Itinerary

1. Day 1: Moshi 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 One

   • After breakfast, we continued as the trail gradually steepened and entered the giant Heather Moorland zone.
   • After several streams are crossed, we continue over the Shira Ridge.
   • Then gently downwards 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 One Camp To Shira Two Camp

   • After breakfast, a gentle hike across the plateau leads to Shira 2 camp on moorland meadows by a stream.
   • A variety of 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 Two Camp To Baranco Camp Via Lava Tower

   • From the Shira Plateau, we continue to the east up a ridge, passing the junction towards the peak of Kibo.
   • As we continue, our direction changes to the southeast towards the Lava Tower, called the “Shark’s Tooth” (elevation 4650m/15,250ft).
   • Shortly after the tower, we come to the second junction which goes to the Arrow Glacier.
   • We now continue down to the Barranco Camp.
   • Although you end the day around the same elevation as when you began, this day is very important for acclimatization and will help your body prepare for summit day.

   Elevation: 3850m/12,600ft to 4000m/13,000ft

   Distance: 8km/5mi

   Walking Time: 5-6 hours

   Habitat: Semi-desert

   Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

5. Day 5: Baranco Camp To Karanga Camp

   • After breakfast, we leave Barranco.
   • We continue on a steep ridge up the Barranco Wall to the Karanga Valley.
   • We reach the junction which connects with the Mweka Trail.

   Elevation: 4000m/13,000ft to 4050m/13,250ft

   Distance: 5km/3mi

   Climbing Time: 3-4 hours

   Habitat: Alpine Desert

   Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

6. Day 6: Karanga Camp To Barafu Camp

   • We continue up to the Barafu Camp.
   • 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.

   Elevation: 4050m/13,250ft to 4700m/15,350ft

   Distance: 4km/2mi

   Climbing Time: 3-4 hours

   Habitat: Alpine Desert

   Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

7. Day 7: Barafu Camp To Summit To Mweka Camp

   • Very early in the morning (midnight to 2 am), we continue our way to the summit between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers.
   • You head in a northwesterly direction and ascend through heavy scree towards Stella Point on the crater rim.
   • This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek.
   • At Stella Point, you will stop for a short rest and will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see.
   • Faster hikers may view the sunrise from the summit.
   • From Stella Point, you may encounter snow all the way on your 1-hour ascent to the summit.
   • Once at Uhuru Peak, you have reached the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa!
   • From the summit, we begin our descent by continuing straight down to the Mweka Camp, stopping at Barafu for lunch.
   • You may want gaiters and trekking poles for the loose gravel going down.
   • We arrive at Mweka Camp and enjoy our last evening on the mountain.

   Elevation: 4700m/15,350ft to 5895m/19,340ft

   Down to 3090m/10,150ft

   Distance: 5km/3mi up / 13km/8mi down

   Hiking Time: 5-7 hours up / 5-6 hours down

   Habitat: Stone scree and ice-capped summit

   Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

8. Day 8: Mweka Camp To Moshi

   • After breakfast, we continue the descent down to the Mweka Park Gate.
   • At the gate, you will receive your summit certificates.
   • At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy.
   • Gaiters and trekking poles will help navigate the conditions.
   • Shorts and T-shirts will probably be plenty to wear, but keep rain gear and warmer clothing handy.

   Elevation: 3090m/10,150ft to 1680m/5500ft

   Distance: 10km/6mi

   Hiking Time: 3-4 hours

   Habitat: Forest

   Meals: Breakfast