Itinerary

1. Day 1: Londorossi Gate to Forest Camp

   Full board at Forest Camp, known as Big Tree Camp. Hikers are driven by a driver and depart from Moshi for Londorossi Gate, which takes about 4 hours, where you will complete entry formalities and registration. Then, drive to the Lemosho trailhead (another hour to reach the trailhead). Upon arrival at the trailhead, hikers eat lunch and then commence through the undisturbed forest, which winds to the first campsite, a forest camp known as Big Tree Camp.

   Rise (ft): 7,800ft to 9,500ft

   Stretch: 6 km

   Hiking time: 3-4 hours

   Climatic Habitat: Rainforest

2. Day 2: Forest Camp to Shira One Camp

   Full Board at Shira One Camp. Hikers 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 fantastic and refreshing.

   Rise (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

   Full Board at Shira 2 Camp. Hikers and the team will explore the Shira plateau for a full day. It is a gentle walk east toward Kibo’s glaciered peak across the plateau, which leads to Shira 2 Camp on moorland meadows by a stream. Then we stay at Shira 2 Camp or continue to Moir Camp, a little used site on the base of Lent Hills. Various walks are available on Lent Hills, making this an excellent acclimatization opportunity. Shira is one of the highest plateaus on Earth.

   Rise (ft): 11,500ft to 13,800 ft

   Stretch: 14 km

   Hiking time: 5-7 hours

   Climatic Habitat: Moorland

4. Day 4: Moir Hut to Lava Tower to Barranco Camp or Shira 2 Camp to Lava Tower to Barranco

   Full Board at Shira 2 or Moir Hut camp. From the Shira Plateau, hikers will continue to the east up a ridge, passing the junction towards the peak of Kibo. As we continue, our direction changes to the southeast 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 will now continue down to the Barranco Hut at an altitude of 13,000ft. Here, hikers will 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.

   Rise (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

   Full Board at Karanga Camp. After breakfast, hikers will leave Barranco and continue on a steep ridge, passing the Barranco wall to the Karanga Valley campsite; this is a short day meant for acclimatization.

   Rise (ft): 13,000ft to 13,100ft

   Stretch: 5km

   Hiking time: 4-5 hours

   Climatic Habitat: Alpine desert

6. Day 6: Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp

   Full Board at Barafu Hut Camp. After breakfast, hikers will 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 elegant summit views from many different angles. Here, we make camp, rest, enjoy dinner and prepare for the summit day. The two peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo can be seen from this position.

   Rise (ft): 13,100ft to 15,300ft

   Stretch: 4 km

   Hiking time: 4-5 hours

   Climatic Habitat: Alpine desert

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

   Full Board at Mweka Hut Camp. Very early in the morning (midnight to 2 a.m.), we continue to the summit between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers. You head northwesterly and ascend through heavy scree towards Stella Point on the crater rim. This is the most mentally and physically challenging piece of the trek. At Stella Point (18,600 ft), you will stop for a short rest and will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see in a lifetime (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. Faster hikers will see the sunrise. From the summit, we now descend, continuing straight down to the Mweka camp site, stopping at Barafu for lunch. You will need 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 will enjoy our last dinner on the mountain and a well-earned sleep.

   Rise (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

8. Day 8: Mweka Camp to Moshi

   Halfboard after breakfast, hikers and the guide continue the descent to the Mweka Park Gate to receive the hiker’s 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 driver will wait for you at Mweka gate to drive you back to your hotel in Moshi.

   Descend (ft): 10,000ft to 5,400ft

   Stretch: 10 km

   Hiking time: 3-4 hours

   Climatic Habitat: Rainforest