Kilimanjaro Challenge - 2025

Kilimanjaro Challenge - 2025

The expedition offers you the challenge of trekking the highest free standing mountain in the world and Africa’s highest peak – Mt Kilimanjaro. Standing 5,896m above the savannah of Tanzania the snow-capped mountain dominates the landscape for miles around.

Flights depart from Heathrow airport and arrive in Kilimanjaro International Airport where a private transfer will take you directly to Moshi – the village at the base of the mountain. To help with your acclimatization you will stay in the Springlands Hotel 4* for two nights enabling you to relax and prepare for the trip ahead. You then ascend Kilimanjaro via the Machame Route, which is the best route to view the stunning landscape and offers easier acclimatization. We offer both 6 day and 7 day Machame routes on the mountain for greater flexibility. The mountain route that we use maximises your chances of success and makes for very enjoyable trip. The mountain is spectacular with lush rainforests at the base and clear blue skies at the snow covered peak. At the end of the  expedition you spend another two nights in the hotel, before flying back to the U.K.

You do not need to be extremely fit to undertake the trip as you will be walking at a very slow pace on the mountain to acclimatise to the altitude. This is a porter assisted trek therefore you will only be asked to carry on a small lightweight day pack.

Each group is lead by a fully qualified Kilimanjaro National Park Mountain Guide assisted by porters and cooks.

During the hotel stay a representative of the trekking company is always on hand for advice, and they are incredibly accommodating, courteous and friendly.         

Outline Itinerary

Day 1 Fly from London Heathrow Airport to Kilimanjaro International Airport, Tanzania.  

Day 2 Arrive in the hotel, check-in and time to relax and enjoy the surroundings/swimming pool. Dinner and a night in the hotel included in trip cost.

Day 3 Day in Hotel/Moshi to acclimatise. After breakfast the morning is set aside for an optional visit to our link charity the Kilimanjaro Orphanage (10mins walk from the hotel). For those clients who choose to raise money for the Orphanage you can meet the staff the students and see exactly where your funds are goings. In the afternoon many clients choose to walk or use the hotel shuttle bus to go in to the local town of Moshi. Here you can enjoy the hustle and bustle of the markets and street traders as well a spectacular view of Kilimanjaro. In the evening you will be fully briefed by our chief guide about the trek allowing the opportunity to ask any last minute questions before packing your bags ready for the start of trek. Breakfast, Dinner and a night in the hotel is included in the trip cost.

Day 4 After another hearty breakfast at the hotel we’ll load up the coach and drive to the Machame Park Gate and the start of the trek! Today’s route is within the rainforest where you will hear and see the monkeys and birds in the trees and the splendour of the National Park Rainforest. Tonight’s camp is at 3000m. (Trek: 18Km - 6 hours)

Day 5 The route continues through the upper rain forest and on the Shira Plateau with amazing views of Kilimanjaro and Mt Meru in the distance. You’ll have a hot ‘sit down’ lunch en-route as our porters will provide the table and chairs and as this is a shorter distance day you will acclimatise well. Tonight’s camp at Shira Caves - 3,800m. (Trek 9km – 4-6hours)

Day 6 The trek moves from lush rain forest to mountain moorland today as you traverse the southwest side of Kilimanjaro.  It’s a great day for acclimatisation as you will ascend Lava Tower 4,600m before walking down to our camp at Barranco. Today’s entire route has spectacular views of Kilimanjaro’s peak as well as the Garden of Senecio’s – an area just before camp where huge Senecio plants grown in abundance. Barranco camp is at 3900m (15km – 8hours)   

Day 7 Todays’ route heads over Great Barranco - a huge spur of rock created by Kilimanjaro’s last volcanic eruption The route is steep but great fun. At the top there are some of the best photos opportunities of the trek as Kilimanjaro peak is directly behind you. The trek then descends in to Karanga Valley and our camp is at the top of Karanga. The camp site is well above the clouds and you will have time to rest, relax and enjoys the sights as this is a short walking day. (10km - 6 hours)

Note: many Kilimanjaro groups attempt the trek using a 6 day mountain route… we believe that adding an extra day and night makes a massive difference! A 7 day route is far safer and more enjoyable - and the camp at the top of Kananga is absolutely beautiful.

