Itinerary
- Day 1
Lemosho Gate to Big Tree Camp
You'll get picked up from your hotel around 8:00am and head to Lemosho Gate on Kilimanjaro's western side. After checking in, the trek starts through forest glades toward Big Tree Camp. The pace stays relaxed as you cover 7km over roughly 4 hours, getting used to the altitude and terrain.
- Start point
- Tanzania (Moshi, 08:00 - 08:30)
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek from Lemosho Gate through forest glades to Big Tree Camp
Landmarks Lemosho Gate Big Tree Camp - Day 2
Big Tree Camp to Shira 1 Camp
Today you'll cross a plateau with grassy moorland and heather, surrounded by volcanic rock. The elevation gain is significant with some steep parts along the way to Shira 1 Camp. On a clear day you might catch Kibo Peak floating above the clouds. It's 8.5km total over about 7 hours of trekking.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek across moorland plateau to Shira 1 Camp with views of Kibo Peak
Landmarks Shira 1 Camp Kibo Peak - Day 3
Shira 1 Camp to Shira 2 Camp
Continuing across the Shira Plateau, you'll see the Northern Ice fields and get unusual views of Kibo Peak from this western angle. The 8km trek takes around 5 hours. In the afternoon, an acclimatization walk helps your body adjust before dinner and overnight at Shira 2 Camp.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek across Shira Plateau to Shira 2 Camp
- Acclimatization walk in the afternoon
Landmarks Shira 2 Camp Northern Ice fields - Day 4
Shira 2 Camp to Barranco Camp
You'll ascend into the upland desert zone with sweeping views everywhere. Walking on lava ridges beneath the glaciers, you reach Lava Tower at 4640m for lunch. After that comes a steep descent into the Great Barranco Valley, hemmed in by tall cliffs with plains stretching out below. The full day covers 10km over 7 hours.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek to Lava Tower with views of Western Breach glaciers
- Descent to Barranco Camp in Great Barranco Valley
Landmarks Lava Tower Western Breach Great Barranco Valley Barranco Camp - Day 5
Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp
You'll drop into the Great Barranco ravine then tackle the steep Great Barranco Wall, a tiring rock climb that opens onto Kibo's southeastern slopes. From there, you head toward Karanga Valley passing under the Heim and Kersten glaciers. A final steep push gets you to Karanga Camp at 3963m. It's 5.5km over 5 hours, or you can do an optional acclimatization trek in the afternoon if you're feeling strong.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Climb Great Barranco Wall
- Trek through Karanga Valley to Karanga Camp
Optional Activities
- Mid-afternoon acclimatization trek to approximately 4200m
Landmarks Great Barranco Wall Heim Glacier Kersten Glacier Karanga Valley Karanga Camp - Day 6
Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp
After breakfast you'll trek across bare scree slopes with nothing but rock and altitude. It's a tough, steep climb made harder by the thin air. Barafu Camp sits at 4640m, reached after 3km over roughly 3 hours. Spend the afternoon resting and preparing, drinking plenty of water and staying warm. Early dinner happens, then you'll try to sleep before midnight when the summit push begins.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek to Barafu Camp across scree slopes
Landmarks Barafu Camp - Day 7
Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak to Millennium Camp
Around midnight the summit climb starts, heading steeply up through scree for 4 to 5 hours with enormous elevation gain in a short distance. You'll reach Stella Point at 5739m as the sun rises, surrounded by ice cliffs inside the crater. One more hour gets you to Uhuru Peak at 5895m. After time at the summit, the descent heads back through Stella Point and down the scree to Barafu Camp for breakfast, then on to Millennium Camp. The full push covers 13.4km over 12 to 15 hours.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Summit climb from Barafu Camp to Stella Point
- Trek to Uhuru Peak (5895m)
- Descent to Millennium Camp
Landmarks Stella Point Uhuru Peak Mawenzi Peak Millennium Camp - Day 8
Millennium Camp to Mweka Gate to Moshi
A gentler trek takes you down through the rainforest to Mweka Gate, covering 12.1km over about 6 hours. You'll complete the park paperwork and get your summit certificate. Vehicles meet you for the drive back to Moshi where you can finally have that hot shower and rest after the trek.
- End point
- Tanzania (Moshi, 02:00 - 03:00)
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Trek down through rainforest to Mweka Gate
- Park formality completion and certificate presentation
- Transfer back to hotel in Moshi
Landmarks Mweka Gate
