Kilimanjaro Trek withSergio Fitch Watkins
10 Days
Kilimanjaro Trek withSergio Fitch Watkins
Summit mighty Kilimanjaro on this dream mountain adventure! Join MT Sobek's expert
Kilimanjaro team and top mountain guide Sergio Fitch Watkins on this special follow-
the-leader journey to the "roof of Africa." Hike along the forested slopes of Mount
Meru, home to colobus monkeys, buffalo, giraffes, and elephants. Marvel at Great
Barranco Valley's otherworldly senecio, groundsel, and lobelia plants and witness the
stunning Lava Tower, a rocky outcrop piercing up over 15,000 feet into the sky. Magical
sunsets and glacier vistas await at our campsites en route to the summit of Kilimanjaro
at 19,340 feet.
Arrive: Arusha, Tanzania
Depart: Arusha, Tanzania
Duration: 10 Days
Group Size: 4-16 Guests
Minimum Age: 17 Years Old
Activity Level:
.
Details Testimonials
"Utter euphoria! I think you have this trip down to ascience."
Damien B.
"Through MT Sobek, I climbed Mount Kilimanjaroand took a safari through Ngorongoro Crater andthe Serengeti. I cannot say enough good thingsabout this group! I felt like I was in great handsduring every second of the journey."
Elyse H.
REASON #01
MT Sobek was the first company
to lead commercial treks up
Kilimanjaro in 1974 and is the
leader in Kilimanjaro climbs.
REASON #02
Mountain Travel Sobek boasts highly
qualified guides with emergency
equipment and a 98% summiting
rate — the highest on the mountain!
REASON #03
Besides nourishing meals,
expect a full day and two
nights of acclimatizing at our
private camp at 6,000 feet.
ACTIVITIES
Hiking 6 to 8 hours daily through
spellbinding landscapes of
lush rainforests, rocky ridges,
and incredible flora and fauna.
LODGING
Well-equipped high-altitude camps
featuring four-season dome tents,
as well as overnights at a deluxe
acclimatization camp and thatched
cottages amidst tropical gardens.
CLIMATE
You'll experience the pleasantly
warm and dry climate of the
plains and savannas. There can
be passing showers, drizzle, or
no rain at all at any time of year.
Sergio is a legendary trekking guide with over 30 years
of experience and 300 trips to his name! Besides leading
our expeditions in Ecuador, Bolivia, Peru, and Argentina’s
Aconcagua, he also loves to lead some of our more challenging
treks in Nepal and Peru. In 2019, Sergio will be leading a 50th
Anniversary Base Camp Trek, a new hiking trip in Chile's
Dientes de Navarino mountains, and an epic hiking adventure
in the Dolomites. Sergio has acquired a loyal following, and is
one of our most respected guides.
Sergio Fitch Watkins
James Adiel Kivuyo was born in Arusha, Tanzania, and
has been guiding since 2000. He is passionate about the
conservation of biodiversity in African wildlife and has led
hundreds of walking safaris through the Serengeti. James
speaks many languages, from English and Masaai to the local
dialect of Chagga and Kiswahili—the national language of
Tanzania. His language skills help him to communicate with
people from a broad cultural spectrum and he loves sharing
experiences with travelers from around the globe. James is also
a qualified Kilimanjaro guide and has assisted summit bids for
over a decade.
James Kivuyo
ItineraryWELCOME TO TANZANIA
Arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport in Tanzania and meet with MT Sobek trip leaders to transfer to camp
at the foot of Mount Meru, a stratovolcano roughly 40 miles west of Mount Kilimanjaro. Relax and acclimatize at
6,000 feet (a key factor in our summitting success rate), and meet fellow travelers before hitting the trail.
DAY 1
Meals: D
HIKE THE FORESTED SLOPES OF MOUNT MERU
Rise and shine for a hot breakfast at sunrise. After an in-depth briefing session, set off for an optional warm-up
hike on the forested slopes of Mount Meru. Look out for colobus monkeys, buffalo, giraffes, and elephants and
notice the region's diverse bird species that include touracos, hornbills, and parrots. Unwind to the alpenglow
descending on the majestic slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro in the distance.
DAY 2
Activity: 1–2 hours/2 miles optional hiking with 2,000' elevation gain; camp at 6,000'
Meals: B, L, D
TREK THROUGH A MONTANE CLOUD FOREST TO MACHAME CAMP
Kick the day off with a scenic drive to the Machame Route trailhead on Kilimanjaro's southeastern slope. Pass
Kilimanjaro National Park gates and start the beautiful montane cloud forest trek to the camp near the Machame
Hut (10,000'). En route, pause for a hearty buffet lunch and continue the tropical climb over roots and through
tangled vines of the giant fern forest. Warm up to a hot dinner at MT Sobek Camp's cozy dining tent.
