Itinerary

1. Day 1: Lemosho Gate to Mti Mkubwa Camp

   • Departing from Moshi, a 2-hour drive will take you through welcoming mountainside villages to the Kilimanjaro National Park Gate.
   • Patiently wait for your permits to be issued while watching the hustle and bustle of operations as many crews prepare for the journey ahead.
   • Enjoy the beautiful rainforest scenery and windy trails while your guide tells you about the local flora and fauna and natural wildlife.

   At these lower elevations, the trail can be muddy and quite slippery. We highly recommend gaiters and trekking poles here.

2. Day 2: Mti Mkubwa Camp to Shira 2 Camp

   • Trekking across a plateau of green moorland and heather dotted with volcanic rock formations will require you to cover many areas today.
   • Hike via Shira 1 Camp on your way to Shira 2, where there are frequent vistas of Kibo Peak floating in the clouds.
   • As you move closer to Shira 1, you gain some altitude and encounter moderately steep terrain.
   • You will see the Northern Ice fields from the mountain's western side as you go closer to Shira 2, along with some uncommon views of Kibo. Acclimatization will be aided by your slow ascent across the Shira Plateau's moorland, and you will get to take in some beautiful panoramic views.

3. Day 3: Shira 2 Campsite to Barranco Campsite

   • Your trek starts with an ascent with far-reaching panoramic views, walking into the climatic zone of the upland desert and on the lava ridges beneath the glaciers of the Western Breach.
   • You will reach the distinct pinnacle of the Lava Tower (4640 m), your highest point for the day and a great place to enjoy your lunch.
   • In the afternoon, you will make a steep descent to Barranco camp for the night, located at the base of the Great Barranco Valley (3960 m), sheltered by towering cliffs but with extensive views of the plains below.

4. Day 4: Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp

   • Your day will start by descending into the start of the Great Barranco, a huge ravine.
   • You then exit steeply up the Great Barranco Wall, which divides you from the southeastern slopes of Kibo. It is a climb over rock, not technical but long and tiring.
   • Head towards the Karanga Valley by passing underneath the Heim and Kersten glaciers.
   • From here, you will climb steeply from Karanga Valley to your night’s camp at Karanga Camp, set at 3963m.
   • For those feeling strong, you will go for a mid-afternoon acclimatization trek up to around 4200m before descending back to camp for the night.

5. Day 5: Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp

   • After a good night’s rest and breakfast, you walked to Barafu camp at 4640m. The climb will take you across desolate scree slopes with no vegetation around you at all. It is a tough steep walk made more difficult by the altitude.
   • When you arrive at camp, you will have lunch and spend the afternoon resting as you prepare for a long night and day ahead. It is important to keep hydrated and warm.
   • You will have an early dinner and then try to get some sleep, as you will be getting up between 11 p.m. and 12 p.m. to start the climb to the summit.

6. Day 6: Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak to Millenium Campsite

   • You will start at around midnight and walk steeply upwards to the summit glaciers.
   • You will climb scree for 4 to 5 hours but gain incredible height over a short distance. The views are spectacular.
   • You should be on the crater rim at Stella Point (5739m) as the first rays of the sun hit us. Spectacular ice cliffs within the crater surround you, and the views of jagged Mawenzi Peak and beyond are breathtaking.
   • Another hour of walking takes you to Uhuru Peak's summit (5895m).
   • Begin your descent by returning to Stella Point, descending on a scree slope, and track back to Barafu Camp for breakfast before finally heading down to Millennium Camp for a long, well-earned rest.

7. Day 7: Millenium Camp to Mweka Gate

   • A gentle trek will take you down through the rainforest to Mweka Gate, where you will complete park formalities and receive certificates, which you can hang up with pride.
   • Our vehicles will take you back to the hotel in Moshi, where you can treat yourself to a welcome shower (and a cold beer or two) before your big celebration.