A small-group, premium Kilimanjaro expedition focused on story, impact and authentic connection.
Dates
February 26, June-August 2026
Duration
10 days
Group Size
4-12 people
Max Altitude
5895
Difficulty
Hard
Impact Partner
Education, health covering and gear for porters
Payment Schedule
Deposit of €450 to secure your spot
Even at almost 5,000 meters, we’ve seen porters climbing in worn-out shoes or thin slippers.
They’re the people who make our journeys real, and as a thank-you for their work, we aim to help them do it safely and with dignity.
How? We make sure that we leave better gear behind, and make sure that the health of our team of porters is covered.
To understand what they endure, we walk in their footsteps, carrying the same load, if only for a while.
This expedition wouldn’t exist without Braze — a small team doing quiet, essential work in the Himalaya.
They bridge climbers, guides, and local projects, proving that meaningful impact starts long before the first step on the trail.
of technical gear donated to climbers in Nepal
raised to support and train local guides
receiving new mountain equipment and education support
unused gear re-circulated through local partners
published after each expedition
Arrival at airport
A short description about the person can be here. Something about what is his role in this expedition and maybe a little bit more.
Briefing and gear check
You will be introduced to the team, receive a briefing and we check if you still need extra gear to rent.
Start of the climb
We begin at Machame Gate (1800 m) and follow a steady trail through lush rainforest. The path winds gently upward until we reach Machame Camp (2800 m). Elevation gain: 1000 m Expected time: 5-6 hours Difficulty: Challenging
Machame camp (2800m) - Shira cave camp (3800M)
We push above the tree line and enter the alpine zone. A steady ascent takes us across open ridges and volcanic landscapes toward Shira Plateau and Shira Cave Camp. Elevation gain: 1000 m Expected time: 4 hours Difficulty: challenging
Shira Cave camp (3800M) -> Lava Tower (4600m -> Barranco camp (3950M)
Walk high, sleep low. We wak untill basecamp altitude, have a lunch break to adjust to the height, and descent down to Barranco camp.
Elevation gain: 800 m ascending, 650 m descending
Expected time: 6 hours
Difficulty: demanding
Barranco camp (3950) -> Karanga camp (4050)
We climb the iconic Barranco Wall, taking it step by step.
After reaching the top, a gentle traverse brings us across alpine valleys before dropping toward the river. We refill our water and begin the final push back up to Karanga Camp.
Elevation gain: 350 m ascending, 250 m descending
Expected time: 4–5 hours
Difficulty: Challenging
Karanga camp (4050) -> Barafu camp (4673m)
A short but steady ascent takes us to basecamp. We settle in early, have dinner, and prepare our gear before trying to rest. At 11 PM, the summit push begins. Elevation gain: 600 m ascending Expected time: 3–4 hours Difficulty: moderate
Barafu camp (4673m) -> Uhuru peak (5895M) -> Millenium or Mweka camp (3900/3050M)
We wake at 11 PM and climb through the night under the stars. A long, steady push brings us to Stella Point and finally the summit of Uhuru Peak — the roof of Africa. After celebrating, we descend all the way down to Millenium or Mweka Camp for a well-earned rest. Elevation gain: 1222 m ascending, 2000+ m descending Expected time: 10–14 hours Difficulty: extremely demanding
Millenium or Mweka camp (3900/3050M) -> Mweka gate
We descend through the forest toward the lower slopes of the mountain. The temperature rises, the terrain softens, and the landscape shifts from alpine desert to lush greenery. A final stretch brings us to Mweka Gate, where we sign out and officially complete the climb. Elevation loss: 1000–1600 m descending Expected time: 4–6 hours Difficulty: moderate to demanding
Relaxing in Moshi
A slow morning in Moshi to rest and recover after the expedition. Enjoy a warm shower, good food, and some time to explore the town or simply unwind. The perfect day to let the full experience sink in.
We travel with respect for the mountain, its communities, and its culture. No dramatization, no savior narratives, just a responsible, grounded approach. We work with trusted local partners and ensure fair treatment, safe working conditions, and proper gear for every porter on the team. Our goal is simple: be present, act with care, and leave a positive impact behind.
expedition lead
Our expedition leader with more than 10+ years experience
Assistant exp. lead
expedition lead
Our expedition leader with more than 10+ years experience as well.
Expedition lead
Our very experienced guide with over 350+ succesfull summits. His smile makes every day a happy day.
A short description about the person can be here. Something about what is his role in this expedition and maybe a little bit more.
