Transfer from Moshi to Londorossi Gate for registration (approx. 4 hours). Porters prepare supplies before hiking through the rainforest to Mti Mkubwa Camp (2,895m) for an overnight stay.
Habitat: Rainforest
Hiking Time: 3–4 hours
Distance: 6 km
Elevation: 7,742 ft → 9,498 ft
Altitude: 2,895 m
Accommodation: Camping
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Leave the rainforest and enter a savannah of tall grasses, heather, and lichen-covered volcanic rocks. Ascend rolling hills, cross streams, and reach Shira Ridge before descending gently to Shira 1 Camp (3,500m). Enjoy views of the Western Breach glaciers. Expect colder temperatures tonight.
Hiking Time: 5–6 hours
Distance: 8 km
Elevation: 9,498 ft → 11,500 ft
Altitude: 3,500 m
Habitat: Heath
Accommodation: Camping
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Spend the day exploring the Shira Plateau, one of the highest plateaus on Earth. Hike gently east across moorland, then divert to Moir Hut (4,200m) at the base of Lent Hills, with stunning views of Arrow Glacier. Optional walks on Lent Hills provide excellent acclimatization opportunities.
Hiking Time: 6–7 hours
Distance: 11 km
Elevation: 11,500 ft → 13,800 ft
Altitude: 4,200 m
Accommodation: Camping
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Climb a ridge toward Lava Tower, a 300 ft volcanic formation, for lunch and acclimatization. This is the toughest day so far, with noticeable altitude effects. After lunch, descend about 650 m through the scenic Senecio Forest to Barranco Camp (4,600 m), enjoying views of the Western Breach and Great Barranco Wall. Following the “walk high, sleep low” principle helps with acclimatization.
Moir Hut → Lava Tower
Elevation: 13,800 ft → 15,190 ft
Distance: 7 km
Hiking Time: 4–5 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert
Lava Tower → Barranco Camp
Elevation: 15,190 ft → 13,044 ft
Distance: 3 km
Hiking Time: 2–3 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert
Altitude: 4,600 m
Accommodation: Camping
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Descend into a ravine at the base of the Great Barranco Wall, then climb the steep but non-technical 900 ft wall. Cross hills and valleys before descending into Karanga Valley and ascending to Karanga Camp. This shorter day is ideal for acclimatization.
Elevation: 13,044 ft → 13,106 ft
Distance: 5 km
Hiking Time: 4–5 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert
Accommodation: Camping
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Depart Karanga and reach the junction connecting with the Mweka Trail. Continue over rocky terrain to Barafu Camp, completing the Southern Circuit with panoramic summit views. Rest and enjoy an early dinner in preparation for the summit push. Mawenzi and Kibo peaks are visible from camp.
Elevation: 13,106 ft → 15,331 ft
Distance: 4 km
Hiking Time: 3–4 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert
Accommodation: Camping
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Around midnight, enjoy tea and biscuits before beginning the final ascent. Climb in darkness to Stella Point (5,732 m) for a stunning sunrise over Mawenzi Peak, then continue to Uhuru Peak (5,895 m), the highest point in Africa. Descend via Barafu Hut for lunch, then continue down loose scree to Mweka Camp (3,100 m) for your last night on the mountain.
Barafu Camp → Uhuru Peak
Elevation: 15,331 ft → 19,341 ft
Distance: 5 km
Hiking Time: 7–8 hours
Habitat: Arctic
Uhuru Peak → Mweka Camp
Elevation: 19,341 ft → 10,065 ft
Distance: 12 km
Hiking Time: 4–6 hours
Habitat: Rainforest
Accommodation: Camping
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
After breakfast, descend through the rainforest to Mweka Gate (1,300 m) and collect your summit certificates at the Park Headquarters. A vehicle will transfer you to your hotel in Arusha for a hot shower, dinner, and celebration.
Elevation: 10,065 ft → 5,380 ft
Distance: 10 km
Hiking Time: 3–4 hours
Habitat: Rainforest
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch
After a restful night, say goodbye and prepare for your onward journey. Mana Seasons Safari will provide a private transfer to Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), or you may continue to a wildlife safari or Zanzibar beach.
Meals: Breakfast
Transport: Private transfer
