Itinerary

1. Day 1: Moshi - Londorossi Gate to Big Tree Camp

   • In the morning, you will be taken to Londorossi Gate (2,250m). 
   • Upon completing all the entry formalities and a final 15 km drive on a bumpy road you will reach the starting point at the edge of the rainforest. 
   • Enjoy lunch before you set out on the trail through the rainforest. The walk is relatively short, thus giving you time to enjoy the lush scenery which will drastically change over the course of your trek. 
   • Catch a glimpse of the thumbless colobus monkeys sitting in the branches above you. 

   Dinner and overnight at the beautiful Big Tree Camp.

2. Day 2: Big Tree Camp (2,780m) – Shira Camp 1 (3,500m)

   • Walking along the thin trail through the rainforest, notice the vegetation becoming scarcer and scarcer until you finally reach a moorland filled with lobelia and erica plants. 
   • Ascending through rolling hills, you will reach Shira Camp 1 in about 3 to 4 hours. 
   • Looking over the Shira Plateau from your camp, see the unmistakable snow-capped summit of Kibo. A hearty evening meal and a last glimpse at the starry sky will bring the day to a close.

3. Day 3: Shira Camp 1 (3,500m) – Shira Camp 2 (3,900m)

   • Cross Shira Ridge with its rocky ground, low grasses and shrubs. As the terrain is much flatter than the day before, the hike will seem more leisurely, and you will enjoy fantastic views of the Great Rift Valley and Mount Meru. Beautiful and distinctive giant lobelias still dot the moor landscape. 
   • Walking on the ground where lava used to flow, you will reach Shira Camp 2.

   Evening meal and overnight at Shira Camp 2.

4. Day 4: Shira Camp 2 (3,900m) – Lava Tower (4,640m) – Barranco Camp (3,960m)

   • After breakfast, start the ascent to Lava Tower through a boulder-strewn terrain. In the distance, see Kibo encouraging you to continue uphill. 
   • Reaching Lava Tower, rest and allow your body to get used to the higher altitude, after which you continue downwards to Barranco Camp. This method of climbing high but sleeping low allows your body to acclimatize to the differing altitudes and gives you a good idea of how your body reacts to changes in altitude. Along the way, the scenery changes once more and soon, you are surrounded by giant senecios and smaller lobelias. 
   • After 6 to 7 hours, reach the beautiful green Barranco Camp, which offers excellent views of the surrounding snow-capped mountains. 

   Dinner and overnight at the camp.

5. Day 5: Barranco Camp (3,960m) – Karanga Camp (4,035m)

   • The famous Barranco wall, probably the steepest part of the entire route, awaits you after breakfast. Although no technical climbing is necessary, some spots require you to use your hands for a better grip and pull yourself up. Your guide will be close by to help you if necessary. 
   • After pulling yourself around the Kissing Rock, make your way along the mountain ridge and through the Karanga Valley. You will also pass the last water spot as you reach Karanga Camp. 

   Dinner and overnight at camp.

6. Day 6: Karanga Camp (4,035m) – Barafu Camp (4,640m)

   • Make your way to Barafu Camp. The landscape is arid and the ground cracks like glass under your boots. 
   • Make your way through the afro-alpine desert to the rocky Barafu Camp; a sense of excitement sweeps over you as your final stretch is only a few hours away. The Barafu Camp, with its rocky scenery, allows for a stunning view of Mawenzi Peak and the summit path ahead. 

   Dinner and overnight at camp.

7. Day 7: Barafu Camp (4,640m) – Uhuru Peak (5,895m) – Mweka Camp (3,080m)

   • At around midnight, wake up with some hot tea and biscuits to prepare for today’s ascents. 
   • Ascend in a north-westerly direction through heavy scree toward Stella Point, arriving there in about 5 to 7 hours. 
   • At Stella Point (5,730m), rest if necessary before taking on another 1 to 2-hour stretch along the crater rim to Uhuru Peak – the highlight of your trip. A breathtaking view awaits you as you stand on the highest mountain in Africa. 
   • After taking as many pictures as your camera will allow, leave behind the glistening glaciers and snowy peaks and make your way back down to Barafu Camp. 
   • Catch your breath before heading to Mweka Camp, an approximate 3-hour walk. 

   Dinner and overnight at camp.

8. Day 8: Mweka Camp (3,080m) – Mweka Gate (1,630m)

   • After breakfast and a traditional farewell ceremony by the mountain crew, start the final descent to Mweka Gate. A leisurely 2 to 3 hours walk will take you once more through the lush rainforest, where the endemic Impatiens Kilimanjaro flower grows. 
   • Reaching Mweka Gate, you will be greeted by the transfer driver, who will take you back to the Hotel. 
   • The rest of the day is for you to enjoy at leisure – enjoy a long shower, jump in the pool or relax at the bar, getting ready for the next day’s adventure.

9. Day 9: Moshi to Serengeti National Park

   • Pick up from the hotel in Moshi or Arusha and transfer to Arusha Airport for the scheduled flight to Serengeti or Transfer to Serengeti by Land Cruzer 4×4 to your Lodge/Tented Camp. 
   • Upon arrival by flight, you will be met by a guide and drive to the Tented camp/lodge. 
   • Following lunch, there will be an afternoon game drive in search of the great game at the park. The most commonly observed are Elephants, Zebras, Giraffes, Impala, Topi, Lions, Leopards, Cheetahs, waterbuck, wild dogs, Jackals, Warthogs, Hippos, Nile crocodiles, Gazell and many more. The park is also gifted with a significant number of bird species like Martial Eagles, Secretary Birds, Masai Ostrich, Kori Bustards, Vultures, lesser flamingos, yellow-billed storks, and oxpeckers. 
   • Returning to camp as the sun sets. 

   Dinner and overnight at – Tented Camp/Lodge.

10. Day 10: Morning and Afternoon Balloon Ride

    • Rising at dawn with tea and coffee, be driven to the starting point of the balloon tour, be briefed by the guide and take off with the balloon to have an aerial view of the park and see animals at an eagle’s eye angle. Only in the balloon can you enjoy a close view of these predators when they have cached their hunt and enjoyed their meal while graving and struggling to pick the best. Other animals observed are Elephants, Zebras, Giraffes, Impala, Topi, Lions, Leopards, Cheetahs, waterbuck, wild dogs, Jackals, Warthogs, Hippos, Nile crocodiles, and Gazelle.
    • After the morning balloon tour, return back to the lodge for lunch. Find the driver waiting at the landing point to drive you to the lodge to refresh yourselves from such a wonderful experience.
    • In the afternoon, go for other game drives before returning to the tented camp/lodge as the sun sets.

    Dinner and overnight.

11. Day 11: Serengeti to Arusha/Moshi

    • After breakfast, you will have an en-route game drive to the airstrip for the scheduled flight to Arusha/Moshi. 
    • Transfer to Arusha/Moshi town.

    Note: If you wish to Climb Mount Kilimanjaro for fewer days and experience Serengeti hot air Balloon Safari, we can still customize the package from 8 Days, 9 Days or 10 Days Adventure.