Itinerary Expand all Arusha to Arusha Depart London. Day 1 Start Arusha. There will be a trip briefing this afternoon/evening. Please bring with you your passport and insurance details, and your air ticket details. The briefing will cover all aspects of your trip and will include the distribution of any hired equipment you have booked.Comfortable Hotel Meals included: Dinner Arrive Kilimanjaro airport; transfer to Arusha. There will be a trip briefing this afternoon/evening. Please bring with you your passport and insurance details, and your air ticket details. The briefing will cover all aspects of your trip and will include the distribution of any hired equipment you have booked.Comfortable Hotel Meals included: Dinner Day 2 To Londorossi; begin ascent to Lemosho Forest (2650m). In the morning we transfer to Londorossi (2250 m), passing between the slopes of Kilimanjaro and the horseshoe-shaped volcanic crater of Mt. Meru (a distance of about 120 km). After completing the necessary registration formalities, we drive on for a short distance through farmland and plantations to reach the Lemosho roadhead. The last 5 km of the road to the park gate is of poor quality, particularly after rain, and the drive there should be considered part of the adventure. We often have our lunch in the glades before starting to walk. It is an easy day of walking up a small path through beautiful and lush forest, this area has a variety of game including buffalo. We camp at Lemosho Forest camp (2650 m). Approx 3-4 hours walking.Full-service Camping Meals included: Breakfast Lunch Dinner Day 3 Explore Shira Plateau; camp at Shira One (3550m). The trail starts out in the lush rich montane forest before ascending into the moorland zone of giant heather. The trail climbs steadily with views across the plains opening out as we reach the rim of the Shira Plateau. There is a tangible sense of wilderness especially if the afternoon mists come in. We camp in the centre of the plateau at Shira One (3550 m). Approx 6-7 hours walking.Full-service Camping Meals included: Breakfast Lunch Dinner Day 4 Walk to the summit of Shira Cathedral to camp at Shira Hut (3840m). A day to help acclimatisation and to explore the grassy moorland and the volcanic rock formations of the plateau. We walk to the summit of Shira Cathedral, a huge buttress of rock surrounded by steep spires and pinnacles. The views from our camp near Shira Hut (3840m) of Mt. Meru floating on the clouds are simply unforgettable. The afternoon is free to relax. Approx 4-5 hours walking.Full-service Camping Meals included: Breakfast Lunch Dinner Day 5 Descend to camp at Great Barranco Valley (3900m). A morning of gentle ascent and panoramic views, walking on lava ridges beneath the glaciers of the Western Breach. After lunch near the Lava Tower junction (4550m), we descend to the bottom of the Great Barranco valley (3900m), sheltered by towering cliffs and with extensive views of the plains far below. Approx 5-7 hours walking.Full-service Camping Meals included: Breakfast Lunch Dinner Day 6 Over the Barranco Wall to Karanga (4000m). A short steep climb up the famed Barranco Wall leads us to an undulating trail on the south-eastern flank of Kibo, with superb vistas of the southern icefields. The terrain changes to volcanic scree, with pockets of lush vegetation in sheltered hollows, and a powerful sense of mountain wilderness. Our next camp is at Karanga (4000m) a short distance away. The valley floor has the last water point on the approach to Barafu and we camp on the higher sides of the valley with views towards the glaciers of the southern icefields. Approx 4-5 hours walking.Full-service Camping Meals included: Breakfast Lunch Dinner Day 7 Steep ascent to Barafu campsite (4600m), with optional afternoon ascent to bottom of S.E. Valley (4800m). The trail follows a path on compacted scree with wide views ahead including the Barafu Ridge where our camp lies. The trail climbs unrelentingly to reach the Barafu campsite (4600m) for lunch, after which there is a short acclimatisation walk to the plateau at the bottom of the southeast valley (4800m). The remainder of the day is spent resting in preparation for the final ascent and includes a very early night. Approx 3-5 hours walking.Full-service Camping Meals included: Breakfast Lunch Dinner Day 8 An early start to reach Stella Point in time for sunrise; on to Uhuru Peak (5895m), the highest point in Africa; descend to Millennium Camp (3800m). We will start our ascent by torchlight around midnight so that we can be up on the crater rim by sunrise. The steep climb over loose volcanic scree has some well-graded zigzags and a slow but steady pace will take us to Stella Point (5735m), in about five or six hours. We will rest there for a short time to enjoy the sunrise over Mawenzi. Those who are still feeling strong can make the two hour round trip from here along the crater rim to Uhuru Peak (5,895m), passing close to the spectacular glaciers and ice cliffs that still occupy most of the summit area. The descent to Barafu is surprisingly fast, and