Itinerary

1. Day 0: Arrival in Tanzania

   Welcome to Tanzania - Today you will be picked up from Kilimanjaro International Airport and then transferred to hotel in Arusha. The journey from Kilimanjaro airport to Arusha takes about an hour. Meals – Dinner at Mvuli Hotel in Arusha

2. Day 1: Londorossi Gate

   Altitude: 7,742 feet to 9,498 feet
   Distance: 6km
   Walking time: 3-4 hours
   Habitat: rainforest
   We leave Moshi for Londorossi Gate which takes about 4 hours where you will complete the immigration formalities. Then head to the Lemosho trailhead. Upon arrival at the trailhead, we begin the hike through the undisturbed forest that winds up to the first campsite.

3. Day 2: Mti Mkubwa

   Altitude: 9,498 feet to 11,500 feet
   Distance: 8km / 5 miles
   Journey time 5-6 hours
   Habitat: Heide
   We continue the path that leads out of the rainforest and into a savannah of tall grass, heather and volcanic rock covered with lichen beards. As we ascend through the lush hills and cross several streams, we reach the Shira ridge before gently descending to Shira 1 camp. Here we first glimpse Kibo across the plateau.

4. Day 3: Shira 1 Camp

   Altitude: 11,500 feet to 12,500 feet
   Distance: 7 km / 4 miles
   Journey time: 3-4 hours
   Habitat: Heide
   Let's explore the Shira Plateau. It's a gentle stroll east across the moor to Shira 2's field. The heather area displays an abundance of unique wildflowers and Senecio trees.

5. Day 4: Shira 2 Camp

   Altitude: 12,500 feet to 15,190 feet
   Distance: 7 km / 4 miles
   Journey time: 3-4 hours
   Habitat: alpine desert
   Washbasins at Moir Hut
   Height: 15,190 feet to 13,580 feet
   Distance: 7 km / 4 miles
   Journey time: 2-3 hours
   Habitat: alpine desert
   We continue east on a ridge and then turn southeast towards the Torre di Lava, a 90m high volcanic rock formation. We then deviate from the main path to Moir Hut, a little-used site at the foot of the Lent Hills. Various walks are available on Lent Hills, making this an excellent opportunity to acclimate. The Shira Plateau is one of the highest plateaus on Earth.

6. Day 5: Moir Hut - Buffalo Camp

   Height: 13,580 feet to 13,200 feet
   Distance: 12km / 7 miles
   Journey time: 5-7 hours
   Habitat: alpine desert
   We leave the Moir Valley with a fairly steep climb and then climb to the top of the Lent Hills before returning to the main trail. The trail crosses a rocky field and slopes gently before reaching Buffalo Camp. This section of the trail offers beautiful views of the plains that lie north of Kilimanjaro and extend to the border between Kenya and Tanzania.

7. Day 6: Buffalo Camp

   Altitude: 13,200 feet to 12,700 feet
   Distance: 8km / 5 miles
   Journey time: 5-7 hours
   Habitat: Heide
   As we ascend Buffalo Ridge, the terrain becomes increasingly scarce. This route is seldom travelled, and we will enjoy the wild mountain feeling. We continue our trek through secluded valleys to the northern slopes of Kilimanjaro until we reach the third cave.

8. Day 7: The Third Cave

   Altitude: 12,700 feet to 15,600 feet
   Distance: 5km
   Walking time: 4-5 hours
   Habitat: Alpine desert
   We regularly climb the "saddle," which is between Kibo and Mawenzi. We continue to our camp, School Hut. Here, we rest and enjoy an early dinner to prepare for the summit day.

9. Day 8: School Hut

   Altitude: 15,600 feet to 19,341 feet
   Distance: 6km
   Walking time: 6-8 hours
   From Uhuru Peak to Mweka Camp
   Altitude: 19,341 feet at 10,065
   Distance: 12 km/7 miles
   Walking time: 4-6 hours
   Habitat: Arctic
   Very early in the morning (around midnight), we begin our ascent to the summit. This is the most mentally and physically difficult part of the trek. The wind and cold at this altitude and time of day can be extreme. We ride in the dark for several hours, taking frequent but short breaks. At Gilman's Point (18,600ft) you will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you have ever seen over Mawenzi Peak. Finally, we arrive at Uhuru Peak, the highest point of Kilimanjaro and the African continent. From the top, we descend and continue straight to the Mweka Hut campsite, where we stop in Barafu for lunch. The trail is very rocky and can be quite hard on the knees; trekking poles are useful. Mweka Camp is located in the upper forest, and fog or rain is expected in the late afternoon. Later in the evening, we enjoy our last dinner in the mountains and a well-deserved night's rest

10. Day 9: Mweka Camp

    Height: 10,065 feet to 5,380 feet
    Distance: 10 km / 6 miles
    Journey time: 3-4 hours
    Habitat: rainforest
    On our last day, we continued the descent to Mweka Gate and collected the best certificates. At lower altitudes, it can be wet and muddy. From the gate, we continue to the village of Mweka for another hour. A vehicle will meet us at Mweka village to take us back to the hotel in Moshi.