Day 1: Mt Mkubwa Camp (9,000 ft ~ About 3 hours)
   After breakfast and briefing, drive to Londorossi Park Gate (2250m, 2.5 hours). From here a forest track requiring a 4WD vehicle leads to Lemosho Glades (2100m, 11km, 45 minutes) and a possible campsite. Walk along forest trails to Mti Mkubwa (big tree) campsite.

Day 2: Shira 1 Camp (9,000 ft  to 11,500 ft ~ About 5 hours)
   After breakfast, we continue as the trail gradually steepens and enters the giant heather moorland zone. Several streams are crossed then it gains the Shira Ridge at about 3600m and drops gently down to Shira 1 camp located by a stream on the Shira Plateau.

Day 3: Shira 2 Camp (11,500 ft  to 12,600 ft ~ About 2 hours)
   After breakfast, a gentle walk across the plateau leads to Shira 2 camp on moorland meadows by a stream. A variety of walks are available on the Plateau making this an excellent acclimatization day.

Day 4: Barranco Hut (12,600 ft  to 12,700 ft ~ About 6 hours)
   From the Shira Plateau, we continue to the east, passing the junction towards the peak of Kibo. As we continue, our direction changes to the South East towards the Lava Tower, called the "Shark's Tooth." Shortly after the tower, we come to a second junction which brings us up to the Arrow Glacier at an altitude of 4,876 meters. From here we continue down to the Barranco Hut at an altitude of 3,860 meters. At the hut we rest, enjoy dinner, and overnight. Although you end the day at the same elevation as when you started, this is a very important day for acclimatization and will help everybody to be well prepared for summit day.

Day 5: Karanga Hut (12,700 ft  to 13,800 ft ~ About 4 hours)
   After breakfast, we leave Barranco and continue on a steep ridge passing the Barranco Wall, to the Karanga Valley (4200m) campsite.

Day 6: Barafu Hut (13,800 ft  to 15,100 ft ~ About 4 hours)
   After breakfast, we leave the Karanga Valley and pass the junction which connects with the Mweka Trail. We continue to the Barafu Hut, which is located at an altitude of 4,600 meters. You have now completed the South Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many different angles. Here we make camp, rest, enjoy dinner, and prepare for the summit day! The two peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo are to be seen from this position.

Day 7: Summit Day to Millenium Camp Hut (15,100 ft  to 19,300 ft ~ Appox 11 hours)
   Early morning, we continue our way to the summit of Uhuru Peak at 5,985 meters. This part of the climb takes about 6 hours. It can be very cold at night at these elevations, but it will be quite warm by the end of the hiking day. You will want clothing for both extremes with you. At Uhuru Peak, we have reached the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa. Faster hikers will see the sunrise from the summit. From the summit we make our descent to the Millennium camp site. This portion of the descent takes about 3 hours. You will want gaiters and trekking poles for the loose gravel going down.

Day 8: To Moshi (10,800 ft  to 6,000 ft ~ About 5 hours)
   After breakfast, we continue the descent down to the Mweka Park Gate. At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy. Gaiters and trekking poles will help. Shorts and t-shirts will likely be appropriate but we will keep rain gear and warmer clothing handy. A vehicle will meet us at Mweka village to drive us back to the hotel in Moshi. After a well deserved shower it will be time for a celebration dinner. The next morning it is off to flights home or perhaps on to a safari!


*An extra day can be added to this itinerary to aid in acclimiatization

Please contact us if you have any questions, or, if you would like more information.