after some refreshments we continue to descend to reach our final campsite (3800m) at Millenium camp. Most of us will be too tired to notice the beauty of the forest surrounding the crowded campsite. This is an extremely long and hard day with between 11 and 15 hours of walking at high altitude.Full-service Camping Meals included: Breakfast Lunch Dinner Day 9 To Mweka Gate; transfer to Arusha. This day is a sustained descent on a well-constructed path through lovely tropical forest alive with birdsong and boasting lush undergrowth with considerable botanical interest. Our route winds down to the national park gate at Mweka (1650m); and on through coffee and banana farms to Mweka village. The shower, the beer, and the swimming pool are tantalisingly close! We return by bus to Arusha (a distance of about 100 km). Approx 4-6 hours walking.Comfortable Hotel Meals included: Breakfast Lunch Dinner Day 10 End Arusha. The morning can be spent resting in the hotel garden by the pool or exploring Arusha for souvenirs for those on group flights. Those not flying back to UK with the group will leave us in Arusha. Meals included: Breakfast Free morning; afternoon depart Kilimanjaro airport. The morning can be spent resting in the hotel garden by the pool or exploring Arusha for souvenirs for those on group flights. Those not flying back to UK with the group will leave us in Arusha. Meals included: Breakfast Arrive London. Arrive London.
Zanzibar If you are keen to end your holiday on a very relaxed note Zanzibar is a place to relax on the beach, to explore the colourful reef offshore, or to simply relax and soak up the sun! You can choose to add on as many extra nights to your trip as you wish; your time on the island will be at leisure for you to do as you wish. We transfer to Kilimanjaro Airport and fly to Zanzibar, on arrival we transfer to the south west coast of the island. The accommodation used, Fumba Beach Lodge is far from other developments, the feeling of peace is all encompassing and there is a long strip of private beach, pool, spa, diving centre and spacious rooms. Please note that on Zanzibar you will be met and transferred between the airport and hotel but you are not escorted or guided. If you choose to take advantage of this opportunity then we can arrange flights for you to Zanzibar as well as booking the hotel on half board and included all the transfers needed. We can also book other hotels for you on the island including Kichanga Lodge and Tembo Hotel. Please call for details.
Safari extension- after Lemosho Route Code: XYR This extension is a perfect introduction to Africa’s wildlife, over three days you will discover three unique National Parks. The Ngorongoro Conservation Area is as breath-taking for its landscapes as it is attractive for its animals. The walls of the crater provide a home for an abundance of animals acting like a giant enclosure. As a result only a few of the vast numbers of animals actually migrate out of the crater. Tarangire National Park has the largest number of elephants in the northern part of Tanzania and is dotted with Baobab trees. Finally Lake Manyara National Park is small but supports a high density of mammals including its famous population of tree climbing lions. The detailed itinerary can be found here. Please ask your sales consultant for more details.
Tanzania Most nationalities require a tourist visa for Tanzania, including British nationals, most EC nationals, Australians, New Zealanders, Americans and Canadians. The visa is available at the border and the cost for British and most other European Nationals is USD50 cash, whilst for US citizens it is USD100 cash. It is possible to get the visa online, this can take at least ten days and up to 3 weeks. For more information and to apply for the visa please visit - https://eservices.immigration.go.tz/visa/ If you are flying into Kilimanjaro Airport then we recommend arranging the visa in advance as the visa on arrival process has become more complicated and can now take longer.
Tanzania Please note that although Tanzania does not officially require proof of Yellow Fever vaccination, at most airports and other points of entry you may be required to show a certificate of vaccination or an exemption certificate. This includes coming from Europe via, or transiting through an endemic country including the airports of Nairobi (Kenya) and Addis Ababa (Ethiopia). If visiting Zanzibar from mainland Tanzania border officials have been known to demand proof of Yellow Fever vaccination or an exemption certificate. Recommended vaccinations are: Polio, Tetanus, Typhoid, Hepatitis A. Malaria prophylaxis is essential and we suggest that you seek advice from your GP or travel health clinic about which malaria tablets to take. Dengue fever is a known risk in places visited. It is a tropical viral disease spread by daytime biting mosquitoes. There is currently no vaccine or prophylaxis available for Dengue, and therefore the best form of prevention is to avoid being bitten. We recommend you take the usual precautions to avoid mosquito bites.
