Conquer Mount Kilimanjaro with

Day 1: Fly Ireland – Kilimanjaro  

Day 2: Arrive Kilimanjaro and rest day

Zone 1: Cultivation (800m – 1,800m). Rest and briefing day at the hotel.

Day 3: Trek Machame Gate (1,950m) – Machame Camp (2,980m)

Zone 2: Rainforest (1,800m – 2,800m).

Day 4: Trek Machame Camp (2,980m) – Shira Camp (3,840m)

Zone 3: Heather-Moorland (2,800m – 4,000m).

Day 5: Trek Shira Camp (3840m) – Lava Towers (4,637m) – Barranco Camp (3,950m)

Zone 4. This is one of the hardest days as we rise to 4,637m before descending again to 3,950m. 

Day 6: Trek – Barranco Camp (3,950m) – summit of the Barranco Wall

Zone 4. Acclimatisation trek to Karanga Camp (4,030m).

Day 7: Trek – Karanga Camp (4,030m) – Barafu Camp (4,600m) 

Zone 4.

Day 8: Trek Barafu Camp (4,600m) – Stella Point – summit of Kilimanjaro (5,895m).

Zone 5: Arctic (5,000m – 5,895m). Descend to Barafu Camp and on to Mweka Camp (3,100m).

Day 9: Trek from Mweka Camp (3,100m) to Mweka Gate (2,000m)

Return to hotel. 

Day 10: Departure for Ireland or transfer to hotel if opting for safari and/or Zanzibar

Day 11: Five-hour game drive to Lake Manyara

Arrive at Ngorongoro for dinner and overnight stay.

Day 12: Five-hour crater tour

After the tour drive to Arusha. Stay overnight.

Day 13: Fly to Zanzibar

Transfer to Hotel for dinner and overnight stay.

Day 14:  Zanzibar

Dinner and overnight stay.

Day 15: Return to airport to travel home

 Day 16: Arrive Ireland

Note: Land-only option – arrive at the hotel on the afternoon on Day 2. Depart from hotel on the morning of Day 10.

Note: This itinerary is subject to change

Climbing to Kilimanjaro’s summit is physically and mentally challenging, but with the help of our experienced guides and leaders, it is a challenge that can be met by most fit people. The climb does not require any technical mountaineering skills, and Kili is classified as a trekking peak suitable to all and one that can be achieved by a beginner with training. A good level of fitness and some experience on a mountain is recommended prior to departure. You will enjoy your trip a lot more if you have prepared well.

We recommend that you visit us at The Mountain Lodge to say hello and meet with our team. This is an ideal opportunity to check out your fitness levels when you are assessed by our experienced team members. The day also provides a good opportunity to get any questions answered or concerns dealt with that you may have in relation to the trip. We talk about dealing with altitude and different weather conditions as well as giving tips on gear and general training.

We consider ourselves among the world’s leading experts in high-altitude trekking and pride ourselves on putting together trips that provide the best possible opportunity to succeed. Acclimatisation is key to success, and it’s important that you don’t underestimate the time you allow yourself to adjust to your new environment. Pace is key to preventing AMS (Acute Mountain Sickness), and our guides monitor the group at all times for signs and symptoms.

On the Saturday of our Meet Weekend, we climb one of Ireland’s highest peaks during the day while, very early on Sunday morning, we undertake a night hike. The hike simulates the requirements on the summit day/night of the actual trek, taking you out of your comfort zone and helping you learn how to prepare your mind and body for the challenge ahead.

For beginners, we offer fitness testing weekends and a variety of hillwalking options (see our Courses &Training section) and recommend a 12-month personal training programme for Everest Base Camp. If you have some degree of fitness and experience, and we recommend a six-month training programme to ensure you can trek comfortably between 4,000m and 6,000m. Our suggested programme is as follows:

• Months 1-2: These should include fortnightly hillwalking treks lasting three hours and including carrying a small/medium pack weighing 5kg approx.
• Months 3-4: Increase your fortnightly treks to last six hours plus and increase your pack weight to 7kg approx.
• Month 5: Do two walks on consecutive days twice during the month. Do a five-hour walk on the first day and a six-hour trek on the second day. Be careful to avoid injury.
• Month 6: Continue with some hillwalking but reduce to lower peaks and durations of a maximum of four hours.

Ask your GP for advice on vaccinations, keeping in mind your travel history to date. You are required to have a valid and up-to-date Vaccination Card (yellow in colour) approved for the destination. You can get this from your doctor.

Our guides are second to none when it comes to sharing their knowledge and passion of their home country, especially when on safari where the glory and wonder of Tanzania glitters. Covering about 330km², of which about two-thirds is underwater, Lake Manyara National Park is small by African standards. However, it’s also very beautiful and contains a tremendous diversity of habitats and wildlife. Set beneath the spectacular backdrop of the Great Rift Valley’s steep western escarpment, this long, narrow park protects an area between the escarpment and Lake Manyara.

The Ngorongoro conservation area covers 2286 km² and encompasses the volcanic area around the Ngorongoro crater, including the still active Oldonyo Lengai and the famous Olduvai Gorge. This conservation area is quite simply the most spectacular tourist destination in Africa, unequalled for its magnificence, its wildlife and its atmosphere. Added to the beautiful scenery, the archaeological wealth and the wildlife is a proud people and pastoral tribe, the Maasai.

Zanzibar has for centuries attracted seafarers and adventures from around the world. Just the name itself evokes dreams of romance and mystery. We are delighted to organise your holiday here where you can visit Zanzibar’s historic Stone Town, where sultans once ruled and relax on one of 25 dazzling white, palm-fringed beaches where the azure water of the Indian Ocean beckons. It is a haven for swimmers, divers and water sports enthusiasts.

Breathe in the fragrant scent of cloves, vanilla, cardamom and nutmeg to discover why Zanzibar is called the ‘Spice Island’. Explore the forest with its rare flora and fauna, or visit some of the ancient archaeological sites. Spend a few days here after a safari on the mainland or, better still, allocate a week or two and immerse yourself in the magic that is Zanzibar.

Safari add-on: 3-day safari From €1,750 this includes park fees. Single supplement applies

Zanzibar add-on: 3 nights From €850 this includes full board in a 5-star hotel. Flights not included.

The itinerary:

Day 1: Arusha – Lake Manyara

After breakfast, leave your hotel at 8.3 am for Lake Manyara National Park arriving in time for lunch. Afternoon game drive, dinner and overnight in Lodge.

Day 2: Lake Manyara – Ngorongoro Crater

After breakfast leave Lake Manyara for Ngorongoro Crater arriving in good time for lunch at the hippo pool. After lunch descend 670m into the crater floor for full day crater tour with a break for lunch at Ngoitoktok Springs picnic site. Black-maned lions, rhinos, buffaloes, elephants and other grazing animals abound. Evening game drive. Return to Ngorongoro Wildlife campsite for dinner and overnight.

Day 3: Ngorongoro Crater – Arusha

After breakfast and morning game drive, drive to Arusha, where your safari ends in the afternoon.

Day 4: Fly to Zanzibar

Transfer to Hotel for dinner and overnight stay.

Day 5: Zanzibar

Visit Stone Town if you wish or stay in the luxury of the hotel. Dinner and overnight stay at Hotel.

Day 6: Leisure day and depart for home

Day 7: Arrive Ireland