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 to Lemosho Glades.

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

   Elevation: 1830m/6000ft to 2650m/8700ft

   Distance: 6km/4mi

   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 crossing several streams, continue over the Shira Ridge, then gently downwards to Shira 1 Camp, located by a stream on the Shira Plateau.

   Elevation: 2650m/8700ft to 3500m/11,500ft

   Distance: 8km/5mi | 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: 3500m/11,500ft to 3850m/12,600ft

   Distance: 8km/5mi

   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 the trek continues, the direction changes to the South East towards Lava Tower, called the “Shark’s Tooth”.

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

   • Continue down to Barranco Camp.

   • Although climbers end the day around the same elevation as when they began, this day is very important for acclimatisation and will help the body to prepare for summit day.

   Elevation: 3850m/12,600ft to 4000m/13,000ft

   Distance: 8km/5mi

   Walking Time: 5-6 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.

   • Arrive at the junction which connects with the Mweka Trail.

   Elevation: 4000m/13,000ft to 4050m/13,250ft

   Distance: 5km/3mi

   Hiking Time: 3-4 hours

   Habitat: Alpine Desert

6. Day 6: Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp

   • After breakfast, continue up to Barafu Camp, completing the South Circuit on the way, which offers views of the summit from many different angles.

   • Arrive at Barafu and set 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

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

   • Very early in the morning (midnight - 02:00 am), continue on the 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 be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise. Faster hikers may view the sunrise from the summit.

   • From Stella Point, one may encounter snow all the way on the 1-hour ascent to the summit.

   • Arrive at 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, stopping at Barafu for lunch. It is advisable to get gaiters and trekking poles to navigate on the way down through loose gravel.

   • 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

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

   • After breakfast, continue the descent down to the Mweka Park Gate to receive summit certificates.

   • At lower elevations, it can get wet and muddy, so 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, continue another hour to Mweka Village.

   • Meet our vehicle at Mweka village and transfer back to the hotel in Moshi (about 30 minutes). Don’t forget to tip guides and porters.

   End of services.

   Elevation: 3090m/10,150ft to 1680m/5500ft

   Distance: 10km/6mi

   Hiking Time: 3-4 hours

   Habitat: Forest | Meals: B