moorland zone. Several streams are crossed then it gains the Shira ridge at about 3600m / 11,810ft and drops gently down to Shira 1 camp located by a stream on the Shira Plateau. Dinner and overnight at Shira 1 campsite.
Day 3: Shira 1 camp (3500m) – Shira 2 camp (3850m) – (11,500ft to 12,600ft)
After breakfast, a gentle walk across the plateau leads to Shira 2 camp on moorland meadows by a stream. A variety of walks are available on the Plateau making this an excellent acclimatization day. Dinner and overnight at the Shira 2 campsite.
Day 4: Shira 2 camp (3840m) – Barranco Hut (3860m) – (12,600ft to 12,700ft)
Early morning after breakfast the trail takes us to Shira Plateau, we continue to the east, passing the crossroads towards the peak of Kibo. As we continue, our direction changes to the South East towards the Lava Tower there will be a little bit of challenges attempting this tower. Shortly after the tower, we come to the second junction which brings us up to the Arrow Glacier at an altitude of 4,876 meters / 15,997 ft. We now continue down to the Barranco Hut at an altitude of 3,860 meters / 12,664 ft. Here we rest, enjoy dinner, and overnight. Although you end the day at the same elevation as when you began, this day is very important for acclimatization and will help your body prepare for summit day.
Day 5: Barranco Hut (3,860m) – Karanga Hut (4,200m) – (12,700ft to 13,800ft)
After breakfast, the trail passes Barranco and continues on a steep ridge to the Barranco Wall, and thereafter the Karanga Valley (4,200m / 13,780 ft) campsite. Dinner and overnight at the Karanga Valley campsite.
Day 6: Karanga Hut (4,200m) – Barafu Hut (4,600m) – (13,800ft to 15,100ft)
Early in the morning after having our breakfast, we leave the Karanga Valley and pass the junction which connects with the Mweka Trail (basically Mweka is a reserved route for descending from other routes such as Machame, Lemosho, Umbwe and Shira). We continue to the Barafu Hut, which is located at an altitude of 4,600 meters (15,092 ft). You have completed the South Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many different angles. Here we make camp, rest, enjoy dinner, and prepare for the summit day.
Day 7: Barafu Hut (4,600m) - Summit (5,895m) & Down Mweka Hut (3,100m) – (15,100ft to 19,300ft) & (down to 10,200ft)
Early morning, you will be awakened by your mountain guide for the preparation of trekking the last part of Kilimanjaro. Normally you will take a cup of coffee/hot chocolate or Tanzania tea with snacks. Around 1:00 a.m, we continue our way to the summit of Uhuru Peak at 5,985 meters (19,636 ft). This part of the climb takes about 6 hours. At Uhuru Peak, we have reached 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 campsite at 3,100 meters (10,171 ft). This part of the descent takes about 5 hours. Later in the evening, we enjoy our dinner and a well-earned overnight.
Day 8: Mweka Hut (3,100m) – Mweka Gate (1,680m) – (10,200ft to 5,500ft) - To Moshi or Arusha
Early in the morning as usual after breakfast, we continue the descent down to the Mweka National Park Gate. A vehicle with tour guide will meet you at Mweka village to drive you back to your hotel.
