On arrival at Kilimanjaro Airport you will be met by your climb leader and transferred to Hatari Lodge, a drive of about 1.5 hours.
What remains of the day is at your leisure.
Overnight - Hatari Lodge
After an early breakfast you are transferred to Mt Meru for an acclimatisation hike to Mt Meru crater.
On the way up you will pass through 3 different vegetation zones, starting from savannah, to forest and into dense jungle. With the changing flora, there is also an alteration in wildlife species to be seen along the way. Upon reaching Kitoto viewpoint, at an altitude of approx. 2500 meters, an armed ranger provides an escort on the final climb into the crater. After about two hours walk, the group returns to the vehicle and heads downhill again. Next to a picturesque waterfall, a traditional picnic awaits you to replenish burnt energy with a spectacular view of rolling plains and Kilimanjaro looming in the background. After lunch another short walk leads to the Tululusia Waterfall, cascading down and soaking those who venture too close.
You return to Hatari Lodge mid-afternoon in time for a full briefing on your Kilimanjaro Climb along with undergoing a full gear check.
Overnight - Hatari Lodge
This morning you are transferred to the starting point of the Kilimanjaro climb, the Lemosho Trail where you meet the rest of your crew.
Considered by many to be the most beautiful and scenic route to climb; you pass through tropical montane rain forest to the snows of Kilimanjaro. You will be climbing with excellent guides, a cook, camp staff and porters.
Accommodation throughout is in mountain tents, and all camping equipment is provided to a high specification, including sleeping bags, linen, thick foam mattresses to ensure as comfortable a night sleep as possible, a toilet tent, tables and chairs, 2-way radio and mobile telephones to maintain communication with the Arusha base.
You set off at a leisurely pace into the afro-montane forest. Lunch is taken on the trail and camp is reached mid-afternoon.
Overnight – Lemosho Forest Camp (2,829m) – Full board basis
After an early start you ascend the forested slopes of Lemosho, through Podocarpus and Juniper forests, onto the heath zone and the moorland of the Shira Plateau, one of the most fascinating areas of the mountain. Lunch is taken on the trail and you arrive in camp by mid-afternoon.
Overnight – Shira 1 Camp (3,850m) – Full board basis
Crossing the Shira plateau can be one of the most scenic parts of the trip and this morning you hike for around 3 – 4 hours to the lunch point. After lunch you ascend to Moir Huts Camp, arriving mid-afternoon. This is a good day for acclimatisation with the option of an afternoon walk with your guides.
Overnight – Moir Huts (4,161m) – Full board basis
From Moir you traverse across the slopes of Kibo. Here relatively little flora or fauna can survive the extreme temperature ranges and conditions that typify this zone.
As you continue, our direction changes to the South East towards the Lava Tower, called the "Shark's Tooth" you may choose to do an optional ascent of Lava Tower before descending down to the Barranco Hut at an altitude of 3910m. Here you rest, enjoy dinner, and overnight. This day is very important for acclimatization and will help your body prepare for summit day. You are rewarded for your efforts with spectacular views of the Barranco Valley.
Overnight – Barranco Camp (3,910m) – Full board basis
An early start is recommended today to hke to the Barranco wall. After about 2 hours you reach the top and then hike over glacial valleys to Karanga Camp.
The selection of Karanga is strategic – significant time at altitude is essential for safe acclimatisation. Sunsets here are particularly spectacular with views of the southern glacial valleys and ice fields towering 1000 meters above you.
Overnight – Karanga Camp (4,100m) – Full board basis
Today is another half day walk through to Barafu Camp.
About 2 hours from Karanga you come out on the Barafu path (part of the Mweka Trail). It is a further 1 to 2 hours to our camp at Barafu.
The last stage to Barafu Hut is quite steep, and as always you are advised to take it as easy as possible. Being as relaxed as possible both mentally and physically is the best advice (physical relaxation is often as difficult as mental relaxation!)
Desolate alpine desert and at times strong winds whip over this camp and yet in the evening splendid views of Mwanzi volcano are the norm.
This afternoon presents an opportunity for you to rest up before your assault on the summit. Late in the afternoon you will be briefed for the final ascent.
Overnight – Barafu Camp (4,600m) – Full board basis
You depart for the summit at around midnight. Patience and persistence is the name of the game to reach the summit. It will take upward of 7 hours to reach the top. Once on the rim at Stella Point (+6 hours) you traverse onward to Uhuru Peak (5,896m) where you catch the sunrise from the rooftop of Africa! You are there! You then descend via Stella Point to Mweka Camp for an overnight stay (3,100m).
Overnight – Mweka Camp (3,100m) – Full board basis
This morning you make the final descent through montane forest and at around midday after saying farewell to your crew you reach the Mweka Gate. From here you are transferred to Lake Duluti Lodge for shower and an overnight stay. This is a good opportunity to recoup and reflect on the achievements of the week just past.
Overnight - Lake Duluti Lodge
Today you are transferred to Kilimanjaro Airport and depart Africa.
