Great Rift Valley, leaving three distinct peaks, which are called Mt. Kilimanjaro: Kibo (the highest peak), Shira, and Mawenzi.
Begin with an acclimatization day of hiking among the foothills of Kili spotting wildlife living within the diverse terrain of acacia-covered savanna, open grasslands and forests. We encounter diverse animal life from giraffe on the plains to blue monkeys in the trees and explore the countryside, learning about Tanzania’s friendly and welcoming culture. The following day, we pass coffee farms and mountainside villages on our drive into the dense rainforest where we begin our initial trek to Forest Camp (9,281 ft).
Our trek takes us out of the forest the next morning, where the high trees will give way to scrubland thick with heather that is draped in bearded lichen. With spectacular views of the forest canopy and plains below, you will enjoy seeing the stunning snow-streaked Uhuru Peak above. Our trek takes us from the savanna of heather and grasses into the moorlands passing bizarre flora, such as giant groundsels, and a misty, cloud-covered terrain of volcanic rock. We move up the mountain steadily and gradually, heeding our guides’ advice to go “pole, pole,” or slowly, slowly as we ascend the mountain towards Lava Tower Camp (15,213 ft).
After an overnight at this higher altitude, we descend to a lower-altitude camp the following day to prepare the body for summit success. From the alpine desert, we drop down to 13,231 feet into the moorlands today to Karanga Camp where the terrain is dotted with strange plant life, such as groundsels, giant lobelias, and everlasting flowers. You will also trek up the towering Barranco Wall over a narrow switchback that will require some scrambling, but ultimately pays off with extraordinary views of glaciers above the clouds. With such surroundings, it’s easy to stay motivated and inspired.
We continue upward over expansive ridgelines in the high alpine desert where the air thins and cools. Enjoy the extraordinary views as you pass massive volcanic formations scattered throughout the fields of scree on our way to Barafu camp (15,331 ft). Only white-necked ravens and a handful of other birds venture this high, where vegetation is scarce. As dawn breaks, you’ll set out for the summit, Uhuru Peak. We arrive in the afternoon, when weather is generally better and most trekkers from more crowded routes have already descended. After enjoying the view from the Roof of Africa, we trek back to camp for the night to share our triumph together over a celebratory dinner before we begin our journey downhill via Mweka Camp and exiting the park via the Mweka Gate.
Treat yourself to a celebration on the summit of Kilimanjaro in September 2018 with AdventureWomen!
- Mt. Kilimanjaro Hiking Trip: Day-by-Day Itinerary
- Mt. Kilimanjaro Climbing Tour: What’s Included
- What To Pack for your Mount Kilimanjaro Vacation
- Traveling to Arusha, Tanzania
- Summiting Mount Kilimanjaro: Detailed Itinerary
Cap off your trip with an optional five-day African safari to explore Tanzania’s Ngorongoro Crater, Serengeti National Park and Olduvai Gorge with a stay at Gibb’s Farm, a beautiful, rejuvenating lodge with delicious farm-to-table food coming from the lodge’s acres of organic gardens. Or visit the white sand beaches on the island of Zanzibar or add on a few days of trekking to see the mountain gorillas of Rwanda.
Main Attractions
- Nine days on the mountain gives you ample time to acclimatize to altitude, giving you a 98% chance of reaching the summit
- Enjoy trekking on a less crowded route than most Kilimanjaro trekkers
- Trek through five remarkable climate zones, culminating in seeing the glaciers at Uhuru Peak
- Try for the summit during the daytime – no need to wake up at 1:00am!
- Optional five-day safari extension to visit Tanzania’s most iconic national parks
What You'll See and Do
- Anthropology
- Camping
- Photography
- Trekking
- Wildlife Viewing