• DAY 1: DRIVE TO KILIMANJARO NATIONAL PARK’S LONDOROSSI GATE AND HIKE TO MTI MKUBWA CAMP

  • Altitude: 2385m/7825ft to 2895m/9121ft
  • Walking/Hiking Distance: 7km
  • Walking/Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
  • Habitat: Rain Forest
  • Meals included: Lunch, Dinner
  • Budget Accommodations: Mti Mkubwa Camp

  After breakfast and briefing, you will drive to Londorossi Park Gate (approx. 4 hours drive). After the registration process we start our climb steadily through the forests of the Lemosho glades to reach Big Tree camp where you will be spending the night.

  DAY 2: HIKE MTI MKUBWA CAMP TO SHIRA 1 CAMP

  • Altitude: 2780m/9121ft to 3505m/12,795ft
  • Walking/Hiking Distance: 8km
  • Walking/Hiking Time: 5-6 hours
  • Enviroment: Moorland
  • Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
  • Budget Accommodations: Shira 1 Camp

  After breakfast, we continue as the trail gradually steepens and enters the giant heather moorland zone. After several streams are crossed we continue over the Shira Ridge then gently downwards to Shira 1 camp located by a stream on the Shira Plateau. The view of Kibo from across the plateau is amazing.

   DAY 3: HIKE SHIRA 1 CAMP TO SHIRA 2 CAMP

  • Altitude: 3500m/11,500ft to 3850m/12,600ft
  • Walking/Hiking Distance: 8km
  • Walking/Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
  • Enviroment: Moorland
  • Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
  • Budget Accommodations: Shira 2 Camp

  After breakfast, a gentle hike across the plateau leads to Shira 2 camp on moorland meadows by a stream. A variety of hikes are available on the Plateau, making this an excellent acclimatization day.

  DAY 4: HIKE SHIRA 2 CAMP TO BARRANCO CAMP

  • Altitude: 3850m/12,600ft to 3900m/13,000ft
  • Walking/Hiking Distance: 8km
  • Walking/Hiking Time: 5-6 hours
  • Enviroment: Semi-desert
  • Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
  • Budget Accommodations: Barranco Camp

  In this day after breakfast from the Shira Plateau, we continue to the east up a ridge, passing the junction towards the peak of Kibo. As we continue, our direction changes to the South East towards the Lava Tower (elevation 4600m/15,250ft). Shortly after the tower, we come to the second junction which goes to the Arrow Glacier. We now continue down to the Barranco Camp. The day has been spent at altitude (up to 4600m), but we have followed the mountaineering code of ‘walk high, sleep low’ to aid your body’s acclimatization to altitude.

  DAY 5: HIKE BARRANCO CAMP TO KARANGA CAMP

  • Altitude: 3900m/13,000ft to 4050m/13,250ft
  • Walking/Hiking Distance: 5km
  • Walking/Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
  • Enviroment: Alpine Desert
  • Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
  • Budget Accommodations: Karanga Valley Camp

   

  After breakfast, we leave Barranco and continue on a steep ridge up the Barranco Wall to the Karanga Valley and the junction which connects with the Mweka Trail. This is a short day meant for acclimatization.

  DAY 6: HIKE KARANGA CAMP TO BARAFU CAMP

  • Altitude: 4050m/13,250ft to 4600m/15,350ft
  • Walking/Hiking Distance: 4km
  • Walking/Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
  • Enviroment: Alpine Desert
  • Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
  • Budget Accommodations: Barafu Camp

  In this day after breakfast we continue up to the Barafu Camp. You have completed the South Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many different angles. Here we make camp, rest, enjoy dinner, and prepare for the summit day.

  DAY 7: HIKE BARAFU CAMP TO SUMMIT, DOWN TO MWEKA CAMP

  • Altitude: 4600m/15,350ft to 5895m/19,340ft then Down to 3090m/10,150ft
  • Walking/Hiking Distance: 5km up / 13km down
  • Walking/Hiking Time: 6-8 hours up / 5-7 hours down
  • Enviroment: Alpine Desert
  • Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
  • Budget Accommodations: Mweka Camp

  In this day very early in the morning (midnight), we continue our way to the summit between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers. You will head in a northwestern direction and ascend towards Stella Point on the crater rim.

  This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek. At Stella Point, you will stop for a short rest and will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see. Faster hikers may view the sunrise from the summit. From Stella Point, you may encounter snow all the way on your 1-hour ascent to the summit.

  Once at Uhuru Peak you have reached the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa! From the summit we begin our descent by continuing straight down to the Mweka Camp, stopping at Barafu for lunch. You may want gaiters and trekking poles for the loose gravel going down. We arrive at Mweka Camp and enjoy our last evening on the mountain.

  DAY 8: HIKE DOWN TO MWEKA CAMP TO MWEKA GATE AND DRIVE TO ARUSHA

  • Altitude: 3090m/10,150ft to 1680m/5500ft
  • Walking/Hiking Distance: 10km
  • Walking/Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
  • Enviroment: Rain Forest
  • Meals included: Breakfast

  In this day after breakfast, we continue the descent down to the Mweka Park Gate to receive your summit certificates. At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy. Gaiters and trekking poles will help. Shorts and t-shirts will probably be plenty to wear (keep rain gear and warmer clothing handy). From the gate, continue another hour to Mweka Village. A vehicle will meet you at Mweka village to drive you back to your hotel in Arusha (about 2 hrs).

Our rates are per person sharing unless we note differently. Please treat all pricing as a guide only:

• All rates are subject to availability and may change without notice.
• Single supplements may apply.
• Request a quote or speak to our Tanzania Safari Experts for the best, most current rates available.

THIS ITINERARY INCLUDES:

• All accommodations per itinerary
• All meals per itinerary 
• All tours and entrance fees per itinerary (unless listed as excluded)
• All transportation and transfers per itinerary
• National Park gate fees
• Transport from Arusha to trailhead and return to Arusha
• Camping fees
• Certified, experienced, guides for all routes, cooks and porters
• Salaries for all crew members
• Rescue fees (as required by the national park)
• Tents, foam sleeping pads, cooking equipment, and eating utensils
• Emergency Oxygen (2L canister)

THIS ITINERARY EXCLUDES:

• International and domestic flights
• Meals not listed
• Beverages and alcohol
• Tips for guides, drivers, hotel staff
• Single room supplement
• Personal expenses (visas, airport taxes, Internet, etc.)
• Tips for guides, porters, and cooks
• Sleeping bags and personal gear