Itinerary

1. Day 1: Kilimanjaro - Forest

   • Register at the Londorossi National Park gate.
   • Drive through farmland to reach Lemosho Road head.
   • Have lunch in the glades before starting to walk.
   • Walk up a small path through a beautiful and lush forest.
     • This area has a variety of game, including buffalo. 
   • Camp at Lemosho Forest Camp, also known as Big Tree Camp, at 7,800 ft.

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

   Distance: 6 km

   Hiking time: 3-4 hours

   Habitat: Rainforest

   Full board at Forest Camp, also known as Big Tree Camp. 

2. Day 2: Forest Camp - Shira 1

   • Leave Lemosho Forest Camp and enter the moorland zone of giant heather.
   • Climb steadily with wide views to reach the rim of the Shira Plateau.
     • There is a tangible sense of wilderness, especially if afternoon mists come in.
     • Camp in the plateau's centre at Shira One (11,500 ft).

   Elevation (ft): 9,500ft to 11,500ft

   Distance: 8 km

   Hiking time: 5-6 hours

   Habitat: Moorland

   Full Board at Shira One Camp.

3. Day 3: Shira 1 – Shira 2 or Moir Hut

   • Explore the Shira plateau for a full day.
   • Take a gentle walk east toward Kibo's glaciered peak across the plateau.
   • Reach Shira 2 camp on moorland meadows by a stream.
   • Continue to Moir Hut, a little-used site on the base of Lent Hills.
     • Lent Hills offers various walks, making this an excellent acclimatization opportunity.
     • Shira is one of the highest plateaus on earth.
   • Spend the night at Shira 2 Camp or Moir Hut, a relatively long hike and significant altitude gain.

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

   Distance: 14 km

   Hiking time: 5-7 hours

   Habitat: Moorland

   Full Board at Shira 2 Camp.

4. Day 4: Shira 2 – Barranco Camp via Lava Tower

   • Begin the day with a gentle ascent and enjoy panoramic views.
   • Leave the moorland plateau behind and walk on lava ridges beneath the glaciers of the Western Breach.
   • Have lunch near the Lava Tower at an altitude of 14,900 ft.
   • Descend to the bottom of the Barranco Valley and camp at Barranco Camp at an altitude of 12,790 ft.
   • Enjoy the sheltered campsite with towering cliffs and extensive views of the plains below.

   Elevation (ft): 13,800ft to 13,000ft

   Distance: 7 km

   Hiking time: 4-6 hours

   Habitat: Semi-desert

   Full Board at Shira 2 or Moir Hut Camp.

5. Day 5: Barafu Camp - Karanga

   • Climb up the Barranco Wall, which leads to an undulating trail on the southeastern flank of Kibo, with superb vistas of the Southern Ice fields.
   • Enjoy the changing terrain to scree, with pockets of lush vegetation in sheltered hollows.
   • Reach Karanga Camp, the last water point on the way to the summit, at an altitude of 13,100 ft.

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

   Distance: 5km

   Hiking time: 4-5 hours

   Habitat: Alpine desert

   Full Board at Karanga Camp.

6. Day 6: Karanga Camp - Barafu Camp

   • Follow an easy path on compacted scree with wide views that gain altitude unrelentingly to reach the Barafu Hut (14,800 ft) for lunch.
   • Take a short acclimatization walk to the plateau at the bottom of the southeast valley.
   • Spend the remainder of the day resting in preparation for the early morning final ascent to the summit.

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

   Distance: 4 km

   Hiking time: 4-5 hours

   Habitat: Alpine desert

   Full Board at Barafu Hut Camp.

7. Day 7: Barafu Camp - Crater

   • Begin the day with an ascent to the Kibo crater, unlike other routes that have a nighttime ascent.
     • The going is slow, but with constant encouragement from your climb team, you reach the rim of Kibo.
   • Descend a little way into the caldera to Crater Camp.
   • Spend the afternoon relaxing and take short walks with one of your guides.

   Elevation (ft): 15,300ft to 19,345ft

   Distance: 6 km ascent/12 km descent

   Hiking time: 7-8 hours ascent/4-6 hours descent

   Habitat: Arctic

   Full Board at Mweka Hut Camp.

8. Day 8: Kilimanjaro - Mweka

   • Begin the shortest final summit bid of any route, which takes around 1 hour, after spending a night in the crater. 
   • Time your arrival with the sunrise for a spectacular view.
   • Reach the summit of Kilimanjaro, the top of the highest freestanding mountain in the world.
   • Descend for a final night on the mountain at Mweka Camp, passing back through the heath zone.
   • Enjoy the plentiful Endemic Proteas, pollinated by Malachite Sunbirds.

   Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

   Accommodation: Overnight stay at Mweka Camp.

9. Day 9: Mweka Camp - Arusha or Moshi

   • Descend to the Mweka Park Gate to receive your summit certificates after breakfast.
     • 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.
   • Drive back to the hotel in Arusha/Moshi from Mweka gate.

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

   Distance: 10 km

   Hiking time: 3-4 hours

   Habitat: Rainforest

   Half board