Scheduled Group Departures

For those who would like to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro and who are traveling solo or with just a few people, an economical (and fun!) way to do this is to join one of our scheduled departures. We offer two different route options:

Rongai Route – 6 days/5 nights on the mountain

Shira Route – 8 days/7 nights on the mountain

KILIMANJARO SCHEDULED GROUP TREK – RONGAI ROUTE
6 nights including hotels, Sunday to Saturday, 6 days / 5 nights on the mountain

Route Description:
Join us on a legendary trek of Africa’s highest and most famous mountain. The Rongai Route is Kilimanjaro’s only route beginning from the north side, and few others are seen along the way. This route affords the opportunity to witness up-close the Mawenzi volcano, the second highest peak of Kilimanjaro, and the magnificent saddle between Mawenzi and Kibo Peak. Due to the rugged terrain and the limited acclimatization time, fitness plays a huge role in the enjoyment and success of this trek. Each day you see many changes of vegetation and scenery, due to the rising terrain and decrease in precipitation. The accommodation is in mountain tents and dining is in our mess tents. Toilet tents with convenient and sanitary portable flush toilets are set up at all camps. The night before the trek starts is at a luxury lodge just outside Arusha.

2011 dates: Twice per month, Sunday to Sunday
21 – 27 August
4 – 10 September (full moon 12-Sep)
18 – 24 September
2 – 8 October
16 – 22 October (full moon 12-Oct)
11-17 December (full moon 10-Dec)

2012 dates: Twice per month, Sunday to Sunday
8 – 14 January (full moon 9-Jan)
22 – 28 January
5 – 11 February (full moon 7-Feb)
19 – 25 February
4 – 10 March (full moon 8-Mar)
18 – 24 March
1 – 7 July (full moon 3-Jul)
15 – 21 July
5 – 11 August (full moon 2-Aug)
19 – 25 August
2 – 8 September (full moon 31 Aug)
16 – 22 September
30 September – 6 October (full moon 30-Sep)
14 – 20 October (full moon 29-Oct)
23 – 29 December (full moon 28-Dec)

Total package length is 7 days 6 nights (Sunday pm to the following Saturday pm) including 5 nights camping on the mountain + 1 night Half Board (dinner & breakfast) at the Arusha Safari Lodge (one night before the trek)

Note: Minimum 3 climbers to guarantee the departure, but groups of 2 climbers are accepted with a supplemental cost

Email us for a detailed itinerary, availability & pricing

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KILIMANJARO SCHEDULED GROUP TREK – SHIRA ROUTE
8 nights including hotels, Sunday to Sunday, 8 days / 7 nights on the mountain

Route Description
Join us on a legendary trek of Africa’s highest and most famous mountain. The Shira route is one of the least used initial ascent route on Kilimanjaro, partly because of its remote location. The trailhead is at high elevation, and thus we start slow and easy on this route. We begin our trek in the heather zone, bypassing the wet forest behind, and immediately find ourselves on the first day of the trek on the Shira Plateau. We begin the hike at Morum Barrier Gate at nearly 12,000 ft. (3600 m). The first day is short, to begin the acclimatization process. The next three days are spent hiking across the plateau, which is said to be one of the most stunningly beautiful hikes in Africa. The trail merges on day four of the trek with the Machame Route, and from this point all three trails continue to Lava Tower, and then down into the Great Barranco Valley, and from here the trail circumvents counter-clockwise around the upper slopes of the Kibo massif, over the high-desert ridges to the Karanga Valley (for an overnight), then to an exposed campsite set on a high ridge; Barafu (meaning literally “ice” in Kiswahili). From Barafu Camp we make our overnight attempt at Africa’s highest peak…an experience that few ever forget. Fitness certainly plays a role in the enjoyment and success of this trek. We start slow, and gain altitude slowly for the first four days, then the physical and mental demands increase. The long trek from Barranco to Barafu on this 8-day trek is split into two days, helping tremendously with acclimitization and providing a short day before the mammoth overnight trek to the summit. The many changes of scenery and spectacular hike across the Shira Plateau make this trek truly special, but the amount of acclimatization time makes success rate on this route over 95%. There are no huts on this route; the accommodation is in mountain tents and dining is in our mess tents. Toilet tents with convenient and sanitary portable flush toilets are set up at each camp. The night before the trek starts is at a luxury lodge just outside Arusha.

2011 dates: Twice per month, 9 days (Friday to Saturday)
26 August – 3 September
9 – 17 September (full moon 12-Sep)
23 September – 1 October
7 – 15 October (full moon 12-Oct)
16 – 24 December

2012 dates: Twice per month, 9 days (Friday to Saturday)
30 December (2011) – 7 January
13 – 21 January (full moon 9-Jan)
27 January – 4 February (full moon 7-Feb)
10 – 18 February
24 February – 3 March
9 – 17 March (full moon 8-Mar)
22 – 30 June
6 – 14 July (full moon 3-Jul)
27 July – 4 August (full moon 2-Aug)
10 – 18 August
24 August – 1 September (full moon 31-Aug)
7 – 15 September
21 – 29 September (full moon 30-Sep)
5 – 13 October
14 – 22 December

Total package length is 9 days & 8 nights (Friday pm to Saturday pm) including 7 nights camping on the mountain + 1 night Half Board (dinner & breakfast) at the Arusha Safari Lodge (one night before the trek)