Itinerary

1. Day 1: Londorossi Gate to Forest Camp

   Full board at Forest Camp, known as {Big Tree Camp}. 

   After completing the necessary registration formalities at the Londorossi National Park gate, we drive through varied farmland with open views over the plains to reach the Lemosho road head. We often have our lunch in the glades before starting to walk. It is an easy day to walk up a small path through a beautiful and lush forest. This area has a variety of game, including buffalo. We camp at Lemosho Forest Camp, known as {Big Tree Camp} 7,800 ft.

   Elevation (ft): 7,800ft to 9,500ft

   Distance: 6 km

   Hiking Time: 3-4 hours

   Habitat: Rainforest

2. Day 2: Forest Camp to Shira One Camp

   Full Board at Shira One Camp. 

   We soon leave the forest behind and enter the moorland zone of giant heather. The trail climbs steadily with expansive views to reach the rim of the Shira Plateau. There is a tangible sense of wilderness, especially if afternoon mists come in! We camp in the plateau's centre at Shira One (11,500 ft).

   Elevation (ft): 9,500ft to 11,500ft

   Distance: 8 km

   Hiking Time: 5-6 hours

   Habitat: Moorland

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

   Full Board at Shira 2 Camp.

   We explore the Shira plateau for a full day. It is a gentle walk east toward Kibo’s glaciered peak, across the plateau, which leads to Shira 2 camp on moorland meadows by a stream. Then we stay at Shira 2 camp or continue to Moir Hut, a little used site on the base of Lent Hills. Various walks are available on Lent Hills, making this an excellent acclimatization opportunity. Shira is one of the highest plateaus on earth. You might have an option of spending the night at Shira 2 camp or Moir Hut, a relatively long hike and significant altitude gain. Today is a short day, and you arrive at Shira 2 camp in time for lunch. A good day for acclimatization with the option of an afternoon walk with your guides.

   Elevation (ft): 11,500ft to 13,800 ft

   Distance: 14 km

   Hiking Time: 5-7 hours

   Habitat: Moorland

4. Day 4: Shira 2 Camp To Barranco Camp Via Lava Tower

   Full Board at Shira 2 Camp or Moir Hut Camp. 

   A morning of gentle ascent and panoramic views, leaving the moorland plateau behind to walk on lava ridges beneath the glaciers of the Western Breach. After lunch near the Lava Tower (14,900 ft), we descend to the bottom of the Barranco Valley to camp at Barranco Camp (12,790 ft), sheltered by towering cliffs and with extensive views of the plains far below.

   Elevation (ft): 13,800ft to 13,000ft

   Distance: 7 km

   Hiking Time: 4-6 hours

   Habitat: Semi-Desert

5. Day 5: Barafu Camp To Karanga Camp

   Full Board at Karanga Camp. 

   A steep climb up the Barranco Wall leads us to an undulating trail on the South-Eastern flank of Kibo, with super vistas of the Southern Ice fields. The terrain changes to scree, with pockets of lush vegetation in sheltered hollows, and there is only a short distance to Karanga Camp (13,100 ft), the last water point on the way to the summit.

   Hiking Time: 4-5 hours

   Habitat: Alpine Desert

6. Day 6: Karanga Camp To Barafu Camp

   Full Board at Barafu Hut Camp. 

   We follow an easy path on compacted scree with expansive views that gain altitude unrelentingly to reach the Barafu Hut (14,800 ft) for lunch. There is a short acclimatization walk to the plateau at the bottom of the southeast valley. The remainder of the day is spent resting in preparation for the early morning final ascent.

   Elevation (ft): 13,100ft to 15,300ft

   Distance: 4 km

   Hiking Time: 4-5 hours

   Habitat: Alpine Desert

7. Day 7: Barafu Camp To Crater Camp

   Full Board at Mweka Hut Camp.

   Unlike other routes with a nighttime ascent, your hike selection affords you a daytime ascent to the Kibo crater. The going is slow, but with constant encouragement from your climb team, the rim of Kibo is reached before descending a little way into the caldera to Crater camp. The afternoon is spent relaxing, and short walks can be taken with one of your guides.

   Elevation (ft): 15,300ft to 19,345ft

   Distance: 6 km ascent / 12 km descent

   Hiking Time: 7-8 hours ascent / 4-6 hours descent

   Habitat: Arctic

8. Day 8: Mount Kilimanjaro - Mweka Camp

   After a night in the crater, you have the shortest final summit bid of any route. With such a short distance to the summit from the crater (around 1 hour), timing arrival with the sunrise is much easier and quite spectacular. The summit of Kilimanjaro is the top of the highest freestanding mountain in the world. After your summit bid, you descend for a final night on the mountain at Mweka Camp, passing back through the heath zone. Endemic Proteas, pollinated by Malachite Sunbirds, are plentiful.

   Overnight Mweka Camp (breakfast- lunch – dinner).

9. Day 9: Mweka Camp - Arusha/Moshi

   Half Board.

   After breakfast, we will descend to the Mweka Park Gate to receive your summit certificates. At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy. Gaiters and trekking poles will help. Shorts and t-shirts will probably be plenty to wear (keep rain gear and warmer clothing handy). Tour vehicles will wait at Mweka gate to drive you back to your hotel in Arusha or Moshi.

   Elevation (ft): 10,000ft to 5,400ft

   Distance: 10 km

   Hiking Time: 3-4 hours

   Habitat: Rainforest

   Day of departure: Transfer to the Kilimanjaro Airport.