Overview

• Distance covered: 8km/5miles
• Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
• Eleven: 7,742ft 9,498ft
• Habitat: Rain Forest

After breakfast you will make your way to the Londorossi gate which is about a 2 hour drive from gate. After finalizing all the registration papers you will continue another 15km on a bumpy road which will take you to the start point of this hiking deep in the rain forest. Today will be a shortest walk of the entire trek, about 3-3 hours, which gives you a small taste of what lies ahead in the coming days. The walk takes you through dense and unspoiled rainforest, which is very different from the scenery you will have in the next couple of days. Your destination for the day is the beautiful Big Tree Camp at 2780m.

This will be your first day at this altitude, so it is strongly recommended you heed the following instructions from this point on:

• Abstain from consuming alcohol and caffee
• Drink over 4 liters of bottled water daily (little by little, frequently)
• Take a Diamox pill to help alleviate symptoms of altitude sickness. Most mountain climbers take Diamox in the morning, before they start their ascent, in order to reduce discomfort associated with altitude sickness. We recommend you consult your physician prior to the trip in case of potential allergies

At night you may experience discomfort associated with acclimatization to the high altitude: because of a reduction in your waking breathing pattern, your body gets less oxygen than during the day. Taking altitude into account, you may therefore start feeling sick and have a headache. Pay attention to your own body and tell your guide if you start feeling any symptoms of altitude sickness.

Overview

• Distance covered: 5km/3miles
• Hiking Time: 5-6hours
• Eleven: 9,498ft to 11,500ft
• Habitat: Heath

After breakfast you will follow a thin trail through the rainforest before leaving the green area behind heading into moorland. Erica and Lobelia plants will start to take over the landscape. Depending on the season you have hot lunch on the way or lunch packed/ lunch box. After about 4-5 hours you will reach Shira one camp where you will have your evening meal and overnight

Overview

• Distance: 8km/5miles
• Hiking Time: 6-8hours
• Eleven:11,500ft to 12,631ft
• Vegetation: Health

After breakfast you continue your hike which today will be less tiring than the day before. You will cross Shira Ridge which will allows you for great views of the Rift Valley and Mt Meru. The ever changing landscape will again surprise you with a different terrain, you will walk on ground where lava once flowed. You will also pass the big Senecien that can grow to more or less 9 meters in height. Shira two Camp here you will have hot lunch. This will be your destination for the night at (3900m).

Overview

• Distance: 10km/6miles
• Hiking Time: 6-8hours
• Eleven:12,500ft to 15,190ft to 13,044
• Vegetation: Alpine Desert

After breakfast you will start your walk up to Lava Tower with a long ascent above the Shira Plateau. This day you will get a light lunch as we will provide a hot lunch at lava tower.You will climb quite a bit in altitude, roughly 740m. You will have a rest here before descending again. This is a so called acclimatizing day, where you will climb high but sleep low, giving you a good idea of how your body reacts to altitude. The landscape will once again change as you pass through the Barranco Valley with its big Senecas and smaller Lobelia plants. After a long 6 - 7 hours you will reach your beautiful camp for the night the Barranco Camp. The crew will be there waiting with a well deserve evening meal before settling in for the night.

Overview

• Distance: 5km/3miles
• Hiking Time: 4-5hours
• Eleven:13,044 ft – 13,106 ft
• Vegetation: Alpine Desert

Straight after breakfast you will make your way up the famous Barranco Wall. This is most probably the steepest part of the entire route. Safety is very important to us so please follow the guideline of your guides who will get you to the top safely. You might have to use yours hands every now and then to get a better grip but rest assured there are no alpine climbing passages. Once at the top you will walk along the mountain ridge and if the weather allows you will have a great view of the southern glacier of Kibo as the Kibo summit. After 3 - 4 hours you will reach Karanga Camp for your overnight.

Overview

• Distance: 4km/2miles
• Hiking Time: 4-5hours
• Eleven:13,106 ft to 15,331 ft
• Vegetation: Alpine Desert

After breakfast you will hike to Barafu Camp this will be your destination for today at (15,220 ft) 4640m. You should reach it in about 3 to 4 hours for the hot lunch .The scenery for today will be mostly afro-alpine dessert. Once at the camp you will have a filling early dinner before settling in for a good rest in preparation for tomorrow exciting climbing.

Overview

• Distance covered: 5km/3miles and 7km/4mile
• Hiking Time: 6-8 hours and 2-4 hours
• Eleven: 15,331 ft to 19,341ft and 12,434 ft
• Vegetation: Arctic to Heath

Your day will begin at 00:00. After hot tea and biscuits you will start your 5-7 hours walk to Stella Point, the crater rim of Kilimanjaro. Here you will have a short rest if necessary before continuing another 1-2 hours to reach the highlight of the trip the Uhuru Peak (5895m). This is truly once in a lifetime experience as you stand at the top of Africa watching the sunrise light up the surrounding summits and landscape. After taking much needed pictures you will make your way down back to Barafu Camp for a 1-2 hours rest. Once everyone is well rested you will continue down to Mweka gate (3080m), an approx. 3 hours walk. The rest of the evening is yours to relax, you will have a nice evening meal and a good nights sleep.

Overview

• Distance: 12km/7miles
• Hiking Time: 5-7 hours
• Eleven:12,434 ft – 5,380 ft
• Vegetation: Rain forest

After breakfast, before starting your final stretch, you will enjoy a traditional farewell ceremony from the mountain guides. A 2 to 3 hours walk will take you through the rainforest back the Mweka Gate. Our driver will be there waiting for you and take you back to the Hotel. The rest of the day is you to freshen up, relax, and take in all the excitement of the last couple of days