Itinerary

1. Day-1: Londorossi Gate to Forest Camp

   • Full board at Forest Camp, known as Big Tree Camp, hikers depart from Moshi for Londorossi Gate, which takes about 4 hours, where you will complete entry formalities and registration. 
   • Then, drive to the Lemosho trailhead (another hour to reach the trailhead). Upon arrival at the trailhead, hikers eat lunch and then commence through undisturbed forest, which winds to the first campsite, which is a forest camp Known as Big Tree Camp.

   Rise (ft): 7,800ft to 9,500ft
   Stretch: 6 km
   Hiking time: 3-4 hours
   Climatic habitat: Rainforest

2. Day-2: Forest Camp to Shira One Camp

   • Full board at Shira One Camp, hikers will continue on the trail leading out of the forest and into a savannah of tall grasses, heather and volcanic rock draped with lichen beards. 
   • As we ascend through the lush rolling hills and cross several streams, we reach the Shira Ridge before dropping gently down to Shira 1 camp. The view of Kibo from across the plateau is amazing and refreshing.

   Rise (ft): 9,500ft to 11,500ft
   Stretch: 8 km
   Hiking time: 5-6 hours
   Climatic habitat: Moorland

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

   • Full board at Shira 2 Camp, hikers and the team will explore the Shira Plateau for a full day. It is a gentle walk east toward Kibo 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 Camp, a little used site on the base of Lent Hills. A variety of walks are available on Lent Hills, making this an excellent acclimatization opportunity. Shira is one of the highest plateaus on Earth.

   Rise (ft): 11,500ft to 13,800 ft
   Stretch: 14 km
   Hiking time: 5-7 hours
   Climatic habitat: Moorland

4. Day-4: Moir Camp to Lava Tower to Barranco Camp or Shira 2 Camp to Lava Tower to Barranco

   • Full board at Shira 2 or Moir Hut Camp from the Shira Plateau hikers will continue to the east up a ridge, passing the junction towards the peak of Kibo. As we continue, our direction changes to the southeast towards the Lava Tower called the “Shark’s Tooth”. Shortly after the tower, we come to the second junction, which brings us up to the Arrow Glacier at an altitude of 16,000ft.
   • We will now continue down to the Barranco Hut at an altitude of 13,000ft. Here, hikers will rest, enjoy dinner and overnight. Although you end the day at the same elevation as when you started, this day is very important for acclimatization and will help your body prepare for summit day.

   Rise (ft): 13,800ft to 13,000ft
   Stretch: 7 km
   Hiking time: 4-6 hours
   Climatic habitat: Semi-desert

5. Day-5: Barranco Camp to Karanga camp

   • Full board at Karanga Camp after breakfast, hikers will leave Barranco and continue on a steep ridge, passing the Barranco wall to the Karanga Valley campsite; this is a short day meant for acclimatization.

   Rise (ft): 13,000ft to 13,100ft
   Stretch: 5km
   Hiking time: 4-5 hours
   Climatic habitat: Alpine desert

6. Day-6: Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp

   • Full board at Barafu Hut Camp. After breakfast, hikers will leave Karanga and hit the junction, which connects with the Mweka Trail; we continue up to the Barafu Camp; at this point, you have completed the South circuit, which offers elegant views of the summit from many different angles. 
   • Here, we make camp, rest, enjoy dinner and prepare for the summit day. The two peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo can be seen from this position.

   Rise (ft): 13,100ft to 15,300ft
   Stretch: 4 km
   Hiking time: 4-5 hours
   Climatic habitat: Alpine desert

7. Day-7: Barafu Camp to Summit to Mweka Camp

   • Full board at Mweka Hut Camp. Very early in the morning (midnight to 2 a.m.), we continue our way to the summit between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers. You head in a northwesterly direction and ascend through heavy scree towards Stella Point on the crater rim. This is the most mentally and physically challenging piece of the trek. At Stella Point (18,600 ft), you will stop for a short rest and will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see in a lifetime (weather permitting).
   • From Stella Point, you may encounter snow all the way on your 1-hour ascent to the summit. At Uhuru Peak, you have reached the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa; faster hikers will see the sunrise. From the summit, we now make our descent, continuing straight down to the Mweka campsite, stopping at Barafu for lunch. 
   • You will need gaiters and trekking poles for the loose gravel going down. Mweka Camp is situated in the upper forest, and mist or rain can be expected in the late afternoon. Later in the evening, we will enjoy our last dinner on the mountain and a well-earned sleep.

   Rise (ft): 15,300ft to 19,345ft and down to 10,000ft
   Stretch: 5 km ascent/12 km descent
   Hiking time: 7-8 hours ascent/4-6 hours descent
   Climatic habitat: Arctic

8. Day-8: Mweka Camp to Moshi

   • Halfboard after breakfast, hikers and the guide continue the descent down to the Mweka Park Gate to receive hiker’s 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). A vehicle will be waiting for you at Mweka gate to drive you back to your hotel in Moshi.

   Descend (ft): 10,000ft to 5,400ft
   Stretch: 10 km
   Hiking time: 3-4 hours
   Climatic habitat: Rainforest