Itinerary
Day 1: Hike from Londorossi Gate to Mti Mkubwa Camp
On the first day of the 14 days Kilimanjaro and Rwanda gorillas, you will be picked up by your guide from Arusha and drive to the headquarters of Mountain Kilimanjaro for registration and briefing about the hiking experience. After the registration and receiving a climbing permit, you will start a gradual hike into the Lemosho Glades. You will pass through lush rainforests as you enjoy the beautiful sounds of several exotic birds. During the hike, you will spot several animals like the black and white colobus monkeys and others.
You will arrive at Mti Mkubwa Camp during lunch time hours and the mountain crew will prepare all necessary items like putting tents, cook lunch and also prepare supper for you.
Accommodation at Mti Mkubwa Camp
Day 2: Hike from Mti Mkubwa Camp to Shira 1 Camp
After your early morning breakfast, you will move out of the montane forest zone and head into the moorland zone where you will bypass several beautiful tree species like the Giant Heather and Erica.
You will hike over the Shira ridge and this will be provide you will a direct views of Kibo the highest peak of the adventurous mountain. From there, you will move to the Shira plateau and set up at Shira 1 Camp that is located next to a stream. At Shira Camp, the mountain crew will prepare your lunch and also put tents for the night.
Accommodation at Shira 1 Camp
Day 3: Hike from Shira 1 Camp to Shira 2 Camp
In the morning after your delicious breakfast, you will start another trek towards Shira 2 Camp passing through the lower alpine moorland which is known for its beautiful wild alpine flowers, the unique giant lobelia and the giant groundsel plants. Arrive Shira Camp 2 in lunch time and after lunch, you will have some rest at the camp as the mountain specialists prepare your dinner and make your tents.
Accommodation at Shira 2 Camp
Day 4: Hike from Shira 2 Camp to the Lava tower and Descend to Moir Hut
After breakfast, you will hike from Shira 2 Camp to the Lava tower through the rocky terrain. As the hike continues, the route also becomes challenging and steep thus making some hikers feel weak or short of breath. Due this weakness and oxygen loss, you are advised to go slowly to avoid exasperating the symptoms.
You will have your lunch at the tower and after, you will trek a little higher and after descend to Moir hut for dinner and overnight.
Accommodation at Moir Hut
Day 5: Hike from Moir Hut to Buffalo Camp
After the breakfast, you will embark on a long hike but easy trek from Moir Hut to Buffalo Camp. After climb of Moir Hut, you will start going around the northern slope of Kili passing through the path of highs and lows.
While passing through this route, expect to have amazing views of Tsavo and Amboseli valleys since it passes close to the Kenya border.
Accommodation at Buffalo Camp
Day 6: Trek from Buffalo Camp to 3rd Cave Camp
On this day, you will finish the trekking up the northern slope of Mount Kilimanjaro spending the night in 3rd Cave Camp, where the path will meet up with the traditional Rongai route.
Accommodation at 3rd Cave Camp
Day 7: Trek from 3rd Cave Camp to School Hut
Wake up for your breakfast and prepare for the hike to the School Hut Summit camp. During this hike, you are advised to move at your own pace and also have enough sleep once at the camp. Also, you are advised to avoid active activities and also take as many drinks as you can since the next day you will have to move to the crater camp.
Accommodation at School Hut
Day 8: Hike from School Hut to Crater Camp
This will be one of the hardest days on your route since you will have to trek to the crater rim which requires much dedication. While at the crater, fancy your eyes with the ancient glaciers and snow and if you still have energy, you may continue climbing to the Ash Pit or wait for the following day. You will be served warm dinner to energize you.
Accommodation at Crater Camp
Day 9: Ascend Uhuru Peak and Descend to Millennium Camp
Have your early morning breakfast and ascend Uhuru peak passing through darkness. You will be accompanied by the mountain guides who will monitor your stamina and health. In just a few hours, you will reach Uhuru peak where you will see amazing sunrises as you celebrate the successful climb. After, you will start the descending to millennium camp through Barafu.
Accommodation at Crater camp
Day 10: Descend from Millennium Camp to Mweka Gate
On the 10th day of the hike, enjoy the your final mountain breakfast as you prepare for your descend through the verdant Afromontane forest to the park’s exit, Mweka Gate.
Here, you will have a chance to share your opinions about the Kilimanjaro hike in the guest book and last get commemorative certificates.
Day 11: Drive to Arusha for your flight to Kigali
Have your early morning breakfast and prepare for your transfer to Arusha, the capital of Tanzania for your flight to Kigali international airport in Rwanda where you will watch the endangered mountain gorillas at an up close direction in Volcanoes national park.
Day 12: Kigali city tour and Transfer to Volcanoes national park
Wake up for your early morning breakfast at the hotel and head to Kigali city for a city trip. During this trip, you will explore several beautiful and adventurous places like Kandt Museum where you will see old craft pieces. You will also visit the genocide memorial site and other destinations.
From the city tour, you will drive to Volcanoes national park taking a drive of approximately 3 hours. You will arrive at the park in the evening hours and check in at your lodge/hotel of booking
Accommodation: Mountain Gorilla View lodge
Day 13: Gorilla trekking experience
Wake up in the morning for your breakfast and drive to the park headquarters at Kinigi for briefing and start off your trekking adventure into the rainforests of Volcanoes national park. The experience takes about 2 to 6 hours depending on the location of the assigned gorilla group. After finding the gorillas, you will be allowed to spend an hour with them and after pick your certificates at the starting point. After, you will drive back to the lodge for lunch and have some relaxation at the lodge or opt for a village visit where you will get different kinds of entertainments from the locals.
Day 14: Departure
In the morning after your breakfast, you will drive from Volcanoes national park with an en-route lunch to Kigali international airport for your departure flight.