See what's included in our price
Reserve your spot with a deposit of just €450,-
– Accommodation while on the trek (before & after + camping
fees on Mountain).
– Hotel in Arusha before and after
– Professional, experienced, mountain guides (Over 10yrs).
– All Park fees.
– Rescue fees.
– All meals while on the Mountain (Fresh Meals).
– Guides, Porters, cook salaries and park fees
– Large portions of fresh, healthy, nutritious food:
– Clean, purified drinking water:
– Crisis management and safety procedures.
– Fair and ethical treatment of porters.
– Summit Emergency Oxygen.
– Pulse Oximeters.
– Walking Poles.
– Pick up and Drop off.
– Shared Expedition Photo Gallery (landscapes, group, camp, hike
– Cold Ember Expedition Mini Magazine
– Impact Summary (1 page)
– Cold Ember info flyer + trainingsplan
Even the best adventures come with a few things you’ll need to arrange yourself:
Flights to and from Tanzania
Visa costs and passport fees
Travel and medical insurance (mandatory – must include high-altitude and evacuation coverage)
Vaccinations or travel medications
Personal equipment (sleeping bag, boots, base layers – full gear list provided)
Tips for guides and porters (we provide a transparent tipping guideline before departure)
Meals and drinks outside the expedition itinerary (lunch/dinner in Moshi/Arusha, bar drinks, etc.)
Single-room supplement if requested (€195–€245 total for the two hotel nights)
Optional media upgrades (Personal Photo Pack, Personal Story Clip, or Bundle)
Extra hotel nights before or after the climb (available on request)
Private departures (2–3 guests) supplement if chosen
Each expedition runs with a minimum of 4 guests — small enough to stay personal, strong enough to create change.
As the group grows, so does what you receive — and what we give back.
7 participants: extra page in mini magazine: ‘Meet the team’
9 partcipants: A “Porter Stories” spread added to the Mini Magazine: how they experienced this expedition.
10 participants: Expedition Review Chapter (3–4 pages)
(A separate, premium-designed chapter capturing the group’s legacy: key moments, extended impact summary, and a short editorial reflection.)To confirm your spot, a €450,- deposit is required
The next 50% is due three months before departure, and the remaining 50% one motnh before departure
Once everything is checked and ready, the adventure begins.
All payments are made directly to Cold Ember in euros.
You’ll receive a digital confirmation after each payment, and a digital invoice upon request.
A full refund is available within 48 hours of booking.
After this period, your spot is confirmed and non-refundable, as we begin securing permits, staff, and logistics.
Travel insurance with high-altitude coverage (up to 6,000 m) is mandatory.
Your policy must include emergency evacuation and medical treatment.
If the expedition is cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances on our side, you receive a full refund or the option to move to a new date.
Booking is simple.
Choose your desired period, add extra add-ons if desired, fill in your details and secure your spot with the deposit after checkout.
You’ll then receive:
a confirmation email with a questionnaire
the pre-expedition information pack
access to the participant WhatsApp group
We’re here to help at every step, if you have questions before booking, just reach out.
Absolutely not. We climb with a full local support team, just like any other expedition. The difference is that our porters carry less, and we carry more. We’ve chosen to shoulder extra weight ourselves, but not at the expense of anyone’s job. Everyone on this mountain still gets paid, supported, and respected, as they should be.
We choose to carry a significant load (around 20–25 kg) to better understand the reality of porters. It’s not about replacing their jobs—it’s about empathy, respect, and authentic storytelling.
You have the option to carry part of the load yourself, and many participants choose to do so to better understand the porters’ reality. But you should never feel obliged to push beyond your safety. Our professional porters are always there to take over if the weight becomes too heavy, ensuring the experience stays safe and respectful.
The expedition price covers all on-the-ground logistics: guides, porters, accommodation on the mountain, meals, permits, and our impact contribution. International flights and personal gear are not included. A clear cost breakdown is provided before booking.
Beyond Kilimanjaro, we plan to offer additional adventure + impact packages, such as hikes combined with Zanzibar activities (kite surfing, diving, cultural immersion). These will follow the same philosophy: experience + storytelling + local impact.
It is not neccessary, as long as you have resilience. Our expeditions are physically intense, yet achievable. We help you train, and mental strength matters just as much as physical.
Neither in the traditional sense. We’re a hybrid: an expedition & storytelling platform. That means every trip is designed to be both a transformative adventure and a film/documentary project, with a clear local impact.
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Become a part of our team and help bring bold ideas to life. Join us to grow, create, and make an impact together!
