Today you will arrive directly at Kilimanjaro International Airport (time and flight to be confirmed) and will be transferred to your pre-climb lodge in Moshi.

Approximate driving time: 1-2 hours to lodge
Game drive included: None
Meals included: Dinner.

Following an early breakfast at your accommodation (08:00 hrs), we set out an hour later and reached the Marangu Gate (1970 meters) around 11:00 hrs for registration and the commencement of our trek.

Excitement mounts as our porters prepare the equipment, and you meet our experienced trekking team, who will guide you up the mountain. Beginning on Kilimanjaro's southeast side at 1970 meters and concluding the day at 2700 meters, today's trek to Mandara Hut, where we'll spend the night, typically lasts 4-5 hours (excluding breaks), covering just over 8km/5 miles. While today's journey is predominantly uphill, it offers a pleasant experience with opportunities to spot blue monkeys and admire the rainforest vegetation on the ascent. The rainforest dominates today's landscape, with the possibility of encountering waterfalls, depending on the season. Keep an eye out for the vibrant red impatiens Kilimanjaro flower, an iconic symbol of the mountain, as well as blue monkeys, colorful lizards, or streams bustling with red ants along the insect superhighway. Rest assured, your mountain guides will impress you with their expertise, regardless of your familiarity with nature.

We begin our walk late morning, enjoy our picnic lunch around 14:00 hrs, and then continue until we reach the hut by approximately 17:00 hrs. You'll have time to unwind, reflect on the day's trek, engage with your guides, or enjoy a game of cards. Dinner, prepared by our mountain chef and team, is served at 19:30 hrs.

As the day comes to a close, the mountain's towering heathers and bearded lichen begin to reveal themselves, showcasing the mountain's diversity. The Mandara A-frame Huts, our overnight accommodation, feature solar-powered lighting, while water is sourced from a stream, and flush toilets are available. Since you'll be sharing dormitory-style accommodation with others, bringing earplugs is advisable for a restful night's sleep.

Approximate driving time: 1-2 hours to Marangu gate
Meals Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Journey time and Altitude: 4-5 hours’ walking, from 1970m at Marangu Gate to 2700m at the Mandara Hut.
Walking distance: 8km/5miles

You'll soon get used to the early 07.00 breakfast. Our departure time today is at 08.00. While our walking distance isn't much longer than yesterday's, we're ascending from 2895 meters to over 3505 meters, expecting a longer walking time of between 5 and 6 hours. We begin our ascent immediately, heading eastwards and upwards towards the top of a ridge. Today, the trees from our first day's trek start to thin out, transitioning away from the forest environment as we enter the moorland. Here, we catch our first glimpse of both the Shira Plateau and the imposing Kibo.

As always, prioritize walking "pole pole" (slowly) to minimize the chances of feeling unwell. Our path primarily heads eastward, with a picnic lunch scheduled around 13.00. The terrain is steep initially post-lunch, but then levels out, and with the snow-capped Kibo in sight, there's a slight descent to the Shira 1 Camp at 3505 meters. We typically arrive around 16.00, allowing for some much-needed rest before dinner, served at 18.30.

Approximate driving time: 0 hour
Meals Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Journey time and Altitude: 5-6 hours’ walking, from Shira 1 Camp at 3505 m to Shira 2 Camp at 3804m
Walking distance: 11km/7miles

Today, we potentially have less climbing than yesterday, so we're celebrating with a later breakfast at the leisurely hour of 08.00 and a departure about one hour later. We say "potentially" because your guide will explain that today we have the option of trekking via the Shira Cathedral, depending on how you're feeling (see below).

The standard walking distance we cover today will be about 11 km/7 miles. It's a steady, uphill climb, and you should expect about 5 to 6 hours of walk time in total. We set off first in a south-eastern direction across the moor and heathland of the Shira Plateau. Buffalo, dik-dik, and klipspringer graze here and can occasionally be seen. By this standard route, we intend to reach Shira 2 Camp at 3804 meters – also known as Shira Huts – by 13.00, in time to be served a cooked lunch. Dinner tonight will be at 18.00.

