Itinerary

1. Day 1: Londorossi Gate to Mti Mkubwa

   • Meet the tour guide and depart Moshi for Londorossi Gate, which takes about 4 hours, where you will complete entry formalities. 
   • Drive to the Lemosho trailhead. Upon arrival at the trailhead, we begin hiking through the undisturbed forest, which winds to the first campsite.

   Elevation: 7,742 ft to 9,498 ft

   Distance: 6 km/4 miles

   Hiking time: 3-4 hours

   Habitat: Rainforest

2. Day 2: Mti Mkubwa to Shira 1 Camp

   • Continue on the trail leading out of the rainforest 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. Here we catch our first glimpse of Kibo across the plateau.

   Elevation: 9,498 ft to 11,500 ft

   Distance: 8 km/ 5miles

   Hiking time: 5-6 hours

   Habitat: Heath

3. Day 3: Shira 1 Camp to Moir Hut

   • Explore the Shira Plateau for a full day. It is a gentle walk east on moorland meadow towards Shira 2 Camp. 
   • Divert from the main trail to Moir Hut, a little-used site on the base of Lent Hills. A variety of walks are available on Lent Hills, making this an excellent acclimatization opportunity. Shira Plateau is one of the highest plateaus on earth.

   Elevation: 11,500 ft to 13,800 ft

   Distance: 11 km/ 7 miles

   Hiking time: 5-7 hours

   Habitat: Heath

4. Day 4: Moir Hut to Lava Tower to Barranco Camp

   • Begin the day climbing up a ridge and then head southeast towards the Lava Tower, a 300 ft tall volcanic rock formation. We descend down to Barranco Camp through the strange but beautiful Senecio forest to an altitude of 13,000 ft. Although you begin and end the day at the same elevation, the time spent at a higher altitude is very beneficial for acclimatization.

   Elevation: 13,800 ft to 15200ft down to 13000ft

   Distance: 7 km/4 miles

   Hiking time: 4-5 hours

   Habitat: Alpine desert

5. Day 5: Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp

   • Climb off the Great Barranco Wall.
   • Continue around the southern circuit trail until we reach another scenic location of Karanga Camp.

   Elevation: 13,000ft

   Distance: 5km

   Hiking time: 4 hours

   Habitat: Alpine desert

6. Day 6: Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp

   • Leave Karanga and hit the junction which connects with the Mweka Trail. 
   • Continue up to the Barafu Hut. At this point, you have completed the South Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many different angles. Here we make camp, rest, enjoy dinner, and prepare for the summit day. The two peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo are to be seen from this position.

   Elevation: 15,000ft to 15331ft

   Distance: 4km

   Hiking time: 3 hours

   Habitat: Alpine desert

7. Day 7: Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak to Mweka Camp

   • Begin our push to the summit early in the morning (midnight). This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek. The wind and cold at this elevation and time of day can be extreme. 
   • Ascend in the darkness for several hours while taking frequent but short breaks. Near Stella Point (18,900 ft), you will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see coming over Mawenzi Peak.
   • Arrive at Uhuru Peak- the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa.
   • Make our descent continuing straight down to the Mweka Hut camp site, stopping at Barafu for lunch. The trail is very rocky and can be quite hard on the knees; trekking poles are helpful. Mweka Camp is situated in the upper forest, and mist or rain can be expected in the late afternoon. Later in the evening, we enjoy our last dinner on the mountain and a well-earned sleep.

   Elevation (ft): 15,430 ft to 19,341 ft
   Distance: 19 km
   Hiking time: 9 -10 hours
   Habitat: Arctic

8. Day 8: Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate

   • Continue the descent to Mweka Gate and collect the summit certificates. At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy. From the gate, we continue another hour to Mweka Village. A vehicle will meet us at Mweka Village to drive us back to the hotel in Moshi.

   Elevation: 10,065 ft to 5,380 ft

   Distance: 10 km/6 miles

   Hiking time: 3-4 hours

   Habitat: Rainforest