Itinerary

1. Day 0: Arrival in Moshi/Arusha

   Reach your hotel in Moshi or Arusha for the overnight stay, and get a briefing from your guide.

   815m/670ft.

2. Day 1: Mti Mkubwa Camp

   After breakfast and briefing, drive to Londorossi Park Gate (2250m 7380ft, 2.5 hours). From here, a forest track requiring a 4WD vehicle leads to Lemosho Glades (2390m/7830ft, 45 minutes) and a possible campsite (park fees are not paid to camp here). Walk along forest trails to Mti Mkubwa (big tree) campsite.

   2250m to 2790m
   7380ft to 9160ft
   About 2.5 miles/3-4 hours

3. Day 2: To Shira 1 Camp 2750m to 3500m

   After breakfast, we continue as the trail gradually steepens and enters the giant heather moorland zone. Several streams are crossed, then it gains the Shira Ridge at about 3600m 11,810ft and drops gently down to Shira I Camp, located by a stream on the Shira Plateau.

   9160ft to 11,500ft
   About 5.5 miles/5-6 hours

4. Day 3: To Shira 2 Camp

   After breakfast, a gentle walk across the plateau leads to Shira 2 Camp on moorland meadows by a stream. A variety of walks are available on the plateau, making this an excellent acclimatization day.

   3500m to 3850m
   11,500ft to 12,600ft
   About 2 hours

5. Day 4: To Barranco Hut

   From the Shira Plateau, we continue to the east, 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." Shortly after the tower, we come to the second junction, which brings us up to the Arrow Glacier at 4876 meters/15,997 ft. We now continue to the Barranco Hut at 3860 meters/12,664 ft. Here, we rest, enjoy dinner, and overnight. Although you end the day at the same elevation as when you started, this day is significant for acclimatization and will help your body prepare for summit day.
   3840m to 3860m

   12,600ft to 12,700ft

   About 5-6 hours

6. Day 5: To Karanga Hut

   After breakfast, we leave Barranco and continue on a steep ridge, passing the Barranco Wall to the Karanga Valley (4200m/13,780 ft) campsite.

   3860m to 4200m

   12,700ft to 13,800ft

   About 3-4 hours

7. Day 6: To Barafu Hut

   After breakfast, we leave the Karanga Valley and pass the junction which connects with the Mweka Trail. We continue to the Barafu Hut, located at an altitude of 4600 meters (15,092 ft). You have completed the South Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many 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.
   4200m to 4600m
   13,800ft to 15,100ft
   About 3-4 hours

8. Day 7: To Summit and Mweka Hut

   Early morning, we will continue to the summit of Uhuru Peak at 5985 meters (19,636 ft). This part of the climb takes about 6 hours. It can be freezing at night at these elevations, but it will be pretty warm by the end of the hiking day. You will want clothing for both extremes with you. At Uhuru Peak, we will reach the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa. Faster hikers will see the sunrise from the summit. From the summit, we now descend, continuing straight down to the Mweka Hut Camp site at 3100 meters (10,171 ft). This part of the descent takes about 5 hours. You will want gaiters and trekking poles for the loose gravel going down. Later in the evening, we enjoyed our last dinner on the mountain and a well-earned sleep. Beer and soda may be available for purchase at the Mweka Hut - the only place on this route.

   4600m to 5895m(and down to 3 100m)
   15,100ft to 19,300ft(and down to 10,200ft)
   About 7-8 hours up
   4-5 hours down

9. Day 8: Return To Moshi

   After breakfast, we continued the descent down to the Mweka Park Gate. 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 (keep rain gear and warmer clothing handy). A vehicle will meet you at Mweka village to drive you back to your hotel.

   3100m to 1680m/10,200ft to 5500ft
   About 4-5 hours