November 11, 2022
by Nate Taiaroa

In 2016, Chris climbed Mt Kilimanjaro with Adventure Out Loud. Originally planning to complete the Machame Route in 7 days, we amended our itinerary to 6 days due to persistent rain and snow. Despite the miserable weather, everyone successfully and safely summited Kililmanjaro, and all make it back to the hotel on night 6 for the best sleep and hot shower they have ever had. 

While Chris is young and fit, he struggled with fatigue throughout the climb; highlighting that while age, fitness level and experience can be an advantage, they do not guarantee a successful summit. Altitude sickness is non-descrimatory. 

As part of his climb, Chris fundraised to sponsor the secondary school education of a young girl living in Kibera Slum. Her name is Faith. Upon his return home, Chris completed a short video log of each of his 6 days on Kilimanjaro for the friend or relative who had sponsored that days walk. Today, Chris has a little girl of his own, and Faith has graduated from secondary school and is currently at university in Ghana on scholarship. 

 

NOTE:

This footage is from Adventure Out Loud's second trip when we were running budget trips aimed at younger travellers. We've come a long way since then; with better processes, better safety, more guide training, and much better gear. The footage is still interesting though and it will give you a feel for what to expect when you trek Kilimanjaro. 

 

 

Day 1: Machame Gate to Machame Camp

  • Elevation: 1,800m to 3,000m
  • Distance: 11 km
  • Hiking Time: 5-7 hours
  • Habitat: Rain Forest

 

 


Day 2: Machame Camp to Shira Camp

  • Elevation: 3,000m to 3,800m
  • Distance: 5 km
  • Hiking Time: 4-6 hours
  • Habitat: Heather & Moorland

 

 

 

Day 3: Shira Camp to Barranco Camp via Lava Tower

  • Elevation: 3,800m to 3,900m via 4,600m
  • Distance: 10 km
  • Hiking Time: 6-8 hours
  • Habitat: Semi Desert

 

 

 

Day 4: Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp

  • Elevation: 3,990m to 4,000m
  • Distance: 5 km
  • Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
  • Habitat: Alpine Desert

 

 

 

Day 5: Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp

  • Elevation: 4,000m to 4,600m
  • Distance: 4 km
  • Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
  • Habitat: Alpine Desert

 

 

 

Summit: Barafu Camp to Summit to Barafu Camp to Mweka Gate

  • Elevation: 4,600m to 5,895m to 4,600m to 1,800m
  • Distance: 5 km ascent / 5 km descent
  • Hiking Time: 7-8 hours ascent / 2-3 hours descent to Barafu Camp / 6-7 hours to Mweka Gate
  • Habitat: Arctic to Rain Forest

 

 

 

Day 6: Barafu Camp to Mweka Gate

  • Elevation: 4,600m to 1,800m
  • Distance: 17 km
  • Hiking Time: 7-9 hours
  • Habitat: Arctic to Rain Forest

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kilimanjaro trekking itinerary ideas

 

 

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About The Author:

Nate Taiaroa

Founder & Head Guide

Nate is an adventurer, keynote speaker and responsible tourism expert with more than 10 years experience, travelling, living & volunteering in Africa. He is the Founder of Adventure Out Loud and is most passionate about making education accessible to every child in Africa.