Mt.Kilimanjaro Trekking
Crater Camp is a unique place. At 18,865 feet above sea level, it is the highest campsite on Mount Kilimanjaro.
It is located just 475 feet below the summit. We offer the opportunity to stay at Crater Camp on the Lemosho and
Northern Circuit routes. This option will add one day to the standard itineraries making them the 9 Lemosho
Crater Route and 10 days Northern Crater Route.
We leave for the summit during daylight hours and stay
at Crater Camp after the summit for better acclimatization. On all other Kilimanjaro routes, only the guides
and clients summit while the rest of the mountain crew remains at high camp (Barafu or school hut). Using Crater
Camp requires significantly more effort on our part as the entire mountain crew, along with all of the expedition
equipment, has to ascend 4,000 feet higher than they normally would. Therefore, there is considerable added cost
to do a Crater Camp route.
From Crater Camp, one can take an optional one hour hike to Reusch Crater, or
simply explore the areas around Furtwangler Glacier. Reusch Crater is a magnificent sight. It is almost perfectly
circular and the ash pit measures 400 feet (120 m) deep and 1,300 feet (400 m) wide. This is rarely seen by
tourists. The video below puts the size of the ash pit and crater into perspective.
We understand the
attraction of staying at Crater Camp. However, the drawback of sleeping at this high altitude is that it is
pretty dangerous. Serious AMS can develop if adequate altitude acclimatization has not been achieved.
Due to safety concerns for clients and staff, the 9 Lemosho Crater Route or 8 day lemosho crater
route and 10 day Northern Crater Route. We offer them for specially request.