Itinerary

1. DAY 1: Moshi to Lemosho Gate to Big Tree Gate

   • Meet up with your tour guide and begin the tour.
   • Pick up at your hotel around 08:00 am and transfer to the Lemosho gate located on the western side of Kilimanjaro. 
   • Start your climb after registering yourself at the gate. Steadily walk through the forests of the Lemosho glades to reach Big Tree camp, where you will be spending the night.

   Overnight accommodation at Big Tree Camp. Meals: Lunch and Dinner.

   The distance covered will be 7 km, and the hiking time will be around 4 hours.

2. DAY 2: Big Tree Camp to Shira Camp

   • Cover a lot of ground as you trek across a plateau of grassy moorland and heather scattered with volcanic rock formations. 
   • Trek through Shira 1 Camp and admire the views of Kibo Peak floating on the clouds as you head towards your destination at Shira 2. Gain a reasonable amount of altitude as you head towards Shira 2, as parts of the route are fairly steep. 
   • Get the chance to view the Northern Ice fields from the western side of the mountain with some unusual views of Kibo. Our steady climb across the moorland of the Shira Plateau will also help with acclimatisation.

   Overnight accommodation at Shira Campsite. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner.

   The distance covered will be 16.5 km, and the hiking time will be around 9 - 11 hours.

3. DAY 3: Shira Camp to Barranco Camp

   • Start your ascent with far-reaching panoramic views, walking into the climatic zone of the upland desert and on the lava ridges beneath the glaciers of the Western Breach. 
   • Reach the distinct pinnacle of the Lava Tower (4640 m), a high point for the day and a great place to enjoy your lunch.
   • Make a steep descent to your camp for the night, located in the base of the Great Barranco Valley (3960 m), sheltered by towering cliffs but with extensive views of the plains below.

   Overnight accommodation at Barranco Camp. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner.

   The distance covered will be 10km, and the hiking time will be around 7 hours.

4. DAY 4 : Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp

   • Start descending into the start of the Great Barranco, a huge ravine. 
   • Exit steeply up the Great Barranco Wall. It’s a climb over rock, not technical but long and tiring. 
   • Pass underneath the Heim and Kersten glaciers as you head towards the Karanga valley. From here, climb a steep slope from Karanga valley to the night’s camp at Karanga camp, set at 3963m. For those feeling strong, go for a mid-afternoon acclimatisation trek up to around 4200m before descending back to camp for the night.

   Overnight accommodation at Karanga Camp. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner.

   The distance covered will be 5.5 km, and the hiking time will be around 5 hours.

5. DAY 5: Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp

   • Take a good night’s rest and after breakfast, set off on the walk to Barafu camp at 4640m. 
   • Climb across desolate scree slopes with no vegetation. It’s a tough steep walk made more difficult by the altitude.
   • Arrive at camp, eat and spend the afternoon resting. Prepare for a long night and day ahead. It is important to keep hydrated and warm. 
   • Have an early dinner, and then try to get some sleep as you will be getting up between 11 pm and 12 pm to start the climb to the summit.

   Overnight accommodation at Barafu Camp. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner. 

   The distance covered will be 3km, and the hiking time will be around 3 hours.

6. DAY 6: Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak to Millenium Camp

   • Start around midnight, and walk steeply upwards to the summit glaciers. 
   • Climb steeply for 4 to 5 hours and gain incredible height over a short distance. The views are spectacular. 
   • Reach the crater rim at Stella Point (5739m) as the first rays of the sun hit. Admire the spectacular ice cliffs and the views to the jagged Mawenzi peak. 
   • Walk another hour and reach the summit, Uhuru Peak (5895m). 
   • Begin your descent by returning to Stella Point and then descending on scree slope and track back to Barafu Camp, before finally heading down to Millennium Camp for a long well-earned rest.

   Overnight accommodation at Millenium Campsite. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner.

   The distance covered will be 13.5km, and the hiking time will be around 12 - 15 hours.

7. DAY 7: Millenium Camp to Mweka Gate to Moshi

   • Enjoy a gentle trek down through the rainforest to Mweka Gate.
   • Receive certificates and board your vehicles to return to Moshi.

   Meals: Breakfast & Lunch.

   The distance covered will be 12.5km, and the hiking time will be around 6.5 hours.