DAY 1:- MOSHI TOWN – LONDOROSI GATE TO MTI MKUBWA {3-4 hrs} (8,692 ft.)
A drive from your Hotel in Moshi brings you to the Londorosi Park Gate located on the western side of Kilimanjaro. At the gate, we pick up our game ranger who will accompany us, as we might encounter elephants and buffaloes during our trek. We drive to the trailhead at Lemosho Glades and start our trek through the rain forest. In places, the vegetation is so untouched that it grows right across the narrow track. The flora and fauna are richer here than on the other more popular routes through the rain forest. Our trek today will be along a little used track known as Chamber’s Route. In about 3-4 hours, we reach our camp in the rain forest at Mti Mkubwa (Big Tree) for the dinner and overnight stay.
DAY 2:- MTI MKUBWA TO SHIRA ONE CAMP {5-6 hrs} (11,841 ft.)
After breakfast, we start the climb cross the remaining rain forest towards the giant moorland zone. Today is a full day trek with an altitude gain of 2,000 ft. A great lunch stop is One, a beautiful valley just outside the Shira Crater at around 9,800 ft. After lunch, we cross into the Shira Caldera, a high altitude desert plateau that is rarely visited. Shira is the third of Kilimanjaro volcanic cones, and is filled with lava flow from Kibo Peak. The crater rim has been decimated by weather and volcanic action. Today you will get your first close views of Kibo – the dramatic summit of Kilimanjaro. Dinner and overnight stay at Shira one campsite.
DAY 3:- SHIRA ONE CAMP TO SHIRA TWO CAMP [5-7 hrs] (12,628 ft.)
After breakfast continue hike east across the Shira Plateau past the Shira Cathedral towards Shira Two camp. We only gain 700 feet in elevation – this allows us to acclimatize slowly to the altitude. The views of the plateau are nothing less than spectacular. Dinner and overnight stay takes place at Shira two campsites.
DAY 4:- SHIRA TWO CAMP TO BARRANCO HUT [5-6 hrs] (12,956 ft.)
To day is the last of the “easy days”. It is about a 6-7 hour superb hike. We pass the Lava Tower, around the southern flank of Kibo, and slowly descend into the spectacular Barranco Valley, interspersed with giant lobelia and Seneca plants. After arriving at our most spectacular campsite, everyone stands in awe at the foot of Kibo Peak, looming high above, on our left. Our camp is only 465 feet higher than where we were last night, but during the day, we will have climbed to just over 14,000 feet. This is one of our most valuable days for acclimatization. Dinner and overnight stay at Barranco camp.
DAY 5:- BARRANCO HUT TO KARANGA VALLEY [3-5hrs] (13,743 ft.)
On the eastern side of the valley, across the stream is the Barranco Wall – a 9,500 ft. barrier of volcanic rock. Although it is tall and looks steep, it is very easy to climb. This is our first challenge of the day. The views from the wall are nothing less than magnificent. The rest of the day is spent skirting the base of Kibo peak over our left shoulder. We descend down into the Karanga Valley, where we rest up for the night before the tough climb up to Barafu camp. Dinner and overnight stay at Barafu camp.
DAY 6:- BARAFU TO UHURU PEAK-5895M. [7hrs][19,300 ft.] To Mweka CAMP (9,540 ft.)
SUMMIT DAY.
Dress warmly, because we start climbing around midnight, on the steepest and most demanding part of the mountain. The moon, if out, will provide enough light, and we will reach the crater rim by sunrise, after a 7 hour hike, and welcome a new dawn.
From the crater rim, rugged Mawenzi Peak is a thrilling sight, with the Kibo saddle still in darkness beneath you, and the crater’s ice-walls looming ahead. We now continue to Uhuru Peak (1-2 hrs.) This is the highest point in Africa, and the world’s highest solitary peak (19,300 ft). It is the best view in Africa.
The descent is invigorating. It is a good idea to have a little rest once in awhile as you continue down back to Barafu camp (4 hours), and then down to Mweka camp (5 hours).Dinner and overnight stay at Mweka Camp.
DAY 7:- MWEKA TO THE GATE -1820M. –MOSHI.
Morning after breakfast, we walk down to the gate of Mweka. This takes about 4hrs. After a welcome lunch, it is time to say thanks and tipping the potters and guides, then drive to Moshi town for your next destination.
END