7-Day Mount Kilimanjaro Trek via Shira Route to Uhuru Peak

• Begin the Shira Route at Londorossi Gate, where equipment and supplies are prepared and the park registration paperwork is completed. Keep an eye out for Colobus monkeys and possibly elephants or buffalo along the way.

• Follow the Ngarenairobi River as you leave the forest and enter the next habitat zone: heath. Here, the trail winds through a landscape of giant heather and shrubs until reaching camp.

Elevation (ft): 11,800 ft to 11,800 ft

Distance: 4 km

Hiking Time: 1-2 hours

Habitat: Heath

• After breakfast, begin the trek to Shira 2 Camp with your Kilimanjaro trekking guide. The hike is a steady climb toward Morum Hill and the Morum Barrier, where the Shira Plateau begins. The terrain is mostly flat across the plateau.

• Witness the stunning views of the Western Breach and its glaciers.

Elevation (ft): 11,800 ft to 12,500 ft

Distance: 6 km

Hiking Time: 2 hours

Habitat: Heath

• From Shira 2, continue east and gain more than 2,500 ft in elevation as you make your way toward Lava Tower, called the "Shark's Tooth."

• Reach the second junction, which brings you near Arrow Glacier at an altitude of 16,000 ft.

• Descend to Barranco Hut at an altitude of 13,044 ft. The trek through Barranco Valley's Senecio forest is one of the most scenic paths on all of Kilimanjaro.

Elevation (ft): 12,500 ft to 15,190 to 13,044 ft

Distance: 10 km

Hiking Time: 7-8 hours

Habitat: Alpine Desert

• Tackle your first challenge with a climb and scramble over the volcanic rock of the 1,200 ft Barranco Wall.

• On reaching the top, enjoy a well-earned lunch break and fantastic views of Barafu and Mount Meru.

• Continue across the ridges and valleys to the Karanga Valley campsite. This is a short day meant for acclimatisation.

Elevation (ft): 13,044 ft to 13,106 ft

Distance: 5 km

Hiking Time: 4-5 hours

Habitat: Alpine Desert

• After breakfast, leave Karanga and head to the junction that connects with the Mweka Trail.

• Continue up to Barafu Hut. At this point, you have completed the Southern Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many different angles.

• Make camp, rest, enjoy an early dinner, and prepare for summit day. The two peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo are visible from this site.

Elevation (ft): 13,106 ft to 15,331 ft

Distance: 4 km

Hiking Time: 4-5 hours

Habitat: Alpine Desert

• Put on many layers of clothing and begin your climb to the summit. Head in a northwesterly direction and ascend through heavy scree toward Stella Point on the crater rim. This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek.

• At Stella Point (18,600 ft), stop for a short rest and be rewarded with one of the most magnificent sunrises you are ever likely to see. From Stella Point, you have just one more hour before reaching the summit.

• At Uhuru Peak, you have reached the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa. Faster hikers will see the sunrise from the summit.

• From the summit, begin your descent straight down to the Mweka Hut campsite, stopping at Barafu for lunch. Mweka Camp is situated in the upper forest.

• Later in the evening, enjoy your last dinner on the mountain and a well-earned sleep.

Elevation (ft): 15,331 ft to 19,341 ft to 10,065 ft

Distance: 17 km

Hiking Time: 7-8 hours ascent, 4-6 hours descent

Habitat: Arctic

• After breakfast, continue the descent to Mweka Park Gate to receive your summit certificates. At lower elevations, conditions can be wet and muddy.

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

• Meet your vehicle at Mweka Village for the drive back to your hotel in Moshi.

Elevation (ft): 10,065 ft to 5,380 ft

Distance: 10 km

Hiking Time: 3-4 hours

Habitat: Rain Forest