Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport, you’ll be warmly welcomed and transferred to Keys Hotel in Moshi.
Nestled at the foothills of Mount Kilimanjaro in northern Tanzania, Moshi is a lively town known for its rich coffee-growing heritage and expansive plantations.
For comfortable, budget-friendly accommodation in Moshi, we recommend the sister properties Keys Uru and K’s Lodge (also known as Keys Mbokomo).
Both are privately owned mid-sized hotels, rated as basic 2-star options, offering airconditioned en-suite rooms with TVs. Guests can enjoy free WiFi and, on a clear day, views of Mount Kilimanjaro from both hotels.
Facilities include a full-service restaurant offering bar snacks, main meals and pizzas throughout the day. There is also a well-stocked bar, laundry services and a swimming pool. Depending on availability, you may be accommodated at either of the two properties.
After an early breakfast, a senior guide will conduct your climb briefing.
A three-hour drive from Moshi brings you to the Londorossi Park Gate located on the western side of Kilimanjaro. At the gate after registration drive to the trailhead at Lemosho Glades and start your trek through the rain forest. In places the vegetation is so untouched that it grows right across the narrow track. The flora and fauna are richer here than on the other more popular routes through the rain forest. In about 3 - 4 hours you will reach your camp in the rain forest at Mti Mkubwa (Big Tree).
After breakfast, cross the remaining rainforest towards the giant moorland zone. Today is a long day, with 10-12 hours of hiking and a serious altitude gain of 3,625 ft. Your guide will take it slow today. A great lunch stop is at the beautiful valley just outside the Shira Crater at around 10,000 ft. After lunch you cross into the Shira Caldera, a high altitude desert plateau which is rarely visited. Shira is the third of Kilimanjaro's volcanic cones, and is filled with lava flow from Kibo Peak. The crater rim has been decimated by weather and volcanic action. Today you’ll get your first close views of Kibo – the dramatic summit of Kilimanjaro.
After lunch, continue a short hike east across the Shira Plateau past the Shira Cathedral towards Shira Camp Two. The views of the plateau are nothing less than spectacular.
Conditions are difficult on this route, and your guide and the rest of the crew will do everything they can to make your climb pleasant and as comfortable as possible. Eat well - at higher levels your appetite will diminish.
From Shira Camp Two you will set off to Barranco skirting just below Lava Tower - you are now walking at an approximate altitude of 4,500m, while traversing around the southern side of the mountain. A few steep sections of uphill and valleys, some parts that look like a 'moon landscape' and quite a steep descent to Barranco – it’s a long and fairly tiring day, about 7 hours of hiking.
This is one of your most valuable days for acclimatisation - walking in height from 3,800m up to 4,500m, and then overnighting back down at 3,900 m. Once again, pace yourself to gain altitude slowly. The night temperature at Barranco, the most spectacular camp, could be cold (night frosts).
After breakfast, your first obstacle is to breach the Baranco Wall, a 600 foot rock. Once over the wall, the climb becomes easier and extremely beautiful with fantastic views of the crags and crevasses of the jagged peaks on your left. Then you descend to the Karanga Valley. Dinner and overnight at Karanga Valley Campsite.
After breakfast continue straight on to Barafu Camp. The air is starting to get quite thin, and you will be running short of breath as you climb out of the Karanga Valley. It is a slow tough hike up to Barafu Camp and you’ll be glad you stayed at Karanga for the night. Barafu means "ice" in Swahili, and it is extremely cold at this altitude. Go to bed early because we will wake you at around midnight for the final ascent to Uhuru Peak – the summit.
Dress warmly, because we start climbing around midnight, on the steepest and most demanding part of the mountain. The moon will provide enough light, and we'll reach Stella Point by sunrise (about 6 hours). At dawn, from the crater rim, rugged Mawenzi is a thrilling sight, with the Kibo saddle still in darkness beneath you, and the crater's ice-walls looming ahead. If you feel strong enough, you should continue to Uhuru Peak (1-2 hours). This is the highest point in Africa, and the world's highest solitary peak (19,341 ft).
This is the toughest day that most trekkers have ever experienced. You will have ascended approx. 4,000 ft and descended approx. 9,100 ft in a period of 12-15 hours. Although the descent is far less tiring, it's a good idea to have a little rest once in a while as you continue down to Mweka Hut (3-4 hours from the top).
Enjoy a slow hike through the rainforest to Mweka Gate. It is not a rare sight to spot Black and White Colobus Monkeys in the trees as well as Blue Monkeys. Take time to enjoy the lush vegetation with the Old Man’s Beard (tree moss) growing on the giant trees as well as some Giant Ferns towering high over the forest bed. The path has many steps leading you down to Mweka Gate where you may find a cold beer or soft-drink to start celebrating your successful summit of Kilimanjaro.
You will be transferred back to Keys Hotel in Moshi to overnight and celebrate (breakfast included). Liaise with your head guide regarding tips - which the guide will apportion out among the group. Please request our updated tipping guideline document.
As a valued Wild Frontiers guest, we’ve taken care of the details to make your experience as smooth and enjoyable as possible.
Your race number and shirt will be personally delivered to your hotel – simply collect them from reception at your convenience.
With no need to queue at race registration, the day is yours to unwind by the hotel pool or explore the vibrant town of Moshi, where you can browse local curios and enjoy lunch at one of the local restaurants.
Should you need anything or just want to say hello, feel free to visit our friendly Marathon team at the MoCU Stadium—we’re always happy to assist.
KILIMANJARO MARATHON - Race Day!
It’s race day – the moment you’ve been training for, and Mount Kilimanjaro creates a dramatic backdrop to what promises to be an unforgettable run. Transfers to/from the stadium are included.
Transfer to Kilimanjaro Airport for your return flight home.
