Itinerary
- Day 1
Lemosho Gate to Big Tree Camp
Your pickup happens around 08:00am from the hotel, and you'll drive to Lemosho gate on Kilimanjaro's western side. After checking in, the trek begins through the forests of Lemosho glades where you'll gradually climb in altitude. The terrain is steady and manageable as you head toward Big Tree camp for the first night. You're looking at about 4 to 5 hours of trekking depending on your pace.
- Start point
- Moshi, Kilimanjaro, Tanzania (at the hotel, 09:00 - 11:00)
- Meals
- Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Hotel pickup and transfer to Lemosho gate
- Trek through Lemosho glades forest to Big Tree camp
Landmarks Lemosho Gate Big Tree Camp 
- Day 2
Shira 1 to Shira 2 Camp
This day covers real distance as you trek across high plateau terrain with grassy moorland, heather, and scattered volcanic rock scattered throughout. You'll come through Shira 1 Camp where Kibo Peak becomes visible on clear days. Sections get fairly steep but the gradual climb helps your body adjust to altitude, and you'll get panoramic views of the Northern Ice fields plus some unusual western angles of Kibo from this route.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek across Shira Plateau from Shira 1 to Shira 2 Camp
Landmarks Shira 1 Camp Shira 2 Camp Shira Plateau Kibo Peak Northern Ice Fields 
- Day 3
Shira 2 to Barranco Camp
The morning ascent offers far-reaching views as you enter the upland desert and walk along lava ridges beneath the Western Breach glaciers. Lava Tower at 4640m/15,223 feet marks your high point for the day and makes a good lunch stop. After eating, you'll descend steeply to Barranco Camp at the base of the Great Barranco Valley, where towering cliffs surround the camp but views out toward the plains are extensive.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek to Lava Tower (4640m)
- Descent to Great Barranco Valley base camp
Landmarks Lava Tower Western Breach Great Barranco Valley - Day 4
Barranco to Karanga Camp
You'll descend into the Great Barranco ravine, then tackle the challenging climb up the Great Barranco Wall, a long scramble over rock that requires some effort. Passing beneath the Heim and Kersten glaciers, you continue toward Karanga valley and climb steeply up to Karanga camp at 3963m/13,002 feet. If you're feeling strong, an optional mid-afternoon acclimatization hike goes up to around 4200m/13,779 feet before heading back to camp.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek down Great Barranco and climb Great Barranco Wall
- Trek to Karanga Camp (3963m)
Optional Activities
- Mid-afternoon acclimatization trek to approximately 4200m
Landmarks Great Barranco Great Barranco Wall Heim Glacier Kersten Glacier Karanga Valley Karanga Camp - Day 5
Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp
After breakfast, you trek to Barafu camp at 4640m/15,223 feet, crossing barren scree slopes where nothing grows. The climb is tough and gets steeper the higher you go, all made harder by the thin air. Once at camp, you'll eat and rest most of the afternoon to build energy. An early dinner comes around 6pm, and you'll try sleeping before the wake-up call between 11pm and midnight for the summit attempt.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Early dinner)
Included Activities
- Trek across scree slopes to Barafu Camp (4640m)
Landmarks Barafu Camp - Day 6
Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak to Millennium Camp
Around midnight, you'll start the steep climb through scree for 4 to 5 hours, gaining serious elevation over that short timeframe. As the sun rises, you'll reach Stella Point at 5739m/18,823 feet on the crater rim and see dramatic ice cliffs plus Mawenzi peak. One more hour gets you to Uhuru Peak at 5895m/19,341 feet, Kilimanjaro's summit. After the celebration, you descend back down the scree slopes to Barafu Camp for breakfast, then continue down to Millennium Camp to rest.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Summit climb from Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak (5895m)
- Descent to Millennium Camp
Landmarks Stella Point Uhuru Peak Mawenzi Peak Millennium Camp - Day 7
Millennium Camp to Mweka Gate to Moshi
A gentle trek takes you down through the rainforest to Mweka Gate where park formalities wrap up and you receive your climbing certificate. You'll then meet your vehicles for the return drive to Moshi where a hot shower and rest awaits. It's time to process the fact that you just summited Africa's highest peak.
- End point
- Moshi, Kilimanjaro, Tanzania (at the hotel, 14:00 - 15:00)
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Trek down through rainforest to Mweka Gate
- Park formalities and certificate presentation
- Return transfer to hotel in Moshi
Landmarks Mweka Gate
