Shira Gate to Simba Camp
Elevation: 11,800 ft to 11,800 ft
Distance: 4 km/2 miles
Hiking Time: 1-2 hours
Habitat: Heath
We depart Moshi for Londorossi Gate, which takes about 4 hours; here we will complete entry formalities while guides and porters prepare equipment. We then continue to drive up a steep path to the Shira Gate where we will begin the hike. The trek starts through shrubs and giant heather until we reach Simba Camp.
Day 2
Simba Camp to Shira 2 Camp
Elevation: 11,800 ft to 12,500 ft
Distance: 6 km/4 miles
Hiking Time: 2 hours
Habitat: Heath
Today is a fairly easy day to help with acclimatization. We begin by exploring the grassy moorland and volcanic rock formations on the plateau. Then we take a scenic path to the Shira Cathedral, a huge buttress of rock surrounded by steep spires and pinnacles, before settling at Shira 2 Camp.
DAY 3
Shira 2 Camp to Lava Tower
Elevation: 12,500 ft to 15,190 ft
Distance: 7 km/4 miles
Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert
Lava Tower to Barranco Camp
Elevation: 15,190 ft to 13,044 ft
Distance: 3 km/2 miles
Hiking Time: 2-3 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert
We continue to the east up a ridge and then head southeast towards the Lava Tower – a 300 ft tall volcanic rock formation. We descend down to Barranco Camp through the strange but beautiful Senecio Forest to an altitude of 13,000 ft. Although you begin and end the day at the same elevation, the time spent at higher altitude is very beneficial for acclimatization.
DAY 4
Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp
Elevation: 13,044 ft to 13,106 ft
Distance: 5 km/3 miles
Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert
We begin the day by descending into a ravine to the base of the Great Barranco Wall. Then we climb the non-technical but steep, nearly 900 ft cliff. From the top of the Barranco Wall we cross a series of hills and valleys until we descend sharply into Karanga Valley. One more steep climb up leads us to Karanga Camp. This is a shorter day meant for acclimatization.
DAY 5
Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp
Elevation: 13,106 ft to 15,331 ft
Distance: 4 km/2 miles
Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert
We leave Karanga and hit the junction which connects with the Mweka Trail. We continue up to the rocky section to Barafu Hut. At this point, you have completed the Southern Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many different angles. Here we make camp, rest and enjoy an early dinner to prepare for the summit day. The two peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo are viewable from this position.
DAY 6
Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak
Elevation: 15,331 ft to 19,341 ft
Distance: 5 km/3 miles
Hiking Time: 7-8 hours
Habitat: Arctic
Uhuru Peak to Mweka Camp
Elevation: 19,341 ft to 10,065 ft
Distance: 12 km/7 miles
Hiking Time: 4-6 hours
Habitat: Rain Forest
Very early in the morning (around midnight), we begin our push to the summit. This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek. The wind and cold at this elevation and time of day can be extreme. We ascend in the darkness for several hours while taking frequent, but short, breaks. Near Stella Point (18,900 ft), you will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see coming over Mawenzi Peak. Finally, we arrive at Uhuru Peak- the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa.
From the summit, we now make our descent continuing straight down to the Mweka Hut camp site, stopping at Barafu for lunch. The trail is very rocky and can be quite hard on the knees; trekking poles are helpful. Mweka Camp is situated in the upper forest and mist or rain can be expected in the late afternoon. Later in the evening, we enjoy our last dinner on the mountain and a well-earned sleep.
DAY 7
Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate
Elevation: 10,065 ft to 5,380 ft
Distance: 10 km/6 miles
Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: Rain Forest
On our last day, we continue the descent to Mweka Gate and collect the summit certificates. At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy. From the gate, we continue another hour to Mweka Village. A vehicle will meet us at Mweka Village to drive us back to the hotel in Arusha.
(8 Days on Kilimanjaro plus 2 nights at hotel in ARUSHA)
Group Size
2-3 People
4-5 People
6-10 People
On Request
On Request
On Request
Price Includes:
Arrival and departure transfers from Kilimanjaro International Airport.
Accommodation in mountain huts or mountain tents with mattresses;e use the highest quality of expedition tents by Eureka or Mountain Hardware.
Meals as indicated (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner)
All park fees, including mountain rescue fees, government taxes, and all applicable fees and taxes
Services of a professional leading guide who is medically trained, certified, licensed, and English speaking
Dining tent on the trek for meals
Services of English-speaking assistant guide(s), a skilled cook, and enough porters for a guest's luggage, food, water, and dining tent
Transport back and forth from your hotel and the mountain
Use of radios/phones to increase your safety
Accommodations in Arusha two night before and after Kilimanjaro.
All park entrance, camping, hut and rescue fees.
All meals and filtered drinking water while on the mountain.
Transport to/from national park gates.
Camping equipment including mountaineering, mess and sleeping tents (Mountain Hardware, North Face, Marmot), table and chairs, toilet tent, hot water bottles.
Guide (Wilderness First Responder certified), cook and porter salaries and fees.
First aid kit and pulse oximeter.
a portable toilet
Price Excludes:
Items of personal nature such as passport, visa, travelers insurance.
Tips to guides and porters
F International airfare
Gratuities, soft drink/alcohol, health/evacuation insurance, visa fees, international airfare, laundry, and meals not noted on the itinerary .
All ascents via Crater Camp incur an additional USD 350 per person charge.
Single tent supplement: USD 25 per night
The luggage that porters are allowed to carry is limited to 35 pounds (i.e. 15 kgs)
Overweight or extra luggage will require an extra porter at a rate of $15/bag/day
