Itinerary

1. Day 1- Arrival in Arusha

   • After arrival at the airport, our guide will transfer you to your hotel in Arusha.
   • After check-in, you will have a tour briefing and equipment check. If you miss some of them, the guide will take you to rent the missing gears. When everything is clear, you will rest for the next day's adventure.

   Accomodation:  AT OUTPOST LODGE

2. Day 2- Londorossi Gate - Mti Mkubwa Camp

   • Register at the Londorossi Gate to take up the Lemosho route, which is ideal for climbers seeking a more private hiking experience. Although the trail joins with the more popular Machame route on day three, the first two days on the mountain are relatively quiet, with few other trekking groups on the trail. 
   • After registering at the gate, drive to the trailhead. 
   • Leave the gate at around 12 pm for Mti Mkubwa Camp. 
   • Pass through the rain forests of Kilimanjaro, viewing trees and birds along the way. 
   • Eat a picnic on the trail before continuing to Mti Mkubwa Camp. 
   • Arrive at the campsite in the late afternoon and relax for the rest of the day.

3. Day 3- Mti Mkubwa Camp - Shira 1 Camp

   • Leave the forest on day two for Kilimanjaro’s moorland. When the trail flattens out, you will have your first views of Kibo peak. 
   • After lunch, climb the Shira Plateau, created when Kibo’s lava flows filled up the Shira crater. 
   • Stop at Shira 1 Camp, where you will relax for the rest of the day. Faster hikers may continue to Shira 2 Camp (3,830m/12,560ft).

4. Day 4- Shira 1 Camp - Barranco Camp

   • After breakfast, continue towards east on the Shira Plateau, reaching the junction for the Machame, Lemosho and Shira trails. 
   • Join the more crowded Machame route before stopping for lunch.
   • Then, reach the highest point of the day before descending quickly to Barranco Camp. Faster hikers can take a detour via Lava Tower, a 300-foot lava formation jutting out of the mountainside.

   Note: This is a very long day of hiking, and it is imperative that you leave the camp by 7 am. Hikers may also choose to camp at Shira II and skip Karanga Valley on day four, and this will shorten day three significantly. Although this up-and-down day ends with an elevation gain of only 120 meters, by early afternoon, you will have climbed 810 meters to a height of 4,530 meters before beginning your descent to Barranco Camp.

5. Day 5- Barranco Camp - Karanga Valley

   • Leave Barranco Camp after breakfast for Karanga Valley. The day begins with an hour and a half scramble up the Barranco Wall. This is the hardest part of the day, and in some places, you may have to use your hands to pull your body up. 
   • After reaching the top, make a short descent into the greener Karanga Valley. 

   We generally camp on the ridge above the valley to allow for greater acclimatization.

6. Day 6- Karanga Valley - Barafu Camp

   • After breakfast, begin the hike to Barafu Camp. 
   • On the way to Barafu, view several of Kibo’s glaciers as well as the junction that connects the descent route, Mweka, with the Machame trail. 
   • During day four, hike by the Heim, Kersten and Decken Glaciers. Although the trail to Barafu passes through an alpine desert with little vegetation, there are stunning views of Kibo and Mawenzi peaks along the way. 
   • Try to sleep as soon as you finish dinner, as you will be awake before midnight for your summit hike.

7. Day 7- Crater Camp - Uhuru Peak - Mweka Camp

   • At dawn, begin the final ascent to Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa. The hike to the summit is slow, taking up to two hours to gain 180 meters. 
   • Reach Uhuru by around 8 am and take photos at the roof of Africa. 
   • Descend to Barafu Camp, where you will eat brunch.
   • At 1 pm, continue to Mweka Camp, your final camp on Kilimanjaro.

8. Day 8- Mweka Camp - Mweka Gate - Kilimanjaro Airport

   • Reach Mweka Gate and meet the driver, who will transfer you to the airport to board your flight, or if you have more days, don’t hesitate to contact us so we can plan something for you.