Mount Kilimanjaro climbs and trekking holidays

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Mount Kilimanjaro

At Footloose we try to experience our trips first hand and we are proud that between us we have summited Kilimanjaro many times and by most of the routes. Roger first climbed the mountain 17 years ago, Janet has made six ascents, and Susanne notched up her eighth a few months ago.

For many walkers and climbers, the high point of their achievements is a Mount Kilimanjaro climb, a non-technical trek that is perfectly achievable for most reasonably fit people. We have helped hundreds of people on a Kilimanjaro trek, via the Marangu, Machame, Shira, Lemosho and Rongai routes, and we're here to help you have an enjoyable and successful climb.

Some of our Kilimanjaro porters with our guide Felix (right)

There are several ways that Footloose Adventure Travel can help you enjoy your Kilimanjaro climb and your visit to Tanzania. We know the country well - take advantage of our knowledge.

Footloose specialises in Kilimanjaro treks - both tailormade and group trips.

Kilimanjaro tailormade trips are private trips organised in exactly the way you want. Your group can be any number from 2 to 20 and you choose the route, the date, the number of days. We provide the guides, porters, camping equipment, food, transport and a night in a hotel before and after.

Kilimanjaro small group trips are detailed below and are guaranteed to run with a minimum of two people. They are great value because they include the extra day on the mountain and all the transfers. The park fees and rescue cover are all included in the price of all of our Mount Kilimanjaro treks - these are very expensive at more than £450, so don't be caught out by other deals that seem cheap!

Kilimanjaro treks with Footloose are very popular because of our expertise on the mountain and the support we give you during the run-up to departure and on the mountain. Mount Kilimanjaro is a popular mountain and there's a lot of information around about the climb but read carefully as much of it is misleading or just rubbish! Have a look here at some of the Kilimanjaro trekking myths.

The Mount Kilimanjaro trek generally takes no longer than about a week, so you can combine the climb with another trek - perhaps nearby Mount Meru, a safari in the great parks of Serengeti and Ngorongoro, and even add on a few days on a Zanzibar beach, to get the best out of your Africa trip.

If you have already been on a Kilimanjaro trek with us why not have a look at some alternative trekking holidays.

- Mount Kilimanjaro private trips for a climb organised to suit you

- Mount Kilimanjaro fixed date group tours with other specialist companies

- Mount Kilimanjaro fixed date tours with group climbs with other specialist companies

Need some help? Call one of our friendly team on 01943 604030 or email us at info@footloose.co.uk

Kilimanjaro - Footloose Marangu Group Trips 2012

Footloose is running group trips using the Kilimanjaro Marangu route.

2012 Departure Dates:
15 January - 22 January 2012
19 February - 26 February 2012
11 March - 18 March 2012
10 June - 17 June 2012
15 July - 22 July 2012
05 August - 12 August 2012
09 September - 16 September 2012
07 October - 14 October 2012
09 December - 16 December 2012

The cost is £1089 for 2012

This includes all airport transfers, nights in a good hotel before and after, all national park fees (around £450) and an extra day on the mountain in order to acclimatise better. Most other group trips do not include this extra day, so it's great value and maximises your enjoyment and chance of getting to the top. Flights are not included, but we can organise these for you as well. Many people add a safari or a stay on the unspoilt beaches of Zanzibar - the trip can be as flexible as you want. Please contact us for full details of these special tours.

Kilimanjaro - Footloose Machame Group Trips 2012

Footloose is running group trips using the Kilimanjaro Machame route.

2012 Departure Dates are:
09 January - 17 January 2012
23 January - 31 January 2012
06 February - 14 February 2012
27 February - 06 March 2012
11 June - 19 June 2012
25 June - 03 July 2012
09 July - 17 July 2012
23 July - 31 July 2012
06 August - 14 August 2012
20 August - 28 August 2012
03 September - 11 September 2012
17 September - 25 September 2012
01 October - 09 October 2012
15 October - 23 October 2012
17 December - 25 December 2012

The cost is £1336 for 2012

This includes all airport transfers, nights in a good hotel before and after, all national park fees (around £450) and an extra day on the mountain in order to acclimatise better. Most other group trips do not include this extra day, so it's great value and maximises your enjoyment and chance of getting to the top. Flights are not included, but we can organise these for you as well. Many people add a safari or a stay on the unspoilt beaches of Zanzibar - the trip can be as flexible as you want. Please contact us for full details of these special tours.

Treks and climbs on Kilimanjaro

At nearly 20,000 feet, Mount Kilimanjaro is the highest mountain in Africa, and one of the highest volcanoes in the world. For walkers, a Kilimanjaro trek is particularly attractive because, with the right preparation, it's possible to trek all the way to the summit without technical climbing gear or experience.

Mount Kilimanjaro rises above the surrounding plains, and its massive snow-capped summit dome at Uhuru peak can be seen for hundreds of kilometres in all directions. The two main peak areas are Kibo – the flat-topped dome at the centre of the massif – and Mawenzi – a group of jagged points and pinnacles on the eastern side. In fact, the top of Kibo is not flat, but dips inwards to form a crater with spectacular ice scenery. Kibo and Mawenzi are separated by a broad plain called The Saddle.

The popular routes

The Marangu Route is the easiest and most popular route up Mount Kilimanjaro. The path is straightforward and there are three large comfortable huts conveniently spaced along the way. This is the busiest route, not least because it is a descent route as well.

The Machame Route is the most scenic route on the mountain, passing through Kilimanjaro's complete range of landscape and vegetation types. The climb is longer and more gradual than the Marangu Route and is quieter. The huts are in poor condition so tents are used.

The Rongai Route starts on the drier northern side of the mountain and joins the Marangu at Kibo. This gives a quiet start for a few days but then becomes busier as you join people going up and down the Marangu.

The Lemosho Route starts on the western side of the mountain and after two days joins the Machame at Shira. It's a longer drive to the start, but quieter because of this.

Other Kilimanjaro climbs

Other routes on Mount Kilimanjaro include the Mweka, Londorossi, Lemosho and Umbwe. These are all variation starts on the Machame (and not separate as some companies suggest) and meet to finish up Barafu Ridge
The Mweka Route is the descent route for all the climbs (except Marangu and Rongai) and ascents are not permitted.
The Londorossi Route is another name for the Lemosho Route.
The Shira Route is a parallel route to the first two days of the Lemosho Route, but the first day is often avoided by driving which can give acclimatisation problems.
The Umbwe Route is a direct start to the Machame and should only be used by fit and acclimatised climbers.
The Western Breach is an alternative direct finish which is not permitted at present as there has been a rockfall resulting in several deaths.

Some routes use different paths in the Shira - Barranco area and some overnight at Lava Tower, but these are only slight variations on the general theme.

Kilimanjaro - Footloose Tailormade Trips
The itineraries below are examples of our tailormade treks and show what can be done on a Kilimanjaro climb or trek. Each is organised as a private trek for you and so they can be altered as needed and you can start on any day. Even if there are just two of you, you'll still get full service with a guide, cook and porters, and the cost is often less than being with a big group.

Full detailed itineraries are available by clicking on the links, or, for an overview check out our Kilimanjaro prices and itineraries index.

Kilimanjaro Marangu Route

Kilimanjaro Machame Route

Kilimanjaro LemoshoRoute

Kilimanjaro Rongai Route

Please contact us to ask for more details about Mount Kilimanjaro climbs and trekking holidays, or about safari, sightseeing, hiking and climbing trips to Mount Meru and the Crater Highlands of Tanzania.