Itinerary

1. Day 1: Hotel 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 leads 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
   Meals: Lunch and Dinner

2. Day 2: Mti Mkubwa Camp to Shira 1 Camp

   • After breakfast, we continue as the trail gradually steepens and enters the giant heather moorland zone. 
   • After several streams are crossed, we continue over the Shira Ridge and gently descend 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
   Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

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. Various hikes are available on the Plateau, making this an excellent acclimatization day.

   Elevation: 3500m/11,500ft to 3850m/12,600ft
   Distance: 8km/5mi
   Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
   Habitat: Moorland
   Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

4. Day 4: Shira 2 Camp to Moir Camp

   • This day is a long trek heading east, which passes through the ‘Garden of the Senecios’ and enters the high alpine desert zone. The morning is spent trekking up to Lava Tower and the iconic Shark’s Tooth rock formation at 4,600 meters, where you will have lunch. 
   • After lunch, you will join the Northern Circuit heading to Moir Camp at 4,200 meters. This is an important day in your trek as you will experience high altitude and then sleep low, which is good for the acclimatisation process.

   Elevation: 3850m/11,500ft to 4200m/13780ft
   Distance: 14km/8mi
   Hiking Time: 5-7 hours
   Habitat: Moorland
   Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

5. Day 5: Moir Camp to Buffalo Camp

   • Today, we encountered a moderately steep climb out of Moir Valley. 
   • We can optionally hike to the summit of Little Lent Hill, at 4,375 meters, before returning to the Northern Circuit trail. 
   • From here, the route follows a series of inclines and declines, skirting around the northern slopes of Kibo to Buffalo Camp.

   Elevation: 4200m/13,780ft to 4020m/13,188ft
   Distance: 12km/7mi
   Walking Time: 5-6 hours
   Habitat: High Alpine
   Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

6. Day 6: Buffalo Camp to Rongai Third Cave

   • We start the day by climbing up the Buffalo Ridge and down into Porfu Camp, where lunch is usually served. The route then continues east around the northern slopes to the Rongai Third Cave. The trek is shorter than the day before, and you should be feeling well-acclimated to the altitude by now. 
   • You will arrive at the Third Cave just around mid-afternoon.

   Elevation: 4020m/13,188ft to 3800m/12,467ft
   Distance: 8km/5mi
   Climbing Time: 5-7 hours
   Habitat: High Alpine
   Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

7. Day 7: Third Cave to School Hut

   • Today, there is a steady incline up and over the saddle between the Kibo and Mawenzi Peak peaks. Trekkers then continue walking southwest up to School Hut. 
   • After arriving at School Hut, you will be served an early dinner. Then, you should get some shut-eye as you will be awoken before midnight to start your summit attempt. 
   • Before bed, remember to prepare all your gear, including warm clothes, insulated water bottles, snacks, a headlamp and a camera.

   Elevation: 3800m/12,467ft to 4800m/15,748ft
   Distance: 15km/8mi
   Climbing Time: 4-5 hours
   Habitat: Alpine Desert
   Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

8. Day 8: School Hut to Uhuru Peak to Millennium Camp

   • You will be awoken around 11:30 with hot tea and biscuits and begin the steep incline up the slopes of Kibo under the cover of darkness. Your first checkpoint is Hans Meyer Cave, where you will take a short break. The climb steepens as you approach Gilman’s Point (5,681 meters), around 5-6 hours after departing School Hut.
   • Take a moment to enjoy the approaching dawn and the incredible view out and across to Mawenzi Peak. But remember, you still have two hours of trekking to reach Uhuru Peak, so dig deep for the energy. The slope flattens as you head west around the crater rim, and you should arrive at the summit at or just after sunrise.
   • Your stay here will be brief, so get as many pictures as you can of the incredible views and surrounding glaciers. You will then retrace your steps around the crater rim to Stella Point (5,739 meters), turning south and heading down the heavily screed slopes of Kibo to Barafu Camp (4,680 meters).
   • Most trekkers take a short break here before continuing down to Millennium Camp (3,950 meters) for their final night on the mountain. On day eight, you will be trekking for 14-16 hours in total, so it is important to pace yourself, remain hydrated and keep your blood sugar levels up.

   Elevation: 4800m/15,748ft to 5895m/19,340ft
   Down to 3950m/12,959ft
   Distance: 6km/3.5mi up / 11km/6mi down
   Hiking Time: 5-7 hours up / 5-6 hours down
   Habitat: Stone scree and ice-capped summit
   Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

9. Day 9: Millennium Camp to Mweka Gate to Hotel

   • After breakfast, we continue the descent 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).
   • A Horizon Seeker Adventure vehicle will wait for you at Mweka gate and drive you back to your hotel in Moshi (approximately 60 minutes).

   Elevation: 3950m/12,959ft to 1680m/5500ft
   Distance: 10km/6mi
   Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
   Habitat: Forest
   Meals: Breakfast