After an early morning start, the path steepens and the vegetation changes into a moorland with shrubs such as hardy Ericas. Today’s stage is shorter than the previous day and by mid-afternoon, you will arrive at the campsite at the Shira Plateau. From the camp, you will have breath-taking views of the mountain and evening light on the rock face and glacier of Kibo as the sunsets.

Accommodation:

Shira 1 Camp

• In or near Mt Kilimanjaro

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Today will be a day for ups and downs. You will ascend almost 700 m but descend again after reaching the imposing Lava Tower (4640 m). This will help with acclimatization as you will reach a height of over 4500 m. You will move through different vegetation zones. After reaching Lava Tower the path traverses Barranco Valley dotted with the weird-looking senecios. Barranco Camp is reached after 6 – 7 hours. Considered the most beautiful camp on the mountain, the camp is situated just below the imposing Barranco Wall. Rest and refuel tonight.

Main Destination:

Mount Kilimanjaro

Accommodation:

Barranco Camp

• Budget mountain hut located in or near Mt Kilimanjaro

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

The first section of today’s route is to scale the ‘Barranco Wall’. Use your hands and feet. Safety is paramount and you will be secured if necessary, but it looks more daunting than it actually is. The trail continues with many up and down sections, crossing a few streams, winding and climbing stopping for lunch in the Karanga Valley. After lunch, there will be another 2 – 3 hours climb before you reach Barafu Camp (4640 m). Tonight, drink a lot of fluids, try to eat, and go to bed early to rest enough before tomorrow’s summit trek.

Main Destination:

Mount Kilimanjaro

Accommodation:

Barafu Camp

• Budget mountain hut located in or near Mt Kilimanjaro

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

You will be woken in the midnight hours with a cup of tea and a biscuit. Dressed warmly and geared with a headlight and your daypack you will set off in the darkness. After 5 – 7 hours of ‘pole pole’, you will reach the rim of the crater, Stella Point. Another one to two hours of going slowly along the crater’s edge and you will arrive at the summit – Uhuru Peak (5895 m). Looking down over the surrounding landscape below in the early morning light will make you feel on top of the world. You have now reached the ‘Roof of Africa’. The descent should be easy but dusty, as the volcanic ash will now have defrosted. Returning on the same route you should arrive at Barafu Camp within a few hours where the porters are waiting with food and tea. Resting for an hour or two, you will continue down to reach Mweka Camp (3080 m) for your overnight stay.

Main Destination:

Mount Kilimanjaro

Accommodation:

Mweka Camp

• Budget mountain hut located in or near Mt Kilimanjaro

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

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). Our vehicle will be waiting for you at Mweka gate to drive you back to your hotel in Moshi (around 60 minutes).

Main Destination:

Mweka Gate (Mt Kilimanjaro)

Accommodation:

No accommodation (End of tour)

Meals & Drinks:

• Meals at own expense
• Drinks not included