Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Tanzania – drive to Moshi.
You will be met on time of your arrival at Kilimanjaro Airport by our transferring driver who will you will welcome and escort you to the waiting vehicle then drive to The Hotel in Moshi for the rest of the day your trek will start the next day morning. The rest of the day will be spent at the pool relaxing at the hotel or explore the town of Moshi. Your mountain guide will meet you in the evening for briefing on the next morning trek.
Day 2: Londorossi Gate (2100m) – Mti Mkubwa camp (2750m)
Drive from the Hotel to Londorossi Gate for registration. Our porters prepare and pack the supplies and luggage before we start our ascent along the forest trail to Mti Mkubwa (big tree) campsite at 2895m. We will stay here overnight.
Elevation (m): 2360m to 2895m
Distance: 6 km
Time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: Montane Forest.
Day 3: Mti Mkubwa (1750m) – Shira 1 (1500m)
Our journey continues eastwards across Shira Plateau and Shira Cathedral. We will cross moorland meadow to reach Shira 1 camp for dinner and overnight camping at 3810m. By now we will be able to see, in an easterly direction, the Western Breach with its stunning glaciers.
Elevation: 2895m to 3500m
Distance: 8 km
Time: 5-6 hours
Habitat: Moorland.
Day 4: Shira 1- shira 2 Camp (3840m)
Today we walk to the summit of Shira Cathedral, a huge buttress of rock surrounded by steep spires and pinnacles. There is a tangible sense of wilderness here, especially when the afternoon mists roll in. From our camp near Shira Hut, we take in the unforgettable views of Mt. Meru.
Elevation: 3500m to 3810m
Distance: 7 km
Time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: Moorland.
Day 5: Shira (3840m) – Moir Hut (4200m)
We leave the forest behind now and a gentle grade walk takes you across the high altitude Shira Caldera to Shira Cave with fabulous views of Arrow glacier. We will camp here for the night at 4200m.
Elevation: 3810m – 4200m
Distance: 14 km
Time: 6-7 hours.
Habitat: Semi desert.
Day 6: Moir Hut - Pofu Camp
We climb out of the Moir Valley and take a short detour to reach the summit of Lent Hills (15,400 ft). After admiring the views we return to the trail and head eastwards around the northern circuit trail. The final section of today’s walk undulates until reaching the location of Pofu Camp.
Elevation: 4200m to 4000m
Distance: 12 km
Hiking Time: 7-8 hours
Habitat: Semi desert.
Day 7: Pofu Camp – Third Cave
From Pofu Camp we cross numerous small valleys as the trail continues eastwards through a landscape that has increasingly sparse vegetation to eventually reach Third Cave Camp.
Elevation: 4020m to 3960m
Distance: 7 km
Hiking Time: 6 hours
Habitat: Semi desert.
Day 8: Third Cave - School Hut
There is a steady ascent to reach the saddle, a lunar landscape between the peaks of Kibo and Mawenzi. From here we continue upwards and reach School Hut in the early afternoon. The remainder of the afternoon is spent resting and preparing for the summit day.
Elevation: 3960m to 4790m
Distance: 6 km
Time: 5 hours
Habitat: Alpine desert.
Day 9: School Hut - Uhuru Peak - Mweka Camp
We start the final and most demanding part of the climb around 1 a.m on a switchback trail through loose volcanic scree to reach the crater rim at Gillman’s Point We rest here for a short time to enjoy the spectacular sunrise over Mawenzi. We then head on to Uhuru Peak, passing close to the spectacular glaciers and ice cliffs that still occupy most of the summit area. We retrace our steps along the crater rim to Stella Point and then descend down through Barafu Camp to reach Mweka Camp.
Elevation: 4790 to 5895m to 3100m
Distance: 18 km
Time: 10-14 hours
Habitat: Stone scree and moorland.
Day 10: Mweka Camp - Mweka Gate
A sustained descent on a well-constructed path takes us through a lovely tropical forest to the Kilimanjaro National Park gate at Mweka. At the Gate you will get your Certificate and Proceed to the Hotel.
Elevation: 3100m to 1800m
Distance: 10 km
Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
Habitate: Montane Forest.
Day 11: Depart/Onward journey
After a much needed nights rest in a bed, our driver will drive you back to the airport, or if you wish to organize safari / Zanzibar trip, we will collect you in the morning for your onward journey.
