Kilimanjaro Crater Router

Arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), where you will meet a Base2Summit representative, and transfer to the hotel is included in the package. In the evening there will be a briefing with our experienced team, who will also make sure you are ready to begin the trek on the next day.The hotel will provide all the essentials for your comfort. Comfortable rooms to share(Unless otherwise arranged), a swimming pool, hot water, polite staff, , and Internet access. Note: Check-in starts at 2:00 PM.

A lead guide and a mountain support team will arrive at the hotel in the morning in order to meet you and hold another briefing, after which you will travel by vehicle for about 4 hours to the Kilimanjaro National Park's western entrance; Londorossi Gate (2,200 m). There will be a few formalities in oder to acquire climbing permits and registering with the search and rescue service. Everyone will then start trekking to the first camp on your route – Mti Mkubwa Camp (2,780 m). The route will go through the rain forest and depending on the season, you may need to carry rain gear. By the time you reach the camp, our mountain crew will prepare everything necessary, put tents and cook lunch for you. After having lunch you will complete an acclimatization hike up to 300 m towards Shira 1 Camp and go back to Mti Mkubwa, for a hot meal and rest. Altitude: 1,800m to 2,200m to 3,095 then back to 2,780m Hiking time: 4-5 hours Distance: 8Km Difficulty: Low Habitat: Rain Forest/Meadows

Early start with breakfast, and a gradual trek upwards until 3,500 meters; at that point for the first time you will be able to see stunning views of Shira Plateau and Kibo Volcano. On the whole, the passage from Mti Mkubwa Camp to the second high-altitude Shira 1 Camp (3,505 m) is rather easy. This will allow you to start the acclimatization process gradually, which is a mainstay of good trekking. When you reach the camp, your team of experts will cook lunch and you will have the chance to rest in your tent or walk around the nearby area. Altitude: 2,780m to 3,505m Hiking time: 5-6 hours Distance: 5Km Difficulty: Low Habitat: Moorland

Departing from Shira 1 Camp (3,505 m) and a light trekking towards the second high altitude camp: Shira 2 Camp (3,900 m). This trek is not difficult and you will be able to enjoy spectacular views of Africa and the unique flora of Kilimanjaro and the surrounding area. Shira 2 Camp is the best place on the trip to see Mount Meru (the fifth summit of Africa), weather permitting. When you arrive to camp you will have lunch, and after a two-hour rest everyone will complete an acclimatization hike towards Lava Tower Camp that features a 300-meter gain in altitude. Altitude: 3,810m to 4,110m Hiking time: 1 - 2 hours Distance: 2Km Difficulty: Low Habitat: Moorland

After breakfast you leave Shira 2 Camp (3,810 m) and start trekking for the day towards the route's key feature: Lava Tower (4,630 m). This section of the route has a lot of highs and lows that end in a camp at over 4,600 meters. It will be hard, and you may encounter some discomfort, but in order to successfully acclimate to the altitude you have to spend at least 1-2 hours here, so this is where lunch will be offered. After lunch you will trek a little higher, after which there is a gradual descent to Moir Hut. This camp is located on the way to the northern part of Kilimanjaro. Note: If one or more participants feel sick, the group may refrain from passing the Lava Tower and adjust the route, following instead the road for porters. In this case you will not reach an altitude of 4,630 meters, getting up only to a maximum of 4,400 meters. Altitude: 3,810m to 4,630m Hiking time: 5 - 7 hours Distance: 14km Difficulty: Medium Habitat: Moorland

On this day you will have a rather long but at the same time easy trek. After a short steep climb out of Moir Valley you will start going around the northern slope of Kilimanjaro, and just like on the way to Lava Tower the path will be full of highs and lows, without any steep gains in altitude. This route passes close to the border with Kenya, so you will be treated to amazing views of the Tsavo and Amboseli Valleys. Altitude: 4,200m to 4,020m Hiking time: 5 - 7 hours Distance: 12km Difficulty: Medium Habitat: Moorland

The team will finish trekking up the northern slope of Kilimanjaro and stop for the night in 3rd Cave Camp, where the route will meet up with the traditional Rongai route. On this day the trekking will be shorter than on the day before, and by this time your body will already have become completely acclimated to an altitude of 4,000 meters, which will contribute to your general feelings of well-being. Altitude: 4,020m to 3,870m Hiking time: 4 - 6 hours Distance: 8km Difficulty: Medium Habitat: Moorland

After breakfast on this day, you will be trekking to the School Hut Summit Camp (4,750 m). The actual trekking is not very hard, so remember to just choose an appropriate pace in order to keep your strength up for the next day. When you reach the camp, we recommend you sleep well, avoid strenuous activity and drink as many fluids as you can, because tomorrow you will manage the trekking to the crater. Altitude: 3,870m to 4,750m Hiking time: 4 - 5 hours Distance: 5km Difficulty: Medium Habitat: Arctic

This day will be one of the toughest on your route. The cooks will make a warm breakfast for you to reinforce your energy. Reaching the crater rim requires much dedication. Reaching the crater, you will be astonished by the ancient glaciers and snow. If you want, you may further climb to the Ash Pit (it takes some 90 minutes), or leave this exploit for the next day. It is very cold at the campsite, and the possibility of snowing during the night is high. If you are in the crater, you are among the few who did it. Warm dinner and supper will energize you, but try reducing your physical activities to the utmost. Altitude: 4,750m to 5,700m Hiking time: 4 - 6 hours Distance: 5km Difficulty: Hard Habitat: Arctic

Starting early at 5:30 with breakfast and then hiking out into the dark. The chances that you will be striding in the snow are very big. Technically, this leg of your journey is not difficult, but high altitude is really a challenge. A guide will monitor your stamina and health closely. Within two hours you will reach the Uhuru Peak, where you will see one of the most amazing sunrises. Summit time depends on the weather conditions, but do not stay there for long – starting again may be very difficult because of coldness and fatigue. Then, you will start descending to Millenium Camp through Barafu. Altitude: 5,700m to 5,895m back to 3,820m Hiking time: Dependent on the group's pace Distance: 16km Difficulty: Hard Habitat: Arctic

The camp is situated in a tropical rainforest. When you wake up, you will feel relief from the reduction of the height and the satisfaction of reaching the summit. After a warm breakfast, you will head for the park's exit: Mweka Gate (1,640 m). After your descent the whole group will gather to congratulate you, followed by offering you a chance to share your opinions on the climb in the guestbook. Lastly, we will present you with your commemorative certificates in our office and provide you a transfer to the hotel. Altitude: 3,820m to 1,640m Hiking time: 4 - 5 Hours Distance: 12km Difficulty: Low Habitat: Rain forest

Rest in hotel and transfer to airport. Note: Hotel check-out is at 11:00 AM. In case you need a late check-out because of an evening flight, there is the option to extend your hotel stay for an extra fee.