9-Day Kilimanjaro Summit Trek to Uhuru Peak via the Shira Plateau

• Arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport, where you will be picked up and transferred to Kizumba House or a similar property for your overnight stay.

Overnight at Kizumba House (bed and breakfast) or similar.

• After breakfast, drive to the Londorosi Park Gate. The drive takes about 5 hours.
• The drive through the Shira Plateau is one of the best opportunities to see big game on Kilimanjaro.
• Walk up to Mti Mkubwa Camp.
• Arrive at the campsite, set up camp, and enjoy dinner.

Altitude: 2,200 m - 2,600 m

Hiking distance: 4 km

Hiking time: 3 hours

• Wake up for breakfast and begin the short hike from Mti Mkubwa to Shira Camp.
• This usually takes no more than 5 hours, but a calm pace is required for adequate acclimatization.
• The west face of the Kibo volcano looms above the campsite.
• Have lunch, set up camp, rest, or take a day hike.
• This hike traverses the lower moorland, where large shrubs and wildflowers dominate the landscape.

Altitude: 2,600 m - 3,600 m

Hiking distance: 10 km

Hiking time: 4-5 hours

• Wake up for breakfast, break camp, and hike briefly to Shira Camp 2.
• This makes it a perfect acclimatization day.

Altitude: 3,600 m - 3,840 m

Hiking distance: 10 km

Hiking time: 5-6 hours

• The route now turns east into a semi-desert and rocky landscape surrounding Lava Tower, where you reach an altitude of 4600 m after about a 5-hour walk.
• Lunch is served in a designated area before ascending the rocky scree path to Lava Tower. This is the most challenging day so far.
• It is usually around this point that, for the first time, some climbers start to feel symptoms of breathlessness, irritability, and headaches.
• After lunch, you descend again almost 680 m to the Barranco camping area, and after reaching the high altitude of Lava Tower, the true acclimatization benefit of this day becomes clear.
• This descent to Barranco Camp takes about 2 hours and offers excellent opportunities to take beautiful photographs of the Western Breach and Breach Wall.
• The camp is situated in a valley below the Breach and Great Barranco Wall, which should provide you with a memorable sunset while you prepare for dinner and your overnight stay at Barranco Camp.

Altitude: 3,840 m - 3,940 m

Hiking distance: 11 km

Hiking time: 7-8 hours

• Exposed to the ever-present gales, the tents are pitched on a narrow, stony, and dangerous ridge.
• Ensure you familiarize yourself with the terrain before dark to avoid accidents.
• The summit is now a further 1345 m up, and you will make the final ascent the same night.
• Prepare your equipment, ski sticks, and thermal clothing for your summit attempt.
• This should include replacing your headlamp and camera batteries, and making sure you have a spare set available as well.
• It is wise to carry your water in a thermal flask to prevent freezing.
• Go to bed at around 19:00 and try to get some precious rest for no more than 5 hours.

Altitude: 3,960 m - 4,640 m

Hiking distance: 11 km

Hiking time: 7-8 hours

• Rise around 23h30, and after some tea and biscuits, you shuffle off into the night.
• You head northwesterly and ascend through heavy scree towards Stella Point on the crater rim.
• For many climbers, this 6-hour walk to Stella Point is the most challenging part of the route.
• At Stella Point (5685 m), you stop for a short rest and will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see, weather permitting.
• From Stella Point, you usually encounter snow on your 2-hour ascent to Uhuru Peak.
• The time you spend on the summit will depend on the weather conditions.
• Please do not stop here too long, as it will be challenging to start again due to cold and fatigue.
• Enjoy your accomplishment and a day to remember for the rest of your life.
• The walk back to Barafu from the summit takes about 3 hours.
• Here, you will have a short rest and collect the rest of your gear before heading down to Mweka Camp for dinner and overnight.

Altitude: 4,670 m - 5,895 m - 3,100 m

Hiking distance: 17 km

Hiking time: 15+ hours

• After breakfast, from the Mweka Gate, you will continue down into Mweka village, normally a muddy and long 1-hour walk.
• From Mweka village, drive to Kizumba House, where you will be served a hot lunch and enjoy a long-overdue shower.
• Overnight in Kizumba House.
• Tips can be given to the guide at Kizumba House. This is also where successful climbers receive their summit certificates.
• Those climbers who reach Stella Point (5685 m) are issued green certificates, and those who reach Uhuru Peak (5895 m) receive gold certificates.

Overnight at Kizumba House (bed and breakfast) or similar.

• After an early breakfast, transfer to Kilimanjaro Airport for your departure flight back home.