Day 1 : Londrossi Gate (2250m) – Mti Mkubwa Camp (2785m)

The day begins with a drive from your lodge to the gate of Kilimanjaro National Park through the village of Lemosho, which lies on the lower slopes of Kilimanjaro and this route is named after it.

Once you reach the park gate, report to the park office and final preparations for the climb will begin. Your accompanying porters will arrange the luggage. They load the groceries, water, cooking gas, camping gear and most of your equipment, allowing each porter to carry a maximum weight of 20kg.

The first section of your hike leads through the rainforest. At these lower elevations, the trail can be muddy and quite slippery. We recommend gaiters and trekking poles here. After about 3 to 4 hours you will reach Mti Mkubwa Camp.

Day 2: Mti Mkubwa Camp (2785m) – Shira I Camp (3504m)

Today you leave the rainforest and hike an 8 km uphill trail to the rim of the Shira Plateau in 4 to 6 hours. When you leave the forest behind, you enter the moorland. From here you have wide views.

Day 3 : Shira I Camp (3504m) – Shira II Camp (3895m)

We spend a whole day (5-7hrs walk) in Shira Plateau. It’s a gentle walk east to Kibo peak, across the plateau leading to Camp Shira II on moorland meadows by a creek. We then continue to Moir Hut, a site at the foot of the Lent Hills. There are a variety of walks on the Lent Hills making this an excellent opportunity for acclimatization. Shira is one of the highest plateaus on earth.

Day 4 : Shira Hut (3895m) – Lava Tower – Barranco Camp (3900m)

This day is very important for acclimatization as you will finish the trek at roughly the same elevation as where you started it. From the Shira Plateau, we continue east up a ridge, past the turnoff to Kibo Peak, before continuing southeast to the lava tower nicknamed “Shark Tooth”. Then make your way to Arrow Glacier, then descend further to overnight at Barranco Camp.

Day 5 : Barranco Camp (3900m) – Karanga Camp (4034m)

The path today takes you up a steep ridge to the adventurous Barranco Wall in the Karanga Valley. You need between 4 and 5 hours for the 5.2-kilometre route. Overnight at Karanga Camp.

Day 6 : Karanga Camp (4034m) – Barafu Camp (4662m)

We continue through the Alpine desert for 4 to 5 hrs up to Barafu Camp and once you reach it, you have completed the South Circuit, which offers a multitude of breathtaking views of the summit from many different angles. An early dinner and rest while we prepare for summit night.

Your guide will walk you around 12:00 mid-night, for tea and biscuits. You will then begin your summit attempt.

Day 7 : Summit Attempt
Barafu camp (4673m) – Uhuru Peak (5895m) – Mweka (3100m)

Hiking time: 5-7 hours to reach Uhuru Peak, 5-6 hours to descend to Mweka
Distance: Approximately 7-kilometre ascent and 13 kilometre descent
Habitat: Stone scree and ice-capped summit

Day 8 : Mweka camp (3100m) – Mweka Gate (1980m)

Distance: Approximately 15 kilometers
Habitat: Forest

Following a well-deserved breakfast, your staff will have a big celebration full of dancing and singing. After celebrating, you will descend for three hours back to Mweka Gate. The National Park requires all hikers to sign their names to receive certificates of completion. Hikers who have reached Stella Point (5685 m) receive green certificates and hikers who have reached Uhuru Peak (5895 m) receive gold certificates. After receiving the certificates, descend to the village of Mweka for approximately 1 hour (3 km). You will be served a hot lunch, then drive back to Arusha for long overdue showers and more celebrations.