Adventure Alternative

Kilimanjaro trekking adventures - the roof of Africa

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In a nutshell

Dominating the landscape like no other mountain -
Mt Kilimanjaro is the highest peak in Africa and the highest free-standing mountain in the world at 5895 metres.


Adventure Alternative runs Kilimanjaro trekking adventures every month and our success rate is 95% for summitting. We provide excellent service and we give our porters and guides the full recommended wage as defined by the Kilimanjaro National Park Service.

Climbing Kilimanjaro is a great challenge for the adventure traveller and aspirant mountaineer. It is a perennial favourite, not to be underestimated, but entirely feasible for the hillwalker looking to combine a high mountain adventure with going to Africa. The total trek is just over 100km with an overall height gain of 4405 metres in seven days.

Mount Kilimanjaro photo gallery
Kilimanjaro trekking route map
Climb Kilimanjaro Video - to the roof of Africa!

The Challenge –
fitness, age, experience

It is important to point out that the challenge is a non-technical trek to climb kilimanjaro, but it offers a full mountaineering experience. You will need to be fit and any regular hillwalker will find this expedition within his or her capabilities. A training programme should include at least one hill walk a week with a small pack of around 10kgs, and regular visits to the gym or the swimming pool once a week for the final two months before departure.

Age is not a limiting factor either; the secret of climbing Mt Kilimanjaro is to go slowly and enjoy the scenery, drink well, eat well and sleep well. A regular, maintained pace will ensure proper acclimatisation.
We take seven days over this climb of Kilimanjaro. Summit day starts early on Day Six. The ethos centres around the principle that if you look after yourself well during the first five days, then the sixth 'summit' day will be a challenge but not dangerous.

Our trip to Mt Kilimanjaro promotes good mountaineering practises for an enjoyable trip, a memorable holiday and one that may lead in the future to more mountain adventures. Our programme is safety-conscious and purposeful in teaching about issues like altitude sickness, and what it actually means. Most worries are borne of ignorance; but with knowledge comes calm, and with that calm comes the ability to prepare mentally and to prevent unnecessary stress. 

Kilimanjaro the Mountain

The once-eternal snows on her broad summit spread across three ancient peaks - Kibo, Mawenzi and Shira, which erupted an estimated 100,000 years ago. The actual summit is Uhuru Peak (meaning ‘independence’).   Kilimanjaro translates to “mountain of the springs” and encapsulates five different habitats from bottom to top. It is this uniqueness of micro-climates and habitats that makes an ascent of the mountain so special. Sadly Kilimanjaro is now a prime example of the effects of global warming, and her permanent glaciers are in retreat.

In a period of seven days, traversing the mountain over 24 miles, ascending from 6000 feet to 19,340’ and back down, you will go from cultivated farmland through equatorial forest and alpine heath, across a lunar-like rocky landscape up to a glaciated summit. Mt Kilimanjaro's unique position just below the equator offers an opportunity to experience so much in one expedition.

''I am writing to say how much Kay and I enjoyed our trip to Tanzania. We are very pleased to have reached the summit of Kilimanjaro and very much appreciate the excellent organisation which enabled the climb to go smoothly and successfully.' Brian Dodson  

The Route we use

Generally speaking the route we prefer is called the Machame route. It is regarded as the most challenging of the routes on Mt Kilimanjaro, but we believe ultimately the most satisfying. We circle the summit massif on days 3 ,4 and 5 and ascend to the summit from Barafu Hut. This means seeing the mountain from all different angles and the days circling the base do not involve any real gain in altitude which is good for acclimatisation. After summitting we descend from Barafu Hut down the Mweka route to the gate and back to Moshi.

