Itinerary

1. Day 1: Londorossi Gate to Forest Camp

   • Elevation (ft): 7,800ft to 9,500ft, Distance: 6 km, Hiking Time: 4 hours, Habitat: Rain Forest
   • We leave Moshi towards Londorossi Gate, which takes about 4 hours, where you will complete immigration formalities. Then drive to the Lemosho trailhead (another hour to reach the trailhead). Arrived at the trailhead, we will have lunch and then start through the jungle winding to the first campsite.

2. Day 2: Forest Camp to Shira Camp I to Shira Camp II

   • Elevation (ft): 9,500ft to 12,500ft, Distance: 18 km, Hiking Time 10 hours, Habitat: Moorland
   • We continue on the path that leaves the forest and enters a savannah of tall grasses, heather and volcanic rocks with lichen beards. Ascending through lush hills and crossing several streams, we reach Shira Ridge before descending gently to Shira I Camp. The views of Kibo Peak from the other side of the Shira Plateau are incredible. It is a gentle trek east to Kibo Glacier peak, across the Shira Plateau to Shira II Camp on moorland meadows along a creek.

3. Day 3: Shira Camp II to Lava Tower to Barranco Camp

   • Elevation (ft): 12,500ft to 13,000ft, Distance: 10 km, Hiking Time: 8 hours, Habitat: Semi Desert
   • From the Shira Plateau, continue east along a ridge past the junction to Kibo Peak. As we continue, our direction changes to the southeast to the lava tower called "Shark's Tooth". Shortly after the tower, we reach the second crossroads, which leads us to the Pfeilgletscher. We now continue to the Barranco Refuge. Here we rest, enjoy dinner and spend the night. Although you end the day at the same altitude as you started, this day is significant for acclimatization and helps your body prepare for summit day at Uhuru Peak.

4. Day 4: Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp

   • Elevation (ft): 13,000ft to 15,000ft, Distance: 11km, Hiking Time: 9 hours Habitat: Alpine Desert
   • After breakfast, we leave Barranco and continue up a steep ridge past the Barranco Wall to the Karanga Valley campsite. Then we leave Karanga and reach the turnoff that leads to the Mweka Trail. Continue to Barafu Hut. At this point, you have completed the South Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many angles. Here we camp, rest, have dinner and prepare for the summit day. The two peaks, Mawenzi and Kibo, can be seen from this position.

5. Day 5: Barafu Camp to Summit to Mweka Hut

   • Elevation (ft): 15,300ft to 19,345ft (and down to 10,000ft), Distance: 6 km ascent / 13 km descent, Hiking Time: 8 hours ascent/ 7 hours descent, Habitat: Arctic
   • Early in the morning (midnight), continue to the summit between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers. You head northwest and climb through dense boulders towards Stella Point on the crater rim. This is the most mentally and physically challenging part of the trek. At Stella Point, you'll take a short break and be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you've ever seen. You can find snow at Stella Point during your 1-hour climb to the summit of Mt Uhuru. In Uhuru Peak, you have reached the highest point of Kilimanjaro and the African continent. If all goes well, you can see the sunrise from the summit. From the summit, we descend directly to Mweka Hut Camp and stop at Barafu Camp for lunch. You will need gaiters and hiking poles for the loose gravel that comes down. Mweka Camp is situated in the upper part of the forest, and fog or rain can be expected in the late afternoon. Later in the evening, we enjoy our last dinner on the mountain.

6. Day 6: Mweka Camp to Mweka gate to Arusha/Moshi

   • Elevation (ft): 10,000ft to 5,400ft, Distance: 10 km, Hiking Time: 3-4 hours, Habitat: Rain Forest
   • After breakfast, we continue the descent to the gate of Mweka Park to receive your summit certificates for Kilimanjaro. It can be wet and muddy at lower elevations. From Mweka Gate, a vehicle will take you back to your hotel in Moshi/Arusha.