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7+2 Challenge the World's Top: Mount Kilimanjaro | The Equatorial Snow Mountain is About to Disappear

D1

Day 1 Kilimanjaro Airport → Arusha/Moshi Town ★Meeting day

All day

Guests arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport on an international flight. After completing immigration formalities, collect your luggage and exit the airport gate.

Note 1: We will arrange a free group airport pick-up. The pick-up time is based on Ethiopian Airlines flight ET815. The arrival time is 10:40 (subject to actual arrival time). Please be sure to arrive on time. If you arrive late, you will need to go to the meeting hotel on your own.

Our driver will greet you at the entrance with a sign. We'll then proceed to your hotel in Moshi or Arusha, a popular destination for mountaineering enthusiasts. This is the gateway to Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa's highest mountain.

Note 2: Check-in at the hotel is after 2 p.m. If you arrive early, you can check in at the hotel first.

After checking in, we settled into our rooms and rested. Later, our English-speaking mountain guide (whose English is best translated) arrived at the hotel to brief all climbers on the Kilimanjaro itinerary. He then confirmed that everyone's equipment met the requirements and arranged a departure time for the next day. Dinner was served at the hotel, and we retired early.

Note 3: Starting from November 1, 2025, an airport tax of US$90 per person will be charged for entry into Tanzania. Please prepare cash.


How to book a flight

Recommended custom flights: Ethiopian Airlines

Outbound reference:

ET685 00:20-06:00 Shanghai PVG-Addis Ababa ADD

ET815 10:35-12:55 Addis Ababa ADD-Kilimanjaro JRO

The pick-up time is based on the arrival of flight ET815 at Kilimanjaro Airport. The above flight time is for reference only. EgyptAir flight times are frequently adjusted and may vary in different time periods (e.g., arrival times may differ during summer vacation and National Day).

You can choose to compare prices on various air ticket platforms. For reference, you can refer to Ctrip, Fliggy, etc. If you need to book on your behalf, please consult the product manager or customer service.


[Special Benefit] Register for the 2025 National Day group tour (9.30, 10.1) from now on and you will have a chance to win a set of Pelliot 7+2 custom-made jackets and Pelliot alpine down jackets with a total value of 4,000 yuan.

Driving distance: about 50km, about 1 hour

D2

Day 2 Arusha/Moshi → Landauros Gate (2100m) → Morum (3500m) → Shira Camp 1 (3505m)

All day

After breakfast at the hotel, we will depart from the hotel and drive for more than 3 hours to the Londonorossi Gate located west of Mount Kilimanjaro.

You will go through the climbing formalities at the entrance and meet up with your climbing team. After completing the formalities, you will take another 12 km bus ride to Morum, the starting point of the climb.

After lunch, we began our first day of climbing. The climb from Morum to Shila Camp 1 involved a slight elevation gain, but it wasn't too challenging, making it a relatively gentle start. We passed through a vast grassland covered in tall grass, heather, and volcanic rocks.

Continuing through several rolling hills with dense vegetation and passing several streams, we reached the Shira Ridge and then gently descended along the slope to Shira Camp 1. Here, we had our first view of Kibo Peak from the plateau. Upon arrival, our staff had already prepared everything necessary, including setting up the tents and cooking dinner.

Driving distance: about 140km, about 4.5 hours

Hiking: Altitude: ↑ 720 m; about 3 km, about 4-5 hours

Note: This will be your first day at altitude, so we strongly recommend that you follow the following instructions from now on:
abstain from alcohol and caffeine.
Drink more than 4 liters of bottled water per day (drink slowly and frequently).
During the night, you may experience discomfort as you acclimate to the high altitude: your breathing pattern decreases while you're awake, and your body receives less oxygen than during the day. Due to the altitude, you may begin to feel nauseous and experience headaches. Be aware of your own reactions and inform your guide if you begin to experience any symptoms of altitude sickness.

D3

Day 3 Shila Camp 1 (3505m) → Shila Camp 2 (3850m)

All day

From Shira Camp 1 (3505m), we embark on a light hike to the second high-altitude camp, Shira Camp 2 (3850m). The hike passes through hot and swampy terrain, with stunning views of the Shira Ridge.

This hike is not difficult and offers stunning views of Africa and the unique flora of Mount Kilimanjaro and its surroundings. Weather permitting, Shira Camp 2 offers a viewpoint from which to view Mount Meru, Africa's fifth-highest mountain. The ever-changing landscape will again surprise you with its varied terrain, and you'll walk on land that once flowed lava. Tonight's destination is Shira Camp 2 (3,900m), 400m higher than the previous night.

