Itinerary

1. Day 1: Arusha – Londorossi Gate

   • In the morning, your mountain guide will arrive at the hotel, meet you, and hold a briefing, followed by travel by vehicle (about 3–4 hours) to Kilimanjaro National Park’s Gate (2,250 m). Today’s walk is quite short, about 3 hours, compared to the days ahead. 

   Distance: Lemosho Glades to Big Tree Camp covers 6 km.
   Change in Elevation: Lemosho Glades / starting point (2,250m) – Big tree / Mtimkubwa (2,780m)
   Hiking time: 3 hours
   Habitat: Montane forest.

2. Day 2: Trekking from Big Tree Camp

   • After breakfast today you will begin the trek across plateaus of lush moorland and heather scattered with volcanic rock formations. On arrival at the camp, our expert mountain crew will prepare everything necessary, put up tents, and prepare a delicious dinner for you. 

   Distance: Big Tree Camp/ Mtimkubwa to Shira 2 covers 15.6km.

   Change in elevation: Drop off / starting point (2,780m) – Shira 2 (3,900m)

   Hiking time:6.5 hours

   Habitat: Moorland.

3. Day 3: Trekking from Shira 2 Camp

   • After breakfast, you will depart from Shira 2 Camp (3,900 m) and start your way to the key point of the route: Lava Tower (4,630 m). This part of the route has many ascents and descents that end in a camp at over 4,600 meters.

   Distance: Shira 2 to Barranco camp covers 12 km.

   Change in Elevation: Shira 2 Camp (3,900m) – Lava Tower (4,630m) – Barranco Camp (3,960m)

   Hiking time: 8 hours.

4. Day 4: Trekking from Barranco Camp

   • Early morning after breakfast depart and it marks the start of climbing the Barranco Wall (depart from the camp as soon as possible is recommended to avoid crowds of the other groups). Then you start another challenging hike to Karanga Camp, which features numerous ascents and descents during the route. On arrival at the camp, you will be offered a warm lunch. 

   Distance: Barranco camp to Karanga Camp covers 5 km

   Change in Elevation: Barranco camp (3,960m) – Karanga Camp (4,035m)

   Hiking time: 4-5 hours.

5. Day 5: Trekking from Karanga Camp

   • The hike proceeds towards Barafu Summit Camp (4,640 m) early morning after breakfast, the starting point for a night summiting Uhuru Peak (5,895 m). You will be served a hot dinner. It is advised to spend the rest of the day resting and sleeping before night summiting. 

   Distance: Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp covers 6 km

   Change in elevation: Karanga camp (4,035m) – Barafu camp (4,640m)

   Hiking time: 4-5 hours.

6. Day 6: Ascent to Uhuru Peak

   • Around midnight you will be awoken by your guide with a warm cup of tea and biscuits to get ready for your final ascent, reaching the crater rim in about 5 hours. Another 1–2 hours will take you to Uhuru Peak, where you can enjoy the sun rising over the African landscape. Then return to Barafu Camp and after 2-hour rest. Continue the descent to Millennium Camp. 

   Distance: Barafu Camp to Uhuru peak covers 15 km

   Change in elevation: Barafu camp (4,640m) – Uhuru Peak (5,895m)

   Hiking time: 8-12 hours.

7. Day 7: Descent from Millennium Camp

   • The camp is located in a tropical rainforest. This morning as you wake up, you will feel relief from the reduction of the height. After a warm breakfast, you will depart for the park’s exit: Mweka Gate (1,640 m). Then we will present you with your commemorative certificates in our office and provide you with a transfer back to the hotel. 

   Distance: Millenium Camp to Mweka Gate

   Change in elevation: Millenium camp (3,820m) – Mweka Gate (1,640m)

   Hiking time: 4-5 hours

   Habitat: Forest.