The Western Breach is considered to be the toughest and most challenging route to climb Mount Kilimanjaro. But for the very few climbers that are willing to take this challenge, it beholds its very unique beauty and offers aspects of the mountain that no other route has to offer. It is the only route that approaches Kilimanjaro from the west and leads you to the crater of the volcano and to the Furtwangler Glacier with an overnight at Crater Camp.
Starting from Moshi to Londorossi Gate, the route traverses the Shira Plateau and then follows other routes up to Lava Tower. After an overnight at Lava Tower the route is heading towards Arrow Glacier Camp through a danger zone that is only passable at night when temperatures are low enough. It’s the only route which requires helmets for safety. The breach itself is a rock slide that is constantly moving. After leaving the danger zone, climbers are rewarded with a spectacular view of Mount Meru and walking by the massive glacier on Kilimanjaro. Another unique highlight of this route is that it is the only route that allows an overnight at Crater Camp and to actually stand at the edge of the heart of the mountain, the Kilimanjaro crater, before summiting Uhuru Peak at 5.895 m. Climbers that have chosen Western Breach have really seen all the miracles that Mount Kilimanjaro has to offer.
The Western Breach is a route that not many companies offer due to special safety restrictions and required expertise and requirements to the mountain guides. Tanzania Horizon Safaris is proud to offer this challenging route to ambitious and adventurous climbers. Please contact us for further information.
You will be picked up at the Kilimanjaro International Airport and transferred to your hotel in Moshi town; 
START – 6,890FT / 2100M
END – 8,695FT / 2650M
DISTANCE – 4 MILES / 7KM
TIME – 4-6 HRS
CLIMATE ZONE – RAINFOREST
After breakfast you depart by vehicle to Kilimanjaro National Park. At the gate your crew finalizes packing and after finishing with formalities you return to your vehicle for another 30 minutes or so until you arrive at the start of the Lemosho Trail. Today’s hiking is through verdant afromontane forest and is steep in places. A picnic lunch is usually taken on trail during the hike before reaching Forest Camp for the night.
START – 8,695FT / 2650M
END – 11,844FT / 3610M
DISTANCE – 4 MILES / 7KM
TIME – 5-7 HRS
CLIMATE ZONE – HEATH
From the forested slopes of Lemosho you ascend through Podocarpus and Juniper forest and break out of the forest on to the heath zone and the Shira Plateau. A hot lunch is taken at Shira Camp 1 and the rest of the afternoon is spent relaxing and acclimatizing to the new environment.
START – 11,844FT / 3610M
END – 13,780FT / 4200M
DISTANCE – 6 MILES / 10KM
TIME – 4-5 HRS
CLIMATE ZONE – ALPINE DESERT
Crossing the Shira plateau can be one of the most scenic parts of the trip and this morning we hike for around 4-5 hours to Moir Camp, where lunch is taken. The afternoon is spent acclimatising and for those with the energy a hike in the late afternoon up to a viewpoint is highly recommended to keep the blood flowing.
START – 13,780FT / 4200M
END – 15,093FT / 4600M
DISTANCE – 4 MILES / 7KM
TIME – 4-6 HRS
CLIMATE ZONE – ALPINE DESERT
Another half day today as you start to cross glacial valleys on the western side of the mountain. By not ascending much today we allow our bodies better acclimatisation. A half day where lunch is taken in camp. In the afternoon there is time to go for an acclimatisation walk before dinner.
START – 15,093FT / 4600M
END – 15,093FT / 4600M
DISTANCE – 4 MILES / 8 KM
TIME – 5-6 HRS
CLIMATE ZONE – ALPINE DESERT
Most groups pass through this area for lunch and then continue their descend. For us it will be a an excellent stopover and we will set up our tents and the iconic rock-formation called Lava Tower. We will have a more relaxed start to the day arriving for a late lunch in camp and then still have plenty of time to explore the area in the afternoon. Top tip for an afternoon hike is to explore the remnant of the snout of the Penck glacier where repeated glaciations have created obvious moraine features.
