Itinerary

1. Day 1: Londorossi Gate to Mti Mkubwa Camp

   • After breakfast and briefing, drive to Londorossi Park Gate (about a 3-hour drive).

   • From here, a forest track requiring a 4WD vehicle leads to Lemosho Glades. 

   • Walk along forest trails to Mti Mkubwa (big tree) campsite.

   Elevation: 2400m/7838ft to 2700m/9137ft

   Distance: 5 km

   Hiking Time: 2-3 hours

   Habitat: Montane Forest

2. Day 2: Mti Mkubwa Camp to Shira 1 Camp

   • After breakfast, continue as the trail gradually steepens and enters the giant heather moorland zone.

   • After several streams are crossed, continue over the Shira Ridge and then gently downwards to Shira 1 camp located by a stream on the Shira Plateau.

   Elevation: 2700m/9137ft to 3504m/11,496ft

   Distance: 8 km

   Hiking Time: 4-5 hours

   Habitat: Moorland

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

   • After breakfast, a gentle hike across the plateau leads to Shira 2 camp on moorland meadows by a stream. A variety of hikes are available on the Plateau, making this an excellent acclimatisation day.

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

   Distance: 7 km

   Hiking Time: 4-5 hours

   Habitat: Moorland

4. Day 4: Shira 2 Camp to Barranco Camp

   • From the Shira Plateau, continue to the east up a ridge, passing the junction towards the peak of Kibo. 

   • As you continue, your direction changes to the South East towards the Lava Tower, called the “Shark’s Tooth” (elevation 4650m/15,250ft). 

   • Shortly after the tower, come to the second junction, which goes to the Arrow Glacier. 

   • Now, continue down to the Barranco Camp. Although you end the day around the same elevation as when you began, this day is crucial for acclimatisation and will help your body prepare for summit day.

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

   Distance: 10 km

   Walking Time: 6-7 hours

   Habitat: Semi-desert

5. Day 5: Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp

   • After breakfast, leave Barranco and continue on a steep ridge up the Barranco Wall to the Karanga Valley and the junction which connects with the Mweka Trail.

   Elevation: 3986m/13,077ft to 4050m/13,250ft

   Distance: 5 km

   Hiking Time: 3-4 hours

   Habitat: Alpine Desert

6. Day 6: Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp

   • Continue up to the Barafu Camp. You have completed the South Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many different angles.

   • Here make camp, rest, enjoy dinner, and prepare for the summit day.

   Elevation: 4050m/13,250ft to 4600m/15,350ft

   Distance: 4 km

   Hiking Time: 3-4 hours

   Habitat: Alpine Desert

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

   • Very early in the morning (midnight to 2 am), continue your way to the summit between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers. 

   • 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 portion of the trek. 

   • At Stella Point, stop for a short rest and will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see. Faster hikers may view the sunrise from the summit. From Stella Point, you may encounter snow all the way on your 1-hour ascent to the summit. 

   • Once at Uhuru Peak, you have reached the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa!

   • From the summit, begin your descent by continuing straight down to the Mweka Camp, stopping at Barafu for lunch. You may want gaiters and trekking poles for the loose gravel going down. 

   • Arrive at Mweka Camp and enjoy your last evening on the mountain.

   Elevation: 4600m/15,350ft to 5895m/19,340ft

   Down to 3100m/10,190ft

   Distance: 5 km up / 12 km down

   Hiking Time: 5-7 hours up / 5-6 hours down

   Habitat: Stone scree and ice-capped summit

8. Day 8: Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate to Arusha

   • After breakfast, continue the descent down 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).

   • The vehicle will meet you at the Mweka gate to drive you back to your hotel in Arusha (about 1 hour and a half).

   Elevation: 3100m/10,150ft to 1633m/5358ft

   Distance: 10 km

   Hiking Time: 3-4 hours

   Habitat: Forest