Itinerary

1. Day 1: Moshi/Arusha to Mti Mkubwa Camp

   • Begin the day with an early breakfast at your hotel in Moshi or Arusha.

   • Embark on a scenic 4-hour drive to Londorossi Gate.

   • Complete park registration and permit formalities at the gate.

   • Meet your trekking team, including guides, porters, and cooks.

   • Drive a short distance to the Lemosho trailhead.

   • Start your trek through the dense montane rainforest.

   • Observe the diverse flora and fauna, including black-and-white colobus monkeys.

   • Arrive at Mti Mkubwa (Big Tree) Camp in the late afternoon.

   • Enjoy a hot dinner prepared by the cook team.

   Elevation Gain: ~680m / 2,231ft
   Distance: ~6 km / 3.7 miles
   Hiking Time: 3–4 hours
   Habitat: Montane Forest
   Overnight: Mti Mkubwa Camp

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

   • Continue ascending after breakfast, leaving the rainforest behind.

   • Enter the heath and moorland zone, with scattered heather and volcanic rock.

   • View the Shira Ridge and Mount Kibo in the distance on clear days.

   • Hike along a steady trail with manageable gradients.

   • Reach Shira 1 Camp on the edge of the Shira Plateau.

   • Rest and acclimatize at camp while enjoying the scenic surroundings.

   Elevation Gain: ~720m / 2,362ft
   Distance: ~8 km / 5 miles
   Hiking Time: 5–6 hours
   Habitat: Moorland
   Overnight: Shira 1 Camp

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

   • Begin a gentler day of trekking designed for acclimatization.

   • Cross the vast and beautiful Shira Plateau.

   • Admire views of Kibo’s summit, the rugged Shira Ridge, and Mount Meru.

   • Maintain a relaxed pace to facilitate adjustment to the altitude.

   • Arrive at Shira 2 Camp in the afternoon.

   • Spend the evening enjoying the expansive vistas.

   Elevation Gain: ~350m / 1,148ft
   Distance: ~7 km / 4.3 miles
   Hiking Time: 3–4 hours
   Habitat: Moorland
   Overnight: Shira 2 Camp

4. Day 4: Shira 2 Camp to Barranco Camp via Lava Tower

   • Start a long acclimatization day with a steady climb to Lava Tower.

   • Enter the alpine desert zone, where vegetation becomes sparse.

   • Reach Lava Tower (4,630m) and stop for lunch to aid acclimatization.

   • Descend sharply into the Barranco Valley, gaining the benefits of "climb high, sleep low."

   • Arrive at Barranco Camp, situated beneath the looming Barranco Wall.

   Elevation Gain/Loss: ~780m gain to Lava Tower, ~730m loss to Barranco
   Distance: ~10 km / 6.2 miles
   Hiking Time: 6–8 hours
   Habitat: Alpine Desert
   Overnight: Barranco Camp

5. Day 5: Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp

   • Begin with a climb up the famous Barranco Wall.

   • Navigate the scramble with support from your guides.

   • Traverse across ridges and valleys with awe-inspiring views.

   • Marvel at the Kibo massif and Southern Icefields along the route.

   • Arrive at Karanga Camp in the early afternoon.

   • Use the remainder of the day to rest and acclimatize.

   Elevation Gain: ~135m / 443ft (net gain)
   Distance: ~5 km / 3.1 miles
   Hiking Time: 4–5 hours
   Habitat: Alpine Desert
   Overnight: Karanga Camp

6. Day 6: Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp

   • Resume your ascent with a gradual but strenuous climb.

   • Pass through increasingly barren and cold high alpine terrain.

   • Reach Barafu Camp in the early afternoon.

   • Rest, hydrate, and prepare for the midnight summit attempt.

   • Attend a safety briefing with your guide before retiring early.

   Elevation Gain: ~605m / 1,985ft
   Distance: ~4 km / 2.5 miles
   Hiking Time: 4–5 hours
   Habitat: Alpine Desert / Arctic Zone
   Overnight: Barafu Camp

7. Day 7: Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak to Mweka Camp

   • Wake around midnight for hot tea and snacks.

   • Begin the summit push in darkness, using headlamps and trekking poles.

   • Ascend to Stella Point (5,756m) through steep scree and switchbacks.

   • Witness sunrise over the crater rim at Stella Point.

   • Continue to Uhuru Peak (5,895m), the highest point in Africa.

   • Celebrate your summit success and capture photos at the sign.

   • Descend to Barafu Camp for rest and lunch.

   • Continue descending to Mweka Camp through alpine and moorland zones.

   Elevation Gain: ~1,255m / 4,118ft
   Elevation Loss: ~2,795m / 9,170ft
   Distance: ~5 km ascent, ~12 km descent
   Hiking Time: 11–14 hours total
   Habitat: Arctic, Alpine Desert, Moorland
   Overnight: Mweka Camp

8. Day 8: Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate – Return to Moshi/Arusha

   • Wake for a final breakfast on the mountain.

   • Descend through lush rainforest on a gentle trail.

   • Reach Mweka Gate and sign out of the park.

   • Collect your Kilimanjaro summit certificate.

   • Celebrate with your mountain crew before departure.

   • Transfer by vehicle back to your hotel in Moshi or Arusha.

   • Enjoy a hot shower, a hearty meal, and some well-earned rest.

   • Depart for Kilimanjaro International Airport or continue onward travel.

   Elevation Loss: ~1,460m / 4,790ft
   Distance: ~10 km / 6.2 miles
   Hiking Time: 3–4 hours
   Habitat: Montane Forest