After breakfast we leave the glades of the rain forest and continue an ascending path, crossing the valley along a steep rocky ridge. The route now turns west onto a river gorge until we arrive at the Shira campsite.

• 10,200 ft / 3,100 m to 12,600 ft / 3,840 m
• Distance: 9 km
• Walking Time: 4-6 hours
• Habitat: Moorland
• Meals: BLD
• Budget Lodging: Shira Camp

From the Shira Plateau you move towards the peak of Kibo which is situated east up of the ridge. As we ascend, our direction changes towards the South Eastern Lava Tower also known as “Shark’s Tooth.” Just after the tower, there is a second junction which leads its way up to the Arrow Glacier (15,997 ft / 4,876 m). We now continue down to the Barranco Hut. Although you end the day around the same elevation as when you began, this day is crucial for acclimatization and will help your body prepare for summit day.

• 12,600 ft / 3,840 m to 12,700 ft / 3,860 m
• Distance: 15 km
• Walking Time: 5-7 hours
• Habitat: Semi-desert
• Meals: BLD
• Budget Lodging: Barranco Camp

After breakfast, we leave Barranco and continue a steep ridge up the Barranco Wall, through the Karanga Valley to the junction which connects with the Mweka Trail. We continue up to the Barafu Hut. You have completed the South Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many different angles.

• Here we make camp with views of the summit in the distance.
• 12,700 ft / 3,860 m to 15,100 ft / 4,600 m
• Distance: 13 km
• Hiking Time: 8 hours
• Habitat: Alpine Desert
• Meals: BLD
• Budget Lodging: Barafu Camp

Very early in the morning (midnight at 2 am), we continue our way to the summit between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers. Moving towards the northwest direction, you ascend through heavy scree and reach the Stella Point on the crater rim. At this moment, you are part of the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek. Here you’ll momentarily take a short break and rest and at the same time be rewarded with a spending view of the sunrise you’ve ever seen. Faster hikers may view the sunrise from the summit.

Moving on from Stella Point, expect to encounter a lot of snow on your way to the summit which takes about one hour. After making it to the Uhuru Peak, you’d be standing at the highest point in Africa and Mount Kilimanjaro.

After celebrations, descend down the summit and continue straight to the Mweka Hut camp site for lunch at Barafu. Gaiters and trekking poles will come handy due to the loose gravel. Arrive at the Mweka Camp and enjoy your last evening on the mountains.

• 15,100 ft / 4,600 m to 19,300 ft / 5,895 m
• 19,300 ft / 5,895 m to 10,200 ft / 3,100 m
• Distance: 7 km ascent / 23 km descent
• Hiking Time: 6-8 hours ascent / 7-8 hours descent
• Habitat: Stone scree and ice-capped summit
• Meals: BLD
• Budget Lodging: Mweka Hut

After breakfast, we continue the descent down to the Mweka Park Gate to receive your summit certificates. At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy. Gaiters and trekking poles will help.

Shorts and t-shirts will probably be plenty to wear (keep rain gear and warmer clothing handy). From the gate, continue another hour to Mweka Village. A vehicle will meet you at Mweka village to drive you back to your hotel in Moshi or Arusha. Don’t forget to tip your guides and porters.

• 10,200 ft / 3,100 m to 6,000 ft / 1,830 m
• Distance: 15 km
• Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
• Habitat: Forest
• Meals: BB

• Airport transfer with private shuttle
• Kilimanjaro National Park fees including park entry, camping and rescue fees
• Group round-trip transportation from Arusha to Kilimanjaro Marangu gate
• Certified, experienced, English-speaking mountain guides for all routes
• Salaries for Kilimanjaro support staff
• All meals on the mountain
• Hut camping, foam sleeping pad, cooking equipment, and eating utensils
• Ox meters
• Two Nights at hotel before and after trekking

• Tips for guides and support staff
• Sleeping bag and personal items
• Private portable toilet and privacy tent
• Airport transfers
• Personal expenses (visas, airport taxes, Internet, etc.)

Success is what we want during our trip. We are prepared for any urgent situation and also have in place a complete evacuation procedure in case of altitude sickness. We carry first aid supplies, supplement summit oxygen and Pulse Ox meters).

To climb Kilimanjaro don’t forget to pack:

• Powdered drink mix to make the water taste acceptable
• Mittens rather than gloves if you are prone to having cold hands in the winter
• Chemical hand and foot warmers in case you have to spend time at Kibo waiting for the rest of your group to come back
• Sunscreen and sun hat
• Headlamps rather than flashlights
• Plenty of layers for the final ascent since even though it starts our freezing, you get pretty hot once the sun comes out
• Tons of hand wipes and tissues
• A small quick-drying towel
• A comfortable day pack
• For climbing Mount Kilimanjaro and Meru, thermal underwear, light layers, sweater, warm jacket, good socks and sturdy boots
• Binocular, Camera, and long lasting Batteries

• Oxygen: $100/group
• Hyperbaric Pressure Bags: $200/group
• Portable toilets and toilet tent: $200/group