Hiking: Elevation gain: ↑ 400 m; approximately 7 km, 3-4 hours

Note: An acclimatization hike is a light hike with a slight elevation gain designed to speed up your acclimatization process. Taking acclimatization hikes seriously is highly recommended. They help increase your chances of successfully summiting Mount Kilimanjaro and protect you from the effects of altitude sickness.

D4

Day 4 Shila Camp 2 (3850m) → Barankao Camp (3900m)

All day

After breakfast, you'll depart Shira 2 Camp (3,850 meters) and head toward Lava Towers at 4,650 meters. The hike to Lava Towers involves a long trek through moorland and swamps with impressive vegetation, with many ups and downs along the way, ultimately concluding at Campsites above 4,600 meters. This hike is challenging and can be uncomfortable, but you'll need to spend at least 1-2 hours here to successfully acclimate to the altitude, so this is where you'll have lunch.

You'll rest here before continuing your descent. This is the so-called acclimatization day, where you'll climb high but sleep low, giving you a good understanding of how your body reacts to the altitude. The scenery will change again as you cross the Barranco Valley, home to large groundsel and smaller lobelia plants. After a long 6-7 hours, you'll reach the beautiful campsite and spend the night at Barranco Camp. There, the crew will be waiting for you, enjoying a well-deserved dinner before settling in for the night.

Hiking: Altitude: ↑ 740 m ↓ 680 m; approximately 12 km; approximately 7 hours

D5

Day 5 Barankao Camp (3900m) → Kalanga Camp (4035m)

All day

After breakfast, we'll begin our ascent of the Barankao Walls (we recommend leaving camp early to avoid the crowds). Enjoy breathtaking views of the Kibo South glacier, rising and falling. The hike up the canyon walls is easy and takes only about an hour. After the climb, you can rest and take photos in front of Kibo Volcano. Safety is paramount, so please follow your guide's instructions, and they will lead you safely to the summit. You may need to use your hands from time to time to gain a better grip, but rest assured, there are no alpine climbing routes. Upon reaching the summit, we'll begin a more challenging hike to Kalanga Camp, with many ups and downs. After a few hours, you'll complete an acclimatization hike toward Barafu Camp, gaining 200 meters in elevation before returning to camp.

Hiking: Altitude: ↑ 100 m ↓ 25 m; about 5 km, about 4.5 hours

D6

Day 6 Kalanga Camp (4035m) → Barafu Camp (4640m)

All day

After breakfast, you will begin your journey to Barafu Camp (4640m), the starting point for your overnight climb to Uhuru Peak (5895m).

After about 3-4 hours of hiking, we'll reach Barafu Camp. The breathtaking sea of ​​clouds along the way offers a truly breathtaking spectacle. From here, you can also see Kilimanjaro's two highest peaks—Kibo and Mawentsi. Barafu means "ice" in Swahili, suggesting you'll spend the night in a cold and desolate campsite. Tents can only be pitched on a narrow, hard, and treacherous ridge, so be sure to familiarize yourself with the terrain before dark to avoid any accidents. Our team will set up camp in advance, including your tent and sleeping bag, so you can relax and unwind.

Prepare your summit preparations in advance, including trekking poles, warm clothing, and replacement headlamp and camera batteries. To prevent water from freezing, keep it in a thermos. Try to go to bed early to get more rest and energy.

Hiking: Altitude: ↑ 615 m; about 2 km, about 3-4 hours

D7

Day 7 Barafu Camp (4673m) → Summit Uhuru Peak (5895m) → Maweka Camp (3090m) / Millenium Camp

All day

Departing early in the morning for the summit, we'll first spend six hours reaching Stella Point on the crater's rim. From Stella Point, the ascent to Uhuru Peak, the summit of Africa, takes approximately two hours. Technically, the climb is relatively easy; however, the altitude is the most challenging part. Now you can savor the sense of accomplishment of having conquered the Roof of Africa—a memory you'll never forget.

After taking all the photos you need, you'll return to Barafu Camp for a 1-2 hour rest. Once everyone is well rested, you'll continue to Mweka Gate (3,080 m), a 3-hour hike. The rest of the evening is yours to relax, enjoy a delicious dinner, and get a good night's sleep.

