Overview
About Sliabh Hiking
Sliabh Hiking was founded by April Brophy in 2022. The Sliabh ethos is all about embracing the beauty of the mountains, getting closer to nature, meeting new people and learning new skills along the way.
The Sliabh Hiking Community has grown as a supportive and safe space that welcomes all levels to join along adventures in the hills.
Their mission is for people to enjoy the hills, push themselves a little further on adventures and be part of an outdoor community that brings nothing but smiles and joy.
About Earth’s Edge
Adventure changes lives. At Earth’s Edge, we believe how you climb Kilimanjaro matters just as much as reaching the summit.
Our approach is built around preparation, expert support, responsible travel and a strong sense of community.
At the heart of our Kilimanjaro expeditions is our exceptional Tanzanian guiding team, cooks and porters. Every Earth’s Edge Kilimanjaro expedition also travels with a dedicated expedition doctor. This is a bedrock of our service and our safety standards, giving the group an additional level of medical support while trekking at altitude.
Climbing Kilimanjaro
Our Kilimanjaro climb is a 10-day expedition following the scenic 7-day Machame Route to Uhuru Peak (5,895m), the highest point in Africa.
You don’t need previous mountaineering or high-altitude trekking experience to join. With a good level of fitness, consistent training and a sense of adventure, Kilimanjaro is an achievable goal for first-time trekkers as well as experienced hikers.
Over seven days on the mountain, you’ll trek through Kilimanjaro’s changing landscapes, from rainforest and moorland to alpine desert and the high-altitude terrain surrounding the summit. The itinerary is designed to give your body time to adjust gradually as you gain altitude.
Unlike many operators, we spend the final night before summit day at Kosovo Camp, approximately 120m above Barafu Camp. This reduces the amount of ascent required on summit night and gives the group a more manageable start to the final climb.
There’s also a free day at the end of your trip where you can get some well deserved R&R by the pool, or go on an optional one-day Safari in Tarangire National Park.
Sliabh Hiking’s Kilimanjaro Expedition Costs & What’s Included
The total expedition price is shown above.
Just pay a €399 deposit to secure your place. A part-payment of €1,000 is due six months before departure, with the remaining balance due three months before departure.
You can choose to pay the balance in instalments or in full.
Before You Go
- Pre-departure training weekend in Wicklow, Ireland
- An Earth’s Edge team jacket, buff and cap for you to keep
- Ongoing pre-departure support from the Earth’s Edge team
- Advice on training, equipment and preparing for altitude
In Tanzania
- Highly experienced Tanzanian Expedition Guide and mountain guiding team
- Dedicated Earth’s Edge expedition doctor
- Full support team including skilled assistant guides, cooks and porters
- Accommodation before and after the climb, based on twin sharing
- Fully serviced camping during the trek
- High-quality tents and Therm-a-Rest sleeping mats
- All meals and drinking water as outlined in the itinerary (accommodation in Arusha is based on B&B)
- Celebratory dinner at the end of the expedition
- Planned group transport throughout the trip
- Airport transfers that match our recommended flights
- All required Kilimanjaro National Park fees
- Group trekking and camping equipment
- Fully stocked expedition medical kit
Flights
Flights are not included in the expedition price.
Travelling from Ireland? We’ll send you our recommended flight timings to Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) approximately 10 months before departure. These timings are designed to connect with our complimentary group airport transfers.
You are, of course, welcome to choose alternative flights that suit you best, and make your own way to Arusha in time for the briefing on Day 1.
Itinerary
Day 1
Arrive in Tanzania
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Arrive in Tanzania and transfer to our lodge in Arusha. You'll have time to settle in and relax before a detailed expedition brief from your expedition leader in the afternoon.
We’ll talk through the days ahead, answer any last-minute questions and make sure everyone is ready to start the climb.
Day 2
Machame Gate (1,490m) to Machame Camp (2,980m) 7 hrs trekking
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After breakfast, we drive to Machame Gate, where the trek begins.
The first day takes us through Kilimanjaro’s lush montane rainforest, with dense vegetation and the chance to spot wildlife along the way.
We arrive at Machame Camp at 2,980m for our first night on the mountain.
Day 3
Machame Camp to Shira Camp (3,840m), 6 hrs trekking
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Today we leave the rainforest behind and climb into open moorland.
