6-Day Mount Kilimanjaro Trek via the Shira Route to Uhuru Peak

Drive to Kilimanjaro National Park's Shira Gate and begin your hike to Shira. The drive from Moshi to the trailhead takes about 3 hours.

Hike through the rainforest on a winding trail up a ridge. At lower elevations, the trail can be muddy and slippery, so gaiters and trekking poles are a good idea here.

Continue a short distance farther until you reach Shira Camp.

Hike from Shira 2 Camp to Lava Tower and onward to Barranco Camp. Starting from the Shira Plateau, continue east up a ridge, passing the junction toward the peak of Kibo.

As you continue, the route turns southeast toward the Lava Tower, called the Shark's Tooth, at an elevation of about 4,650 m/15,250 ft.

Shortly after the tower, come to the second junction, which leads to the Arrow Glacier.

Continue down to Barranco Camp. Although you end the day at nearly the same elevation as when you began, this day is very important for acclimatisation and will help your body prepare for summit day.

After breakfast, hike from Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp, continuing along a steep ridge up the Barranco Wall to the Karanga Valley and the crossroads that connects with the Mweka Trail.

Hike from Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp and continue upward to reach camp. By this stage, you will have completed the South Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many different angles.

Here, make camp, rest, enjoy dinner, and prepare for summit day.

Early in the morning, between midnight and 2 am, set out for the summit between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers.

Begin in a northwesterly direction and climb through deep scree toward Stella Point on the crater edge. This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek.

At Stella Point, stop for a short rest and enjoy what may be the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to observe. Faster hikers may view the sunrise from the summit.

From Stella Point, encounter snow all the way during the final 1-hour ascent to the summit.

Upon reaching Uhuru Peak, you will have arrived at the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and on the continent of Africa. From the summit, begin your descent by continuing straight down to Mweka Camp, stopping at Barafu for lunch. You may want gaiters and trekking poles for the loose gravel on the way down.

Arrive at Mweka Camp and enjoy your last evening on the mountain.

After breakfast, continue the descent to Mweka Park Gate to receive your summit certificates.

At lower elevations, the trail can be wet and muddy, so gaiters and trekking poles will help.

From the gate, continue for another hour to Mweka Village.

A vehicle will meet you at Mweka Village and drive you back to your hotel in Moshi.