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