As the vegetation changes, the views become increasingly expansive, with the upper slopes of Kilimanjaro beginning to dominate the landscape.
We reach Shira Camp at 3,840m, where we spend the night.
Day 4
Shira Camp to Barranco Camp (3,950m), 7 hrs trekking
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Today is an important acclimatisation day. We gradually climb towards Lava Tower at approximately 4,630m, giving your body time to experience a higher altitude before we descend to sleep lower at Barranco Camp.
This “climb high, sleep low” approach is an important part of the Machame Route and helps the body adjust as we progress up the mountain.
We finish the day at Barranco Camp, beneath the impressive Barranco Wall.
Day 5
Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp (4,000m), 5 hrs trekking
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We start the day by tackling the famous Barranco Wall. Despite its dramatic appearance, this is a non-technical scramble and your guides will be there to help you throughout.
Once above the wall, we continue through beautiful high-altitude terrain towards Karanga Camp, with fantastic views of Kibo and the surrounding landscape.
Day 6
Karanga Camp to Kosovo Camp (4,800m), 5 hrs trekking
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Today we continue towards the upper slopes of Kilimanjaro and our final camp before summit day.
Many Kilimanjaro climbers spend this night at Barafu Camp. Earth’s Edge continues higher to Kosovo Camp, at approximately 4,800m. Kosovo sits around 120m above Barafu, which means there is less ascent remaining when we begin our summit attempt.
We’ll have an early dinner and rest before getting ready for the final push to Uhuru Peak.
Day 7
Kosovo Camp to Uhuru Peak (5,895m) to Millennium Camp (3,832m), 14 hrs trekking
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Summit day begins very early. We leave Kosovo Camp and make our way steadily upwards through the darkness towards the crater rim.
Reaching Stella Point is a huge milestone. From here, we continue around the rim towards Uhuru Peak at 5,895m, the highest point in Africa.
After time at the summit, we begin our descent, eventually continuing down to Millennium Camp for a well-earned rest.
This is a memorable day and the culmination of everything you’ve been working towards before and during the expedition.
Day 8
Millennium Camp to Arusha, 6 hrs trekking
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Our final day on the mountain takes us back into thicker vegetation as we descend towards the park gate.
After saying goodbye to the mountain team, we transfer back to the lodge for a shower, a proper bed and time to celebrate what we’ve achieved.
Day 9
Free Day or Optional Safari
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Today is yours to relax at the lodge or explore more of Tanzania.
If you’d like to extend the adventure, you can join an optional safari in Tarangire National Park, home to elephants, giraffes, zebra and a huge variety of other wildlife.
Alternatively, enjoy a slower day after the climb.
Day 10
Depart Tanzania
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Enjoy breakfast and some final time at the lodge to relax or do some more exploring of Arusha before your departure from Tanzania.
Start Planning Your Journey
Facts
Preparing for Your Kilimanjaro Climb
What's the best time to climb Kilimanjaro?
In Tanzania, there are two wet seasons and two dry seasons. The "long rains" run from March through May and the "short rains" run from November to mid-December. Outside these times is considered the dry season. It can still rain during the dry season but statistically, it is much drier. This makes January, February and June through to October the best time to climb the mountain.
Why the Machame Route?
There are several routes to the summit of Kilimanjaro. We use the Machame Route because it combines spectacular scenery with an itinerary that gives your body time to adjust gradually to altitude. For the final night before summit day, we continue beyond Barafu Camp to Kosovo Camp at approximately 4,800m. Starting around 120m higher reduces the amount of ascent required during the final climb by approximately an hour.
What gear do I need to climb Kilimanjaro?
You’ll experience very different temperatures and conditions as you move from rainforest to the summit.
You’ll need suitable trekking clothing, footwear and a sleeping bag, as well as warm layers for the higher parts of the mountain.
See our full Kilimanjaro packing list
How fit do I need to be to climb Kilimanjaro?
It is not a technical climb, and it is suitabel for beginners. However, there are some steeper sections and you’ll gain altitude steadily over several days. We have classified Kilimanjaro as a level 5 expedition, which means that you should have a good level of general fitness and be comfortable walking for several hours over hilly terrain.
Regular hillwalking is one of the best ways to prepare, alongside cardiovascular and strength training. We move at a steady pace on the mountain, and throughout the expedition you’ll be supported by our Tanzanian guiding team and dedicated expedition doctor.
