Itinerary
- Day 1
Moshi/Arusha to Lemosho Gate
Your journey starts with a drive from Moshi or Arusha to Lemosho Gate where you'll meet your mountain crew and handle the park paperwork. From there, you'll trek through thick montane rainforest watching for colobus monkeys and unusual birds as the path climbs gradually toward Mti Mkubwa Camp. This first night under the stars sits at about 9,400 feet, and the forest canopy surrounds you with moisture and greenery after the drive up.
- Start point
- Moshi, Kilimanjaro, Tanzania (You will pick you up at the hotel you booked in Moshi, Tanzania, setting the stage for your Kilimanjaro expedition!)
- Meals
- Dinner
- Accommodation
- (Budget camping at Mti Mkubwa Camp)
Included Activities
- Scenic drive to Lemosho Gate
- Trek through montane rainforest to Mti Mkubwa Camp
- Professional mountain guide services
Landmarks Lemosho Gate Mti Mkubwa Camp Mount Kilimanjaro - Day 2
Lemosho Gate to Shira 2 Camp
As you leave the rainforest behind, the terrain shifts into heather and moorland with big open views starting to show. The route takes you through rolling hills and across small streams before you reach Shira Ridge, where the ancient Shira Plateau comes into view. By evening at Shira 2 Camp (around 12,500 feet), you can see both Kibo Peak and Mount Meru from the windswept plateau, and the air feels noticeably thinner than yesterday.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation
- (Budget camping at Shira 2 Camp)
Included Activities
- Trek through heather and moorland zone
- Pass through Shira Ridge and Shira Plateau
- Professional mountain guide services
Landmarks Shira Ridge Shira Plateau Kibo Peak Mount Meru - Day 3
Shira 2 Camp to Barranco Camp
Today is all about acclimatization and climbing the Lava Tower, a volcanic plug that rises from an otherworldly alpine desert. After lunch at the tower around midday, you'll descend into Barranco Valley where tall senecios and strange rock formations create an almost alien setting. This climb high, sleep low approach helps your body adjust to altitude, and you'll camp lower than where you climbed, giving you a better chance at summit success.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch at Lava Tower), Dinner
- Accommodation
- (Budget camping at Barranco Camp)
Included Activities
- Ascent to Lava Tower
- Lunch at Lava Tower
- Descent to Barranco Valley
- Professional mountain guide services
Landmarks Lava Tower Barranco Valley Barranco Wall - Day 4
Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp
The Great Barranco Wall is the real highlight here, a steep scramble that takes focus but rewards you with tremendous views from the top. After that, the trail crosses alpine ridges and moves through Karanga Valley where you can see the southern glaciers clearly. Karanga Camp is your last strategic rest spot before things get serious, and you'll notice the vegetation thinning more as altitude increases.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation
- (Budget camping at Karanga Camp)
Included Activities
- Scramble up the Great Barranco Wall
- Trek across alpine ridges
- Cross Karanga Valley
- Professional mountain guide services
Landmarks Great Barranco Wall Karanga Valley - Day 5
Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp
The path steepens noticeably as you move into the high alpine zone where the air feels quite thin. By afternoon, you reach Barafu Camp at over 15,000 feet with views of both Mawenzi and Kibo peaks glowing in the late light. After an early dinner, you'll rest in your tent, knowing your midnight summit push comes soon and sleep will be light with the altitude and anticipation.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Early dinner)
- Accommodation
- (Budget camping at Barafu Camp)
Included Activities
- Trek to high alpine zone
- Ascent to Barafu Camp
- Professional mountain guide services
Landmarks Barafu Camp Mawenzi Peak Kibo Peak - Day 6
Barafu Camp to Mweka Camp
Around midnight, your guide wakes you and the ascent begins through icy switchbacks toward Stella Point on the crater rim. The climb is tough and slow due to altitude, but you'll keep moving steadily. After reaching Stella Point, you continue along the rim to Uhuru Peak, Africa's highest point, timing it to catch sunrise over the continent from the top. Following your celebration and photos, the long descent starts back to Barafu for a brief rest, then continues down to Mweka Camp in the forest zone.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation
- (Budget camping at Mweka Camp)
Included Activities
- Summit push to Uhuru Peak
- Ascent to Stella Point
- Crater rim walk to Uhuru Peak
- Descent to Mweka Camp
- Professional mountain guide services
Landmarks Stella Point Uhuru Peak Mweka Camp 
- Day 7
Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate
The final descent moves through forest with giant ferns and colorful birds returning as the air grows warmer and more humid. You'll reach Mweka Gate where the park rangers present your summit certificate, official proof of the climb. From there, your driver takes you back to Moshi or Arusha where you can rest, shower, and reflect on what you've just completed over these seven days.
- End point
- Moshi, Kilimanjaro, Tanzania (You will drop-off at your hotel in Moshi, Tanzania.)
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Descent through rainforest to Mweka Gate
- Summit certificate presentation
- Return transfer to hotel in Moshi or Arusha
- Professional mountain guide services
Landmarks Mweka Gate
