Overview

Arrival day – Kilimanjaro International Airport – Arusha:

At Kilimanjaro International Airport, you will be greeted by our transfer driver and taken to the lodge or camping close to Arusha. The rest of the day is for you to do as you please. You can opt to spend the day relaxing by the lodge pool or explore the town of Arusha. In the late afternoon you will be briefed by our team on what to expect on your upcoming trek.

Day 1 – Moshi – Lemosho Gate (2,250m) – Big Tree Camp (2,780m):

Zone: Montana forest 

Start: Lemosho Gate (2,250 m)
Finish: Big Tree Camp (7 km)
Walking Time: 3-4 h

In the morning you will be taken to Lemosho Gate (2,250m). Here you will be registered by the national park authorities and your trek through a dense rainforest begins. You will enjoy lunch before you set out on the trail through the rainforest. Today’s walk is quite short, thus giving you time to enjoy the lush scenery which will drastically change over the course of your trek. You might even catch a glimpse of the thumbless colobus monkeys sitting in the branches above you. Your dinner and overnight awaits you at the beautiful Big Tree Camp. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

Day 2 – Big Tree Camp (2,650m) – Shira Camp 1 (3,610m):

Zone: Montana to mooland

Start: Big Tree Camp (2,650 m)
Finish: Shira Camp 1 (3,610 m)
Walking Time: 4 h

As you walk along the thin trail through the rainforest, you will notice the vegetation becoming scarcer and scarcer until you finally reach moorland filled with lobelia and erica plants. Ascending through rolling hills, you will reach Shira Camp 1 in about 4 hours. Looking over the Shira Plateau from your camp you will be able to see the unmistakable snow-capped summit of Kibo. A hearty evening meal and a last glimpse at the starry sky will bring the day to a close. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

Day 3 – Shira Camp 1 (3,600m) – Shira Camp 2 (3,850m):

Zone: Mooland 

Start: Shira Camp 1 (3,600 m)
Finish: Shira Camp 2 (3,850 m)
Walking Time: 4h

Today you will cross Shira Ridge with its rocky ground, low grasses and shrubs. As the terrain is much flatter than the day before, your hike will seem more leisurely and you will enjoy fantastic views of the Great Rift Valley and Mount Meru. Beautiful and distinctive giant lobelias still dot the moor landscape. Walking on ground where lava used to flow you will reach Shira Camp 2, where you will have your evening meal and overnight stay. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

Day 4 – Shira Camp 2 (3,850m) – Lava Tower (4,600) – Barranco Camp (3,900m):

Zone: Mooland – alpine dersert – mooland

Start: Shira Camp 2 (3,850 m)
Finish: Barranco Camp (4,600 m)
Altitude: ↑ 7 km
Walking Time: 6h

After breakfast you will start your ascent to Lava Tower through a boulder-strewn terrain. In the distance you will see Kibo encouraging you to continue uphill. Reaching Lava Tower, you will rest and allow your body to get used to the higher altitude, after which you continue downwards to Barranco Camp. This method of climbing high but sleeping low allows your body to acclimatize to the differing altitudes and gives you a good idea on how your body react to changes in altitude. Along the way the scenery changes once more and soon you are surrounded by giant senecios and smaller lobelias. After 7 hours you will reach the beautiful and green Barranco Camp, which offers great views of the surrounding snow-capped mountains. After dinner you will settle in for the night. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

Day 5 – Barranco Camp (3,900m) – Karanga Camp (3,995m):

Zone: Mooland to mild alpine derset

Start: Barranco Camp (3,900 m)
Finish: Karanga Camp (3995 m)
Altitude: ↑ 6 km
Walking Time: 4h

The famous Barranco wall, which is probably the steepest part of the entire route, awaits you after breakfast. Although no technical climbing is necessary, some spots do require you to use your hands for a better grip and to pull yourself up. Your guide will be close by to help you if necessary. After you have pulled yourself around the Kissing Rock you will make your way along the mountain ridge and through the Karanga Valley. You will also pass the last water spot as you finally reach Karanga Camp. After a well-deserved meal, it is off to bed. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

Day 6– Karanga Camp (3,995m) – Barafu Camp (4,673m):

Start: Karanga Camp (3,995 m)
Finish: Barafu Camp (4,673 m)
Altitude: ↑ 4 km
Walking Time: 3-4h

Today you will make your way to Barafu Camp. The landscape is very dry and the ground cracks like glass under your boots. As you make your way through the afro-alpine desert to the rocky Barafu Camp, a sense of excitement sweeps over you as your final stretch is only a few hours away. The Barafu Camp with its rocky scenery allows for a stunning view of Mawenzi Peak and the summit path ahead. After an early dinner and last minute preparation for tomorrow, you will go to bed. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

Day 7 – Barafu Camp (4,673m) – Uhuru Peak (5,895m) – Mweka Camp (3,100m):

Zone: dersert to iceland

Start: Barafu Camp (4,673 m)
Finish:
Uhuru Peak (5,895 m) – Mweka Camp (3,100 m)
Altitude: ↑ 5 km ↓ 7 km
Walking Time: 14-15 h

At around midnight you will be awoken with some hot tea and biscuits in order to get you ready for today’s ascents. You will ascend in a north-westerly direction through heavy scree toward Stella Point, arriving there in about 7 hours. At Stella Point (5,730m) you may rest if necessary before taking on another 45 min to 1 hour stretch along the crater rim to Uhuru Peak – the highlight of your trip. A breath-taking view awaits you as you stand on the highest mountain in Africa. After taking as much pictures as your camera will allow, you will leave behind the glistening glaciers and snowy peak and make your way back down to Barafu Camp. Here you will have time to catch your breath before heading further down to Mweka Camp, an approximate 3 hour walk. A scrumptious dinner and a peaceful night’s sleep awaits you. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner. 

Day 8 – Mweka Camp (3,100m) – Mweka Gate (1,750m) – Arusha/Moshi:

Zone: Mooland to montana forest

Start: Mweka Camp (3,100 m)
Finish: Mweka Gate (1,750 m)
Altitude: ↓ 10 km
Walking Time: 3-4h

A scrumptious breakfast is followed by a traditional farewell ceremony from your mountain crew, before you start your final stretch down the mountain. You will once more trek through the rainforest, giving you another opportunity to spot the cheeky colobus monkeys, finally reaching the Mweka Gate. You will be met at the gate and taken back to the Arusha/Moshi hotel  for a long shower and relaxed day by the pool.  Stay overnight at the lodge or camp.