Itinerary

1. DAY 1: LONDROSSI GATE – MTI MKUBWA CAMP: 4.8KM /3MI | 3-4 HRS | RAINFOREST

   • Departing from Moshi, a 45-minute drive will take you through welcoming mountainside villages to the Kilimanjaro National Park Gate. 
   • We will patiently wait for our permits to be issued while watching the hustle and bustle of operations as many crews prepare for the journey ahead.
   • Enjoy the beautiful rainforest scenery and windy trails while your guide tells you about the local flora and fauna and natural wildlife. At these lower elevations, the trail can be muddy and quite slippery. We highly recommend gaiters and trekking poles here.

   Elevation: 2389m/7838ft to 2785m/9137ft
   Altitude gained: 396m

2. DAY 2: MTI MKUBWA CAMP – SHIRA I CAMP: 7.9KM/5MI | 4-6HRS | MOORLAND

   • After a good nights sleep and a hearty breakfast, we emerge from the rain forest.
   • Continue on an ascending path, we leave the forest behind now. The trail climbs steadily with wide views to reach the rim of the Shira Plateau. 

   Temperatures begin to drop.

   Elevation: 2785m/9137ft to 3504m/11,496ft
   Altitude gained: 719m

    

3. DAY 3: SHIRA I CAMP –SHIRA HUT: 6.9KM/4.3MI | 5-7HRS | MOORLAND

   • 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. 
   • Continue to Moir Hut, a little-used site on the base of Lent Hills. Variety of walks are available on Lent Hills, making this an excellent acclimatisation opportunity. Shira is one of the highest plateaus on earth.

   Elevation: 3504m/11,496ft to 3895m/12,779ft
   Altitude gained: 391m

4. DAY 4: SHIRA HUT – LAVA TOWER – BARRANCO CAMP: 10.1KM/6.3MI | 4-6HRS | SEMI DESERT

   • Although you end the day around the same elevation as when you began, this day is significant for acclimatization.
   •  From Shira Plateau, continue east up a ridge, passing the junction towards the Kibo peak.
   • Continue South East towards the Lava Tower, called the “Shark’s Tooth” (elev. 4650m/15,250ft). 
   • Shortly after the tower, we come to a second junction, which leads to the Arrow Glacier. 
   • Continue to descend overnight at Barranco Camp.

   Elevation: 3895m/12,779ft to 3986m/13,077ft
   Altitude gained: 91m

5. DAY 5: BARRANCO CAMP – KARANGA CAMP: 5.2KM/3MI | 4-5HRS | ALPINE DESERT

   • After breakfast, we continue on a steep ridge up to the adventurous Barranco Wall to the Karanga Valley and the junction, which connects, with the Mweka Trail. This is one of the most impressive days to see the power, agility, and strength of your crew zip over this wall with what appears such ease. 

   Overnight at Karanga Camp.

   Elevation: 3986m/13,077ft to 4034m/13,235ft
   Altitude gained: 48m

6. DAY 6: HIKE KARANGA CAMP – BARAFU CAMP: 3.3KM /2 MI | 4-5HRS | ALPINE DESERT

   • Continue up toward Barafu Camp, and once reached, you have now completed the South Circuit, which offers a variety of breathtaking views of the summit from many different angles. 
   • Take an early dinner and rest as we prepare for summit night.

   Overnight at Barafu Camp.

   Elevation: 4034m/13,235ft to 4662m/15,295ft
   Altitude gained: 628m

    

7. DAY 7: BARAFU CAMP – SUMMIT: 4.86KM /3MI UP | 5-7HRS | – MWEKA CAMP: 13KM /8MI DOWN | 5-6HRS | GLACIERS, SNOW CAPPED SUMMIT

   Excitement is building as morning comes with an early start between midnight and 2 a.m. This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek.

   • Continue to the summit between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers, trying to stay warm and focused on the amazing sense of accomplishment that lies ahead. 
   • With a switchback motion in a northwesterly direction and ascend through heavy scree towards Stella Point on the crater rim. Be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise during your short rest here. Faster hikers may view the sunrise from the summit. 
   • Ascent to Uhuru Peak and be likely to encounter snow all the way.
   • Congratulations, one step at a time, you have now reached Uhuru Peak, the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the entire continent of Africa!
   • After photos, celebrations and maybe a few tears of joy, we take a few moments to enjoy this incredible accomplishment. 
   • We begin our steep descent down to Mweka Camp, stopping at Barafu for lunch and a very brief rest. We strongly recommend gaiters and trekking poles for uncooperative loose gravel and volcano ash terrain. 
   • Well-deserved rest awaits you to enjoy your last evening on the mountain. 

   Overnight Mweka Camp.

   Elevation: 4662m/15,295ft to 5895m/19,341ft
   Altitude gained: 1233m
   Descent to 3106m/10,190ft
   Altitude lost: 2789m

8. DAY 8: MWEKA CAMP – MWEKA GATE – MOSHI: 9.1KM/6MI |3-4HRS | RAINFOREST

   • After breakfast and a heartfelt ceremony of appreciation and team bonding with your crew, it’s time to say goodbye. 
   • We continue the descent down to the Mweka Park Gate to receive your summit certificates. As the weather is drastically warmer, the terrain is wet, muddy and steep, and we highly recommend Gaiters and trekking poles.
   • From the gate, a vehicle will meet you at Mweka village to drive you back to your hotel in Moshi (about 30 minutes). 
   • Enjoy a long overdue hot shower, dinner and celebrations.

   Elevation: 3106m/10,190ft to 1633m/5358ft
   Altitude lost: 1473m