START – 15,093FT / 4600M
END – 16,087FT / 4903M
DISTANCE – 0,6 MILES / 1KM
TIME – 2 HRS
CLIMATE ZONE – ARCTIC
The ascent to Arrow Glacier is relatively short and leaves plenty of time to rest for a large part of the day. Short walks are possible with the guides to enjoy views of the Great Barranco Wall and remnants of the once mighty glaciers that filled the breach before having dinner and an early night.
START – 18,866FT / 5750M
END – 12,960FT / 3950M
DISTANCE – 8 MILES / 13KM
TIME – 12-14 HRS
CLIMATE ZONE – ARCTIC, ALPINE DESERT, HEATH
We start our summit attempt at midnight toward the crater. It takes around 4 hours to reach the crater rim. Here there is time for a quick rest and refuel before the final push, for about an hour, to the summit (Uhuru Peak: 19341ft, 5895m). The aim here is to arrive just after dawn to enjoy the most incredible sunrise from the roof of Africa. The hike then heads down via Stella Point to Barafu Camp. Here there is another short rest before continuing to Millennium Camp for the final evening on the mountain.
START – 12,960FT / 3950M
END – 5,381FT / 1640M
DISTANCE – 8 MILES / 14KM
TIME – 5-6 HRS
CLIMATE ZONE – HEATH, RAINFOREST
After breakfast you descend once again through rainforest and around midday, after saying farewell to your crew, you are picked up and transferred back to your lodge for a well deserved shower! Later that evening you will be visited by a Tanzania Horizon Safaris Representative to congratulate you and to take you to your accommodation.
The day is left free to wind down after your hike and before your flight back home. Depending on flight times you could explore Moshi Town, have a good cup of coffee or buy some souvenirs before heading to Kilimanjaro Airport (JRO).
Meals: Breakfast Included
*additional daytrips, safaris and Zanzibar options are available to round up your trip to Tanzania
• Private transport to & from Kilimanjaro International Airport to your accommodations in Moshi
• 2 nights of accommodation in Moshi
• Transportation to & from the Kilimanjaro gate
• Park entry fees
• Camping fees
• Team Kilimanjaro Rescue fees
• 18% VAT on tour fees & services
• Mountain tents
• Sleeping Mats
• Friendly and professional mountain guides, cook and porters
• 3 hot meals daily while on the mountain
• Enough treated & filtered drinking water throughout the trek
• Hot water for washing
• Fair wages for the mountain crew
• Government taxes
• Emergency first-aid kit
– Lunches, dinners and drinks at your hotel before and after climb.
– Travel insurance
– Portable flush toilet with a toilet tent is available for extra charges $ 80 for the entire trek.
– Flights
– Laundry (Available at hotel)
– Personal items and toiletries
– Tips for guides, porters and cook (this is a guide to tipping on the mountain
Tipping on Kilimanjaro from the trekking group (not per climber):
• Main Guide: $20/day/guide
• Assistant Guide: $15/day/guide
• Cook: $12/day
• Porter: $8/day/porter
Clients/Porters ratio 1:4
You can read more about it here
Absolutely yes. We will arrange all airport transfers for you from and to the airport so that you don’t have to worry about how to get to your hotel. One of our drivers or guides will come to pick you up and take you back to the airport. This is already included in our offers and services.
Absolutely yes. Our handpicked hotels all offer you to safely store your luggage during your climb. In this way you can leave all gear that you won’t need during your climb at the hotel. That is very convenient if you are planning to go on a safari or to Zanzibar after your hike.
Tanzania Horizon Safaris has worked out a very transparent cancellation policy. In most cases we can offer a voucher if you have to postpone your travel. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us. Please note that deposits are non-refundable as they have to be used for making reservations for your hotel and transport.
*If a booking is cancelled the client is subject to a cancellation fee as follows:
