Day 1: Arrival in Tanzania

You will be picked up at the Kilimanjaro International Airport and transferred to your hotel in Moshi town or Arusha. You will meet your guide who will brief you on your upcoming trek and do an equipment check to make sure you have all the necessary mountain gear. The missing gear can be rented on this day.

Day 2: Lemosho Glades (2385M) to Big Tree Camp (2780M)

Morning transfer to the west of Mount Kilimanjaro, after completing the necessary registration formalities at Londorossi National Park Gate, we will drive through varied farmland with open views over the plains to reach the Lemosho Route road head. We often have our lunch in the glades before starting to walk. It is an easy day of walking up a small path through a beautiful and lush forest. This area has a variety of wildlife including the African Buffalo. Stay overnight at Mti Mkubwa Camp (8,700 ft). It takes about 2–3 hours walking.

Day 3: Big Tree Camp (2780M) to Shira 1 Camp (3500M)

Today you will trek across a plateau of grassy moorland and heather scattered with volcanic rock formations. Our destination for today is the Shira 1 camp from where there are often views of Kibo peak floating on the clouds. We gain a reasonable amount of altitude today and parts of the route are fairly steep.

Day 4: Shira 1 Camp (3500M) to Shira 2 Camp (3900M)

Today you will get the chance to view the northern ice fields from the western side of the mountain with some unusual views of Kibo. Our steady climb across the moorland of the Shira plateau will help with acclimatization and we enjoy great panoramic views. Our destination today is the Shira 2 camp. In the afternoon you will take an acclimatization walk then head back to camp for dinner and overnight.

Day 5: Shira 2 Camp (3900M) to Barranco Camp (3960M)

Your trek starts with an ascent with far-reaching panoramic views, walking into the climatic zone of the upland desert and on the lava ridges beneath the glaciers of the western breach. You will reach the distinct pinnacle of the lava tower (4640 m), our high point for the day, and a great place to enjoy your lunch. In the afternoon we make a steep descent to our camp for the night, located at the base of the Great Barranco valley (3960 m), sheltered by towering cliffs but with extensive views of the plains below.

Day 6: Barranco Camp (3960M) to Karanga Camp (3963M)

Our day starts by descending into the start of the Great Barranco, a huge ravine. We then exit steeply, up the Great Barranco Wall, which divides us from the south-eastern slopes of Kibo. It’s a climb over rock, not technical but long and tiring. Passing underneath the Heim and Kersten glaciers, we head towards the Karanga valley. From here we have a steep climb up from Karanga valley to our night’s camp at Karanga camp, set at 3963m. For those feeling strong, we will go for a mid-afternoon acclimatization trek up to around 4200m before descending back to camp for the night.

Day 7: Karanga Camp (3963M) to Barafu Camp (4640M)

After a good night’s rest and breakfast, we set off on our walk to Barafu camp at 4640m. The climb will take us across desolate scree slopes with no vegetation around us at all. It’s a tough steep walk made more difficult by the altitude. On arriving at camp, we eat and spend the afternoon resting as we prepare for a long night and day ahead. It is important to keep hydrated and warm. We have an early dinner and then try to get some sleep as we will be getting up between 11 pm and 12 pm to start the climb to the summit.

Day 8: Barafu Camp (4640M) to Uhuru Peak (5895M) to Crater Camp (5790M)

Wake before dawn to start your summit approach. You’ll reach Uhuru Peak in the early afternoon when a few groups are around. A short descent brings you to crater camp, set in soft sands near the famed Furtwangler Glacier. Crater camp is not a route in its own right but a challenging extension that in principle can be added to any route. It involves sleeping overnight in the bowl of the crater. An amazing experience enjoyed by only a few of the most adventurous climbers.

Day 9: Crater Camp (5790M) to Uhuru Peak (5895M) to Millenium Camp (3790M)

In the morning after early breakfast, we begin our descent by returning to Stella Point and then descending on scree slope passing Barafu camp for a short break before heading down to Millennium Camp for a long well-earned rest.

Day 10:  Millenium Camp (3790M) to Mweka Gate (1630M)

Today you walk down through the rain forest to Mweka Gate, where we complete park formalities and receive certificates, which you can hang up with pride! We are then met by our vehicles and return to your arranged hotel in Moshi or Arusha.