Itinerary
- Day 1
Kilimanjaro International Airport
You'll arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport and get picked up by private transfer to head to Tulivu Kilimanjaro Retreat hotel. Once you're settled, the group gathers for a pre-climb briefing where they'll go over the route, check your equipment, and make sure you have all the required medical coverage and travel insurance in place.
- Start point
- Kilimanjaro, Tanzania (Hotel, 07:00 - 08:00)
Included Activities
- Private transfer from Kilimanjaro International Airport to hotel
- Pre-climb briefing
- Equipment check
- Medical coverage and travel insurance confirmation
Landmarks Kilimanjaro International Airport 
- Day 2
Londorossi Gate to Mti Mkubwa Camp
A two-hour drive from Moshi takes you to Londorossi Gate at 2,100m, where you'll register with the national park authorities. From there, you start trekking 5.5km through rainforest for about 3 to 4 hours, and you might spot wildlife like elephant and buffalo along the way. By evening you'll reach Mti Mkubwa Camp at 2,820m for dinner.
- Meals
- Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Registration with Kilimanjaro National Park authorities
- Trek from trailhead to Mti Mkubwa Camp through rainforest zone
- Lunch at trailhead
Landmarks Londorossi Gate Mti Mkubwa Camp - Day 3
Mti Mkubwa Camp to Shira Camp 1
Today's trek covers 8km over 5 to 6 hours as you move through the last of the rainforest before entering low alpine moorland. The terrain gradually shifts as you head toward the Shira Plateau, ending at Shira Camp 1 at 3,610m. The climbing stays relatively short and gradual throughout the day.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek from Mti Mkubwa Camp through rainforest and into low alpine moorland zone to Shira Camp 1
Landmarks Shira Plateau Shira Camp 1 - Day 4
Shira Camp 1 to Shira Camp 2
You'll trek 7km across the Shira Plateau from Shira Camp 1 to Shira Camp 2, taking 3 to 4 hours. If you're up for it, there's an optional trek higher on the plateau where you can take in views across the valley and the Western Breach. Keep in mind temperatures drop below zero up here, so bring extra layers.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek across Shira Plateau from Shira Camp 1 to Shira Camp 2
Optional Activities
- Trek higher on the Shira Plateau for stunning views across the valley and Western Breach of Kilimanjaro
Landmarks Shira Camp 2 Western Breach of Kilimanjaro - Day 5
Shira Camp 2 to Moir Camp
This is a longer day with 14km of trekking over 5 to 7 hours heading east through the Garden of the Senecios and into the high alpine desert. You'll climb to Lava Tower and the iconic Shark's Tooth rock formation at 4,600m where lunch happens, then descend to Moir Camp at 4,200m. The up-and-down pattern helps with acclimatization.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek through 'Garden of the Senecios' to Lava Tower and Shark's Tooth rock formation
- Trek from Lava Tower to Moir Camp
Landmarks Shark's Tooth Rock Formation Lava Tower Moir Camp - Day 6
Moir Camp to Buffalo Camp
From Moir Valley, you'll climb steeply for 12km taking 5 to 7 hours. There's an optional detour to Little Lent Hill at 4,375m if you want extra acclimatization. After working around the northern slopes of Kibo, you'll reach Buffalo Camp at 4,020m by midday where you can grab lunch and rest with views toward the Kenya-Tanzania border.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek from Moir Camp up Moir Valley and around northern slopes of Kibo to Buffalo Camp
Optional Activities
- Detour to climb summit of Little Lent Hill (4,375m)
Landmarks Little Lent Hill Buffalo Camp - Day 7
Buffalo Camp to Rongai Third Cave
Morning starts with climbing Buffalo ridge then descending to Porfu Camp for lunch. From there you continue east around the northern slopes to Rongai Third Cave at 3,800m. This day's trek is shorter than yesterday and you should be feeling more acclimatized by now, arriving mid-afternoon.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek up Buffalo ridge to Porfu Camp
- Trek from Porfu Camp to Rongai Third Cave
Landmarks Rongai Third Cave - Day 8
Rongai Third Cave to School Hut
A steady incline covers 15km over 4 to 5 hours as you cross the Saddle between Kibo and Mawenzi peaks, then continue up to School Hut at 4,800m. You'll get an early dinner and some rest here because you'll be up before midnight for the summit attempt. Make sure all your gear is ready: warm clothes, insulated bottles, snacks, headlamp, and camera.
- Meals
- Dinner (Early dinner)
Included Activities
- Trek from Rongai Third Cave over the Saddle between Kibo and Mawenzi to School Hut
Landmarks School Hut Kibo Mawenzi Peak - Day 9
School Hut to Uhuru Peak to Millennium Camp
Around 11:30pm you'll be woken with hot tea and biscuits before beginning the steep ascent up Kibo's slopes in darkness. Hans Meyer Cave is your first checkpoint, then 5 to 6 hours gets you to Gilman's Point at 5,681m where dawn breaks over Mawenzi Peak. Continue 2 more hours west around the crater rim to Uhuru Peak at 5,895m right at sunrise. After that, you descend through Stella Point at 5,739m to Barafu Camp at 4,680m, then push on to Millennium Camp at 3,950m for your final night. Total time on feet: 14 to 16 hours.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Hot tea and biscuits at around 11:30pm)
Included Activities
- Trek from School Hut to Hans Meyer Cave
- Trek from Hans Meyer Cave to Gilman's Point
- Trek from Gilman's Point around crater rim to Uhuru Peak
- Trek from Uhuru Peak via Stella Point to Barafu Camp
- Trek from Barafu Camp to Millennium Camp
Optional Activities
- Return via Gilman's Point to Horombo Hut using Marangu Route (alternative descent for some operators)
Landmarks Hans Meyer Cave Gilman's Point Uhuru Peak Stella Point Barafu Camp Millennium Camp 
- Day 10
Millennium Camp to Mweka Gate
The final hike takes you through dense montane rainforest for 10km over 3 to 4 hours, dropping 2,310m from Millennium Camp at 3,950m down to Mweka Gate at 1,640m. You'll sign out with park authorities who hand you your official summit certificate (green for Gilman's Point, gold if you made Uhuru Peak). It's customary to give tips to your guide and porters before heading back to the hotel.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Trek from Millennium Camp through montane rainforest to Mweka Gate
- Receive official Kilimanjaro summit certificate
- Return transfer to Tulivu Kilimanjaro Retreat hotel
Landmarks Mweka Gate - Day 11
Departure Day
Today you depart for your next adventure. If a safari is part of your plans, you'll begin those activities now. Otherwise, you can fly to Zanzibar or head back home. Your hotel transfer will pick you up at whatever time works best for your flight.
- End point
- Kilimanjaro, Tanzania (Hotel, 04:00 - 05:00)
Included Activities
- Transfer to airport at your time
Optional Activities
- Begin safari tour
- Fly to Zanzibar
- Fly home
Landmarks Kilimanjaro International Airport
