8 Day Kilimanjaro Adventure

We depart Moshi for Londorossi Gate, which takes about 4 hours, where you will completeentry formalities. Then drive to the Lemosho trailhead (another hour to reach the trailhead).Upon arrival at trailhead, you will eat lunch, and then commence through undisturbed forestwhich winds to the first camp site.

We continue on the trail leading out of the forest and into a savannah of tall grasses, heather,and volcanic rock draped with lichen beards. As we ascend through the lush rolling hills andcross several streams, we reach the Shira Ridge before dropping gently down to Shira 1 camp.The view of Kibo from across the plateau is amazing.

We explore the Shira plateau for a full day. It is a gentle walk east toward Kibo’s glaciered peak,across the plateau which leads to Shira 2 camp on moorland meadows by a stream. Then wecontinue to Moir Hut, a little used site on the base of Lent Hills. A variety of walks are availableon Lent Hills making this an excellent acclimatization opportunity. Shira is one of the highestplateaus on earth.

From the Shira Plateau, we continue to the east up a ridge, passing the junction towards thepeak of Kibo. As we continue, our direction changes to the South East towards the Lava Tower,called the “Shark’s Tooth.” Shortly after the tower, we come to the second junction whichbrings us up to the Arrow Glacier at an altitude of 16,000ft. We now continue down to theBarranco Hut at an altitude of 13,000ft. Here we rest, enjoy dinner, and overnight. Althoughyou end the day at the same elevation as when you started, this day is very important foracclimatization and will help your body prepare for summit day.

After breakfast, we leave Barranco and continue on a steep ridge passing the Barranco Wall, tothe Karanga Valley campsite. Then, we leave Karanga and hit the junction which connects withthe Mweka Trail. We continue up to the Barafu Hut. At this point, you have completed theSouth Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many different angles. Here we makecamp, rest, enjoy dinner, and prepare for the summit day. The two peaks of Mawenzi and Kiboare to be seen from this position.

Very early in the morning (midnight to 2am), we continue our way to the summit between theRebmann and Ratzel glaciers. You head in a northwesterly direction and ascend through heavyscree towards Stella Point on the crater rim. This is the most mentally and physically challengingportion of the trek.At Stella Point (18,600 ft), you will stop for a short rest and will be rewarded with the mostmagnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see (weather permitting). From Stella Point, you mayencounter snow all the way on your 1-hour ascent to the summit. At Uhuru Peak, you havereached the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa. Faster hikers willsee the sunrise from the summit.From the summit, we now make our descent continuing straight down to the Mweka Hut campsite, stopping at Barafu for lunch. You will want gaiters and trekking poles for the loose gravelgoing down. Mweka Camp is situated in the upper forest and mist or rain can be expected inthe late afternoon. Later in the evening, we enjoy our last dinner on the mountain and a wellearned sleep.

After breakfast, we continue the descent down to the Mweka Park Gate to receive your summitcertificates. 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, you continue another hour to Mweka Village. A vehicle will meet you at Mwekavillage to drive you back to hotel.

Rest in the hotel and transfer to the airport for your flight back home.