Kilimanjaro Crater Camp Overview

Route overview, difficulty, success rates, itinerary, and expert tips

Kilimanjaro Crater Camping Overview

The extended version of Northern Circuit route includes two extra days to get proper acclimatization before overnighting at Crater Camp. Situated close to the top of Mount Kilimanjaro at the altitude of 5790 m, this is the highest overnight possible at the equator, so we will do our utmost to make your Kilimanjaro climb comfortable, as well as unforgettable. Only a lucky few can lay claim to having seen the night skies at this altitude and they are indeed a sight to behold: Kilimanjaro Glaciers against the backdrop of the Milky Way! While such ascents are never without their risks, the Altezza Travel Team has both the expertise and equipment to ensure your safety at Kilimanjaro Crater Camp.

Safety first: To maintain our strict safety standards, mountain expeditions are available only to participants aged 12–70 years.

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Kilimanjaro Crater Camping Detailed Itinerary

DAY 1

Arrival

Arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), where you will meet your guest experience expert and representative, and transfer to the hotel under the rate. The hotel will provide all the essentials for a comfortable stay: cozy rooms, hot water, polite staff, a swimming pool, and Internet access. In the evening there will be a briefing with our managers, who will also make sure you are ready to begin the climb.

Private tour packages include shared airport transfers for your group. Extra charges will apply for additional individual transfers. To avoid extra costs, sync your group’s arrival and departure times.

PLEASE NOTE:Check-in starts at 2:00 PM.

DAY 2

Trekking From Londorossi Gate to Mti Mkubwa Camp

In the morning, your guide and climbing support team will meet you at your hotel for a final briefing. Then you will drive for approximately 3-4 hrs to Kilimanjaro National Park’s western entrance, Londorossi Gate (2,250 m /7,380 f).

After the quick formality of acquiring climbing permits and registering with the search and rescue service, your group will start trekking to the first camp on your route – Mti Mkubwa Camp (2,650 m /8,692 f). Taking raincoats or ponchos with you is important because the trek lies through the dense tropical forest, where heavy rains are frequent.

By the time you reach the camp, our professional mountain crew will prepare everything you need for rest, pitch the tents, and cook lunch for you. After having lunch you will complete an acclimatization hike towards Shira 1 Camp and go back to Mti Mkubwa, where a hot dinner will be served for you.

The acclimatization hike is an easy trek with a slight gain in altitude done in order to speed up the acclimatization process. You should take the acclimatization hikes very seriously. They help increase your chances to climb Kilimanjaro successfully and save you from the consequences of altitude sickness.

This will be your first day at this altitude, so it is strongly recommended you heed the following instructions from this point on:

Drink over 4 liters of bottled water daily (little by little, frequently);
To help alleviate symptoms of altitude sickness, consider using a preventive measure like a high-altitude aid medicine. Many mountain climbers take such pills in the morning, before they begin their ascent, to reduce discomfort associated with altitude sickness. Our managers will provide more specific details together with your travel itinerary. We recommend consulting your doctor prior to the trip to discuss any potential allergies or health concerns.

At night you may experience discomfort associated with acclimatization to the high altitude: because of a reduction in your breathing pattern at night, your body gets less oxygen than during the day. Taking altitude into account, you may therefore start feeling sick and experience a headache. Pay attention to your own body and tell your guide if you start feeling any symptoms of altitude sickness.

Acclimatization hike // Change in Elevation:

Mti Mkubwa Camp (2,650 m / 8,694 ft) // A set point higher up (3,095 m / 10,154 ft)

Hiking distance: 2 km (1.2 miles)

Hiking time: 1 hour

Trekking time: 3-4 hours

Distance: 6 km (3.7 miles)

DAY 3

Trekking From Mti Mkubwa Camp to Shira 1 Camp

On this day you will have an early wake-up and a hearty breakfast. Then you will begin a gradual walk up to the altitude of 3,414 m / 11,200 f; at this point, you will be able to see stunning views of the Shira Plateau and Kibo Volcano for the first time.

On the whole, the passage from Mti Mkubwa to the second high-altitude camp, Shira 1 (3,414 m / 11,200 f), is rather easy and takes about 5-6 hours. This will allow you to start the acclimatization process gradually, which is the mainstay of good trekking towards the Kilimanjaro Crater Camp. When you reach the camp, your team of specialists will provide a hot lunch and you will have the chance to rest in your tent or take in the incredible scenery.

Trekking time: 5-6 hours

Distance: 5 km (3.1 miles)

DAY 4

Trekking From Shira 1 Camp to Shira 2 Camp

This day your group will depart from Shira 1 Camp (3,414 m / 11,200 f) and complete a light trek towards the second high-altitude camp: Shira 2 Camp (3,850 m /12,628 f). This trek is not difficult and you will be able to enjoy spectacular views of Africa and the unique plants endemic to Kilimanjaro. Shira 2 Camp is the best place on the trip to see Mount Meru (the fifth-highest summit of Africa), weather permitting.

When you arrive at the camp you will have lunch, and after a two-hour rest, everyone will complete an acclimatization hike towards Lava Tower Camp that features a 300 m /984 f gain in altitude. Remember, acclimatization hikes are very important, but this one also offers a stunning view from the top.

