Kilimanjaro Trek via Western Breach

Overview

What makes this journey special

Climbing / Trekking

The Western Breach is the steepest, but shortest, of all the non-technical final ascents of Kibo, and should not be lightly undertaken. It can be approached from the Machame, Umbwe, Shira/Lemosho or northern circuit routes.

Any ascent of the Breach will involve a descent to the Mweka campsite and Mweka gate.

Following a rock fall in 2006 on the Western Breach in which a number of climbers were killed, the Kilimanjaro National Park closed the Western Breach route.

In December 2007 the Western Breach reopened. However it’s subjected to strict pre-conditions on its use laid down by the park. For further information about ascent route, please contact us.

Day by day

Your itinerary

Arrival in Moshi – Briefing & Gear Check

Kilimanjaro Airport (JRO) pick-up – Hotel in Moshi – Evening briefing

Arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport, where your Wild Gaze driver meets you for the transfer to your hotel in Moshi. In the evening your lead guide holds a full briefing on the Western Breach route, checks your equipment and fits your helmet, which is required on the Breach.

Airport Pick-upMoshi HotelRoute BriefingGear & Helmet Check

Machame Gate (1,800 m) → Machame Camp (3,000 m)

~11 km – 5–7 hrs hiking – Montane rainforest

Drive to Machame Gate to register and meet your crew of guides, cook and porters. The trail climbs steadily through lush montane rainforest of fig trees, giant ferns and hanging moss, home to colobus and blue monkeys. Arrive at Machame Camp on the edge of the forest for dinner and your first night on the mountain.

Machame GateMontane RainforestColobus MonkeysFirst Camp

Machame Camp → Shira 2 Camp (3,850 m)

~5 km – 4–6 hrs hiking – Heath and moorland

Leave the forest behind and climb a steep ridge through giant heather onto the Shira Plateau. The views open up across the plateau to Kibo and, on clear days, Mount Meru to the west. Shira 2 Camp sits on open moorland, with a short afternoon acclimatisation walk to help your body adjust to the altitude.

Giant HeatherShira PlateauKibo ViewsAcclimatisation Walk

Shira 2 → Lava Tower (4,600 m) → Arrow Glacier Camp (4,800 m)

~7 km – 5–6 hrs hiking – Alpine desert

Climb east through alpine desert to the volcanic plug of Lava Tower at 4,600 m for lunch. From here the route leaves the main circuit and climbs to Arrow Glacier Camp at the foot of the Western Breach. Your guides check everyone’s condition carefully this evening, and the camp goes to bed early ahead of a pre-dawn start.

Lava TowerAlpine DesertArrow Glacier CampHealth Check

Western Breach → Crater Camp (5,730 m)

~4 km – 5–7 hrs scrambling – Start before dawn to avoid rockfall

Set off before dawn, helmets on, while the rock is still frozen and stable. The Western Breach is the steepest non-technical route up Kibo – a steady scramble over rock and scree that rewards you with extraordinary views back over the Shira Plateau. Emerge through the crater wall onto the summit crater and walk to Crater Camp beside the Furtwängler Glacier – one of the highest campsites in Africa. Optional afternoon walk to the Reusch Crater and ash pit.

Western BreachHelmet RequiredCrater CampFurtwängler Glacier

Uhuru Peak (5,895 m) → Mweka Camp (3,100 m)

~1 hr to the summit – ~6–7 hrs descent via Stella Point and Barafu

Wake early and climb the final hour from the crater floor to Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa, arriving as the sun lights up the glaciers. After summit photos, descend past Stella Point and down the Barafu ridge, stopping for a hot lunch before continuing through the moorland to Mweka Camp at the edge of the forest for a celebration dinner.

Uhuru PeakSummit SunriseStella PointCelebration Dinner

Mweka Camp → Mweka Gate → Moshi

~10 km – 3–4 hrs through rainforest – Certificates at the gate – Transfer to Moshi or JRO

A final morning walk down through the rainforest to Mweka Gate, where you receive your summit certificate and say goodbye to the mountain crew. Your driver takes you back to your hotel in Moshi or straight to Kilimanjaro Airport for your onward journey.

Rainforest DescentSummit CertificateCrew FarewellTransfer Out

Getting there

Arrival & transfers

Arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), where Wild Gaze meets you for the transfer to Moshi. The climb starts at Machame Gate, about 45 minutes from Moshi.

Inclusions