DAY 0 – Arrival Day | Arusha or Moshi

Arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), Arusha, or Moshi. You are personally welcomed by our team representative and transferred to your hotel. Whether in Arusha or Moshi, we arrange pickup from either location at no extra hassle.

In the afternoon, attend a full pre-climb briefing with your Lead Guide and Climb Manager. Meet your mountain crew, receive your gear checklist, and ask any final questions before the adventure begins.

Meals: Dinner included.

Accommodation: Hotel in Arusha or Moshi 

Altitude: ~1,400 m (Arusha) / ~900m (Moshi)

DAY 1 – Londorossi Gate (2,250m) → Mti Mkubwa / Forest Camp (2,780m)

After breakfast at your hotel, whether in Arusha or Moshi, our vehicle collects you and drives to Londorossi Gate on the western wilderness side of Mount Kilimanjaro. Complete park registration and begin trekking through the ancient Lemosho Glades rainforest.

Listen for black & white colobus monkeys in the treetops. Look for elephant and buffalo tracks through the forest floor. Hot meals await at camp, prepared by your dedicated mountain cook.

Meals: Lunch & Dinner

Habitat: Montane Rainforest

Hiking Time: 3–4 hours

Distance: ~7 km

DAY 2 – Forest Camp (2,780m) → Shira 1 Camp (3,505m)

Ascend gradually out of the rainforest and into the open Hagenia moorland zone. As the forest gives way to open sky, stunning first views of Kibo Peak emerge on the horizon. The air is crisp, the trail is quiet, and the landscape is entirely yours.

Arrive at Shira 1 Camp on the edge of the world-famous Shira Plateau—one of the highest plateaus on Earth.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Habitat: Moorland / Heath Zone

Hiking Time: 5–6 hours

Distance: ~9 km

DAY 3 – Shira 1 Camp (3,505m) → Shira 2 Camp (3,900m)

A relatively gentle and beautiful day crossing the Shira Plateau. Wide open views of Mount Meru and Kibo Peak dominate the horizon.

Arrive early at Shira 2 Camp. Optional afternoon acclimatization hike to Cathedral Peak (3,872m) for panoramic views — one of the most spectacular viewpoints on the entire route.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Habitat: Moorland

Hiking Time: 3–4 hours

Distance: ~7 km

DAY 4 – Shira 2 Camp (3,900m) → Lava Tower (4,630m) → Barranco Camp (3,960m)

Today follows the vital “Climb High, Sleep Low” acclimatization principle. Ascend steadily through the alpine desert to Lava Tower (4,630 m)—a dramatic volcanic plug and critical altitude checkpoint. Take lunch here while your body adapts.

Descend to Barranco Camp, set dramatically at the foot of the legendary Barranco Wall.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Habitat: Semi-Desert / Alpine Desert

Hiking Time: 6–7 hours

Distance: ~10 km

DAY 5 – Barranco Camp (3,960m) → Karanga Camp (4,035m)

The highlight of the morning: climbing the Barranco Wall, Kilimanjaro’s most thrilling non-technical scramble. Safe, exciting, and enormously rewarding with incredible views from the top.

Trek through valleys and glacial ridges across the Southern Circuit to reach Karanga Camp a strategic stop critical for final acclimatization.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Habitat: Alpine Desert

Hiking Time: 4–5 hours

Distance: ~5 km

DAY 6 – Karanga Camp (4,035m) → Barafu Base Camp (4,640m)

A steady half-day ascent through desolate, wind-swept alpine desert to Barafu Camp the primary base camp for summit attempts on the Southern Circuit. Views of Mawenzi Volcano are dramatic and otherworldly.

Arrive early, have lunch, rest, and receive your summit briefing for tomorrow’s daytime approach to the crater.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Habitat: Alpine Desert

Hiking Time: 4–5 hours

Distance: ~5 km

DAY 7 – Barafu Camp (4,640m) → Kibo Crater Rim (5,756m) → Crater Camp (5,790m)

The Most Unique Day on Kilimanjaro

Begin your summit ascent in the morning daylight — a rare and breathtaking experience. Trek slowly and steadily upward through volcanic scree with constant encouragement from your crew.

Reach Stella Point (5,756 m) on the crater rim, then walk the final stretch to Crater Camp (5,790 m) sleeping inside the crater of Africa’s highest peak, just meters below Uhuru Peak. An experience virtually no other route offers.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Habitat: Arctic Summit Zone

Hiking Time: 6–8 hours

DAY 8 – Crater Camp (5,790m) → Uhuru Peak (5,895m) → Mweka Camp (3,820m)

Summit Day — The Roof of Africa

After a night in the crater, Uhuru Peak (5,895m) is just ~1 hour away — the shortest final summit push of any Kilimanjaro route. Timed for sunrise, the moment is extraordinary.

Stand at the highest point in Africa. Celebrate with your crew before descending through all climate zones to Mweka Camp for a final night on the mountain.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Habitat: Arctic → Rainforest

Hiking Time: 8–10 hours

DAY 9 – Mweka Camp (3,820m) → Mweka Gate (1,650m) → Arusha or Moshi

A final descent through tropical rainforests. Say farewell to your mountain crew at Mweka Gate and receive your official Kilimanjaro summit certificate.

Transfer back to your hotel in Arusha or Moshi — whichever suits your onward travel plans — for a well-deserved shower, hot meal, and rest.

Meals: Breakfast

Habitat: Rainforest

Hiking Time: 3–4 hours