Kilimanjaro
At midnight, as temperatures drop below zero, the group leaves the final camp with headlamps. Six hours later, they stand on Uhuru Peak at 5895 meters, the roof of Africa. Kilimanjaro is the most accessible high-altitude mountain in the world. No technical climbing experience required, no ropes, no crampons. If you can walk 8 hours a day and have done basic physical preparation, you can reach the summit. 94% of HighAir's climbers do. That number is not accidental. We use the Machame Route over 7 days, allowing for genuine gradual acclimatization. Five distinct climate zones, from tropical rainforest at the base to glaciers near the summit, all on the same mountain. Our team knows every meter of the route. Part of the proceeds from every expedition supports cancer patients in Israel, because for us, the mountains are also a way to give back.
Trip details
- Country: Tanzania
- Summit elevation: 5895m
- Duration: 9 days | + 3 safari
- Price: from $2900
- Success rate: 94%
- Recommended seasons: January-February, June-October
Highlights
- Uhuru Peak 5895m
- Africa's highest mountain
- Machame Scenic Route
- Five climate zones
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1: Welcome to Tanzania!
Before landing in Tanzania, enjoy a stunning aerial view of Mount Kilimanjaro from the plane. At the airport, representatives will be waiting to escort you by shuttle to the hotel in Moshi, passing through unique rural and mountain landscapes along the way. After arriving at the hotel and checking in, you'll conduct a gear check ahead of the expedition and receive a comprehensive briefing from the guide team who will accompany you throughout the climb. Tonight you'll rest well before setting off the following morning.
Accommodation: Salinero Hotel in Moshi, or similar
Day 2: Machame Gate (1800m) - Machame Camp (2835m)
After breakfast at the hotel, gear up and meet the local crew for celebrations and dancing before departure. Drive about an hour to Machame Gate, the entrance to Kilimanjaro National Park at 1800m. Enjoy lunch at the gate, then begin the ascent through spectacular rainforests. By mid-afternoon you'll arrive at Machame Camp, settle in, and share a group dinner together in the communal tent.
Accommodation: Tents at Machame Camp
Day 3: Machame Camp (2835m) - Shira Camp (3750m)
Wake up to your first mountain morning as the guides conduct a routine medical check before heading out. Continue ascending and transition from rainforest into heath and savanna-like zones, where the air grows thinner and the vegetation more sparse. Along the way you'll encounter uniquely beautiful plants set against breathtaking scenery. At day's end, arrive at Shira Camp at 3750m and be rewarded with a stunning sunset. Rest well tonight before continuing the journey tomorrow.
Accommodation: Tents at Shira Camp
Day 4: Shira Camp - Lava Tower (4600m) - Barranco Camp (3900m)
Wake up to a new morning at Shira Camp. After breakfast, begin hiking toward Lava Tower at 4600m - a 90-meter volcanic rock formation. Pass through alpine desert and encounter giant endemic plants that grow only at these altitudes. After this acclimatization day, descend to Barranco Camp to rest at 3900m. Climbing high and sleeping lower accelerates the acclimatization process.
Accommodation: Tents at Barranco Camp
Day 5: Barranco Camp - Barranco Wall (4200m) - Karanga Camp (3995m)
Wake up with the summit looking closer than ever. After breakfast and a medical check, head toward the famous Barranco Wall. Cross bridges over streams then climb the narrow path up the wall, using hands and feet on steeper sections. Afterwards, descend to Karanga Camp at 3995m - an open campsite and the second-to-last stop before the summit push.
Accommodation: Tents at Karanga Camp
Day 6: Karanga Camp (3995m) - Barafu Camp (4673m)
The best way to boost energy before the summit? Start the day with dancing! This is the shortest hiking day of the climb. Set off from Karanga Camp toward Barafu Camp at 4673m. "Barafu" means "ice" in Swahili - and for good reason. On arrival, enjoy lunch and rest ahead of the midnight summit departure. Excitement is at its peak!
Accommodation: Tents at Barafu Camp
Day 7: Barafu Camp - Uhuru Peak (5895m) - Mweka Camp (3100m)
Wake at midnight, gear up, and set out with headlamps. Climb for approximately 8 hours to the summit of Kilimanjaro at 5895m, with short rest and hydration breaks along the way. Soak in the breathtaking view and the incredible achievement - then the mission continues. Descend to Barafu Camp for lunch, then continue down to Mweka Camp at 3100m for the final night on the mountain.
Accommodation: Tents at Mweka Camp
Day 8: Mweka Camp (3100m) - Mweka Gate (1640m)
Wake up to the final morning at Mweka Camp after an emotional summit day. Trek toward Mweka Gate, the park exit, as the landscape transforms again back into lush rainforest. At the gate, stop for a group photo with the entire local crew, raise a toast and thank them for their incredible work throughout the journey. Enjoy a festive celebratory lunch with dancing, then return to the hotel in Moshi for a well-deserved shower after a full week on the mountain!
Accommodation: Salinero Hotel in Moshi, or similar
Day 9: Flight Back Home
Start the day with breakfast at the hotel, then pack your bags and check out. Board the shuttle to Kilimanjaro Airport for your flight home. During the flight, share memories and experiences from the incredible journey - full of photos and stories to tell :)
Safari itinerary
Safari, day 9: Safari at Tarangire National Park
Tarangire is known for its large elephant herds and baobab trees. Enjoy a safari experience that stands apart from other reserves in the country - spotting large herds of African elephants, marveling at spectacular bird migrations, and observing diverse wildlife including lions, leopards, cheetahs, giraffes, buffalo, zebras, monkeys, and more.