Hotels & Camping You will spend 2 nights in comfortable hotels with en suite facilities. During the climb you will have 7 nights of full-service camping, with a private toilet tent. Limited single accommodation is available and includes a single tent as well as the hotel nights. We can arrange extra accommodation before or after the trip. CampsitesThe campsites on Kilimanjaro are designated by the national park and are mainly are stone/dirt. They are not all level and can be crowded in peak season. We provide quality mountain tents that are rated as 3 person tents. Hence there is plenty of personal space and ample luggage storage area in the two porches. The tents are Vango Halo 300's Tents. A limited number of these tents are available as single tents at a supplementary charge and should be reserved in advance. Clients should bring their own sleeping bag and mat. Breakfast and dinner are served in our communal mess tent with chairs, tables and a bright LED light. This tent is also available for communal use in the afternoon and evening. There are additional tents with our groups that are used by our mountain crew for sleeping and cooking in. We provide groundsheets for all of these tents. HygieneWe always ensure that there is a bowl of hot washing water for you in the morning and again after the walk at an agreed time in the afternoon. The only exception is the highest camp where there is no water source and hence all water must be carried from a lower level by porters.Handwashing water treated with Dettol is available along with soap before all meals, and everyone is strongly advised to make use of it.We supply a private toilet tent on all camping routes as we have found that the long drop toilets maintained by the national park are of sub-standard quality. The toilet tent has toilet paper within it, but we recommend clients bring their own toilet paper and wet wipes as well.
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Reviewed November 2019 Claire Scrafton Trip: Kilimanjaro Climb - Lemosho Route Fabulous Adventure While summit night was very challenging due to a snow blizzard and extreme cold the overall trip was very well led by our Chief guide David, the porters were wonderful, the food was amazing considering we camping for 8 days and our group of 10 bonded quickly as a team and were all very supportive and encouraging of each other. What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? Getting back to base camp ⛺️ after making time the summit in horrendous weather conditions What did you think of your group leader? David was very talented leader in how he supported and advised us as a group and his leadership of the team of 43 porters /assistant guides who supported us. His approach was authoritative but very kind. Do you have any advice for potential travellers? Go for it, it’s tough but the feeling of satisfaction is amazing m. I’m no athlete and suffer from asthma but the guides let me walk at my own pace and I made it!!
Reviewed November 2019 Dorothy Walker Trip: Kilimanjaro Climb - Lemosho Route This fantastic adventure will remain with me for the rest of my life! I was in a team with 4 others who will be ‘forever friends’ such a short time on the mountain six days up and two down yet we got to know each other so well encouraging each other all the way. An absolute dream team . Thank you Caroline , Hazel, Fay and Andrew . Our head guide Julian (J.T) was superb as were Hance and David. As long as I can remember I have wanted to climb this mountain and at 62 I thought I should give it a go! A month ago today I stood on the roof of Africa. What a day! What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? Everyday was different the rain forest , Shira Plateau, Lava Tower etc. The most fun day was the great Barranco wall which looks steep but completely doable. On summit night I was excited, apprehensive and just wanted to get to the top however I knew it would be a very long day reaching Uhuru Peak .As soon as day break comes you get this burst of extra energy! Reaching Uhuru Peak was just the best moment! What did you think of your group leader? I can not praise our guides enough . Head guide - Julian (J.T.) was so professional, so kind and patient setting a sensible pace to allow us to acclimatise. Absolutely first class chap. Assistant guides- David and Hance equally as professional . I felt safe at all times on our journey. They all gave quiet and kind words of encouragement all the way. They never stop smiling and making things seem easy! I shall never forget them . Not forgetting our superb cook Trophin providing the food which would give us the energy we needed each day . Excellent porridge ! The wonderful porters and assistant guides Rikado Trophin and Arnold Thomas. Julius I thank you for also always being there! All the way to the top! Do you have any advice for potential travellers? The most important thing is to follow the pace the guides set they are so experienced and everyone will tell you poly poly and that’s exactly what to do to give yourself more of a chance of acclimatising and reaching the summit . Don’t forget your nail brush ! I did ! Keep your head down especially on summit day this was the advice I was given ‘don’t look up’!! Just keep plodding . Have fun , you will love it and carry those memories forever. Is there anything else you would like to add? Thank you Exodus and the African Walking Company
Reviewed October 2019 Hazel Norton Trip: Kilimanjaro Climb - Lemosho Route Kilimanjaro, Lemosho route This was my third trip with exodus and it did not disappoint. I had a great time and met some fantastic fellow travellers. The trek was fairly easy walking with a few points that required scrambling over rocks mainly Barranco wall, one of my favourite days on the trek. What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? Getting to the crater rim and seeing the clouds below us. What did you think of your group leader? JT was a great leader always friendly and approachable, David and Hans the assistant guides were very knowledgeable and all three of them were positive and kept us going up to the top. Do you have any advice for potential travellers? Try to pack as light as you can, and make sure you will be warm enough on summit night, its very cold until the sun comes up! Is there anything else you would like to add? Thanks again for a fantastic trip, with memories that will last a lifetime.
