Arrive Tanzania
You will be picked up at Kilimanjaro International Airport and transferred to your hotel in Moshi town. You will meet our guide there, who will brief you on your upcoming trek and conduct an equipment check to ensure you have all the necessary mountain gear. Any missing gear can be rented on-site.
Day 1: Lemosho Gate to Mti Mkubwa Camp
- Elevation: 2100m to 2780m
- Distance: 6 km
- Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
- Habitat: Rain Forest
We depart from Moshi for Lemosho Gate, which takes about four hours, where you will complete the entry formalities. Then, we drive to the Lemosho trailhead, which takes another hour to reach. Upon arriving at the trailhead, we will have lunch before commencing through the undisturbed forest that winds to the first campsite.
Day 2: Mti Mkubwa Camp to Shira Camp 1
-Elevation: 2780m to 3500m
-Distance: 8 km
-Hiking Time: 5-6 hours
-Habitat: Moorland
We continue along the trail that leads out of the forest and into a savannah adorned with tall grasses, heather, and volcanic rock draped in lichen beards. As we ascend through the lush rolling hills and cross several streams, we reach the Shira Ridge before gently descending to Shira 1 camp. The view of Kibo from across the plateau is spectacular.
Day 3: Shira 1 Camp to Shira 2 Camp
-Elevation: 3500m to 3840m
-Distance: 14 km
-Hiking Time: 5-7 hours
-Habitat: Moorland
We explore the Shira Plateau for a full day. It is a gentle walk east toward Kibo's Glacier Peak across the plateau, which leads to Shira 2 Camp on moorland meadows by a stream. Then, we continue to Moir Hut, a seldom-used site at the base of the Lent Hills. Various walks are available on the Lent Hills, making this an excellent acclimatization opportunity. Shira is one of the highest plateaus on Earth.
Day 4: Shira1 camp to Lava Tower to Barranco Camp
-Elevation: 3840m to 3860m (via 4600m)
-Distance: 7 km
-Hiking Time: 4-6 hours
-Habitat: Semi Desert
From the Shira Plateau, we proceed east along a ridge, passing the junction leading towards the peak of Kibo. As we continue, our path shifts to the southeast, taking us to the Lava Tower, known as the Sharks Tooth. We arrive at the second junction shortly after the tower, bringing us to the Arrow Glacier at 16,000 feet. We then descend to the Barranco Hut at an elevation of 13,000 feet. Here, we rest, enjoy dinner, and spend the night. Although you end the day at the same elevation as when you started, this day is crucial for acclimatization and will help your body prepare for the summit day.
Day 5: Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp
-Elevation: 3860 m to 4200m to 4673m
-Distance: 9km
-Hiking Time: 8-10 hours
-Habitat: Alpine Desert
After breakfast, we leave Barranco and continue along a steep ridge, passing the Barranco Wall, to reach the Karanga Valley campsite. Next, we depart from Karanga and arrive at the junction that connects with the Mweka Trail. We proceed upwards to the Barafu Hut. At this point, you have completed the South Circuit, which provides views of the summit from various angles. Here, we set up camp, rest, enjoy dinner, and prepare for summit day. The two peaks, Mawenzi and Kibo, can be seen from this location.
Day 6: Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak to Mweka Camp
-Elevation: 4673 m to 5895m to 3100 m
-Distance: 5 km ascent / 12 km descent
-Hiking Time: 7-8 hours ascent / 4-6 hours descent
-Habitat: Arctic
We begin our ascent to the summit very early, between midnight and 2 AM. We'll traverse the area between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers, heading northwesterly as we climb through heavy scree towards Stella Point on the crater rim. This section of the trek is the most mentally and physically challenging.
At Stella Point, which stands at 5,756 meters, we will take a short break and be rewarded with one of the most magnificent sunrises you will likely see, weather permitting. The final hour-long ascent from Stella Point to the summit may involve encountering snow. Once we reach Uhuru Peak, you will arrive at the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and all of Africa. You might catch the sunrise from the summit if you're a faster hiker.
After taking in the views, we will descend directly to the Mweka Hut campsite, stopping at Barafu for lunch. Gaiters and trekking poles are essential for navigating the loose gravel on the descent. Mweka Camp is in the upper forest, where you can expect mist or rain in the late afternoon.
Later in the evening, we will enjoy our final dinner on the mountain, followed by a well-deserved sleep.
Day 7: Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate to Moshi
-Elevation: 3110m to 1640m
-Distance: 10 km
-Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
-Habitat: Rain Forest
After breakfast, we will descend to the Mweka Park Gate to collect your summit certificates. The ground can be wet and muddy at lower elevations, so gaiters and trekking poles are advisable. Shorts and T-shirts will likely be sufficient attire (but keep rain gear and warmer clothing nearby). From the gate, you will proceed for another hour to Mweka Village, where a vehicle will meet you to drive you back to the hotel Moshi.
DAY 8: Moshi to Tarangire National Park
After breakfast, your driver will be at your hotel, ready to take you for approximately two hours to Tarangire National Park. The park's stunning landscape features giant baobab trees, bush savannahs, and seasonal marshes, making it a remarkable nature reserve. Tarangire National Park is one of the best places to view elephants up close. Additionally, you can expect to see buffalo, zebras, and wildebeests, often accompanied by various predators, including lions. While leopards are occasionally spotted, cheetahs are rarely seen. From the open roof of the safari vehicle, you will have the chance to take in the beautiful surroundings and observe the wildlife. You will arrive at your lodge in the park in the evening.
Day 9: Karatu to Serengeti National Park
After breakfast, you will journey through the cooler highlands towards the southern Serengeti. By midday, you will arrive at the vast plains of Serengeti National Park. This park is the largest in Tanzania and boasts diverse habitats and landscapes, including short grass plains, savannahs, dense bush, swamps, and lakes. Unique rock formations called kopjes are scattered throughout the grassy terrain, where predators are often seen. The Serengeti is famous for its annual migration, during which hundreds of thousands of wildebeests and zebras travel in search of fresh grass and water.
Day 10: Serengeti National Park
You will spend two days on a game drive in the Serengeti. The specific areas you visit will depend on the location of the migrating herds, as predators typically follow closely behind these animals.
During the short rainy season in November and December, the herds move from the north hills to the south plains. In contrast, during the more extended rainy season from April to June, they return to central Serengeti. From July to October, the herds are found in North Serengeti.
The yearly migration is influenced by rainfall, so the location of the herds may vary from year to year. However, your guide will know the best spots to find the animals. In addition to wildebeests and zebras, you can expect to see predators like lions, leopards, cheetahs, and the Big Five. You will have ample time to explore Serengeti National Park, particularly along the Seronera River's heart.
Day 11: Ngorongoro Crater to Moshi/Airport
After breakfast, you will descend 600 meters into the crater for a game drive. This massive collapsed volcano is home to over 25,000 mammals, including the Big Five: lion, elephant, buffalo, rhino, and leopard. You'll also encounter spotted hyenas, rare warthogs, and some of the more than 500 bird species that inhabit the area.
After an extensive game drive, you'll enjoy a picnic lunch at the hippo pool. In the late afternoon, you will leave the caldera and drive to Moshi or Arusha town.
Depart Tanzania
The day is set aside for relaxation after the trek before your flight home. Depending on flight times, you could explore Moshi town and buy souvenirs before heading to the airport.