Acclimatization hike // Change in Elevation:

Shira 2 Camp (3,850 m / 12,631 ft) // Destination point en route to Lava Tower (4,110 m / 13,484 ft)

Hiking distance: 2 km (1.2 miles)

Hiking time: 1-2 hours

Trekking time: 3-4 hours

Distance: 7 km (4.3 miles)

DAY 5

Trekking From Shira 2 Camp to The Lava Tower and Descent to Moir Hut

After breakfast, you will leave Shira 2 Camp (3,850 m /12,628 f) and start trekking to Lava Tower (4,600 m /15,088 f). The route is more challenging than the hikes on previous days and has more inclines and descents throughout. You may find it more physically demanding than the day before, however, it offers an ideal way to acclimatize to the high altitude. Lunch is served atop Lava Tower, allowing you 1-2 hours to rest and relax after a challenging morning.

After lunch, you will trek a little higher and then gradually descend to Moir Hut. This camp is located on the way to the northern part of Kilimanjaro.

Trekking time: 5-7 hours

Distance: 14 km (8.7 miles)

DAY 6

Trekking from Moir Hut to Buffalo Camp

On this day, you will have a long but relatively easy trek. Initially, you will have a steep (although short) climb to depart Moir Valley, and then approach the northern slope of Kilimanjaro. While there will be more ups and downs on this trek, there are no steep altitude gains. This route passes close to the border with Kenya, so you will be treated to amazing views of the Tsavo and Amboseli Valleys.

Trekking time: 5-6 hours

Distance: 12 km (7.4 miles)

DAY 7

Trekking From Buffalo Camp to 3rd Cave Camp

You will finish trekking up the northern slope of Kilimanjaro and stop for the night in 3rd Cave Camp, where the route will meet up with the traditional Rongai route. On this day the trekking will be shorter, and by this time your body should already have become completely acclimated to an altitude of 3,800 m / 12,464 f, which will contribute to your increased comfort and overall well-being.

Trekking time: 4-6 hours

Distance: 8 km (4.9 miles)

DAY 8

Trekking from 3rd cave Camp to School Hut

On this day you will be trekking to the School Hut Summit Camp (4,800 m /15,744 f). The actual trekking is not very hard, so remember to just choose an appropriate pace in order to keep your strength up for the next day. When you reach the camp, we recommend you sleep well, avoid strenuous activity, and drink as much water as you can, because tomorrow your group will trek into the crater.

Trekking time: 4-5 hours

Distance: 5 km (3.1 miles)

DAY 9

Summit from School Hut to Uhuru Peak and descent to Crater Camp

Around midnight, you will depart from the camp and walk along the edge of the crater rim to reach the highest point in Africa, Uhuru Peak, which stands at 5,895 meters. Once you arrive at the top, you will spend about 30-40 minutes taking photos and watching an amazing sunrise with views across Africa. You can explore the nearby glaciers (just a 30-minute walk from the top) or start descending to the crater camp whenever you’re ready.

Reaching the crater floor requires much dedication, but it is well worth it! When you arrive, you will be astonished by the ancient glaciers and snow. If you want, you may choose to trek further to the Ash Pit (it takes approximately 90 minutes), or save this endeavor for the next day.

Trekking time: 4-6 hours

Distance: 5 km (3.1 miles)

DAY 10

Trekking from Crater Camp to Millenium Camp

On this day you can make another summit attempt in the morning, your general condition permitting. If you don’t want to get back to Uhuru, you can proceed with hiking out of the crater to Barafu summit camp and further down the slope to Millenium camp, your next overnight site.

Or, if you feel like it, you can go to the Ash Pit, a still warm ice-free part of the crater with a diameter of 340 m, consisting of lava gravel (in case you didn’t explore it yesterday). Its whitish-yellow sulfur slopes drop about 200 m into the depth of the volcano. Together with the Reusch crater that is encircling Ash Pit, Kilimanjaro has one of the most perfect crater shapes on earth. The amount of snow in the crater will determine the possibility of getting to the Ash Pit.

Trekking time: 5-6 hours

Distance: 16 km (9.9 miles)

DAY 11

Descent from Mellennium Camp to Mweka Gate

The camp is situated in a tropical rainforest. When you wake up, you will feel relief from the reduction of the height and the satisfaction of reaching the summit. After a warm breakfast, you will head for the park’s exit: Mweka Gate (1,640 m /5,379 f). After your descent, the whole group will gather to congratulate you, followed by offering you a chance to share your opinions on the climb in the guestbook. Lastly, we will present you with your commemorative certificates in our office and provide you with a transfer back to the hotel.

Trekking time: 4-5 hours

Distance: 12 km (7.4 miles)

DAY 12

Departure

Rest in the hotel and transfer to the airport.

PLEASE NOTE:Hotel check-out is at 11:00 AM. In case you need a late check-out because of an evening flight, there is the option to extend your hotel stay for an extra fee.

Prices for Kilimanjaro Crater Camping

Classic Premium // Classic Tarif

Our classic adventures are what the majority of climbers are looking for. The combination of great comfort and high safety standards makes our classic Kilimanjaro hikes enjoyable and memorable. This is the most popular option among our clients.

This climbing package includes everything that a climber may need for the hike – our experienced mountain crews, high-quality group equipment, nutritionist-designed meals. Our safety protocols, though, are the same for all our hiking adventures – only the guides with Wilderness First Responder certification are assigned to lead a party. Other safety measures include a supply of oxygen cylinders, complete medical kits and compulsory medical check-ups (two per day).

The progress of each trekking party is tracked with GPS device. You may share the link with your family and friends, who will be able to monitor your progress in a real-time mode.

Before and after the adventure you will stay in a good hotel with caring staff, hot water, reliable Wi-Fi, restaurant and swimming pool.

Northern Circuit route with crater camping price per person book this climb