Day 1 : Londorossi Gate (2250m) – Lemosho Start (2100M) – Mti Mkubwa Camp (2650m)

Distance: 7 km
Hiking Time:3-4 hours
Habitat: Rain Forest

After eating breakfast at your hotel, your guide will brief you on the day. You will drive 3 hours from Arusha to Londorossi Park Gate (2100m). In the village near Londorossi where you will complete entry formalities. Then drive to the Lemosho trailhead (another hour to reach the trailhead). Upon arrival at trailhead, we eat lunch, then commence through undisturbed forest which winds to the first camp site.

Day 2 : Mti Mkubwa Camp (2650m) – Shira 1 Camp (3600m)

Hiking time: 4 to 5 hours
Habitat: Moorland
Distance: 7 km

We continue on the trail leading out of the forest 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. The view of Kibo from across the plateau is amazing.

Day 3 : Shira 1 (3600m) – Shira 2 (3850m) – Moir Hut (4200m)

Hiking time: 5 -7 hours

Distance: Approximately 15 kilometers
Habitat: moorland
This spectacular camp we will be going to today is  located beneath the Northern Ice Fields of Kilimanjaro. It is a gentle walk east toward Kibo’s glaciered peak, across the plateau which leads to Shira 2 camp on moorland meadows by a stream. Then we continue 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 is one of the highest plateaus on earth.

Day 4 : Moir Hut ( 4200) – Lava Tower ( 4600) -Barranco Camp (3900m)

Hiking time: 7 hours
Distance: Approximately 10 kilometers
Habitat: Semi Desert
From Moir hut, 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, called the “Shark’s Tooth.” Shortly after the tower, we come to the second junction which brings us up to the Arrow Glacier at an altitude of 16,000ft. We now continue down to the Barranco Hut at an altitude of 13,000ft. Here we rest, enjoy dinner, and overnight. Although you end the day at the same elevation as when you started, this day is very important for acclimatization and will help your body prepare for summit day.

Day 5 : Barranco Camp (3900m) – Karanga Camp (3995m)

Hiking time: 4-5 hours
Distance: Approximately 6 Km
Habitat: Alpine desert

This is a short hiking day meant for acclimatization. After an early morning breakfast, it is now time to conquer the Great Barranco Wall! Although it may look intimating at first glance, hikers state that this Class 2 hike is usually much easier than they anticipated. At the top of the Wall, you will have a view of Heim Glacier and will be above the clouds. The trail then winds up and down in the Karanga Valley. You will spend the night at Karanga Camp (3950m) and enjoy dinner and washing at the site.

Day 6 : Karanga Camp (3995m) – Barafu Hut (4675)

Hiking time: 3-4 hours
Distance: Approximately 4 km
Habitat: Alpine desert

After breakfast, you will begin your ascent. The trail intersects with the Mweka Route, which is the trail used to descend on the final two days. As you continue hiking for an hour, you will reach Barafu Hut. This is the last water stop for the porters because there is no accessible water at Barafu Camp (4675m). The word “barafu” in Swahili means “ice” and this camp is located on a rocky, exposed ridge. Tents will be exposed to wind and rocks so it is important for hikers to familiarize themselves with the campsite before dark. An early dinner will be served so hikers can rest before attempting the summit the same night. Your guide will brief you in detail on how to prepare for summit night. Get to sleep by 19:00!

Day 7 : Summit Attempt Barafu Camp (4675m) – Uhuru Peak (5895m) – Mweka (3100m)

Hiking time: 5 to 7 hours to reach Uhuru Peak, 5 to 6 hours down
Distance: Approximately 5 km ascent and 12 km descent to mweka camp
Habitat: Stone scree and ice-capped summit

Your guide will wake you around 23:30 for tea and biscuits. You will then begin your summit attempt. The route heads northwest and you will ascend over stone scree. During the ascent, many hikers feel that this is the most mentally and physically challenging part of the climb. In about 6 hours, you will reach Stella Point (5756m), located on the crater rim. After enjoying the magnificent sunrise, you will continue ascending for about 2 hours on a snow-covered trail to Uhuru Peak (5895m). Reaching the summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro is a lifetime accomplishment! You will be able to spend a short time on the summit taking photographs and drinking tea before the descent to Barafu begins. The hike down to Barafu Camp takes about 3 hours.

At camp, you will rest and enjoy a hot lunch in the sun. After eating, you will continue descending down to Mweka Hut (3100m). The Mweka Trail will lead you through the scree and rocks to the moorland and eventually into the rain forest. Mweka Camp (3100m) is located in the upper rain forest, so fog and rain should be expected. You will have a dinner, wash, and rest soundly at camp.

Day 8: Mweka Camp (3100m) – Mweka Gate (1646m)

Hiking time: 3 to 4 hours
Distance: Approximately 10 kilometers
Habitat: Forest

Today is your last day on the mountain. After breakfast you will descend down to Mweka park gate walking across Montana forest. This descent will take 3 -4 hours. At Mweka gate you sign your name and details in a register. This is also where successful climbers receive their summit certificates. Those climbers who reached Stella Point (5756m) are issued with green certificates and those who reached Uhuru Peak (5895m) receive gold certificates.

From the Mweka Gate you will continue down into the Mweka village where you will be served a delicious hot lunch!! After lunch you drive back to Arusha for a long overdue hot shower, dinner and celebrations!!(2 to 3 hours)