We will transfer you from Moshi to Londorossi Park Gate for registration, it will take 4 hours. Our porters will prepare and pack our supplies and luggage before we start our ascent along the forest trail to Mti Mkubwa (Big Tree) campsite at 2895m. We will spend an overnight here.

• Habitat: Rainforest
• Hiking time: 3 – 4 hours
• Distance: 6 km
• Elevation: 7,742 ft to 9,498 ft
• altitude: 2895
• Accommodation: Camping
• Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

We continue on the trail leading out of the rainforest and into a savannah of tall grasses, heather, and volcanic rock draped with lichen beards. As we ascend through the lush rolling hills and cross several streams, we reach the Shira Ridge before dropping gently down to Shira 1 Camp. Dinner and overnight camping at 3500m. By now we will be able to see the stunning glaciers of the Western Breach. It will be colder tonight than the previous night with temperatures possibly falling below freezing.

• Hiking time: 5 – 6 hours
• altitude: 3500 m
• Elevation: 9,498 ft to 11,500 ft
• Distance: 8 km
• Habitat: Health
• Accommodation: Camping
• Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

We explore the Shira Plateau for a full day. It is a gentle walk east on moorland then we divert from the main trail to Moir Hut with fabulous views of Arrow Glacier. We will camp here for the night at 4200m. a little used site on the base of Lent Hills. A variety of walks are available on Lent Hills making this an excellent acclimatisation opportunity. Shira Plateau is one of the highest plateaus on earth.

• Hiking time: 6 – 7 hours
• Elevation: 11,500 ft to 13,800 ft
• Distance: 11 km
• altitude: 4200 m
• Accommodation: Camping
• Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

We begin the day climbing up a ridge and then head southeast towards the Lava Tower – a 300 ft tall volcanic rock formation  for lunch and acclimatization.This will be our toughest day so far and you may, for the first time, feel the altitude. After lunch, we will descend again by almost 650m to Barranco Camp, which takes about 2 hours and offers great opportunities to take. Beautiful Senecio Forest to an altitude of 13,000 ft. Although you begin and end the day at the same elevation, the time spent at a higher altitude is very beneficial for acclimatization following the “walk high, sleep low” golden rule. some beautiful views of the Western Breach and Breach Wall. The camp is situated in a valley below the Breach and Great Barranco Wall.

Moir Hut to Lava Tower

• Elevation: 13,800 ft to 15,190 ft
• Distance: 7 km
• Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
• Habitat: Alpine Desert

Lava Tower to Barranco Camp

• Elevation: 15,190 ft to 13,044 ft
• Distance: 3 km
• Hiking Time: 2-3 hours
• Habitat: Alpine Desert
• Altitude:4600m
• Accommodation: Camping
• Meals include: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

We begin the day by descending into a ravine to the base of the Great Barranco Wall. Then we climb the non-technical but steep, nearly 900 ft cliff. From the top of the Barranco Wall, we cross a series of hills and valleys until we descend sharply into Karanga Valley. One more steep climb up leads us to Karanga Camp. This is a shorter day meant for acclimatization. We will stay overnight at the Karanga campsite.

• Elevation: 13,044 ft to 13,106 ft
• Distance: 5 km
• Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
• Habitat: Alpine Desert
• Accommodation: Camping
• Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

We leave Karanga and hit the junction which connects with the Mweka Trail. We continue up to the rocky section to Barafu Hut. At this point, you have completed the Southern Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many different angles. Here we make camp, rest and enjoy an early dinner to prepare for the summit day. The two peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo are viewable from this position.

• Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp
• Elevation: 13,106 ft to 15,331 ft
• Distance: 4 km
• Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
• Habitat: Alpine Desert
• Accommodation: Camping
• Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

Very early in the morning (around midnight) you will be served with tea and biscuits before we begin our push to the summit. This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek. The wind and cold at this elevation and time of day can be extreme. We ascend in the darkness for several hours while taking frequent, but short, breaks. Near Stella Point (18,900 ft/5732m), you will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see coming over Mawenzi Peak.We are only an hour away from the summit, Uhuru Peak (19,341 ft/5895m)- the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa.From the summit, we descend down to Mweka camp site, via Barafu for lunch. Trekking poles will be needed for the loose scree going down to Mweka Camp (3100m). Later in the evening, we will enjoy our last dinner on the mountain and spend our night at Mweka camp.

Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak

• Elevation: 15,331 ft to 19,341 ft
• Distance: 5 km
• Hiking Time: 7-8 hours
• Habitat: Arctic

Uhuru Peak to Mweka Camp

• Elevation: 19,341 ft to 10,065 ft
• Distance: 12 km
• Hiking Time: 4-6 hours
• Habitat: Rain Forest
• Accommodation: Camping
• Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

On our last day on the trek, after breakfast, we continue the descent to Mweka Gate 1300m/5,380ft and collect the summit certificates from the Park Headquarters. A vehicle will meet us at Mweka Gate then Drive to the Hotel in Arusha town for a hot shower and a celebratory dinner.

• Elevation: 10,065 ft to 5,380 ft
• Distance: 10 km
• Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
• Habitat: Rain Forest
• Accommodation: Hotel
• Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch

After a much-needed night’s rest, we will bid you goodbye. If you have arranged for the transfer to Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), plan for a wildlife safari or Zanzibar beach, The African Blissful Safaris guide will collect you in the morning for your onward journey.

• Meals included: Breakfast
• Transport: Private transfer