Note: During the descent, please remain vigilant and cautious. The campsite is located in the forest, and light drizzle and mist are possible even at this altitude. Before your rest, you can quickly wash up and enjoy a chef-prepared dinner.

Hiking: Altitude: ↑1255 meters ↓2815 meters; about 17 kilometers, about 13 hours

D8

Day 8: Maweka Camp/Millenium Camp (3090m) → Maweka Gate (1630m) → Arusha/Moshi

All day

After breakfast, depart for a 3-5 hour hike through the rainforest to the Maweka Gate. Before the final leg of your journey, you'll enjoy a traditional farewell ceremony from your mountain guide. Your driver will be waiting there to take you back to your meeting point. You'll have the rest of the day to freshen up, relax, and enjoy all the excitement of the past few days.

PS: Maweka Campground is about 8km, 3h, and Millenium is about 11km, 5h

Driving time: about 1 hour

Hiking: Altitude: ↓1460 meters; 8-11 km, walking time about 3-5 hours

D9

Day 9 Arusha/Moshi → Kilimanjaro Airport ★ Dismissal Day

All day

After breakfast at the hotel, you can choose to transfer to Kilimanjaro Airport at your own expense according to your flight schedule, or continue your itinerary.


丨Can order and deliver to the airport

The cost is as follows: US$80/(2 people per car)/one trip [four-seater car]

A Guide to Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro

climate:

Kilimanjaro National Park, located three degrees south of the equator, has a tropical climate. The long dry season runs from June to October, followed by the short rainy season in November and December. The short dry season, from January to March, is hot and humid. The long rainy season, from April to May, is a time of year-round temperature fluctuations in the mountains, but there are significant differences between daytime and nighttime temperatures. Temperatures drop steadily with increasing altitude. Above 4,000 meters, daytime temperatures generally hover around 5°C, while nighttime temperatures can drop below freezing.

tip:

Tipping is legal in Tanzania and is a reward for good service. Your mountain guide will explain when and how much to tip during your trip briefing upon arrival. Tips depend on the size of your group, but generally, you should expect to pay between $270 and $300 USD to your guide, cook, and porters.

About Tanzania:

Where is Tanzania and how do I get there?

Tanzania is located in East Africa, bordering the Indian Ocean to the east, Kenya and Uganda to the north, Rwanda, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Burundi to the west, and Zambia, Malawi, and Mozambique to the east. Arrivals in Tanzania typically arrive at Julius Nyerere International Airport in Dar es Salaam (640 kilometers from Arusha, a two-hour flight) or Kilimanjaro International Airport (a 45-minute drive from Arusha).

Is it safe to travel to Tanzania?

Most of our visitors come to Tanzania for our wildlife, but when they leave, their experience is likely to be far broader and richer than they expected. Why? Part of this is thanks to our friendly, welcoming, and colorful people. Tanzanians are a true blend of many ethnicities and religious beliefs, all living in harmony in this safe destination on the African continent. We are confident that you will feel completely safe and welcome here. As with anywhere else in the world, by exercising a little common sense and avoiding showing off any valuables, you can enjoy Tanzania's natural wonders, culture, and people.

What language is spoken in Tanzania?

Swahili is the official language of Tanzania and is spoken by most of us. We also have over 100 different tribal languages! You'll be happy to know that English is widely spoken in larger towns and places frequented by tourists.

Mount Kilimanjaro is located in the northeast of the United Republic of Tanzania and about 160 kilometers south of the Great Rift Valley of East Africa, and about 225 kilometers south of Nairobi.[16] It is between the equator and 3° south latitude. It is the watershed between Tanzania and Kenya. The highest point, Kibo Peak, and Uhuru Peak are 5,895 meters above sea level. They are the highest point in Africa, the highest isolated peak in the world, the highest peak in Africa, and are known as the "Roof of Africa".[14-15]
The main body of Mount Kilimanjaro extends nearly 80 kilometers from east to west. It is mainly composed of three extinct volcanoes: Kibo, Mawensi and Shira, with an area of ​​756 square kilometers.[13] It slopes down to the plain below in a typical volcanic curve. The height of the plain is about 900 meters above sea level. The top of the mountain is covered with ice and snow all year round, but the glacier melting phenomenon is very serious. The mountain is surrounded by forests and is home to many mammals, some of which are endangered species.
The Mount Kilimanjaro region was designated a national park in 1968, home to tropical, temperate, and frigid wild plants and wildlife. The United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization inscribed it on the World Cultural and Natural Heritage List in 1981.

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