DAY 3
Activity: 6-7 hours/8 miles hiking with 4,000’ elevation gain; camp at 10,000'
Meals: B, L, D
TREK TO SHIRA PLATEAU AT 12,650'
After breakfast, begin a short but arduous 3-mile hike through twisted heather bush forests, giant groundsel
trees, low grasses, moorland lobelias, and black obsidian rock. End at Shira Plateau at 12,650', a stunning
viewpoint onto the sweeping East African plains and Mount Meru in the distance. At the camp, revel in the first
views of Kilimanjaro's Western Breach.
DAY 4
Activity: 5 hours/3 miles hiking with 2,650' elevation gain; camp at 12,650'
Meals: B, L, D
HEAD EAST TO THE STUNNING LAVA TOWER
Trek east towards Kibo Massif, Kilimanjaro's highest peak crater. Make your way towards the stunning rocky
outcrop, Lava Tower, piercing up from the mountain over 15,000' into the sky. Rocks and boulders line the path
towards Barranco Valley at 14,300', filled with hundreds of giant senecio, groundsel, and lobelia plants. Take
in the jaw-dropping views of this valley, looking out over Kibo's face, the Western Breach, and Kilimanjaro's
southern glaciers. The camp is at a lower elevation than the highest point of the day, to assist with adaptation.
DAY 5
Activity: 6 hours/6 miles hiking with 1,650' elevation gain and 1,300' loss; camp at 13,000'
Meals: B, L, D
DEPART MACHAME ROUTE FOR ARROW GLACIER CAMP
Today you change the course from Machame Route towards the Western Breach on a path less traveled. Climb
over rocky ridges and face stunning views of the Breach Wall and the Breach Icicle. En route up to the camp at
Arrow Glacier, the entirety of the Shira Plateau beckons below.
DAY 6
Activity: 6 hours/3 miles hiking with 2,300’ elevation gain; camp at 15,300’
Meals: B, L, D
ACCLIMATIZE AT ARROW GLACIER CAMP
Time to slow the pace, acclimatize, and rest the body and mind for the final push to Kilimanjaro's summit. Go
for an optional acclimatization hike or a leisurely hangout around camp over hot cups of tea and breathtaking
scenery.
DAY 7
Activity: Hiking optional for acclimatization; camp at 15,300’
Meals: B, L, D
CLIMB TO CRATER CAMP
Today ascend 3,000 feet to the Great Western Breach, a steep rock wall leading to the edge of Kibo's crater.
Arrive at the MTS Crater Camp at 18,300 feet and bask in the magical scenery of towering glaciers moving
leisurely across the rocky landscape.
DAY 8
Activity: 6-8 hours/2.5 miles hiking with 3,000’ elevation gain; camp at 18,300’
Meals: B, L, D
SUMMIT THE TOP OF UHURU PEAK
Today comes the unforgettable moment of success: making the final, 2-hour push to 19,341' — the top of
Kilimanjaro's Uhuru Peak. Rejoice in surreal views of summit crater glaciers and African plains and join in for a
group summit photo. Around 9am, start descending over 9,000 feet. Rest during lunch at Barafu (15,000 feet)
and end the last night at Mweka Camp, nestled within a lush forest.
DAY 9
Activity: 8 hours/8 miles hiking with 1,060’ gain and 9,140’ loss; camp at 10,200’
Meals: B, L, D
BID FAREWELL TO KILIMANJARO
Finish off the last 3,700 feet down the rainforest trail to the Mweka Gate for transfer to the Moivaro Lodge.
Relax, enjoy hot showers, and let the rewarding experience of the spectacular journey sink in. Receive your
climb certificate at the final celebratory dinner and bid farewell to fellow climbers, then head to the Kilimanjaro
International Airport for homeward-bound flights. Those who prefer can join our optional 4-day post-climb
wildlife safari!
DAY 10
Activity: 5-6 hours/5.5 miles hiking with 4,800’ elevation loss
Meals: B, L
Jan 23 - Feb 1, 2020
2019
$ 6,995 per person
Additional Cost
$ 1,600 National Park Fees
$ 500 Single Supplement
PRICE INCLUDESExpert leadership from experienced adventureguides
Accommodations as noted in the itinerary
Meals as noted in the daily itinerary
Potable water and snacks throughout
1 glass of wine or beer at welcome and farewelldinnersAll tips and gratuities for support staff with theexception of your lead adventure guide(s)
All necessary camping gear
All group entrance fees, activities, and groundtransportation
Arrival and departure day airport transfers
PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDEInternational airfare, any airport taxes, or excessbaggage charges
Optional tips to your lead adventure guides
Personal expenses such as medical immunizations,phone calls, laundry, or souvenirs
Airport transfers if arriving outside of Day 1
Optional travel protection