Itinerary

1. Day 1: Londorossi Gate- Mti Mkubwa Camp

   • Have breakfast, attend a briefing at your hotel in Arusha, then drive to the Londorossi Park Gate, register, and commence the climb. 
   • Start the ascent along the forest trail to Mti Mkubwa (Big Tree) campsite.
   • Arrive at Mti Mkubwa camp for dinner and overnight stay. 

   Elevation: 2389m/7838ft to 2785m/9137ft

   Distance: 6 km

   Hiking Time: 3 to 4 hours

   Accommodation: Mti Mkubwa Camp

   Meals Plan: Lunch & Dinner

2. Day 2: Mti Mkubwa Camp- Shira 1 Camp

   • Continues eastwards across the Shira Plateau with spectacular views of Shira Cathedral. 
   • Cross the moorland meadow to reach Shira 1 Camp for dinner and overnight camping at 3500m. 
   • View the stunning glaciers of the Western Breach. It will be colder tonight than the previous night, with temperatures possibly falling below freezing temperatures.

   Elevation: 2785m/9137ft to 3504m/11,496ft

   Distance: 8 km

   Hiking Time: 4 to 6 hours

   Accommodation: Shira 1 Camp

   Meals Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

3. Day 3: Shira 1 Camp- Moir Hut

   • Hike and leave the forest behind and notice the trail getting steeper as it enters the moorland zone. 
   • Walk across the high altitude Shira Caldera to Moir Hut with fabulous views of Arrow glacier. 
   • Arrive at Moir Hut for dinner and overnight stay.

   Elevation: 3504m/11,496ft to 3895m/12,779ft

   Distance: 14 km

   Hiking Time: 5 to 7 hours

   Accommodation: Mori Hut

   Meals Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

4. Day 4: Moir Hut- Barranco Camp

   • Climb up to 4600m to the base of Lava Tower for lunch and acclimatization. This will be our toughest day so far, and you may feel the altitude for the first time. 
   • After lunch, descend by almost 650m to Barranco Camp, following the “walk high, sleep low” golden rule of acclimatisation. 
   • Enjoy the view along the way and click photographs of the Western Breach and Breach Wall. The camp is situated in a valley below the Breach and Great Barranco Wall.
   • Arrive at Barranco Camp for dinner and overnight stay.

   Elevation: 3895m/12,779ft to 3986m/13,077ft

   Distance: 7 km

   Hiking Time: 4 to 6 hours

   Accommodation:Barranco Hut

   Meals Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

5. Day 5: Barranco Camp- Karanga Camp

   • Start with a scramble to the top of the Great Barranco Wall.
   • Traverse over scree to the Karanga Valley (3930m) beneath the icefalls of the Heim, Kersten and Decken Glaciers. 
   • Arrive at Karanga campsite for dinner and overnight stay. 

   Elevation:3986m/13,077ft to 4034m/13,235ft

   Distance: 5 km

   Hiking Time: 4 to 5 hours

   Accommodation: Karanga Valley campsite

   Meals Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

6. Day 6: Karanga Camp- Barafu Camp

   • Depart from the Karanga campsite to meet the junction connecting with the Mweka descent trail. 
   • Continue up to Barafu Camp. You have now completed the Southern Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many different angles. 
   • Spot the different flora and fauna on the way. 
   • Arrive at the camp, rest, enjoy dinner, and prepare for the summit day. The two peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo are to be clearly seen from this position.

   Elevation:4034m/13,235ft to 4662m/15,295ft

   Distance: 4 km

   Hiking Time: 4 - 5 hours

   Accommodation:Barafu Hut

   Meals Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

7. Day 7: Barafu Camp- Summit- Mweka Camp

   • Wake up early in the morning and have tea and biscuits. 
   • Start the trek to the summit between the Rebman and Ratzel glaciers through heavy scree up to Stella Point on the crater rim. This is the most mentally and physically challenging part of the trek. 
   • At Stella Point (5732m), stop for a short rest and watch the magnificent sunrise (weather permitting). We are now only an hour away from the summit, Uhuru Peak (5895m), the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa. 
   • From the summit, descend to the Mweka campsite via Barafu for lunch. Trekking poles will be needed for the loose scree going down to Mweka Camp (3100m). 
   • Later in the evening, enjoy the last dinner on the mountain and a well-earned sleep.

   Elevation:4662m/15,295ft to 5895m/19,341ft

   Distance: 5 km ascent / 12 km descent

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

   Accommodation:Mweka Camp

   Meals Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

8. Day 8: Mweka Camp- Mweka Gate

   • Have breakfast, then depart from the campsite.
   • Descend around 1300m to the Mweka Park Gate to pick up your summit certificates from the Park Headquarters. 
   • Transfer to a hotel in Arusha.

   Elevation:4662m/15,295ft to 5895m/19,341ft

   Distance: 10 km

   Hiking Time: 3-4 hours

   Accommodation: Hotel

   Meals Plan: Breakfast, Lunch