Days: 9
Difficulty: Difficult
Activity: Hiking/Trekking
Kilimanjaro Altitude: 19,341 feet (5,895 meters)
When to climb Kilimanjaro: January to March, June to October
Closest airport to Kilimanjaro: Kilimanjaro airport (JRO)

Day 1 - Destination: Hotel in Moshi

Arriving at the Kilimanjaro airport, check in the hotel. Meeting the guide, having briefing for the trekking and gear checking by the guide.

Day 2 - -Londross Gate 2100 m – Mti Mkubwa Camp 2800 m
Elevation: 6,889 – 9,186 feet
Elevation gain: 2,297 feet
Hiking distance: 4 miles

You shall drive from your hotel in Moshi to the Mount Kilimanjaro National Park and check in at Londrossi Gate located on the western side of Kilimanjaro. The journey passes through the village of Sanya Juu, which is located on the lower slopes of the mountain. You reach the starting point at the Lemosho glades with the vehicle where you shall see the, porters arranging their packs containing the food and other equipment. Make sure that you have all your day pack items with you as the porters travel very quickly. The guides will be pleased to assist with any additional Information. You now trek through the main forest on a winding trail to the first camp, which is located at an altitude of 2250 meters. Lower down, the trail can be muddy and slippery. Gaiters and trekking poles are good idea here. You continue a short distance until you reach the Mti Mkubwa Camp (BIG TREE ) officially known as the forest camp rest and enjoy your dinner and overnight. You have now reached an altitude of 2250 meters.

Day 3 - Mti Mkubwa 2800 m – Shira 1 Camp 3500 m
Elevation: 9,186 – 11,483 feet
Elevation gain: 2,297 feet
Hiking distance: 5 miles

After Breakfast, you leave the forest to continue on an ascending path crossing through the heather and moorland. Today is a full day trek with an altitude gain of 700m. After lunch you cross into the Shira Caldera, a high altitude desert plateau which is rarely visited. Shira is the third of Kilimanjaro's volcanic cones, and is filled with lava flow from Kibo Peak. Overnight Shira 1 Camp at 3500 m.

Day 4 - Shira 1 Camp 3500 m – Shira 2 Camp 3840 m
Elevation: 11,483 – 12,598 feet
Elevation gain: 1,115 feet
Hiking distance: 7 miles

After Breakfast, you leave the heather to continue on an ascending path, through the Moorland and, to the east across the Shira Plateau past the Shira Cathedral towards Shira 2 camp. You only gain 340m in elevation - this allows you to acclimatize slowly to the altitude. The views of the plateau are nothing less than spectacular. Overnight at Shira 2 Camp 3840 m

Day 5 - Shira 2 Campsite 3840m – Lava Tower (4600 m) Barranco Camp 3950 m
Elevation: 12,598 – up to 15,091 feet – descend to 12,959 feet for sleeping
Elevation gain: 2,493 feet – and sleep low
Hiking distance: 5.6 miles

From the Shira Plateau, you continue to the east, passing the junction towards the peak of Kibo. As you continue, the direction changes to the South East towards the Lava Tower, called the “Shark’s Tooth”. It is usually at these point where for the first time some climbers will start feeling symptoms of breathlessness and headache due to high altitude and one should walk slowly –POLE POLE as they say in Kiswahili. You now continue downwards to the Barranco Camp at an altitude of 3,950 meters , situated in a valley below the breach and the great Barranco Wall. Here, you rest enjoy dinner and camp overnight. Although you end the day at the same elevation, as when you started, this day is very important for acclimatization (climb high and sleep low) and will help your body prepare for the successful summit day.

Day 6 - Destination: Barafu Camp (4673m)

After climbing Barranco Wall, you have a stop at Karanga Hut for lunch. Then you will continue uphill though a rocky landscape until you finally reach Barafu Camp after 5-6 hours hiking in total. This is the camp were most of the groups start their summit hike from. Here you should already rest and eat and drink a lot.

Day 7 - Destination: Crater Camp (5730m)

You start early in the morning to ascent to Stella Point (5750m), which is at the edge of the crater. The way is steep, winding and the landscape rocky and desert and lasts for about 5-6 hours. From Stella Point, you trek down to the Crater Camp for 30 min to 1 hour, where you will rest and eat and from where you can start to explore the inner crater.

Day 8 - Summit Day – Uhuru Peak (5895m)

Destination: Mweka Camp (3068m) Start trekking early from camp 1 ½ hours so that you can watch sunrise from the summit. Here you will spend a short time before you start descending. You will pass Stella Point and have lunch at Barafu Camp, where you will also have a rest. In the afternoon you go down to Mweka Camp. Going down from the peak to your overnight camp is a trekking time from 6-8 hours.

Day 9 - Destination: Hotel in Moshi

You will walk for 2-3 hours through forest from Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate, where you receive your certificates. After saying goodbye to the crew, transfer to your hotel for taking a shower and rest.

Transfers in Tanzania
Climbing and trekking permits
Park fees, hut fees, and camping fees
Cook, dining tent, table, chairs and latrine tent
Camping equipment
Accommodations and meals for the hike
Drinking water on trail
3 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 3 afternoon teas and 3 dinners
Qualified porters to carry supplies and camping equipment
Qualified local guides with mountain rescue first aid course
Emergency evacuation to local hospital if needed