Mount Kilimanjaro climbs and trekking holidays

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Tanzania offers some of the best trekking in Africa, from the highest point in Africa – on Kilimanjaro – to the burnt plains of the Rift Valley, with many fascinating places in between. However, the high point for many is, literally, the ascent of Kilimanjaro, a non-technical climb or trek that is perfectly achievable for most reasonably fit people.

There are several ways that Footloose Adventure Travel can help you enjoy a holiday in Tanzania in general and your Kilimanjaro climb in particular. We know the country well – take advantage of our knowledge. Kilimanjaro has a special place in most people's imagination and between us we have climbed it many times and have helped several hundred people trek to its summit, via the Marangu, Machame, Shira and Rongai routes.

The climb of Kilimanjaro generally takes no longer than a week, so you can combine the climb with trekking, a safari and even add on a Zanzibar trip, to get the best out of your Africa trip.

- Private trips organised to suit you

- Fixed date group tours

- Fixed date tours with group activities

Kilimajaro Footloose Group Trips 2008 and 2009

Footloose is running group trips using the Kilimanjaro Machame route. Departures dates are:

2008
22nd September - 30th September
20th October - 28th October

2009
19th January - 27th January
23rd February - 3rd March
21st September - 29th September
19th October - 27th October

The cost is £905 for departures in 2008 and £985 for departures in 2009. This includes all transfers and an extra day on the mountain in order to acclimatise better. Most group trips do not include this extra day, so it's great value and a more sociable way to do the trek. Please contact us for full details of these special tours.

Treks and climbs on Kilimanjaro

At nearly 20,000 feet, Kilimanjaro is the highest mountain in Africa, and one of the highest volcanoes in the world. For walkers, trekking up Kilimanjaro 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.

Kilimanjaro rises 16,000 feet above the surrounding plains, and its massive snow-capped summit dome 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 Mt. Kilimanjaro. The path is straightforward and there are three large comfortable huts conveniently spaced along the way.

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 much quieter. The huts are in poor condition so tents are used. On the higher sections of this route trekkers have two options, approach the summit by the Western Breach (short and very steep) or by the Barafu section of the Mweka Route (longer but less demanding).

Other Kilimanjaro climbs

Other routes include the Shira Route, the Mweka Route, and many so-called wilderness variations on the Shira. We are also able to arrange ascents of the northern Rongai route. This is a quieter start but joins the Marangu for the last day.

The Marangu Route is the Kilimanjaro 'Trade Route' and by far the busiest, but has comfortable huts. The others are wilderness routes and involve camping.

The itineraries below are examples of our tailormade treks and show what can be done on a Kilimanjaro climb or trek. They are 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 – Shira Route

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 Mt. Meru and the Crater Highlands of Tanzania.