Day 8 The route today is short in distance but high altitude… you continue from Karanga camp to Barafu Camp (4600m) and here you will arrive for lunch. The afternoon is spent enjoying the sights, relaxing, chatting and sleeping. Having the short walking day means that you have plenty of time to rest and relax before heading off to the peak at midnight and you should feel recharged! (8km - 4 hours)

Day 9 Todays the day when all your hard work pays off and you reach the peak of Africa! With a very early start (normally midnight) you ascend the crater at night. This avoids the hot day time sun and means that scree is frozen and easier to walk on. You’ll walk through the night and at sun rise will be standing at Stella Point (5739m) on the crater rim. The views are breathe taking with ice cliffs surrounding you and views of the jagged peak of Mawenzi…Kilimanjaro’s secondary peak. Another hours’ walk takes you to the true peak of Kilimanjaro – Uhuru – 5896m (meaning ‘Freedom’ in Swahili). You may spend as long as you wish at the peak taking photos and congratulating your fellow team mates and when you are ready you descend back down the route to Barafu Camp. After lunch you then carry on down the mountain to our final camp Mweka back in the lush rain forest. Mweka camp is a celebration camp and everyone has a lot to talk about over a well-earned dinner! (20km in total with a 7km climb – 12 hours)      

Day 10 A gentle trek through the rainforest descending to Mweka Park gate and a drive back to Moshi. The Springlands Hotel will welcome you back for a good hot shower and a few cold drinks. In the evening we hold a celebration dinner with our chief guide and his assistances that have supported you all the way.   

Day 11 Is a day to rest and relax or head out to Arusha National Park on an optional day safari. Breakfast, Dinner and a final night in the hotel is included in the trip cost. This rest day is not normally included by other trek providers but we believe it makes the whole trip far more enjoyable.

Day 12 Transfer to Kilimanjaro International Airport and fly back to the U.K.

Numbers

Due to the nature of this trip groups sizes are restricted to 12 people per expedition. The group will be decided on a first come, first served basis… so get your deposits in early to secure your place.

Scheduled Trip dates 

For 2025 we are running 4 scheduled trips through June, July, August and September. Each trip will have a group size of approximately 12 clients.

Trip 1: Monday 16th June to Friday 27th June (6 day mountain route) - £2,795

Trip 2: Monday 7th July to Saturday 19th July (7 day mountain route) - £2,995 

Trip 3: Monday 4th to Friday 15th August (6 day mountain route) - £2,995 

Trip 4: Monday 1st September to Saturday 13th September (7 day mountain route) - £2,895

(Please note that actual trip dates may vary slightly due to flight availability).

Costs and payment structure

For our 2025 trips we are offering the self funded payment structure

The cost of the trips are from £2,795 to £2,995. There is a £250 trip deposit (non-refundable) to book your place and the remaining balance is paid in small instalments.

There is a £250 trip deposit (non-refundable) to book your place, payable to Life Changing Challenges and the remaining balance is paid in instalments. 

The trip payments are structured into manageable instalments so that the full amount doesn’t come as too much of a shock. There is flexibility on these payment dates if arranged in advanced so you can pay larger amounts but less often or we can tailor a payment structure to suit you.

Trip organiser

The Kilimanjaro trip is organised by  ‘The British Expedition Company’  expeditions have been running since 2001 and have an excellent success rate in reaching the summit as well as providing a fantastic trip of a life time. Each group is lead by a fully qualified Kilimanjaro National Park Mountain Guide assisted by porters and cooks. During the hotel stay a representative of the trekking company is always on hand for advice, and they are incredibly accommodating, courteous and friendly. 

How to reserve your place on the trip

To book a place on the trip simply pay deposit online.

When your deposit is received a trip booklet is sent out detailing every element of the trip. This includes information on VISA’s, insurance, fundraising ideas and kit information.

On advancement of deposit for a booking on any of our trips or expeditions the deposit acknowledges that he/she has read and understands the below booking conditions and agrees to be bound by them.

On advancement of deposit for a booking on any of our trips or expeditions the deposit acknowledges that he/she has read and understands the below booking conditions and agrees to be bound by them.  The deposit is non-refundable and that the instalments to The BEC Limited are also 100% non-refundable or transferable.  The booking is confirmed once a reservation form (sent after booking online) has been completed and returned.