Vehicle Type
Bus, Airlines
Accomodation
3 Stars Hotels
Maximum Altitude
5,416 metres
Departure from
Kathmandu
Best season
Feb, Mar, Apr & May
Trip type
Eco-Tour, Hiking
Meals
All meals during the trek
Language
English, Spanish, French, Swahili
Fitness level
Easy to Moderate
Group Size
2-15
Destinations
Tanzania
Activities
Chimpanzee Trekking, Game Drives, Hiking, Hot Air Balloon Safaris, Jungle Safari, Rafting
Trip Type
Family-Safaris, Group Safaris, Luxury Safaris, Private Safaris

Overview

Itinerary

Cost

FAQs

Map

Review

Trip Overview

Kilimanjaro Airport to Moshi

A brief 40 minutes from Kilimanjaro International Airport and bypassing magnificent views of Kilimanjaro, Moshi is a small, clean town at the railhead from Dar es Salaam – the distance from Arusha, Tanzania’s second town is only 72km/45 miles. Moshi offers visitors some of the best coffee in Tanzania, bustling markets, and colourful street vendors. At the hotel, you will be briefed before your climb. We offer very pleasant mid-range to luxury hotels within walking distance of town centres.

Total Distance from the airport to Moshi: 41km/25.2 miles; to Arusha: 58km/36 miles.

Accommodation: 3-4 stars based on bed and breakfast

Highlights

Trek to the world-famous Everest Base Camp
Enjoy the amazing view of the Himalayas from Kala Patthar
Travel through the Sherpa villages of Namche, Khumjung, Khunde, and Dingboche
Visit Tengboche the biggest and oldest monastery n the region.

Day 1 :

Moshi to Machame Gate then trek to Machame Camp

Traveling back along the Arusha Road and turning up the Machame Road offers you some spectacular views of the mountain (when he has his hat off); a distance of 32 km. Upon entrance into Kilimanjaro National Park at Machame gate (park fees already included) you begin the trek along a tropical rainforest to Machame Camp where tents and a warm meal will be waiting for you; distance: 12 km/7 miles; length of time: 5-7 hours. You may encounter the local wildlife, including monkeys and exotic birds. You will be starting your ascent of Mt. Kilimanjaro, climbing gradually along a well-trod path. The walk will cover 12km or 7 miles and take between 5 and 7 hours. Depending on the time of year, it may also be wet if you are in an extended rainy season.

Final elevation: 2850m/9,350 ft

Terrain: Forest trail

Accommodation: tents (provided)

3 hours

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Hotel

Day 2 :

Machame Camp to Shira 2 Camp

Shira Camp 2 sits on the Eastern edge of the Shira Plateau. It is the first camp at which altitude sickness might start to be felt. Everyone reacts differently to altitude sickness and no reaction is predictable. However, this route offers a remedy through acclimatization as you will see by day 4. It also provides stunning views across the Kilimanjaro valley below; distance: 5 km/3 miles, length of time: 5-6 hours. Walking through scrubland you cross the Shira Plateau and pass by the mountain cactus growing at this height.

Final elevation: 3,847m/12620ft

Terrain: Alpine

Accommodation: Tents (provided)

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Tent

Day 3 :

Shira 2 Camp to the Lava Tower then to Barranco Camp

The Lava Tower, a large rock formation created when Kilimanjaro was still an active volcano, rises high above the plateau. Kili hasn’t erupted for 150,000 years and is now dormant. The climate and Terrain are high alpines. Your walking now will be slower. Above 4200m your body is not getting as much oxygen as it needs. The descent to Barranco Camp from the Lava Tower allows you to acclimatize before your ascent to Karanga Camp. Rule of thumb: climb high, sleep low! The total distance is 10km (6mi.) and taking about 5-7 hours the walk is through some of Kilimanjaro’s most spectacular landscapes.