Reviewed October 2019 caroline lewis Trip: Kilimanjaro Climb - Lemosho Route A trip of a lifetime! I had the privilege of trekking up Kilimanjaro (8 day Lemosho route) with the best walking pals and crew in the entire world. I've never walked at altitude before, and I was honestly a little nervous, but I am so glad I booked the trip. The views are incredible, you learn a lot about yourself and above all you are surrounded by the most supporting, caring and knowledgeable leaders and crew who seem to permanently have smiles on their faces - ably led by JT (Justin Thomas). What a wonderful way to spend 8 days, I can't recommend it highly enough. What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? The most inspirational moment and quite frankly the most surprising was a birthday cake our chef had baked for a member of our team, at 4,600metres! Also a very big shout out to our wonderful team leader, JT - every single day he would pick up rubbish my fellow walkers had carelessly thrown away on the trek, its selfless acts like that that inspire you to do your best and not to let anyone down. What did you think of your group leader? JT has a permanent smile on his face. His knowledge and understanding of the mountain is second to none and is an inspirational character. JT, David and Hanse (assistant guides) all became our hero's and we all had a lot of fun during the trip, in particular after we had all scaled the Barranco Wall, what a fabulous afternoon! Its no wonder JT won the Exodus guide of the year in 2016, I have no doubt he will be up in the running for guide of the year again, he absolutely deserves every accolade he gets. I also have to give a special shout-out to our 2 other assistant guides; Hanse and David. Both of whom I have to say were incredible on summit night for so many reasons, and again so incredibly professional, funny - we all felt very safe. Do you have any advice for potential travellers? Yes, get the miles in! Trust me, you don't have to be a marathon runner or a triathlete etc, in order to take part in this epic adventure. If you are sensible and start to add in extra park run's or spin classes every week plus wracking up the walking miles every weekend, you shouldn't have any problems. I would also strongly suggest you read up on all the points of view in regards to taking the anti-altitude tablet, diamox. I took it and it worked, but please note it doesn't work for everyone, so listen to all the advice given, listen to your GP and make an educated decision. Finally......take a hot water bottle, trust me, you'll really appreciate it on the very cold nights. Is there anything else you would like to add? All I would say is do your research, and DO NOT be afraid to step away from the norm. I've never done anything like this before, if you think you can't do it, believe me you absolutely can. I've had the most inspirational time of my life, your confidence rockets and you end up with friends for life and an experience you'll never, ever forget. Our small team of 5 walkers were assisted by JT, David, Hanse and a crew of 27, all of whom we can't thank enough for their sheer hard work, good humour and the constant smiling!
Reviewed September 2019 Hansa Jadva-Patel Trip: Kilimanjaro Climb - Lemosho Route Kurudi Afrika (Back to Africa) I was born in East Africa and having walked through the rift valleys as a child, it was always my desire to climb to the roof of Africa. Although a regular walker myself, the ascent on few occasions became a challenge, especially on the summit night and I would not have succeeded the climb if it wasn’t for the support I was given by John (Tony Seka) and his support team. Their continuous kindness and patience was very much appreciated - and I know that this view is shared by everyone in my group! What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? Several highlights and to name a few, reaching Stella point, golden sunrise on the summit climb, Mount Meru and its continual presence above the clouds and golden sunset over it, climbing Barranco Wall, night sky with full moon and stars, practicing my Swahili again after several decades etc., enjoying the company of some of the fellow walkers and the support team. What did you think of your group leader? I would not have made it to the top without John’s support and his patience. He was always very professional and totally committed to his job and nothing was too onerous for him. He was a very competent leader, supporting a team of assistant leaders, porters, and chefs who looked after our group of 10 very well. John was undoubtedly my hero! Do you have any advice for potential travellers? Climbing Kilimanjaro, regardless of what grade it has been ranked, it should not be underestimated. Despite having undertaken numerous regular training walks building up to the trip, some long distance walks, it was physically challenging, so some physical preparation prior to the climb is essential. There is a structured tipping scheme; guidance is included in the trip notes, so useful to have the funds available. Is there anything else you would like to add? The trip that I had undertaken was advertised as ‘all female crew’. This was also confirmed by Exodus staff in a telephone conversation who further assured me that it was to promote female employment. Hence this influenced my choice of trip. I was a little dismayed that this wasn’t the case. Having said this, I was not disappointed by the support team we had who were faultless!
