SEVEN SUMMITS

Kilimanjaro

See the snows of
Kilimanjaro up close.

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Kilimanjaro
Climb

“Kilimanjaro is a snow-covered mountain 19,341 feet high, and is said to be the highest mountain in Africa. Its western summit is called the Masai 'Ngaje Ngai', the House of God.” So begins Ernest Hemingway’s The Snows of Kilimanjaro, one of the many stories that have helped cement the legend of this beguiling mountain - and make it one of the most popular of the Seven Summits.

Country

Tanzania

Duration

8 days

grade

Easy 1A

Max Altitude

5895 m
19341 ft

Daily activity

Approx
4-7 hrs

Season

Spring &
Summer

Dates Available

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Starting from

USD $4,200

Aimed at climbers looking to get into high alitude moutaineering or quest for Seven Summits challenge You must have a very high level of fitness.

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What the adventure involves

Hemingway might have helped build Kilimanjaro’s reputation, but he got a couple of key things wrong. The mountain is slightly shorter than his 1936 short story claimed - just 19,341 feet, or 5,895m. And although he paints it as a place of death, and a dangerous peak, it is actually one of the safest - and most frequently climbed - of the Seven Summits.

Snow and ice cover the peak, despite the mountain’s equatorial location, but don’t present a serious impediment to climbing it. Meanwhile, the gently sloping slopes mean that, although a high level of fitness is essential, no technical climbing skill is needed. For many people, this is the first of the Seven Summits they tackle, and it makes an excellent warm-up peak for more rigorous challenges later in a climbing career.

Having said that, the mountain is not without its dangers - sudden storms, altitude sickness and sections of scrambling can all trip up climbers who are not careful. Which is why we at Elite Exped adopt the same meticulous approach to planning and preparation for Kilimanjaro as we would for any of our more extreme expeditions.

Regardless of where we operate in the world, we oversee every aspect of the expedition ourselves, making sure that nothing is left to chance. Kilimanjaro might not be as dangerous as some of the mountains that our team regularly scale in the Himalayas, but we never underestimate the technical challenges of any peak we tackle.

Elite Exped’s Kilimanjaro expedition can be completed in just nine days, and we make sure that allows for plenty of time for acclimatisation. From the base of the mountain to the summit is more than 5,000m, a distance which takes time to adjust to.

Climbing Kilimanjaro represents a significant achievement, and a big first step for many along the route towards attaining the goal of climbing the Seven Summits. If that’s your objective, Elite Exped will help you get there, climbing with you every step of the way.

Trekkers hiking among snows and rocks of Kilimanjaro mountain

From our clients

Jeff Evans

Mera 2017

You can trust them with the safety and satisfaction of clients. Elite was nothing less than a 10/10 in every aspect of how they executed the expedition

Steve Davis

Manaslu 2019

Manaslu was my first 8,000er and first time with Elite. They exceeded my expectations at every level and stage. I would have no hesitation in booking with them again! Highly recommended!!!

Amy McCulloch

Aconcagua 2018

I often felt they went above and beyond to ensure we had a successful expedition. Excellent judgments throughout the expedition led us to reach the summit safely in extreme conditions. Highly recommend!

This tried and tested itinerary is informed by decades of mountaineering experience. As with all adventurous activities of this type however, circumstances may arise where Elite Exped is forced to make alterations, possibly at short notice. While making every effort to adhere to this published schedule, we kindly ask for your patience if the weather, or other naturally occurring circumstances, intervene.

Your daily schedule

Day 01
Arrive at Kilimanjaro's international airport and transfer to hotel.
Day 02
Rongai Gate (1950m) – 1st Caves Camp (2600m)
Day 03
1st Caves Camp (2600m) – Kikelewa Cave (3600m)
Day 04
Kikelewa Cave (3600) – Mawenzi Tarn Camp (4330m)
Day 05
Mawenzi Tarn Camp (4330m) – Kibo Hut (4700m)
Day 06
Summit Attempt
Day 07
Horombo Hut (3720m) – Marangu Gate (1980m)
Day 08
Check out from the hotel and departure back to home country.

Environment

Protecting our mountains

We believe the mountains are there for all to enjoy, but must be respected, and protected. We are the voice, carers and keepers of these sacred places for future generations. Our environmental policy ensures we do no harm, and leave no trace. Learn more

Training

Developing your skills to achieve a new possible

Our tailored approach to training will help you improve as a climber, developing the mental and physical skills you need to achieve your dreams. Learn more

Above + Beyond + Adventure

Practical info

Frequently asked questions

The following frequently asked questions may help answer any queries you have about Elite Exped, what this expedition involves, and what is required. If your question isn’t answered here please check our dedicated FAQ support page, otherwise don’t hesitate to get in touch.

What accommodation is included?

All accommodation is included from the initial meeting point through to the end of the expedition, as listed on the itinerary. We always choose the highest quality hotels, even when travelling through more remote areas with less established infrastructures.

Our base camp accommodation is also of the highest quality and comfort and can be completely tailored to the demands of global lifestyles. We can discuss options and your needs during the booking phase.

What equipment is provided?

Will the expedition cost include travel?

Why choose
Elite Exped?

Unparalleled
leadership

Nimsdai Purja and Mingma David Sherpa’s mountaineering world records speak for themselves, but our founders are more than just supremely-talented climbers. While some choose to direct operations from a back office, Nimsdai and Mingma David lead from the front. Their experience of every aspect of guiding and climbing - from fixing ropes, to organising logistics - is unparalleled. It’s no surprise that when they’ve worked together they have a perfect, 100 percent success rate when it comes to summiting 8,000m peaks.

Safety through
self-sufficiency

If it’s controllable we control it, this is key to attain and maintain our industry leading strategy for success and safety. We maximise our options, agility and responsiveness by running totally self-sufficient expeditions, not relying on any other teams on the mountain to achieve our objectives. We are capable of setting up our own fixed lines (with a proven track record on all 8,000m peaks) and have backups to cover all scenarios, from secondary oxygen supplies through to the ability and experience to operate our own rescue missions if the situation arises.

A unique
perspective

With his Nepalese roots, and UK residency, our co-founder Nimsdai Purja brings a unique perspective of the world of mountaineering, and an unparalleled ability to bridge the gap between Western and Himalayan climbing cultures. We can assemble trusted teams and networks anywhere in the world, but our founders’ roots are a particular advantage when it comes to summiting the world’s very highest peaks. An intimate knowledge of how things work on the ground ensures that everything runs smoothly when you’re 8,000m above sea-level.

Your adventure

Ready to take on
the challenge?

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Kilimanjaro