Itinerary

1. Day 1: Londorossi Gate to Mti Mkubwa Camp

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

   • Upon arrival, a forest track requiring a 4WD vehicle leads towards Lemosho Glades.

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

   Overnight stay at camp.

   Elevation: 1830m/6000ft to 2650m/8700ft
   Distance: 6km/4mi
   Hiking Time: 2-3 hours
   Habitat: Montane Forest
   Meals: L/D

2. Day 2 Mti Mkubwa Camp to Shira 2 Camp

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

   • Cross several streams and continue over the Shira Ridge past the Shira 1 camp towards the Shira 2 camp on moorland meadows by a stream.

   Overnight stay at camp.

   Elevation: 2650m/8700ft to 3850m/12,600ft
   Distance: 16km/10mi
   Hiking Time: 7-8 hours
   Habitat: Moorland
   Meals: B/L/D

3. Day 3: Shira 2 Camp to Barranco Camp

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

   • On the way, direction changes to the South East towards the Lava Tower, also known as 'Shark’s Tooth'.

   • Reach the second junction, which goes to Arrow Glacier.

   • Continue trekking down to Barranco Camp. (Important day for acclimatization).

   Overnight stay at camp.

   Elevation: 3850m/12,600ft to 4000m/13,000ft
   Distance: 8km/5mi
   Walking Time: 5-6 hours
   Habitat: Semi-desert
   Meals: B/L/D

4. Day 4: Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp

   • After breakfast, leave Barranco and continue on a steep ridge up the Barranco Wall to the Karanga Valley.

   • Cross the junction which connects with the Mweka Trail.

   • Arrive at Karanga camp for dinner and overnight stay.

   Elevation: 4000m/13,000ft to 4050m/13,250ft
   Distance: 5km/3mi
   Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
   Habitat: Alpine Desert
   Meals: B/L/D

5. Day 5: Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp

   • After breakfast, continue towards Barafu Camp to complete the South Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many different angles.

   • Reach Barafu camp, rest, enjoy dinner, and prepare for the summit day.

   Elevation: 4050m/13,250ft to 4700m/15,350ft
   Distance: 4km/2mi
   Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
   Habitat: Alpine Desert
   Meals: B/L/D

6. Day 6: Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak to Mweka Camp

   • Very early in the morning (midnight to 2 am), continue towards 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 will be the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek.

   • At Stella Point, stop for a short rest and enjoy the view of the magnificent sunrise. Faster hikers may view the sunrise from the summit.

   • From Stella Point, encountering snow on the route is possible during the 1-hour ascent to the summit.

   • Reach Uhuru Peak, the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa.

   • From the summit, begin the descent by continuing straight down to the Mweka Camp.

   • Stop at Barafu for lunch.

   • Use gaiters and trekking poles for navigating through the loose gravel going down.

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

   Elevation: 4700m/15,350ft to 5895m/19,340ft
   Down to 3090m/10,150ft
   Distance: 5km/3mi up / 13km/8mi down
   Hiking Time: 5-7 hours up / 5-6 hours down
   Habitat: Stone scree and ice-capped summit
   Meals: B/L/D

7. Day 7: Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate to Moshi

   • After breakfast, continue the descent down to the Mweka Park Gate to receive your summit certificates. (Don’t forget to tip your guides and porters)

   • From the gate, continue another hour to Mweka Village.

   • Transfer back to the hotel in Moshi. (about 30 minutes)

   End of tour.

   Elevation: 3090m/10,150ft to 1680m/5500ft
   Distance: 10km/6mi
   Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
   Habitat: Forest
   Meals: B