Itinerary
- Day 1
Kilimanjaro Airport to Moshi
Land at Kilimanjaro airport and take a 40-minute transfer to your hotel in Moshi. The property has a pool, internet, a small shop, and gear rental available. Spend the afternoon organizing your bags, picking up bottled water, and getting everything sorted. Your guide shows up in the late afternoon to go over the trek details and answer any questions.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Day 2
Londorossi Gate to Shira
Head out from Moshi around 7:30am toward the Londorossi gate, which takes about 4 hours to reach. You'll handle entry paperwork at the mountain's base, then drive 10 minutes up the road before starting your hike. After lunch, trek roughly 2 hours to Shira I at 3,720m/12,205 ft. If you're feeling strong, there's an option to push 4 hours to Shira II at 3,840m/12,598 ft instead, which gives you an easier day tomorrow.
- Meals
- Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek to Shira I (3,720m) or Shira II (3,840m)
- Entry formalities at Londorossi gate
Landmarks/POIs Londorossi Gate Shira I Camp Shira II Camp - Day 3
Shira Plateau to Moir Camp
Walk across the Shira plateau heading east toward a rock formation called Shark's Tooth. This plateau is actually what's left of an old volcanic crater. The terrain is relatively easy as you wind around the lower slopes of Kibo, staying away from the crowded main routes. After 5 to 6 hours of hiking, you'll reach the quiet Moir camp, which has great views back across the plateau.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek across Shira plateau to Moir camp
- View natural landmark Shark's Tooth
Landmarks/POIs Shira Plateau Shark's Tooth Moir Camp - Day 4
Moorland to Pofu Camp via Northern Circuit Route
Trek into moorland and then into the stark alpine desert on the quieter Northern Circuit Route. The path crosses enormous shale beds and takes you through nearly 10 valley sections. By evening, after the final rolling terrain, you arrive at Pofu Camp at 4,150m/13,615 ft. From here you can see out across the wide Kenyan plains stretching below you.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek along Northern Circuit Route to Pofu Camp
Landmarks/POIs Northern Circuit Route Pofu Camp - Day 5
Pofu Camp to Third Cave Camp
Climb up to Buffalo Ridge first thing, then drop down to a small spring and some vegetation. The trail then heads east through landscape that gets more and more sparse as you gain altitude. Around 5 hours of walking brings you to Third Cave Camp at 3,600m/11,811 ft on the Rongai Route.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek from Pofu Camp to Third Cave Camp
Landmarks/POIs Buffalo Ridge Third Cave Camp - Day 6
Third Cave Camp to Kibo Huts and Outward Bound
Link up with the main Rongai route and head toward Outward Bound instead of Mwenzi Tarn, as this helps with acclimatization. Follow the Rongai trail to Kibo Huts, then branch off to Outward Bound Hut. Grab a packed lunch there, and then backtrack to Third Cave Camp to sleep.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Packed lunch), Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek to Outward Bound Hut for acclimatization
- Return trek to Third Cave Camp
Landmarks/POIs Rongai Route Kibo Huts Outward Bound Hut - Day 7
Third Cave Camp to Kibo Huts
Retrace yesterday's route, passing the turnoff to Outward Bound. Keep going up steadier slopes through rocky ground until Kibo Huts at around 4,700m/15,420 ft comes into view. This steady climb gets you ready physically and mentally for tomorrow's summit attempt.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek from Third Cave Camp to Kibo Huts
Landmarks/POIs Kibo Huts - Day 8
Kibo Huts to Uhuru Peak and Descent to Mweka Hut
Wake at 11pm and start hiking at 11:30pm, which makes this the longest day of the climb. Zigzag up switchbacks in the dark with your headlamp. The toughest part is the final push to Gilman's Point, where you're scrambling up rocky scree slopes. You'll pass Hans Meyer Cave, a spot with real historical significance. Reach Gilman's Point at the crater rim, then spend another 1.5 to 2 hours walking along the snowy rim to Uhuru Peak at 5,895m/19,341 ft. After the summit, turn around and head back through Stella Point and down past Barafu Camp to Mweka Hut at 3,100m/10,170 ft in the forest zone.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Summit attempt to Uhuru Peak (5,895m)
- Visit Hans Meyer Cave
- Descent to Mweka Hut
Landmarks/POIs Uhuru Peak Gilman's Point Stella Point Hans Meyer Cave Barafu Camp Mweka Hut - Day 9
Mweka Hut to Mweka Gate
After an early breakfast, take a short 3-hour hike down to the Mweka Park gate. At the gate you'll sign in and pick up your certificate. People who reached Stella Point get a silver certificate; those who made it to Uhuru Peak get gold. The walk down through Mweka village is typically about 3 km and takes roughly an hour on muddy trails. Your team and bus meet you there, then it's back to the hotel for that first hot shower in days.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Scenic hike to Mweka Park gate
- Summit certificate collection
Landmarks/POIs Mweka Gate Mweka Village - Day 10
Return to Kilimanjaro Airport
Transfer to Kilimanjaro airport for your flight home.
