Itinerary

1. Day 1: Londrossi Gate to Forest Camp

   • Register at Londorossi Gate (7,740ft/2,360m); the climb then starts out in the rain forest of the lower slopes where we may encounter animals, such as black & white colobus monkeys and several varieties of birds.

   • Hike to the edge of the forest at Mti Mkubwa (9,500ft/2,895m). 

   Duration: 4 hrs.

2. Day 2: Forest Camp to Shira 1 Camp

   • After breakfast, leave Mti Mkubwa for a climb up onto Shira plateau and Shira 1 Camp (11,500ft/3,505m). 

   • Come out of the rain forest and enter the heather climate zone. Enjoy the wonderful sunset from the mess tent with Mt. Meru in the distance.

   Duration 5-6 hrs.

3. Day 3: Shira 1 Camp to Shira 2 Camp

   • After breakfast, continue across Shira plateau toward Shira 2 camp (12,500ft/3,810m). Here we will have lunch before continuing upwards to Moir Hut (13,800ft/4,200m) for camp.

   Duration 6-7 hrs.

4. Day 4: Shira 2 Camp to Barranco Camp

   • After breakfast, leave Shira behind and head up towards Lava Tower (15,190ft/4,630m), where we will have lunch. 

   • Descend into the Barranco Valley (13,045ft/3,976m) for camp. Enjoy the amazing sunset on Kibo and the Great Barranco Wall.

   Duration 5-6 hrs.

5. Day 5: Barranco Camp to Karanga Valley camp

   • After breakfast, leave Barranco camp and scramble up the spectacular Barranco Wall. Once over the wall, it is an undulating walk to Karanga Camp (13,100ft/3,995m). 

   • Enjoy the views of Kibo above and the plains below; you can see Moshi Town far below. 

   Duration 4-5 hrs.

6. Day 6: Karanga Valley Camp to Barafu Camp

   • After breakfast, head upwards towards the final camp at Barafu (15,330ft/4,673m). This day is steep but short, and you will have a hot lunch. 

   • Enjoy the short day, as you will wake around 11 pm to leave for the summit. Mawenzi dominates the view from Barafu. 

   Duration 4hrs.

7. Day 7: Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak

   • Wake at 11 pm to get ready for the summit attempt. 

   • Hike upwards on a very steep trail in the dark, reaching Stella point (18,958ft/5,745m) after ~6hrs at dawn. Continue on the more gradual incline to Uhuru Peak (19,341ft/5,895m), 1 hr from Stella point. 

   • After pictures and congratulations, head back down to Barafu for 2-3 hrs rest and lunch before continuing down to Mweka Camp (10,065ft/3,068m). 

   Duration 13-14hrs.

8. Day 8: Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate

   • Hhead from Mweka Camp down through the forest to Mweka gate (5,380ft/1,640m) for certificates.

   Duration 2-3 hrs.