Arusha Arrival
Day 1
We stay at Arusha Safari Lodge, which is a beautiful Hotel located on the lower slopes of Mount Meru and is a perfect place to prepare you for adventure. We will gather in the evening at 5:30 pm for a pre-climb briefing and an equipment check. We will also confirm you have the appropriate mandatory medical coverage and travel insurance.
Shira One Camp
Day 2
After breakfast at the hotel in Arusha, we drive approximately 2 hours through the rural countryside to the Londrossi Gate. For the necessary park registration formalities at the Londorossi National Park gate, we drive a short distance on a steep track through farmland and plantations to the starting of Shira Route. We start our ascent along the shrub forests the trail climbs steadily with wide views of Kibo Icefield to reach the rim of the Shira Plateau.
Londrossi Gate to Shira One Camp (3550 m): 4-5 hours walking.
Shira Hut
Day 3
Today we follow an easy path to the summit of Shira Cathedral before reaching the next camp at Shira Hut. As this camp is quite exposed, it can be substantially colder than the previous night, with temperatures dropping to well below freezing.
Shira Camp One to Shira Hut (3,840 m): 4-5 hours walking.
Moir Hut
Day 4
In the morning we cross part of the plateau through lush heather and moorland then into expansive high Savannah desert before reaching moir hut in the alpine zone. For extra acclimatization one can take walk around for the higher lands around the camp; views are superb. Lunch will be served at Fisher camp. The afternoon will be the acclimatization walk up onto the Lent Hills, the summit of which is at 4,700 metres
Shira Hut to Moir Hut (4,200m): 3-4 hours walking.
Barranco Valley
Day 5
Today we walk on a gentle ascent and panoramic views. We traverse the southwest side of Kilimanjaro, passing underneath the Lava Tower and the final section of the Western Breach. After a hot lunch at the bottom of the Lava Tower (4,600 m.) we descend to the bottom of the Great Barranco valley (3,900 m.).
Moir Hut to Barranco valley (3,900 m.): 5-7 hours walking.
Karanga Camp
Day 6
A steep climb up the eastern wall leads us just below the Heim Glacier, where we may have some spectacular views of Kilimanjaro. We then take a steep exit up the Great Barranco Wall, which divides us from the southeastern slopes of Kibo, the trail continues down into the alpine desert of the Karanga Valley, where we have a steep climb up to Karanga Camp.
Barranco Valley to Karanga camp (4,000 m): 4-5 hours walking.
Barafu Camp
Day 7
Today we take the Traverse Route that takes up the Barafu Ridge, we walk up quite slowly to the final camp before your last ascent day to the summit.The remainder of the day is spent relaxing in preparation for the final ascent before a very early night.
Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp (4,600 m): 3-4 hours walking.
Summit to Mweka Camp
Day 8
Wake up before midnight in the cover of darkness. Our day begins with a steep climb over loose volcanic scree along some well-graded zig-zags. A slow but steady pace will take us to the rim of the main crater, Stella Point, at 5,735m. We will rest there for few minutes to enjoy the sunrise over Mawenzi. Those who are still feeling good can continue slowly to make the two hour round trip from here along the crater rim to main peak (5,895 m), which is the highest point in Africa. After a few minutes to appreciate your accomplishment, our descent to Barafu is amazingly fast. We will stop at Barafu Camp for a refreshment, as we continue to the descent to Mweka Camp.
Barafu Camp to Summit to Mweka Camp (3100 m): 13-15 hours walking.
Mweka Gate to Arusha
Day 9
A gentle walk takes us down through the rainforest to Mweka gate where successful climbers will receive their summit certificates. After lunch we drive back to Arusha Safari Lodge.
Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate: 3-5 hours walking.
Departure day
Day 10
After saying goodbye to our new friends, you will then take a private departure transfer from Arusha to Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) for your flight.