Upon arriving at Kilimanjaro International Airport you will be transferred to a hotel in Moshi for shower and overnight.
Londorosi Gate/Lemosho trail head - Big Tree Camp (Mti Mkubwa) (2650 m/8695 ft)
Walking distance: 6 km/3.7 miles
Walking time: 2-3 hours
Altitude gain: 550 m/1795 ft
In the morning after breakfast you will meet your mountain guide for briefing about the mountain climbing and thereafter transferred to Lemosho gate for starting climbing. A three hour drive from Moshi, around the mountain, brings you to the Londorossi Gate on the western side of Kilimanjaro. At the gate, you pick up a game ranger who will protect you from elephants and buffalo during the trek. After a short drive to the trail head at Lemosho Glades you will start your trek through the pristine rain forest. Today you will hike to Mti Mkubwa, which means 'Big Tree; in Kiswahili. In the evening dinner and overnight at the camp.
Big Tree Camp - Shira I (3480 m/11420 ft)
Walking distance: 8 km/5 miles
Walking time: 4-5 hours
Altitude gain: 830 m/2725 ft
After a good breakfast, you start the climb through the remaining rain forest toward the giant Erica moorland zone. You will enjoy a great lunch stop in a beautiful valley just outside the Shira Crater. Today you will get your first close views of the summit. Dinner and overnight at Shira one campsite.
Shira I - Shira Huts (3850 m/12630 ft) via Shira II Cathedral
Walking distance: 11 km/6.8 miles
Walking time: 6-8 hours
Altitude gain: 370 m/1210 ft
After an early breakfast, you hike east across the Shira Plateau past the Shira Cathedral toward Shira Two camp. We only gain 240m in elevation which allows you to acclimatize slowly to the altitude. The views of the plateau are spectacular. Dinner and overnight at Shira Two Camp.
Shira Huts - via Lava Tower (4640 m/15220 ft) - Barranco Huts (3985 m/13070 ft)
Walking distance: 9 km/5.6 miles
Walking time: 6-8 hours
Altitude gain: 135 m/440 ft (790 m/2590 ft to Lava Tower)
You will head up to Lava Tower, traversing the southern flank of Kibo. This is one of the most valuable days for acclimatization. If you prefer we can substitute Lava Tower for Barranco Camp, but this makes the walk a few hours longer.
Barranco Huts - Karanga Camp (4040 m/13255 ft)
Walking distance: 5.5 km/3.5 miles
Walking time: 4-5 hours
Altitude gain: 55 m/185 ft
After leaving Lava Tower, you descend into the stunning Barranco Valley which is adorned with giant lobelia and senecia plants. There are good views of Kibo peak from here. After the Barranco Wall, we descend down into the Karanga Valley, where will have dinner and overnight.
Karanga Camp - Barafu Huts (4680 m/15360 ft)
Walking distance: 3.5 km/ 2.2 miles
Walking time: 4-5 hours
Altitude gain: 640 m/2105 ft
This is a tough, steep, climb uphill to the rocky, craggy slopes at the camp. 'Barafu' means, 'Ice' in Swahili and it is extremely cold at this altitude. You will get a half day rest before you begin the final summit ascent at midnight.
Summit attempt via Stella Point (5752 m/18871 ft) to Uhuru Peak (5895 m/19340 ft) and descent to Millenium Camp (3820 m/12530 ft) and then continue to Mweka Hut
Walking distance: 5 km/3 miles ascent + 10 km/6.2 miles descent
Walking time: 5-6 hrs + 1-2 hours up, 5-6 hours down (the overall walking time may vary from 10 - 16 hours)
Altitude gain: 1072 m/ 3511 ft (Stella Point) or 1215 m/3980 ft (Uhuru Peak)
Descent: 2075 m/6810 ft
This is a 17 hour day, commencing at midnight and hiking until the next afternoon. You will begin your summit ascent around midnight, and will arrive at the Kilimanjaro summit before sunrise. After the sunrise, you will head back down the mountain, stopping at Barafu Camp to rest, and heading to Mweka Camp, just a few hours from the gate.
Mweka Camp - Mweka Gate
Walking distance: 20 km/12.5 miles
Walking time: 5 hours
Descent: 1990 m/6530 ft
In the morning you will hike for about 3 hours through lush forest to the gate. After a welcome lunch, you will get your climb certificate and say goodbye to your crew and porters. We will then take you back to your hotel in Moshi for shower, relaxation, dinner and overnight.
In the morning after having your breakfast you will be driving to Masama village for coffee life cycle tour. This tour will take you to the famous Arabica coffee plantations of Kilimanjaro. You will get enough time to interact with indigenous and make your on cup of coffee in a traditional way. Hot traditional lunch will be served during lunch hours. This tour will end up by been transferred to the Kilimanjaro International Airport to connect with your international flight.
