DAY 0 - Arrival Day - Kilimanjaro Airport

Our friendly transfer driver will meet you at Kilimanjaro airport. After loading the luggage into the vehicle you will make your way to the White House Hotel in Moshi. You can relax the rest of the day or go and explore the small town of Moshi. Our team will meet you later the day to have a preliminary talk in preparation for the days to follow.

DAY 1 - Moshi/Arusha – Londorossi Gate – Big Tree Camp

Londorossi Gate to Mti Mkubwa

Elevation: 7,742 ft to 9,498 ft

Distance: 6 km/4 miles

Hiking Time: 3-4 hours

Habitat: Rain Forest

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

DAY 2 - Big Tree Camp – Shira Camp 1

Mti Mkubwa (Big Tree) to Shira 1 Camp

Elevation: 9,498 ft to 11,500 ft

Distance: 8 km/ 5miles

Hiking Time 5-6 hours

Habitat: Health

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.

DAY 3 - Shira Camp 1 – Moir Camp

Shira 1 Camp to Moir Hut

Elevation: 11,500 ft to 13,800 ft

Distance: 11 km/ 7 miles

Hiking Time: 5-7 hours

Habitat: Heath

We explore the Shira Plateau for a full day. It is a gentle walk east on moorland meadows towards Shira 2 Camp. Then we divert from the main trail 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 Plateau is one of the highest plateaus on earth.

DAY 4 - Moir Camp – Pofu Camp

Start: Moir Camp (4175 m)

Finish: Pofu Camp (4030 m)

Altitude: ↓ 145 m

Walking Time: 3-4h

Today we set out onto the remote northern circuit of the mountain. You will tackle the hardest part of the day right at the beginning: a bleak and imposing slope rising up to 4300 meters. Continuing up and down through the undulating valleys on the northern face of Kibo, you’ll reach the first Pofu Campsite after 3 to 4 hours. Our destination is now only about an hour away. We will pass through an area of rock slabs before arriving at the second Pofu Campsite. If the cloud cover opens up you might get a glimpse of Kibo and the views over the plains that stretch out far below can be exceptional.

DAY 5 - Pofu Camp – Third Cave Camp

Start: Moir Camp (4175 m)

Finish: Pofu Camp (4030 m)

Altitude: ↓ 145 m

Walking Time: 3-4h

After breakfast you leave the camp behind and proceed on a trail leading through the remote valleys around the northern slopes. The vegetation becomes increasingly sparse during this stretch, which takes about 5 hours in total. Although there are no steep passages to tackle today, you may well still be tired by the time you reach Third Cave Camp.

DAY 6 - Third Cave Camp – School Hut

Start: Third Cave Camp (3935 m)

Finish: School Hut (4715 m)

Altitude: ↑ 780 m

Walking Time: 3-4h

Although your body will have had a good amount of time to acclimatize over the last days, you are likely to feel the altitude weighing down on you as you steadily climb higher towards School Hut (4715 m). Make sure to drink lots of water and stick to your guide’s slow pace. Take a few breaks to rest when possible and enjoy stunning views across the saddle to Mawenzi. After 4 to 5 hours you will arrive at School Hut. In preparation for the final stretch to the summit, you will have an early dinner before going to bed to rest for a few hours before the final climb.

DAY 7 - School Hut – Uhuru Peak – Mweka Camp

Start: School Hut (4715 m) Finish: Uhuru Peak (5895 m), then Mweka Camp (3080 m) Altitude: ↑ 1180 m ↓ 2815 m Walking Time: 7-9h Your guide will wake you up around midnight and after some hot tea and snacks you will start the slow ascent towards the crater rim of Kibo. After a brief stop at Hans Meyer Cave (5520 m), you will make your way to Gilman’s Point (5681 m) on the crater rim. The sun dhould be just beginning to rise as you continue via Stella Point (5730 m) to the highest summit of Kilimanjaro – Uhuru Peak at 5895 meters. You can now witness the awe-inspiring views from the highest point on the African continent – a truly unforgettable experience. After taking some pictures you will head back to Stella Point and then on to Barafu Camp. The descent will be fast and dusty. At Barafu Camp you can take a well-earned rest and have a warm meal to replace the lost energy before continuing your descent. You will spend the night at Mweka Camp (3080 m) which should be reached after about 3 to 4 hours.

DAY 8 - Mweka Camp – Mweka Gate – moshi/ arusha

Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate

Elevation: 10,065 ft to 5,380 ft

Distance: 10 km/6 miles

Hiking Time: 3-4 hours

Habitat: Rain Forest

On our last day, we continue the descent to Mweka Gate and collect the summit certificates. At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy. From the gate, we continue another hour to Mweka Village. A vehicle will meet us at Mweka Village to drive us back to the hotel in Moshi.