Tanzania: Trek Kilimanjaro 2028

Itinerary

Machame Gate – Machame Huts (3,000m)
After breakfast, a drive of approximately 45 minutes takes you to Machame Gate, where you will register and meet the local mountain team and porters.
Your Kilimanjaro adventure begins with a steady trek through lush rainforest. The trail can be muddy underfoot, so you will walk at a slow and gentle pace as you begin adjusting to the altitude. After approximately seven to eight hours of trekking, you will emerge into a clearing at Machame Camp, where your tents, hot drinks and dinner await.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Overnight: Campsite

Day 4 (Sunday 9 July 2028):

Machame Huts – Shira Plateau (3,840m)
Following a cooked breakfast, continue climbing through the remaining rainforest and into the giant heather and moorland zone. The landscape changes rapidly as you gain approximately 800 metres in altitude. Today’s trek takes around five to six hours, with lunch enjoyed on a scenic rocky outcrop along the way. The final section leads to Shira Camp, where you can enjoy sweeping views across the Shira Plateau. If the weather is clear, you may also catch your first close view of Kibo, Kilimanjaro’s dramatic summit cone.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Overnight: Campsite

Day 5 (Monday 10 July 2028):

Shira Plateau – Barranco Camp (3,950m)
Set off early for a long but spectacular day of trekking through the alpine desert. The trail climbs gradually towards the Lava Tower, situated at approximately 4,500 metres.
Depending on the group’s progress and how everyone is adjusting to the altitude, you may trek up to the Lava Tower before descending to Barranco Camp. Reaching this higher point and then sleeping at a lower altitude can be extremely beneficial for acclimatisation.
Barranco Camp enjoys a magnificent setting beneath Kibo and the imposing Barranco Wall. Although your sleeping altitude is only slightly higher than the previous night, today’s route plays an important role in helping your body adapt to the altitude.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Overnight: Campsite

Day 6 (Tuesday 11 July 2028):

Barranco Camp – Karanga Camp (3,963m)
After breakfast, tackle one of the route’s most memorable features, the Barranco Wall. This steep rock face does not require technical climbing experience, although you will need to use your hands in places as you scramble carefully over the rocks.
Once at the top, you will be rewarded with fantastic views of Kilimanjaro’s glaciers, crags and rugged peaks. The trail then continues across undulating terrain before descending into the Karanga Valley and climbing again to Karanga Camp. It is a challenging but highly rewarding day.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Overnight: Campsite

Day 7 (Wednesday 12 July 2028):

Karanga Camp – Barafu Camp (4,700m)
Today’s route involves a slow and demanding ascent to Barafu Camp, whose name means “ice” in Swahili. As you climb out of the Karanga Valley, the air becomes noticeably thinner and the effects of the altitude may become more apparent.
Temperatures can be extremely cold at this height. After an early dinner and final preparations, settle down for a few hours of rest before beginning the summit attempt around midnight.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Overnight: Campsite

Day 8 (Thursday 13 July 2028):

Barafu Camp – Uhuru Peak (5,895m) to Millennium Camp
After light snacks and hot drinks, begin the steepest and most demanding section of the climb. Your head torch will light the way as you make slow and steady progress through the darkness.
As dawn approaches, the sun rises spectacularly behind you, filling the sky with vivid shades of red and orange. Reaching Stella Point marks the top of the Machame Route, with approximately one final hour of trekking remaining to Uhuru Peak.
Standing at 5,895 metres, Uhuru Peak is the highest point in Africa and the summit of the world’s tallest freestanding mountain. Take time to celebrate your extraordinary achievement before beginning the long descent.
Return to Barafu Camp for a short rest and lunch, then continue downhill for another five to six hours to Mweka Camp. With up to 14 to 18 hours of trekking, this is likely to be the toughest day of the challenge, but also the most memorable.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Overnight: Campsite

Day 9 (Friday 14 July 2028):

Millennium Camp – Mweka Gate – Moshi
Complete the final section of your trek with a descent through the rainforest to Mweka Gate, which takes approximately six hours.
From here, transfer back to your hotel in Moshi for lunch and a well-earned rest. Later, celebrate with the mountain team during a certificate presentation, followed by a special gala dinner to mark your Kilimanjaro achievement.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Overnight: Hotel in Moshi

Day 10 (Saturday 15 July 2028):

Moshi – Kilimanjaro – London
Transfer to Kilimanjaro International Airport for your overnight flight back to the UK.
Meals: Breakfast

Costs & How to pay

Non-refundable registration fee: £450
and then either…

Self-funded: £3,800

or

Sponsorship: £7,600

or

Flexi: £3,800 trip costs and £3,800 sponsorship for a charity of your choice

SELF-FUNDED

This option is for those who choose to pay the trip costs (flights, accommodation, food, guides, etc.) themselves. No sponsorship is required, although if you wish to raise funds for a charity, you are welcome to do so.

• A non-refundable registration fee is payable at the time of booking.
• Trip cost balance is payable to Different Travel 10 weeks before departure.
• You are welcome to fundraise separately for any charity of your choice, but this is not mandatory. Any fundraising undertaken cannot be used for your trip costs.

SPONSORSHIP

This option is for those who wish to raise sponsorship to cover both the costs of the trip (flights, accommodation, food, guides, etc.) and a donation to their chosen charity. There is a minimum sponsorship amount for each tour that you must raise to participate.

• A non-refundable registration fee is payable at the time of booking.
• The minimum sponsorship must be paid to the charity 12 weeks before departure.
• The amount the charity receives is at least 50% of the minimum sponsorship total.

FLEXI

This option is for those who choose to pay the trip costs (flights, accommodation, food, guides, etc.) themselves while still raising some funds for the charity.

• A non-refundable registration fee is payable at the time of booking.
• Trip cost balance is payable to Different Travel, and your fundraising is payable to the charity 10 weeks before departure.
• Any fundraising undertaken cannot be used for your trip costs.

*If your chosen charity is not on this list, please seek permission to fundraise for them by taking part in this challenge before making your booking.