$8,795 USD
- December 29, 2025 – January 9, 2026 – Guided by Dr. Brenton Systermans
- July 16 – 27, 2026 (Masters | 50+) – Guided by Dallas Glass
- July 27 – August 7, 2026 – Guided by Dallas Glass
- December 28, 2026 – January 8, 2027
Our Kilimanjaro expeditions run from July to August and again from December to January to take advantage of the best weather and most favorable summit conditions. Typically, the weather in these months is the driest and warmest of the year.
- If these dates don’t work for you, or you would like a private trip and private guide, we also build custom itineraries for many of our climbers.
- You can climb Kilimanjaro as a stand-alone activity, or you can round out your experience in Tanzania with our custom-tailored add-ons, including a safari or a Zanzibar Getaway.
This expedition is our traditional guided team climb, which ascends the stunning Machame Route. Provided are guidance, leadership, and expedition oversight by renowned expedition leader Mike Hamill, local guides, logistics, team gear, porters, food, and support for a summit attempt on Kilimanjaro.
In addition, this program also includes our thoughtfully crafted African Safari itinerary to strike the perfect balance between thrilling adventures and well-deserved relaxation, ensuring you make the most of your time in Tanzania. Your journey will take you through Tarangire National Park, famed for its majestic baobab trees and large elephant herds, and conclude in the breathtaking Ngorongoro Crater, often referred to as ‘Africa’s Eden.
Team Departure + African Safari Itinerary
This itinerary is only a rough estimate and will be determined by weather and conditions. This is adventure travel, meaning things rarely go as planned, and this schedule will likely change. Climbers need to be adaptable and positive.
We always recommend climbers arrive in Arusha one day early to avoid travel delays or issues with lost baggage. Added expenses (hotel/food/sightseeing) of this extra day are the client’s responsibility.
- Day 1: Arrive in Tanzania at Kilimanjaro International Airport, transfer to hotel
- Day 2: Gear checks, team meeting, and check out the town
- Day 3: Drive to Kilimanjaro National Park gate (5,800ft) and climb through the rainforest to Machame Camp (10,000ft)
- Day 4: Continue to climb through Heather-Moorlands to the Shira Plateau Camp (12,300ft)
- Day 5: Continue the climb to Barranco Camp, climbing over a pass at nearly 15,000ft underneath the precipitous Breach Wall before descending to 12,800ft
- Day 6: Climb the Barranco Wall to about 14,500ft before again descending to Karanga Camp at around 13,000ft
- Day 7: Climb to our high camp at 15,500ft before turning in early for our summit climb early the next morning.
- Day 8: Summit Day! We awake in the wee hours of the morning (night), working our way to the “Roof of Africa” at 19,344ft. The day is cold and can be windy and snowy, so make sure you have proper warm gear! After standing on top, we descend back to high camp and take a brief respite before packing up and heading down to our final camp at 12,000ft
- Day 9: Pack camp and descend to the trailhead. Here, we bid farewell to our porters and guides before returning to town for lunch. Celebration Dinner
- Day 10: This morning, your guide will pick you up from the hotel and depart for Tarangire National Park. Tarangire is one of Tanzania's largest national parks and a sanctuary for a famously large elephant population. Majestic baobab trees are an interesting feature of the park. Animals concentrate along the Tarangire River, which provides the only permanent water supply in the area. There is a great diversity of wildlife, including lion, leopard, cheetah, and up to six thousand elephants. Enjoy your afternoon game drive before sleeping within Tarangire National Park.
- Day 11: Start your day with a thrilling morning game drive in Tarangire National Park, where the golden savannah awakens with life. Witness herds of elephants, predators on the prowl, and vibrant birdlife in their natural habitat. After a relaxing lunch, embark on another exciting afternoon game drive to uncover more of Tarangire's hidden treasures. As the day winds down, begin your scenic journey to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. On your way, you will pass through the town of Karatu in the green hills of Tanzania’s northern highlands. Presided over by the towering Ol Deani Volcano, this small, colourful town serves as a popular overnight stop for visitors exploring the area’s many game parks.
- Day 12: Today, you will descend into the Ngorongoro Crater, a wonderful haven for wildlife. Ngorongoro is unique in that almost all the wildlife lives within the crater walls, hence you have the opportunity to find game easily. Rhino in particular can be seen regularly, as well as prides of lion and other predators like cheetah. Enjoy lunch by the hippo pond, then you will commence with your journey back to civilization. You will then be dropped off at JRO Airport in the evening in time for your flight.
Our expeditions are designed to be fully inclusive, except for some services/items of a personal nature, like flights, gear, and insurance. Here’s a detailed list so you know what to expect.
Included:
- Guides for both the expedition and safari
- Porters during your climb
- All expedition accommodations, including three nights at a hotel in Arusha
- All safari accommodations, including one night near Tarangire National Park and another near the breathtaking Ngorongoro Crater
- All transport within the itinerary, including all safari game drives
- Airport transfers from the Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO)
- All expedition meals, including a celebration dinner on the final evening
- All safari meals, including breakfast, lunch, and dinner
- All group gear: four-season tents, cooking gear, group duffels, stoves, etc.
- Satellite phone: available to clientele at $3/min
- Group first aid equipment
Excluded:
- Flights to and from Arusha, Tanzania
- Any extensions before or after the specified itinerary (we are happy to help you plan these)
- Personal gear: all personal climbing gear is the responsibility of the client
- 3 lbs. personal snack food (real food and stuff you know you will want to eat at altitude when you don’t feel like eating: nuts, jerky, granola bars, dried fruit, candy, etc.)
- In the event of a rescue, evacuation, or early departure from the group, any rescue expenses incurred or excess expenses above and beyond our normal trip costs, including transport, hotels, evacuation, flight changes, and gear shipping, are the responsibility of the client.
- Porter tip pool ($300)
- Guide tip (Customary but optional)
- Required trip insurance policy (for trip cancellation, interruption, rescue & evacuation, medical treatment, repatriation, etc.)
All prices are in US Dollars.
CTSS requires clients to buy trip insurance for all expeditions. Please see our page on trip insurance and cancellation policy for more information.
All payments once submitted are non-refundable and non-transferable. If balances are not received by specified dates, the client forfeits their place on the program and any prior fees paid.
