Our team will meet you at the airport and transport you to the hotel. Rest and enjoy the hotel amenities before the group meeting to prepare for the adventure that begins tomorrow. 

Overnight and dinner at Under The Shade Safari Lodge,  Airport Planet Lodge, Lake Duluti Lodge, or Ameg Lodge for dinner and overnight (depending on availabilities). (D)

At 9am we will drive you several hours to the Western side of Mt. Kilimanjaro and to the Londrossi Gate, where our guides and porters will prepare and pack the equipment and supplies Once at the gate you will be given a packed lunch and after registration with the Kilimanjaro Park office, we will drive for another 45 mins to Lemosho Glades where your trek will begin with ascending into the rainforest.

You will ascend for approx. 3 hours in dense rain forest which could be very wet and muddy so be ready with your gaiters and trekking poles. 

By mid afternoon we will reach Mti Mkubwa Camp (8,692 ft.), also known as Big Tree Camp. The tents will have already been assembled by the porters who ran ahead of us.

Hike time: 3 hrs.
Elevation Change: +1,311 ft.
Estimation distance: 3 miles
Final Elevation: 8,692 ft

Zone: Tropical rainforest

Meals: BLD

 This scenic day begins in lush rainforest and climbs steadily through the heather zone, offering views of Shira Ridge and Kibo Peak. The trail can be steep in places as it ascends onto the Shira Plateau. Expect 6–8 hours of hiking as you gain significant elevation.

Hike time: 5-6 hrs.
Elevation change: +2,808 ft.
Estimation distance: 5-7 miles
Final Elevation: 11,500 ft

Meals: BLD

Today is spent on a gentle hike across the Shira Plateau which is one of the largest high-altitude plateaus in the world. It also offers fantastic views of Shira Cathedral, a dramatic buttress of rock. You can look forward to seeing giant lobelias, senecios and giant groundsels. Camp is at the first high camp of Shira Two.

Temperatures will start to change around this point in the trek. Expect night-time temps to drop below freezing.

Hike time: 3-4 hrs
Elevation change: + 1,128 ft.
Elevation distance: 3-4 miles
Final elevation:   12,628 ft.

Zone: Rainforest / Low Alpine Zone

Meals: BLD

This short, high-altitude hike veers off the main trail into a quiet, less-traveled valley. The landscape transitions to alpine desert with scattered heather and views of a wide glacial riverbed below. Moir Hut offers peaceful solitude and optional hikes beneath the Lent Hills. 

Hike time: 2-4 hrs
Elevation change: +1,024 ft
Estimated distance: 3-4 miles
Final elevation: 13,652 ft.

Zone: Low alpine zone / High alpine zone

Meals: BLD

On this day you will have a rather long but at the same time easy trek. After a short steep climb out of Moir Valley onto the Lent's Hills,  you will start going around the northern slope of Kilimanjaro. The terrain is moon-like, with rolling inclines and declines without any real altitude gain.. This route passes close to the border with Kenya, so weather permitting, you will be treated to amazing views of the Tsavo and Amboseli Valleys.  Today, we will stop for lunch on the trail at Buffalo Camp, and then will descend through the mountain, around the southern circuit train until we reach our camp, immersed in Kilimanjaro wilderness. 

Hike time: 6-7 hours.
Elevation change: -530 ft.  

Estimated distance:  6-7 miles
Final elevation: 13,123 ft

Zone: High alpine zone

 This is a relatively short and gentle day that continues along the quiet Northern Circuit trail. The route rolls across the alpine desert with minor elevation changes and expansive views of the eastern slopes of Kilimanjaro. With little vegetation and fewer trekkers, it’s a peaceful stretch that allows your body to adjust before the climb to School Hut. 

You might even spot Cape buffalo along the way.

Hike time: 3.5-4 hours
Elevation change: -229 ft
Estimated distance:  4 miles
Final elevation: 12,894 ft
Zone: Alpine desert

Meals: BLD

This day is 4 - 5 hours walk maximum, we will arrive at Kibo hut in the early afternoon and have a hot lunch at the camp. After lunch we rest waiting, and hydrate, then after an early dinner, try to sleep and rest more. 

Between 11 pm-12 am, we wake up, eat a light breakfast and start our hike the summit leaving camp between 1-2 am towards Uhuru Peak  

Camp (15,400 ft)

Elevation change: 3,943 ft

Estimated distance: 3.2 miles

Ascent time:  5-7 hrs.

Meals: BLD

This is a challenging day and will require you to dig in mentally and physically because you will hike for 12-16 hours today. Yes, 12-16. That is not a typo.

Today’s trek consists of three parts: 

Part 1: Ascent

A 12-2 am departure from Kibo camp. After walking in the dark for about 7-8 hours, you reach Stella Point. Just 1 hour more to Uhuru Peak, the summit of Kilimanjaro. You will see the sun rise on this unforgettable day you hiked to the highest peak in Africa.

Part 2: Celebration

You did it!!! Photos, hugs, high-fives at 19,340 ft. We stay as long as weather permits and hikers' conditions allows. Approximately 45 min - 1 hour. 

Part 3: Descent

Another 5-6 hours descent from Uhuru Peak to Millennium camp at 10, 170 ft. We will overnight at Millennium camp and get a good night's sleep at this significantly lower elevation.

Summit time: 7 hrs 

Elevation change: 3,942 ft 

Estimated distance: 3.2 miles 

Final elevation: 19,343 ft 

Descent time: 8 hrs 

Elevation change: -6,813 ft 

Estimated distance: 7.5 miles 

Final elevation: 12,530 ft

Meals: BLD

 The final descent drops quickly through moorland and into lush montane forest. The trail can be steep and slippery, especially if wet, but the scenery is vibrant and alive with birdsong and fresh mountain air. You’ll feel the altitude shift with each step. At Mweka Gate, you’ll check out, receive your summit certificate, and begin the drive back to the lodge. 

Pickup transfer to Arusha for overnight at the Lodge for a celebratory dinner and overnight (and one of the best showers of your life!).

Descent time: 4-6 hrs
Elevation change: -7,150 ft
Estimated distance: 6.21 miles
Final elevation: 5,380 ft

Meals: BLD

Rest and relax at the hotel before heading to the airport or onto safari. (B)