Day 1 - Machame Gate to Machame Camp (3000m), 4 hours through forest
Day 2 - Machame to Shira Plateau (3850m'), 5 hours through forest and open heath
Day 3 - Shira Plateau to Barranco Hut (3950m), 6 hours on open heath and over two valleys
Day 4 - Barranco Hut to Karanga Valley (3930m), 3 hours on open heath and rock across one valley
Day 5 - Karanga Valley to Barafu Hut (4600m), 3 hours ascent on open ground
Day 6 - Barafu Hut to Summit (5895m) and down to Millennium Camp (3300m), 6-8 hours to crater rim at night, 45 minutes from rim to Uhuru Peak, 3 or 4 hours back to Barafu Hut, 1-2 hours down to Millennium Camp
Day 7 - Millennium Camp to Mweka Gate (1500m) and Moshi. 3 to 4 hours in forest.

In all cases, in the event of someone feeling ill there are ample opportunities to descend to Shira Plateau where a car can be called for emergencies. The paths are all very good and there are good facilities for toilets, rescues, water and tentage. Gold certificates are given for the summit and white ones for Stella Point. We also can offer trips on the Lemosho Route in the same number of days, please contact us for details of this option.
We do not allow any trip to be less than seven days to the summit for reasons of safety.

Why Adventure Alternative?

We have a 100% safety track record for our Kilimanjaro trekking adventures, excellent staff and we do not outsource because we have our own set-up and company in East Africa. Using proper acclimatisation on the ascent, providing great food, good preparation and briefings with an emphasis on teamwork, safety and fun means people come back from their holiday feeling very fulfilled and happy.

' 'If anyone is looking to find a professionally-run company to go on an Expedition /climb, look no further than Adventure Alternative. In June 2003 I did their Kilimanjaro Expedition led by Gavin Bate. As a retired Royal Marine it was a joy to be  a member of such a well prepared and professionally-led expedition without any of the responsibilities apart from being a good Team member !' Peter Ward, Lieutenant Colonel,  Royal Marines ( Retd)

Additional trips: Mt Meru, Safari or Zanzibar

If you have a little more time available we also offer a pre Kilimanjaro Climb of neighbouring Mount Meru. Mt Meru is an active volcano located 70 kilometres (44 miles) west of Kilimanjaro. It reaches 4,566 metres (14,980 feet) in height but has lost much of its bulk due to an eastward volcanic blast about 8,000 years ago. This is an excellent way to assist with acclimatisation or as a stand alone climb. A 5 day expedition costs £595 or discounted to £500 if you are also climbing Kilimanjaro. Just drop us an email for the full itinerary.

We also offer a four day, three night safari package taking in the Ngorongoro Crater and two other national parks in the Serengeti region. We have all the vehicles, staff and equipment for this safari which includes staying in the Twiga hostel in a town called Mto Wa Mbu with double/twin rooms, or staying in a 4* lodge. Ngorongoro is rightly famous as the densest population of animals in a specific area, in this case a remarkable perfectly formed crater.

Or you can take a flight down to Zanzibar and relax on the beaches of this famous spice island. This can be organised prior to your trip or when you arrive in Moshi. Flights to Zanzibar are generally $180 one way person.

Mount Kilimanjaro Expedition Fee:

The price includes –

• All internal jeep / coach transport to the mountain park gate from Moshi
• Accommodation in Moshi - 3 nights B&B – Twin room in the Keys Annexe Hotel (with swimming pool, ensuite, TV and gardens)
• All camping on the mountain and camping fees and group equipment – 2 man mountain tents, mess tents for up to 10 people, tables and chairs
• All permits and park fees, mountain rescue insurance and porters insurance
• Professional guide, either UK or Tanzanian, porters, porters gear, equipment and cooks
• All meals on the mountain - fresh food, 3 meals per day
• All UK / Eire and Tanzanian administration and organisation

Does not include -

• International Airfare – estimate £600 to Nairobi or Kilimanjaro Int Airport
• Excess baggage charges, personal expenses, travel insurance
• Visa for Kenya ($50) and/or Tanzania ($50, free for Irish)
• Lunch or dinners only in Moshi estimate £5/meal
• Tips for porters - $40