Distance Shira 2 Camp to Lava Tower: 7 km/4 miles

Length of Time: 5 hours

Final elevation: 4630m/15,190 ft

Terrain: Alpine/Arctic

Distance Lava Tower to Barranco Camp: 3 km/2 miles

Length of Time: 2-3 hours

Final elevation: 3975m/13,044 ft

Terrain: Alpine

Accommodation: Tents (provided)

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Tea House

Day 4 :

Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp

You are now ascending into the arctic zone. Here it’s a good idea to keep several handkerchiefs as noses begin to run! We trek from Barranco to Karanga Camp; distance: 3 km/2 miles; length of Time: 2-3 hours. This allows for acclimatization as both camps are nearly at the same altitude. Although there is a moderate level of difficulty as you trek the Barranco Wall, the views are stunning. You will be scrambling over rocky mountain terrain, getting yourself ready for the final ascent. You will be in need of a rest when you reach Karanga Camp! Next stop, Barafu Camp.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Home Stay

Day 5 :

Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp

Barafu is the last camp before the peak. You are well into the arctic zone now. This stage is for true adventurers. Your ascent will be over loose shale: distance: 3 km/2 miles; length of time: 2-3 hours. At this altitude, your walking pace will have slowed considerably to compensate for low oxygen levels. You will get some well-earned rest early in the afternoon for your final night-time ascent to the summit. The landscape is truly arctic now with no wildlife or vegetation.

Final elevation: 4672m/15330 ft

Climate: Arctic zone

Accommodation: Tents (provided)

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6 :

Final ascent: Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak then down to Mweka Camp

From Barafu Camp you start your final ascent to the summit, Uhuru Peak at 5895m/19340 ft. Everest is 8848 meters or 29,030 ft. You will be less than 10,000 ft below the Everest summit! This will also be your longest day at 9-12 hours. Your climb starts late evening and climbing through the small hours of the morning you reach Stella Point for the most glorious sunrise over Kili’s sister peak, Mawenzi. Reaching this point at sunrise rewards you with a magnificent view over the mountain landscape – the ‘roof’ of Africa. After a time at the Uhuru peak for well-earned photos.

Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak: 5895m/19340 ft

Distance: 5 km/3 miles

Length of Time: 7-8 hours

Climate/Terrain: Arctic zone

Uhuru Peak: 5895m/19341 ft to Mweka Camp: 3067m/10,065 ft

Distance: 12 km/7 miles

Length of Time: 4-6 hours

Accommodation: Tents (provided)

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Hotel

Day 7 :

Mweka Camp to starting point

Time for well-earned rest and relaxation after a hot shower (no such luxury on the mountain!). Bed & breakfast with a return journey to the airport the following day. You will have the possibility of staying on a few extra days but this is not included. We will arrange details on request.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Expand all

How fit do I need to be to do this trek?

Annapurna Base Camp is a Grade B or a moderately difficult trekking route. So any fit person can do this trek, even if you do not have any previous experience. You should be aware of what to expect and mentally prepare for it. Then, as long as you will too, you can.

How long do we walk every day when doing Annapurna Base Camp trekking?

On average, you walk about 4 to 6 hours per day. One or two days can be as less as 3hrs and one or two days can be as long as 7hrs.

What is the highest altitude reached in this trek?

The highest altitude reached is 4190m. This is the elevation of Annapurna Base Camp. ABC is the highest we will climb in this trek.

What about battery charging and hot shower facilities?

Yes, you can charge batteries en route. Charger should be brought. There are hot shower facilities as well. You may have to pay a certain amount for both ($1-$2). Negotiate. Also, a hot water facility could be free at a lower elevation.

Are there ATMs on the way to Annapurna Base Camp?

No. There are no ATMs on this trek route. You will have to draw enough cash in Pokhara or Kathmandu. There are a number of ATMs in these cities. Everything is paid in Nepali rupees. So money should be exchanged before the start of the trek.

What about internet access?

Yes. The Internet can be accessed in most places. Sometimes, there might be some technical problems. The Internet in Nepal is not as fast as you are used to and at times you can just lose connection.

Is it necessary to hire Guides/trekking agency for Annapurna Base Camp trekking?

Not really. It depends on you. If you want, ABC trekking can be done independently. You could hire a guide and a porter by yourself instead of going through an agency or not hire a guide at all. Although, not having a guide can be a little problematic during the offseason.

It really depends on you. Is it your first time in Nepal? How confident are you of being able to find your way around? How pressed on time are you? If you go through an agency, it will be costlier but everything will be planned. You will only have to come, trek and return.

How much do guides and porters cost?

For the Annapurna region, pay for guides range from $20 to $30 per day and porters take $15 to $25 per day.