Mount Kilimanjaro Trek Overview

Day 1: Moshi – Nale Moru Gate – Forest Camp

After an early breakfast at your hotel, you will be picked up from Moshi and driven to the Nale Moru gate. At the gate, the porters will organize and pack the belongings for the hike while you are registering with the Tanzania National Park. You will then begin your ascent into the rain forest. During this section of the hike, you should expect rain, mud, and fog. Also, be on the lookout for wildlife, including Colobus monkeys! About halfway up the trail, you will have a lunch break and you will reach the Forest Camp in the late afternoon or early evening. The porters and chefs who move very fast up the mountain will reach camp before you and set up your tents, boil drinking water, and prepare snacks for your arrival. After washing up, a hot dinner will be served followed by overnight.

Meal Plan: [ Breakfast, Lunch & Diner ]

Day 2: Forest Camp – Shara 1 Camp

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 and cross 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.

Meal Plan: [ Breakfast, Lunch & Diner ]

Day 3: Shara 1 Camp – Moir Hut Camp

This spectacular camp we will be going to today is located beneath the Northern Ice Fields of Kilimanjaro. 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 we continue to Moir Hut, a little-used site on the base of Lent Hills. A variety of walks are available on Lent Hills making this an excellent acclimatization opportunity. Shira is one of the highest plateaus on earth.

Meal Plan: [ Breakfast, Lunch & Diner ]

Day 4: Moir Hut Camp – Barranco Camp

From Moir hut, we continue to the east up a ridge, passing the junction towards the peak 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 which brings us up to the Arrow Glacier at an altitude of 16,000ft. We now continue down to the Barranco Hut at an altitude of 13,000ft. Here we rest, enjoy dinner, and overnight. Although you end the day at the same elevation as when you started, this day is very important for acclimatization and will help your body prepare for summit day.

Meal Plan: [ Breakfast, Lunch & Diner ]

Day 5: Barranco Camp – Karanga Camp

This is a short hiking day meant for acclimatization. After early morning breakfast, it is now time to conquer the Great Barranco Wall! Although it may look intimating at first glance, hikers state that this Class 2 hike is usually much easier than they anticipated. At the top of the Wall, you will have a view of Heim Glacier and will be above the clouds. The trail then winds up and down in the Karanga Valley. You will spend the night at Karanga Camp (3950m) and enjoy dinner and washing at the site.

Meal Plan: [ Breakfast, Lunch & Diner ]

Day 6: Karanga Camp – Barafu Camp

After breakfast, you will begin your ascent. The trail intersects with the Mweka Route, which is the trail used to descend on the final two days. As you continue hiking for an hour, you will reach Barafu Hut. This is the last water stop for the porters because there is no accessible water at Barafu Camp (4550m). The word “barafu” in Swahili means “ice” and this camp is located on a rocky, exposed ridge. Tents will be exposed to wind and rocks so it is important for hikers to familiarize themselves with the campsite before dark. An early dinner will be served so hikers can rest before attempting the summit the same night. Your guide will brief you in detail on how to prepare for summit night.

Meal Plan: [ Breakfast, Lunch & Diner ]

Day 7: Barafu Camp – Uhuru Peak – Mweka Camp

Your guide will wake you up around 00:30 for tea and biscuits. You will then begin your summit attempt. The trail is rocky up to Hans Meyer Cave (5150m). You continue your ascent to Gillman’s point (5681m).

During the ascent, many hikers feel that this is the most mentally and physically challenging part of the climb. In about 6 hours, you will reach Stella Point (5685m), located on the crater rim. After enjoying the magnificent sunrise, you will continue ascending for about 2 hours on a snow-covered trail to Uhuru Peak (5895m).

Reaching the summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro is a lifetime accomplishment. You will be able to spend a short time on the summit taking photographs and drinking tea before the descent to Barafu begins. The hike down to Barafu Camp takes about 3 hours.

At camp, you will rest and enjoy a hot lunch in the sun. After eating, you will continue descending down to Mweka Hut (3100m). The Mweka Trail will lead you through the scree and rocks to the moorland and eventually into the rain forest. Mweka Camp (3100m) is located in the upper rain forest, so fog and rain should be expected. You will have dinner, wash, and rest soundly at camp.

Meal Plan: [ Breakfast, Lunch & Diner ]

Day 8: Mweka Camp – Moshi

Following a well-deserved breakfast, the staff will have a big celebration full of dancing and singing. After celebrating, you will descend for three hours back to Mweka Gate.The National Park requires all hikers to sign their names to receive certificates of completion. Hikers who reached Stella Point (5685m) receive green certificates and hikers who reached Uhuru Peak (5895m) receive gold certificates. After receiving certificates, hikers will descend into the Mweka village for 1 hour (3 kilometers). You will be served a hot lunch then you will drive back to Moshi for long overdue showers and more celebrations.

Meal Plan: [ Breakfast & Lunch ]