Depart from Arusha at 7:30am for Londorossi Gate, where you will complete entry formalities. Then drive approximately one hour to the Lemosho trailhead. Upon arrival, eat lunch and then make 3-4 trek through forest to the first camp. Overnight at Forest Camp (Mtee Mkubwa Camp).
Londorossi Gate (2,375 m) – Forest Camp (2,895 m), Hiking time: 3-4 hours, Distance: 6 km, Habitat: Rainforest
Day 2:
Forest Camp - Shira 1 (3,720 m)
Hiking time: 5-6 hours
Distance: 8 km
Habitat: Moorland
After breakfast, leave camp and make your way out of the forest. You will take a steep track into a Savanna of tall grasses, heather (ornamental plant), and volcanic rock draped with lichen beards (tree moss). Ascend through the lush rolling hills below the Shiru Plateau, finally reaching camp at the edge of the plateau where you can see a view of Kibo Peak.
Day 3:
Shira 1 Camp – Fischer’s Camp (3,900 m)
Hiking time: 3-4 hours (without optional excursions)
Distance: 10 km
Habitat: Moorland
After breakfast, embark on a full day exploration of the Shira Plateau. Trek east toward Kibo’s glacier peak, with the option to visit the ancient collapsed Shira cone, the oldest of Kilimanjaro’s three volcanoes. Arrive at Fischer’s Camp.
Day 4:
Fischer’s Camp– Barranco Camp (3,950 m)
Hiking time: 5-7 hours
Distance: 15 km
Habitat: Semi Desert
After breakfast, proceed trekking upward for approximately four hours over expansive ridgelines of high desert to Lava Tower for lunch. In the afternoon, descend the steep track into the Great Barranco Valley. Barranco Camp is set on a valley enclosed on three sides with the massive valley walls and the Kibo massif itself. Hanging glaciers can be seen glistening above among a landscape of fascinating plants.
Day 5:
Barranco Camp – Karanga Camp (4,673 m)
Hiking time: 4-5 hours
Distance: 5 km
Habitat: Alpine Desert
This is a short trekking day but proven to be important for acclimatization. The day begins after breakfast with a scramble up the steep “Barranco Wall” then traversing up and down the slopes of valleys which have carved their way into the mountain’s southern face. Kibo’s glaciers are above on your left while the peaks of Mawenzi jut into the sky straight ahead. Reach Karanga Camp after 3-4 hours of trekking for hot lunch and an afternoon of relaxation.
Day 6:
Karanga Camp – Barafu Camp (5,895 m)
Hiking time: 4-5 hours
Distance: 4 km
Habitat: Alpine Desert
This trekking day is difficult but important. After breakfast, you will head out on the trail that is steadily uphill. The temperature is colder and the landscape sparse. Barafu Camp is set on a small, exposed flat area on a ridge which acts as a base camp for which you will make your summit attempt at midnight. Eat and drink copious amounts of water before retiring early in preparation of your midnight summit attempt.
Day 7:
Barafu Camp – Uhuru Peak (5,895 m) – Mweka Camp (3,110 m)
Hiking time: 8-9 hours ascent/ 4-6 descent
Distance: 5 km ascent / 12 km descent
Habitat: Arctic
You will receive a midnight wake-up call and a steaming hot drink to start your 12-15 hours of trekking! The temperatures range from just below freezing at midnight then -12 degrees Celsius to -23 degrees Celsius just before dawn at the summit. After about 5 hours of walking, you will come to the edge of the crater; Stella Point, at 5,790 meters on the crater rim is the end of the steep track. From here, there is a gentle slope about 1 hour to Uhuru Peak which climbers find to be extremely difficult but monumental to complete! After a short time at the summit, descend the steep scree trail back to Barafu camp for some rest, then summon your strength again for further descent to Mweka Camp for the night.
Day 8:
Mweka Camp – Mweka Gate (1,830 m)
Hiking time: 3-4 hours
Distance: 10 km
Habitat: Rainforest
Descend straight to the gate which will be a 3-4 hour trek. Upon arrival, you will enjoy lunch and be awarded climbing certificates. At this point, you will transfer to your hotel in Arusha.
Optional trip packages before/after the climb:
1. Seeing the Mountain Gorillas
2. Staying for 2-3 days at The School of St Jude
3. Enjoying a beach getaway to Zanzibar
