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 day 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 (i.e. Barafu). 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, thedrawback of sleeping at this high altitude is that it is pretty dangerous. Serious AMS can develop if adequate altitude acclimatization has not been achieved (see Should We Sleep at Crater Camp?).
Due to safety concerns for clients and staff, the 9 Lemosho Crater Route and 10 day Northern Crater Route are done only by special request and are subject to approval by Ultimate Kilimanjaro®.
How Long are the Crater Camp Routes?
The distance of the 9 day Lemosho Crater is approximately 72 km or 43.5 miles.
The distance of the 10 day Northern Crater is approximately 89 km or 53.5 miles.
How Many Days Does it Take to Climb Kilimanjaro using Crater Camp Routes?
The Crater Camp routes are typically done in 9 or 10 days.
How Hard is it to Climb Kilimanjaro on Crater Camp Routes?
Sleeping at the high elevation of Crater Camp adds acclimatization challenges relative to summiting and descending on the same day. Therefore, these routes are considered to be difficult due to the increased risk of altitude sickness. We mitigate this risk by only allowing stays at Crater Camp on our longest routes.
What is the Success Rate of Climbing Kilimanjaro using the Crater Camp Routes?
The success rate of the Crater Camp routes are identical to their non-Crater Camp variations because the night at Crater Camp occurs after the summit. The 8 day Lemosho Crater has a success rate of about 90-95%. The success rate of the 9 day Northern Crater route is about 95-98%.
How Much Does it Cost to Climb Kilimanjaro on the Crater Camp Routes?
The cost to climb the crater camp routes will vary between operators. See our current pricing here.
https://ultimatekilimanjaro.com/should-we-sleep-at-crater-camp