We will transfer you from Moshi to Londorossi Park Gate for registration, a drive of approximately four hours. Our porters will prepare and pack the supplies and luggage before we begin our ascent along the forest trail to Mti Mkubwa (Big Tree) Campsite at an altitude of 2,895 meters. We will spend the night here.

Habitat: Rainforest
Hiking time: 3–4 hours
Distance: 6 km
Elevation: 7,742 ft to 9,498 ft
Altitude: 2,895 m
Accommodation: Camping
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

We continue on the trail leading out of the rainforest and into a savannah of tall grasses, heather, and volcanic rock draped with lichen beards. As we ascend through the lush rolling hills and cross several streams, we reach the Shira Ridge before gently descending to Shira 1 Camp. Dinner and overnight camping at 3,500 meters. By now, we will have views of the stunning glaciers of the Western Breach. The night will be colder than the previous one, with temperatures possibly falling below freezing.

Hiking time: 5–6 hours
Altitude: 3,500 m
Elevation: 9,498 ft to 11,500 ft
Distance: 8 km
Habitat: Heath
Accommodation: Camping
Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

We explore the Shira Plateau for a full day. It is a gentle walk east across the moorland before we divert from the main trail toward Moir Hut, offering fabulous views of Arrow Glacier. We will camp here for the night at 4,200 meters — a little-used site located at the base of Lent Hills. A variety of walks are available on Lent Hills, making this an excellent acclimatization opportunity. The Shira Plateau is one of the highest plateaus on Earth.

Hiking time: 6–7 hours
Elevation: 11,500 ft to 13,800 ft
Distance: 11 km
Altitude: 4,200 m
Accommodation: Camping
Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

We begin the day climbing up a ridge, then head southeast toward the Lava Tower — a 300 ft volcanic rock formation — for lunch and acclimatization. This will be our toughest day so far, and you may, for the first time, feel the effects of altitude.

After lunch, we descend by almost 650 meters to Barranco Camp, which takes about two hours and passes through the beautiful Senecio Forest at an altitude of 13,000 ft. Although we begin and end the day at roughly the same elevation, the time spent at higher altitude is very beneficial for acclimatization, following the “walk high, sleep low” golden rule. The camp offers stunning views of the Western Breach and the Great Barranco Wall, set in a scenic valley below.

Moir Hut to Lava Tower
Elevation: 13,800 ft to 15,190 ft
Distance: 7 km
Hiking Time: 4–5 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert

Lava Tower to Barranco Camp
Elevation: 15,190 ft to 13,044 ft
Distance: 3 km
Hiking Time: 2–3 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert

Altitude: 4,600 m
Accommodation: Camping
Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

We begin the day by descending into a ravine to the base of the Great Barranco Wall. Then we climb the non-technical but steep, nearly 900 ft cliff. From the top of the Barranco Wall, we cross a series of hills and valleys until we descend sharply into Karanga Valley. One more steep climb up leads us to Karanga Camp. This is a shorter day meant for acclimatization. We will stay overnight at the Karanga campsite.

• Elevation: 13,044 ft to 13,106 ft
• Distance: 5 km
• Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
• Habitat: Alpine Desert
• Accommodation: Camping
• Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

We leave Karanga and join the junction connecting to the Mweka Trail, then continue our ascent through a rocky section toward Barafu Hut. At this point, you will have completed the Southern Circuit, which provides stunning views of the summit from various angles. We set up camp here, rest, and enjoy an early dinner in preparation for the summit push. From this vantage point, the twin peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo are clearly visible.

Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp
Elevation: 13,106 ft to 15,331 ft
Distance: 4 km
Hiking Time: 3–4 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert
Accommodation: Camping
Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

Very early in the morning (around midnight), you will be served tea and biscuits before beginning your push to the summit. This is the most mentally and physically challenging part of the trek, as the wind and cold at this elevation and hour can be extreme. We ascend through the darkness for several hours, taking frequent but brief breaks. Near Stella Point (18,900 ft / 5,732 m), you’ll be rewarded with one of the most magnificent sunrises imaginable, rising over Mawenzi Peak. From here, it’s about an hour to the summit — Uhuru Peak (19,341 ft / 5,895 m) — the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the entire continent of Africa.

After celebrating your achievement, we begin our descent to Mweka Camp, stopping at Barafu for lunch. Trekking poles are essential for navigating the loose scree on the way down to Mweka Camp (3,100 m). In the evening, enjoy your final dinner on the mountain and a well-earned rest at Mweka Camp.

Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak
Elevation: 15,331 ft to 19,341 ft
Distance: 5 km
Hiking Time: 7–8 hours
Habitat: Arctic

Uhuru Peak to Mweka Camp
Elevation: 19,341 ft to 10,065 ft
Distance: 12 km
Hiking Time: 4–6 hours
Habitat: Rainforest
Accommodation: Camping
Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

On the final day of the trek, after breakfast, we continue our descent to Mweka Gate (1,630 m / 5,380 ft), where you’ll collect your summit certificates from the Park Headquarters. A vehicle will be waiting to transfer you to your hotel in Arusha, where you can enjoy a relaxing hot shower and a celebratory dinner.

Elevation: 10,065 ft to 5,380 ft
Distance: 10 km
Hiking Time: 3–4 hours
Habitat: Rainforest
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch

After a much-needed night’s rest, we will bid you farewell. If you have arranged a transfer to Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), or planned a wildlife safari or Zanzibar beach extension, a Tanzania Safaris Ltd representative will collect you in the morning for your onward journey.

Meals included: Breakfast
Transport: Private transfer