8 DAY - Sleeping on the "Roof of Africa
CRATER
CAMP
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Are you looking for a really unique adventure? Try sleeping on „the Roof of Africa“ in Crater Camp on Mount Kilimanjaro, at 5.730 (18,484ft) metres. It is an incredible wilderness environment and a unique place.
Are you looking for a really unique adventure? Try sleeping on „the Roof of Africa“ in Crater Camp on Mount Kilimanjaro, at 5.730 (18,484ft) metres. It is an incredible wilderness environment and a unique place. If you have experience at altitude and love something challenging then sleeping overnight in Kilimanjaro’s Crater is a fantastic option. You do not need to join the mad midnight rush up to the summit but can instead walk up normally during the day with the trail almost exclusively to yourself. At the summit there are no crowds, so you have time to stop and take in the view and atmosphere. Staying overnight in Crater Camp also gives you time to visit Kilimanjaro’s remaining glaciers and take a tour of the ash pit at the heart of Kilimanjaro’s volcano. And the next morning you only have a short walk to the rim of the Crater so you can make sure to be there to see the sunrise.
The Crater Camp is a serious challenge to acclimatisation and should only be undertaken by those who have acclimatised well. Most climbers on Kilimanjaro suffer from some signs of altitude sickness but they go down quickly before the problems become serious. If you sleep overnight in Crater Camp you do not have this safety margin.
You need to arrive in Tanzania at least one day before we start trekking. Upon arrival, you will be met by one of our KCC team and transferred to your hotel in Arusha, where you can freshen up. After a welcome briefing you will have a chance to meet your fellow adventurers and let your New Year Kilimanjaro Adventure begin!
Day 1
Following a final cross-check of equipment and supplies, our staff will drive you to the Machame Gate. Anything you do not want to take with you on the mountain can be left at a lock up in the hotel. The drive from Arusha to the Machame Gate takes about 50 minutes. The journey passes through the village of Machame which is located on the lower slopes of the mountain. As we leave the park gate, we walk through the dense rain forest on a winding trail up a ridge until we reach the Machame Camp.
Day 2
You will be woken up after your first night on the mountain with a nice cup of coffee, tea or hot chocolate at 6:30am in your tent. After breakfast we leave the rainforest and continue our ascent crossing a small valley into open moorlands where the vegetation is sparse with small shrubs and up to a steep rocky ridge. After a short break, our route turns onto a river gorge and up to Shira Plateau where you will catch your first glimpse of the Western Breach and its stunning glaciers. Continuing on to Shira Camp, where the cook will welcome you with boiled drinking water and hot washing water. After a hot lunch, there is plenty of time to explore the Shira Caves or just relax and rest until being served your hot dinner. Due to the camp being very exposed it can get very cold and sometimes windy.
Day 3
We pack up and leave Shira camp for a 4-5 hour trek to the well-known landmark of Lava Tower (4.600m) for acclimatization. Once reaching Lava Tower we will have a short break for lunch for some bonus acclimatization before starting a 2 hour descent by 650m to Barranco Camp, following the golden rule of acclimatization ‘climb high and sleep low’. This will be our toughest day so far but the climb offers multiple terrific opportunities for photos. As we descend through the valley, the amazing sight of the Giant Groundsels is bound to stop you in your tracks. Barranco Camp gives you a beautiful view of the Western Breach and Breach Wall and be prepared with your camera while you are waiting for dinner for what could be one of the most spectacular sunsets you have ever seen as the sun drops down into the valley.
Day 4
We begin the day by descending into a ravine to the base of the Great Barranco Wall. Then we climb the non-technical but steep, nearly 900 ft cliff. From the top of the Barranco Wall we cross a series of hills and valleys until we descend sharply into Karanga Valley. One more steep climb up leads us to Karanga Camp. This is a shorter day meant for acclimatization.
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Day 5
We leave Karanga and hit the junction which connects with the Mweka Trail. We continue up to the rocky section to Barafu Hut. At this point, you have completed the Southern Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many different angles. After a short break, we will push on to our special camp – Kosovo. This is our secret weapon for acclimatisation – leaving the crowds of Barafu we will ascend 4800m Here we make camp, rest and enjoy an early dinner to prepare for the summit day. The two peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo are viewable from this position.
Day 6 – SUMMIT DAY – Part 1
Very early in the morning (around midnight), we begin our push to the summit. This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek. The wind and cold at this elevation and time of day can be extreme. We ascend in the darkness for several hours while taking frequent, but short, breaks. Near Stella Point (18,900 ft), you will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see coming over Mawenzi Peak. Finally, we arrive at Uhuru Peak- the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa.
Day 6 – SUMMIT DAY – Part 2
From the summit, we now make our descent continuing straight down to the Mweka Hut camp site, stopping at Barafu for lunch. The trail is very rocky and can be quite hard on the knees; trekking poles are helpful. Mweka Camp is situated in the upper forest and mist or rain can be expected in the late afternoon. Later in the evening, we enjoy our last dinner on the mountain and a well-earned sleep.
Day 7
On our last day, we continue the descent to Mweka Gate and collect the summit certificates. At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy. From the gate, we continue another hour to Mweka Village. A vehicle will meet us at Mweka Village to drive us back to the hotel in Arusha.
If your time in Africa ends today our transfer team will drive you back to Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) for your departure. If you have booked with KCC for a safari or a few days to dissolve into the pristine sandy beaches and tropical waters of Zanzibar, we will be there to help you comfortably transition from your climb into your next Tanzanian adventure.
WHAT IS INCLUDED IN THE PRICE?
OUR TREK ITEMS & SERVICES INCLUDE
Accommodation & Logistics
Airport transfers
Two nights bed and breakfast hotel accommodation
Return transfers to and from the kilimanjaro gate
Excess gear storage at hotel
KCC Operations Manager on standby for you during your stay
On the Mountain
Expedition briefing & equipment check
Kilimanjaro park & camping fees
Mountain rescue permit
Staff wages
Bilingual guides
Expedition porters & cooks
3 hot meals per day & snacks at camp
Uhuru Peak or Stella Point certificate of achievement
Safety & Equipment
Helicopter evacuation
Expedition First Aid Kit
Medical oxygen and means of evacuation off the mountain
High quality 3 man Berghaus expedition sleeping tents
Mess tent with table & chairs
Boiled water for drinking & washing
Private toilet
Items & services NOT included
International flights to and from Kilimanjaro
Entry visa ($50 Europe / $100 USA) - which can be obtained upon arrival
Personal travel INSURANCE (specific to high altitude trekking and travel in rural Africa)
Gratuities
Vaccinations for travel to region
COMBINE YOUR KILIMANJARO TREK WITH A SAFARI
SUMMIT TO SAFARI & BEACH
Why not extend your adventure with an unforgettable safari