Reviewed September 2019 Amanda Crocker Trip: Kilimanjaro Climb - Lemosho Route Lemosho Kilimanjaro Very well organised and supervised trip Guides were amazing All staff very helpful Amazing trip What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? Getting to the top after 8 cold windy dark hours What did you think of your group leader? Excellent Do you have any advice for potential travellers? Take mittens not gloves for summit night as much warmer Hire warm down coat and mittens from the company especially if you feel the cold Is there anything else you would like to add? Haven’t camped since I was 13 ( much older now!) and thoroughly enjoyed it , support and service was excellent cannot recommend the trip highly enough .
Reviewed September 2019 Colin Donovan Trip: Kilimanjaro Climb - Lemosho Route Trip of a lifetime. All ten of our party summited after a long and sometimes difficult tiring trek. This was down to Johns fantastic leadership skills and constant encouragement and help. He has a first class team of assistant guides and brilliant porters who all had a real positive attitude and couldn’t do more for you. What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? Reaching Uhuru Peak after an 8 hour trek with my fellow walkers and guides. It felt like one big happy and emotional family who had achieved their combined goal together. What did you think of your group leader? John was inspirational. From collecting us at the airport to dropping us off 9 days later. John knows the mountain like the back of his hand and his knowledge and information he passes on every day is truly superb. I don’t think I would have got to the top without John or his excellent assistant guides. Do you have any advice for potential travellers? Make sure you train hard. Lots of long walks and try to keep the weight off. Listen to the advice given by the guides always. Walk very slowly, drink lots and lots of water and try to be positive at all times. This is a difficult trek especially on summit night but if you listen to the guides you’ll complete it.
Reviewed August 2019 Mark Latham Trip: Kilimanjaro Climb - Lemosho Route On the roof of Africa Review of my Exodus trip to Kilimanjaro in The Herald: https://www.heraldscotland.com/life_style/16237809.travel-trek-to-the-summit-of-mount-kilimanjaro/ What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? See the above link. What did you think of your group leader? See the above link. Do you have any advice for potential travellers? See the above link. Is there anything else you would like to add? See the above link.
Reviewed August 2019 William Pearce Trip: Kilimanjaro Climb - Lemosho Route Summit fever!wonderful Wonderful feeling on reaching the summit after a midnight start ! What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? Reaching the summit! Watching and joining in with the African team final celebrations. What did you think of your group leader? JT(Justin) was great.more cheer leader than group leader. An inspirational guy. Do you have any advice for potential travellers? Better to hire a jacket , sleeping bag and ground sheet.our trip was very dry and dusty and gaiters were very useful. Is there anything else you would like to add? The Tanzanians have a structured tipping scheme! So if you are going to contribute make sure you have the funds available
Reviewed October 2018 Mohan Paul Trip: Kilimanjaro Climb - Lemosho Route Awesome...! Absolutely loved every moment of the trip What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? It was getting to the top of clouds... it was breath taking, and I just never got tired of the views. Waking up and seeing some of the most beautiful sunrises and sunsets, was so worth it. What did you think of your group leader? JT was probably one of the nicest, most humble people I’ve ever met. He has an amazing talent to be able to encourage, and inspire people when they feel like giving up. He has a great sense of humour and clearly loves interacting with people - both the travellers and also the porters and support staff. He is well respected from what I saw and I can see why. Do you have any advice for potential travellers? Definitely take diamox with you. Altitude sickness really does make a fair few people suffer... I had some of the worst headaches/migraines I’ve ever had in my life during the trip. The medication was a blessing... and take plenty of paracetamol too. Is there anything else you would like to add? When can I go again? 😄