New Daylight Summit Ascent to Kilimanjaro

Gane And Marshall Launches New And Improved Route To The Top Of Africa’s Highest Peak

Specialist wildlife and adventure tour operator, Gane and Marshall, headed by renowned Mount Kilimanjaro expert, Jeremy Gane, has developed a brand-new way to conquer Africa’s highest peak. The new itinerary, which takes adventurers up the previously uncharted north face of Kili, is an enhanced version of Gane and Marshall’s “North Face” trip launched in 2016 and now offers the final ascent in daylight, a world first for adventure travellers. 

Gane and Marshall pioneered the north face route 18 months ago, with climbs that started from existing base camps, but diverted to the north flank, a zone that very few people have ever visited. The north flank route offers spectacular views over Kenya, whereas the traditional Kili climbs look out over Tanzania. 

The new ‘North Face of Kilimanjaro Summit Climb’ has improved on the 2016 itinerary by taking a different final approach to the apex of the mountain. The climb is now non-technical with only an easy scramble up to the high-altitude scree slope, meaning no rock climbing skills are required. Currently, no other travel company in the world offers climbs on this route.

Traditional climbs to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro involve a disorientating midnight or 1am wake-up call and climbing in darkness, thus missing out on the spectacular views until summiting at dawn. Gane and Marshall’s new north face approach departs from camp at 4am, so climbers are more rested, don’t rely on torchlight while ascending and can enjoy the magnificent, otherworldly landscapes of the remote north flank, the icefields, the crater and the approach to the rim.

The main approach to the summit is on a gentle scree slope that leads into a breach in the Northern Icefields. On passing through this spectacular breach the climber will enter right into the crater of Kilimanjaro. Then the route contours around the famous inner Reusch Crater, which very few climbers ever observe. Finally, it’s a steep trek up the inner main rim to Uhuru Point – the Roof of Africa. 

The new route is now available with two scheduled open group climbs in 2018. The first departure will launch on Sunday 11 February 2018 and the second on Friday 6 July 2018. The price per person to join either of these open groups will be £2,700, with a single supplement of £262pp. Private climb parties of minimum four people in size can be accepted with approximately six months advance notice required for the special permits. 

The new route will start in Arusha, taking trekkers to the Umbwe Gate, on the southern flank of Kilimanjaro. The little-used Umbwe Route is rugged and the occasional views through the forest canopy to the summit are amazing. Trekkers will spend the second night at Barranco Camp, a busy junction camp located under the Western Breach, before heading north west to the quiet Moir Camp for two days of altitude acclimatisation. En route to Moir Camp the route crosses the Shira Plateau under the imposing Lava Tower. 

On day five, departing from Moir Camp, the route diverts from the standard trails to head around to the North Face of Kilimanjaro. The new trail includes camping at the North Face Camp – a completely new wild camp located at the foot of the access ridge to the North Face. Day six is a valuable acclimatising day with a scramble to the top of the ridge and then part way up the summit approach scree slope to Jawa Cairn set at 5000ms, descending to North Face Base Camp for an early night. Wake up time on Summit Day is at 4am, for a scramble onto the ridge top, then the unique daylight trek up the scree slope to the breach in the Northern Icefields. Passing through the breach the climbers trek down into the Crater, and then traverse from north to south, passing by the inner Reusch Crater. A final push up the main inner rim sees the trekkers emerge just a short walk away from Kilimanjaro’s summit. 

Descent back down the mountain follows the established southern descent route, around the rim to Stella Point, a fast trek down the scree slopes to Barafu Campsite and Millennium Camp, and next day reaching the Alpine moorland leading to Mweka Gate. 

Gane and Marshall is one of the longest established Kilimanjaro climb operators in the UK and has been helping adventurers reach the summit of Kilimanjaro since 1991. Jeremy Gane is extremely knowledgeable about Kilimanjaro, having climbed the mountain over 22+ times, operated his own Kilimanjaro climb company out of Arusha and led a number of high-profile groups to its summit, including the Comic Relief Red Nose Day Kilimanjaro climb by nine celebrities. Jeremy has also organised countless treks and climbs in Africa over the last 25 years, including major events for the BBC and the Elton John Aids Foundation, among others. 

The relaunched ‘North Face Kilimanjaro’ is available to book now. The cost to join one of Gane and Marshall’s scheduled 2018 open groups is £2,700pp. This price includes airport transfers, dinner, bed and breakfast at Moivaro Lodge near Arusha at the start and end of the trip, seven nights’ camping, all meals on the mountain, transfers, park fees, and the services of porters and one experienced guide for every two climbers. Flights are additional, starting from £500pp return, from London to Kilimanjaro International Airport.

To book, please go to www.ganeandmarshall.com or call 01822 600 600.