You are met on arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport and transferred to the Springlands Hotel in Moshi. Those arriving by 7:00 P.M. will meet for an equipment check and climb briefing. If arrival is late evening, the briefing is held the next morning.

After breakfast, drive to Londorossi National Park gate (2,250 m.). We walk through farmland and plantations and continue climbing steadily on a broad track through shrub forest and stands of giant heather to reach the rim of Shira Plateau (3,350 m.) The views across the surrounding plains open out as we climb and the area is home to a variety of game including buffalo. Our first camp is in the center of the plateau at “Shira One” (3,550 m.) (6-8 hours walking).

An easy day to help acclimatization, with time to explore the grassy moorland and volcanic rock formations of the plateau. We walk to the summit of Shira Cathedral (3,750 m.), a huge buttress of rock surrounded by steep spires and pinnacles. There is a tangible sense of wilderness here (especially when the afternoon mists come in!) and the views from our camp near Shira Hut (3,840 m.) of Mt. Meru floating on the clouds are simply unforgettable. (4-5 hours walking).

Traverse the northern ice fields on a steady ascent continuing across the lava ridges offering spectacular views. (6-8 hours walking).

After a steep climb up the Barranco Wall, continue to the vistas of the southern ice fields. Arrive at camp in time for lunch followed by afternoon hike to higher elevations and return to your camp. (5-7 hours walking).

A steep climb up the Barranco Wall leads us to an undulating trail on the south-eastern flank of Kibo, with superb vistas of the Southern Icefields. Lunch is usually taken at Karanga, the last water point, in a steep valley. After lunch, the terrain changes to scree and we climb steeply to reach the Barafu campsite (4,600 m.) by mid-afternoon. The remainder of the day is spent resting in preparation for the final ascent before a very early night. (6-8 hours walking)

We will start our ascent by torchlight at about 1 a.m. so that we can be up on the Crater rim by sunrise. The steep climb over loose volcanic scree has some well-graded zig-zags. It’s slow but steady and takes us to Stella Point (5,735 m.) in about five or six hours. We will rest there for a short time to enjoy the sunrise over Mawenzi. Those who are still feeling strong can make the two hour round trip from here along the crater rim to Uhuru Peak (5,896 m.), passing close to the spectacular glaciers and ice cliffs that still occupy most of the summit area. The descent to Barafu is surprisingly fast, and after some refreshment, we continue to descend to reach our final campsite (3,100 m.) at the edge of Mweka Forest. (11-15 hours walking)

A gentle descent through lovely forest with lush undergrowth takes us to the National Park gate at Mweka (1,650 m.) (4-6 hours walking) When we finish the climb, there will be a vehicle waiting to meet you and transfer you back to Moshi.