Itinerary

1. Day 1: Londorossi Gate to Mti Mkubwa

   • Meet the tour guide and depart Moshi for Londorossi Gate, which takes about 4 hours, where you will complete entry formalities. 
   • Drive to the Lemosho trailhead. Upon arrival at the trailhead, we begin hiking through the undisturbed forest, which winds to the first campsite.

   Elevation: 7,742 ft to 9,498 ft

   Distance: 6 km/4 miles
   Hiking time: 3-4 hours
   Habitat: Rainforest

2. Day 2: Mti Mkubwa to Shira 1 Camp

   • Continue on the trail leading out of the rainforest and into a savannah of tall grasses, heather and volcanic rock draped with lichen beards. As we ascend through the lush rolling hills and cross several streams, we reach the Shira Ridge before dropping gently down to Shira 1 Camp. Here we catch our first glimpse of Kibo across the plateau.

   Elevation: 9,498 ft to 11,500 ft
   Distance: 8 km/5 miles
   Hiking time 5-6 hours
   Habitat: Heath

3. Day 3: Shira 1 Camp to Shira 2 Camp

   • Explore the Shira Plateau. It is a gentle walk east on moorland meadow towards Shira 2 Camp. The heath zone displays abundant wildflowers and unique Senecio trees.

   Elevation: 11,500 ft to 12,500 ft
   Distance: 7 km/4 miles
   Hiking time: 3-4 hours
   Habitat: Heath

4. Day 4: Shira 2 Camp to Lava Tower to Moir Hut

   • Continue to the east up a ridge and then head southeast towards the Lava Tower, a tall volcanic rock formation. 
   • Divert from the main trail to Moir Hut, a little-used site on the base of Lent Hills. A variety of walks are available on Lent Hills, making this an excellent acclimatization opportunity. Shira Plateau is one of the highest plateaus on earth.

   Elevation: 12,500 ft to 15,190 ft
   Distance: 14 km
   Hiking time: 9 hours
   Habitat: Alpine desert

5. Day 5: Moir Hut to Buffalo Camp

   • Trek out of Moir Valley with a moderately steep climb, then hike to the summit of Lent Hills before returning to the main trail. The path crosses a rock field and gently undulates before reaching Buffalo Camp. This section of the trail offers great views across the plains that lie north of Kilimanjaro and stretch out to the Kenyan/Tanzanian border.

   Elevation: 13,580 ft to 13,200 ft
   Distance: 12 km/7 miles
   Hiking time: 5-7 hours
   Habitat: Alpine desert

6. Day 6: Buffalo Camp to Third Cave

   • Head up Buffalo Ridge, and the terrain becomes increasingly sparse. This route is rarely travelled, and we will enjoy its mountain wilderness feel. 
   • Trek through remote valleys onto the northern slopes of Kilimanjaro until we arrive at Third Cave.

   Elevation: 13,200 ft to 12,700 ft
   Distance: 8 km/5 miles
   Hiking time: 5-7 hours
   Habitat: Heath

7. Day 7: Third Cave to School Hut

   • Climb steadily up and over the “Saddle,” which sits between Kibo and Mawenzi. 
   • Continue onto our camp, School Hut. Once here, we rest and enjoy an early dinner to prepare for the summit day.

   Elevation: 12,700 ft to 15,600 ft
   Distance: 5 km/3 miles
   Hiking time: 4-5 hours
   Habitat: Alpine desert

8. Day 8: Shool Hut to Uhuru – Millennium camp

   • Start off at around midnight and walk steeply upwards to the summit glaciers. We will climb the scree for 4 to 5 hours but gain incredible height over a short distance. The views are spectacular. We should be on the crater rim at Gilman's point 5685m as the first rays of the sun hit us. Spectacular ice cliffs within the crater surround us, and the views of the jagged Mawenzi peak and beyond are breathtaking. 
   • Walk for another hour to the summit, Uhuru Peak (5895m). We begin our descent by returning to Stella Point and then descending on scree slope and track back to Barafu Camp for breakfast before finally heading down to Millennium Camp for a long well-earned rest.

   Elevation: 15,600 ft to 19,341 ft
   Distance: 6 km/4 miles
   Hiking time: 6-8 hours

9. Day 9: Millennium Camp to Mweka Gate

   • Start a gentle trek that takes us down through the rainforest to Mweka Gate, where we complete park formalities and receive certificates, which you can hang up with pride! 
   • Go to our vehicles and return to the hotel in Moshi, where you can treat yourself to a welcome shower and then celebrate with cold drinks. 

   Overnight at your arranged hotel.

   Distance: 12km/7miles

   Hiking Time: 5-7 hours

   Eleven: 12,434 ft – 5,380 ft.

   Vegetation: Rainforest