Safari, day 10: Safari at Ngorongoro Crater
The Ngorongoro Crater was formed by the collapse of a volcano. At the bottom of the caldera lie vast grasslands, forests, and springs that support approximately 25000 animals "enclosed" within the crater - including most of the iconic East African species: lions, leopards, elephants, buffalo, and rhinoceros.
Safari, day 11: Visit to the Hadzabe and Datoga Tribes - Lake Eyasi
The Hadza tribe is one of the last communities in the world living a hunter-gatherer lifestyle, located in northern Tanzania around the Lake Eyasi region. The Hadza people speak a unique language made up of distinctive click sounds, and continue to maintain their ancient traditions despite modern influences. Their diet is based primarily on hunting, gathering wild berries, honey, and plants - a rare and fascinating example of ancient human existence that draws great interest from researchers and anthropologists. We then continue to the Datoga, herders and skilled blacksmiths who craft jewellery and arrowheads from metal. In the afternoon, drive to Kilimanjaro Airport for the flight back home.
What's included
- Kilimanjaro Climb:
- Gift kit - cap and dry-fit shirt!
- A personal area for every customer in the HighAir app
- Airport transfers to/from Moshi + internal transfers to the park
- 2 nights in a 4-star hotel with breakfast in Moshi
- 6 nights in double tents with mattresses during the climb
- 3 full meals per day (breakfast, lunch and dinner) throughout the climb
- Professional local English-speaking guides
- Porters for personal gear (up to 15 kg per person)
- Porters for logistical equipment + kitchen crew and waiters
- Private portable toilets for group members only
- Live WhatsApp updates for families during the climb
- Entry and climbing permits for Kilimanjaro NP
- First aid kit including emergency oxygen cylinders
- Personal gear checklist and an online gear consultation
- Online preparation call with your group and guide before departure
- Pre-departure support for flight and travel insurance questions
- Meaningful donation to the fight against cancer!
- Safari:
- 4x4 safari vehicle with open roof (up to 6 seats)
- Fridge and charging points in the jeep
- Professional local English-speaking safari guide
- 2 nights in a luxury lodge
- 3 meals per day and mineral water throughout the safari days
- Entry permits for all safari reserves
What's not included
- Kilimanjaro Climb:
- International flights (we recommend the best routes from your city)
- Travel & medical insurance, including high-altitude evacuation cover (required)
- Lunch & dinner at Moshi hotel
- Personal gear - clothing and footwear
- Tips for the climbing crew: guides, kitchen team and porters - $350 per person
- Tanzania visa fees - $50 per person
- Local government insurance - $44 per person
- Extra hotel night in Moshi - $60 per person twin room (if needed)
- Vaccinations and medical advice at a travel clinic
- Anything not listed in the included section
- Safari:
- Tips for safari guide - $45 per person
- Personal expenses during the safari
- Optional extras:
- Single room at Moshi hotel - $90/night
- Solo tent during climb - $100 for entire climb
- Standing tent during the climb, taller and roomier for the same two climbers - $150 for the entire climb
- Single room at safari lodge - $200/night
Good to know
- An international group: the whole trip runs in English, led by our local guides, with climbers from around the world.
- Tanzania visa costs $50 per person - we recommend applying online in advance (eVisa) and not relying on airport issuance. Valid for 90 days.
- The Machame Route (7 days) has the highest success rate on Kilimanjaro, with built-in acclimatization days. Our success rate stands at 94%.
- Summit day starts at midnight (00:00) and lasts approximately 13 to 15 hours. Full winter gear is required for conditions of -15°C and strong winds at the summit.
- Accommodation in tents throughout the route - equipment (tents, mattresses) is provided. A sleeping bag rated to -15°C is required.
- Medical clearance required - including fitness for 5895m altitude.
- No prior climbing experience needed - anyone who can walk 8-10 hours per day can reach the summit.
- Safety before summit - the guide decides whether to continue based on each participant's condition.
- In the event of an early descent from the mountain, for any reason, all additional costs involved are the traveler's responsibility, such as extra hotel nights, meals, and any required flight changes.
Frequently asked questions
How hard is it to climb Kilimanjaro?
Kilimanjaro (5,895 m) is the most accessible high mountain in the world - no technical climbing experience, ropes or crampons needed. Anyone in reasonable shape who can walk about eight hours a day can reach the summit. The real challenge is the altitude and the cold on summit night, which is exactly why our itinerary is built around proper acclimatization.
What is your Kilimanjaro success rate?
Our summit success rate is 94%, one of the highest in the industry. It comes from choosing the scenic Machame Route over 7 days, which gives the body time to acclimatize gradually, and from experienced local guides who know every stretch of the mountain and when to push and when to rest.
How do I prepare for climbing Kilimanjaro?
The most important preparation is aerobic: long hikes, light running or cycling over about three months before departure. Before departure the group also meets online for a gear briefing and a preparation call, so you reach the mountain ready and already knowing each other.
What is the minimum age for Kilimanjaro?
The minimum age is 10. There is no maximum - climbers in their 60s and beyond have summited with us. What matters is fitness and health, not the number on your ID.
Is it worth adding a safari to a Kilimanjaro climb?
Absolutely. Three safari days in Tarangire and the Ngorongoro Crater, two of Africa's most spectacular reserves, can be added for a reasonable extra cost. After a hard week on the mountain, the safari is the perfect reward.
When is the best season to climb Kilimanjaro?
Two preferred seasons: January-February and June-October. In these months rain is light and the weather more stable. It is best to avoid November and April, the heavy rain months - and we run our groups precisely in the good windows.