The Crater Campsite route on Mount Kilimanjaro is one of the less traveled and more challenging routes. It involves camping near the summit crater, providing a unique and stunning experience.
Day 0
Arrival
Arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), where you will meet a dreamscape Travel representative, and transfer you to Moshi town where you will spend the first night at the hotel.
Transport: Private transfer (0.8 hour, 41 km)
Accommodation: Hotel
Day 1
Londorossi Gate (2,250m/7,380ft) to Mti Mkubwa Camp (2,750m/9,022ft)
Activity: Your Kilimanjaro adventure starts with a drive to Londorossi Gate for park formalities. The first day's hike takes you through lush rainforests.
Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
Distance: Approximately 6km
Elevation Gain: 500m (1,640ft)
Habitat: Rainforest
Accommodation: Camping
Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Day 2
Mti Mkubwa Camp (2,750m/9,022ft) to Shira 1 Camp (3,505m/11,500ft)
Activity: Today's hike involves ascending through the rainforest and into the heath zone. You'll get your first glimpses of Kilimanjaro and enjoy the stunning views of the Shira Plateau.
Hiking Time: 5-6 hours
Distance: Approximately 8km
Elevation Gain: 755m (2,478ft)
Habitat: Rainforest, Moorland
Accommodation: Camping
Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Day 3
Shira 1 Camp (3,505m/11,500ft) to Shira 2 Camp (3,840m/12,598ft)
Activity: You'll continue your ascent across the Shira Plateau, which offers wide-open vistas of the surrounding landscape and the Western Breach of Kilimanjaro.
Hiking Time: 4-6 hours
Distance: Approximately 10km
Elevation Gain: 335m (1,098ft)
Habitat: Moorland
Accommodation: Camping
Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Day 4
Shira 2 Camp (3,840m/12,598ft) to Lava Tower (4,630m/15,190ft) to Arrow Glacier Camp (4,800m/15,748ft)
Activity: This day includes a steep ascent to Lava Tower, a volcanic formation. Afterward, you'll head to Arrow Glacier Camp, which is near the summit crater.
Hiking Time: 4-6 hours
Distance: Approximately 6km
Elevation Gain: 965m (3,166ft) to Lava Tower, then additional ascent to Arrow Glacier Camp
Habitat: Alpine Desert
Accommodation: Camping
Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Day 5
Arrow Glacier Camp (4,800m/15,748ft) to Crater Camp (5,730m/18,800ft)
Activity: You'll continue your ascent towards the summit crater, reaching Crater Camp. This is a unique campsite located inside the Kilimanjaro summit crater.
Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
Distance: Approximately 3km
Elevation Gain: 930m (3,051ft)
Habitat: Alpine Desert, Summit Crater
Accommodation: Camping
Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Day 6
Crater Camp (5,730m/18,800ft) to Uhuru Peak (5,895m/19,341ft) and back to Crater Camp
Activity: Summit Day! You'll make a short ascent to Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa, before returning to Crater Camp.
Hiking Time: 4-6 hours to the summit, then 2-3 hours descent to Crater Camp
Distance: Approximately 2km to the summit
Elevation Gain: 165m (541ft) ascent to the summit
Habitat: Arctic (summit), Summit Crater
Accommodation: Camping
Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Day 7
Crater Camp (5,730m/18,800ft) to Mweka Camp (3,100m/10,171ft)
Activity: Descend from the summit crater to Mweka Camp, passing through various habitats, including the alpine desert and moorland.
Hiking Time: 4-6 hours
Distance: Approximately 10km
Elevation Loss: 2,630m (8,631ft)
Habitat: Alpine Desert, Moorland, Rainforest
Accommodation: Camping
Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Day 8
Mweka Camp (3,100m/10,171ft) to Mweka Gate (1,640m/5,380ft)
Activity: Your final descent takes you through the rainforest zone back to Mweka Gate, where you'll receive your summit certificates from the Park Headquarters. Transfer to your hotel.
Transport: Private transfer (0.5 hour, 17 km)
Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
Distance: Approximately 10km
Elevation Loss: 1,460m (4,790ft)
Habitat: Rainforest
Accommodation: Hotel
Departure
After a much-needed nights rest, we will bid you goodbye. If you have arranged airport transfers with us or a safari / Zanzibar trip, we will collect you in the morning for your onward journey.
Transport: Private transfer (0.8 hour, 41 km)
Meals included: Breakfast
Price includes
- Transportation from & to Kilimanjaro international airport
- Transportation to & from the mountain gate
- Camping and kitchen facilities
- Wages of professional mountain guides, cooks and porters
- Park fees, camping fees, rescue fees, crew fees and all government tax
- Warm water for washing every day
- English speaking mountain guide and assistant.
- All meals while on the mountain
- First Aid Kit includes Oxygen Kit
- 2 nights at the hotel (accommodations); one before and after the trek
Price excludes
- Tips
- Tanzania Visa on arrival
- Any private expenses
- Personal gear rentals
- Personal expenses (e.g., laundry, telephone, beverages, etc.)
- Optional tours (short safari after your climb etc.)
- Local and international flights
- A doctor for the group