Tour Itinerary

• Day 1 Kilimanjaro Airport – Moshi

  Upon your arrival at Kilimanjaro Airport, you will be greeted by our transfer driver and taken to Hotel Moshi. The rest of the day will be at leisure and you may choose to relax at the hotel or perhaps explore the town of Moshi (taxi required). In the evening, you will attend a briefing in preparation of your upcoming trek. Dinner and overnight

• Day 2Lemosho Gate to Mti Mkubwa

  We depart Moshi for Lemosho Gate, which takes about 4 hours, where you will complete entry formalities, we begin hiking through undisturbed forest which winds to the first camp site.

  • Elevation: 7,742 ft to 9,498 ft
  • Distance: 6 km/4 miles
  • Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
  • Habitat: Rain Forest

• Day 3Mti Mkubwa to Shira 1 Camp

  We continue on the trail leading out of the rain 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. 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: Health

• Day 4 Shira I To Shira II

  • Ascent:3450m to 3870m
  • Hours:6 to 7 hours
  • Distance:8km
  • Habitat:moorland

  After a relatively long hike and the significant altitude gain yesterday, today is a short day and you arrive in Shira 2 camp in time for lunch. A good day for acclimatization with the option of an afternoon walk with your guides. Overnight at Shira2 camp.

• Day 5Shira II To Barranco Camp Via Lava Tower

  • Ascent:4175meters to 4600m to 3950m
  • Hours:7 to 8 hours
  • Distance:15km
  • Habitat:semi desert

  The route to Barranco via Lava Tower takes you into the semi desert zone. Here relatively little flora or fauna can survive the extreme temperatures. You will have a hot lunch at Lava tower, and after lunch you descend into Barranco camp. This is ideal for acclimatization. Having reached 4600meters you descend and then spend the night at the lower altitude of 3950meters. Overnight at Barranco Camp.

• Day 6Barranco Camp - Karanga Camp

  • Ascent:3950m to 3930m
  • Hours:4 to 5 hours
  • Distance:7km
  • Habitat:moorland/semi desert

  You spend a relatively long time in Karanga camp. The selection of Karanga camp is strategic. Significant time at altitude is essential for safe acclimatization and in the late afternoon you arrive in camp. You will see a lots of giant scenarios Kilimanjaro and lobelia plants. Sunsets here are spectacular with views of the southern glacial valleys and ice fields towering 1000 meters (over 3000 feet) above you. Overnight Karanga Camp.

• Day 7Karanga - Barafu Camp

  • Ascent:3930m to 4600m
  • Hours:3 to 4 hours
  • Distance:5 km
  • Habitat:alpine desert

  Today is another half day ascending to Barafu Camp. Once again lunch is taken in camp allowing plenty of time to relax before the summit bid. Desolate alpine desert and at times strong winds rip over this camp and yet in the evening splendid views of Mawenzi volcano are the norm. Look out for the ravens and the mountain buzzards. These are big birds and mainly eat the common 'four stripe mouse' which you will see running around. Overnight Barafu Camp.

• Day 8Barafu - Crater Camp

  • Ascent:4600m to 5730m
  • Hours:6 to7 hours
  • Distance:10km
  • Habitat:ice cap zone

  Unlike other routes with a night time ascent, the expedition affords you a daytime ascent to Kibo crater. The going is slow but with constant encouragement from your climb team the rim of Kibo is reached before descending a little way into the caldera to Crater camp. The afternoon is spent relaxing and short walks can be taken with one of your guides. Overnight Crater Camp.

• Day 9Crater Camp - Uhuru - Mweka Camp

  • Ascent:5730m to 5895m to 3997m
  • Hours:11 to 12 hours
  • Distance:21km
  • Habitat:ice cap, alpine desert and moorland

  After a night in the crater you now have the shortest final summit bid of any route. With such a short distance to the summit from the crater (around 1 hour) means that timing arrival with the sunrise is much easier and quite spectacular. The summit of Kilimanjaro is the top of the highest freestanding mountain in the world. After your summit bid you then descend for a final night on the mountain at Mweka Camp passing back through the heath zone. Endemic Proteas, pollinated by Malachite Sunbirds are plentiful.

• Day 10Mweka Camp - Mweka Gate - Hotel

  • Ascent:3100 meters to 1800meters
  • Hours:3 to 4 hours walking
  • Distance:10km
  • Habitat:jungle forest

  After breakfast you descend once again through mountain forest and around mid-day after saying farewell to your crew, you are picked up and transferred back to your hotel for a well-deserved shower!