Itinerary

1. Day 1: Londorossi Gate to Forest Camp

   • Hiker(s) depart Arusha / Moshi for Londorossi Gate, which takes about 3 to 4 hours, where you will complete entry registration and formalities. Then drive to the Lemosho trailhead (another hour to reach the trailhead). Upon arrival at trailhead, hiker(s) eat lunch and then commence through undisturbed forest which winds to the first campsite.

   Rising (ft): 7,800ft to 9,500ft
   Stretch: 6 km
   Hiking time: 3-4 hours
   Climatic Habitat: RainForest

2. Day 2: Forest Camp to Shira Camp

   • Hiker(s) 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 phenomenal, extraordinary and amazing.• 

   Rising (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 Camp

   • Hiker(s) and the team explore the Shira plateau for a full day; it is a gentle walk east toward Kibo’s glaciered summit across the plateau, which leads to Shira 2 camp on moorland meadows by a stream. Then we continue to Moir Camp, a little used site on the base of Lent Hills. Various Lent Hills offer various walks, making this an excellent acclimatization opportunity. Shira is one of the highest plateaus on Earth.

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

4. Day 4: Moir Camp to Lava Tower to Barranco Camp

   • From the Shira plateau hiker(s) and the team will continue to the East up a ridge passing the junction towards the peak of Kibo. As we continue, our direction changes to the South East 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 now continue down to the Barranco camp at an altitude of 13,000ft. Here we rest, enjoy dinner and overnight although you end the day at the same elevation as when you started. This day is significant for acclimatization and will help your body prepare for summit day.

   Rising (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 to Barafu Camp

   • After breakfast, the hiker(s) and the team leave Barranco and continue on a steep ridge passing the Barranco wall, to the Karanga Valley camping ground. Then we 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 views of the summit from many angles. Here we make camp, rest, enjoy dinner and prepare for the summit day. The two beautiful peaks of Kibo and Mawenzi are to be seen from this position.

   Rising (ft): 13,000ft to 15,000ft
   Stretch: 9km
   Hiking time: 8-10 hours
   Climatic Habitat: Alpine desert

6. Day 6: Barafu Camp to Summit to Mweka Camp

   • From midnight to 2 am, the hiker(s) and the team continue to the summit between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers very early in the morning. Hiker(s) on the Lemosho hiking route will head northwesterly 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 (18,600 ft), you will stop for a short rest and be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see, weather permitting. You may encounter snow from Stella Point 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; congratulations, faster hikers will see the sunrise from the summit. From the summit, we now descend, continuing straight down to the Mweka camp site, stopping at Barafu for lunch. You will want 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 enjoy our last dinner on the mountain and a well-earned and fulfilling sleep.

   Rising (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

7. Day 7: Mweka Camp to Moshi

   • After breakfast, hiker(s) 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). From the gate, the hiker(s) continue another hour to Mweka Village. A vehicle will meet the hiker(s) at Mweka village to drive them back to the hotel in Arusha / Moshi.

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