(As mentioned above, you'll be given the option today of diverting via the Shira Cathedral at 3862 meters, or 12670 feet. This involves more walking, but your extra hours of trekking will be rewarded with stunning panoramic views of the plateau and beyond. Your guide will discuss this option with you in detail.)

Approximate driving time: 0 hour
Meals Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Journey time and Altitude: 6 -8 hours’ walking, from Shira 2 Camp at 3804 m to Barranco Camp at 3950 m
Walking distance: 10km/6miles

Today, we're back to our early 07.00 breakfast time, gearing up for an 08.30 departure. We have around 10km/6 miles to cover, but although we'll finish our day only 90 meters higher than we started it, in between, we have to climb to the foot of the Lava Tower at 4630 meters before descending once more to Barranco Camp at 3950 meters for our overnight stop.

You can expect a total of around 6 to 8 hours of walking, during which time you'll leave the Shira Ridge. The Lemosho Route joins up with the more popular Machame trail, which will make it more crowded! The scenery today changes to predominantly Alpine desert. Your picnic lunch will be at 13.00, arrival at Barranco 3950 meters around 16.00, and dinner at about 19.00.

Approximate driving time: 0 hour
Meals Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Journey time and Altitude: 4 – 5 hours’ walking, 3950m at Barranco Camp to 4033m at Karanga Camp
Walking distance: 5km/3miles

We enjoy a slightly later breakfast at 07.30, with a departure time from camp scheduled for 08.30. Today's walk is relatively short, spanning only 5km/3 miles, yet it will still require between 4 and 5 hours of trekking time. We'll pause for a cooked lunch at around 13.00 upon reaching Karanga at 4033 meters, with the afternoon left to relish the views before dinner at 18.00.

The day kicks off with the toughest part of the stage, as we tackle the near-vertical face of the Barranco Wall, often dubbed the 'Breakfast Wall' as it follows right after our morning meal! At the summit of this climb, you'll be treated to panoramic views of the Heim Glacier. Following this challenge, the remainder of today's journey becomes more manageable as we gradually descend to the gully below, leading into the chilly yet stunning Karanga Valley. From there, we continue, ascending steep zig-zags until reaching Karanga Camp at 4033 meters. Our overall altitude gain today is a mere 83 meters.

Approximate driving time: 0
Meals Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Journey time and Altitude: 4 – 5 hours’ walking, from 4033m at Karanga Camp to 4556m at Barafu Camp
Walking distance: 20km/12miles walking.

Another short day - in terms of distance - kicks off with breakfast at the camp at 07.30 and another 08.30 departure. Today, we'll ascend about 523 meters over a distance of around 5km/3 miles, with a walking time once again between 4 and 5 hours.

We aim to reach Barafu Camp at 4556 meters by 13.00, where a cooked lunch awaits. (As tomorrow marks the summit day, it's crucial to relax and prepare for the strenuous task ahead.) Dinner tonight will be served at 17.30, allowing ample time to retire early. Departing Karanga, today's stage involves a steady climb, traversing through barren, rocky landscapes, with the Decken and Kersten glaciers visible off to your left. Upon reaching the summit of the climb, the landscape remains stark as you descend into a valley, catching your first sight of another glacier, Rebmann. At the end of this valley lies today's destination, Barafu Camp at 4556 meters, where you arrive after a short, steep scramble and walk.

Approximate driving time: 0
Meals Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Journey time and Altitude: 4 – 5 hours’ walking, from 4033m at Karanga Camp to 4556m at Barafu Camp
Walking distance: 20km/12miles walking

Another short day - in terms of distance - kicks off with breakfast at the camp at 07.30 and another 08.30 departure. Today, we'll ascend about 523 meters over a distance of around 5km/3 miles, with a walking time once again between 4 and 5 hours.

We aim to reach Barafu Camp at 4556 meters by 13.00, where a cooked lunch awaits. (As tomorrow marks the summit day, it's crucial to relax and prepare for the strenuous task ahead.) Dinner tonight will be served at 17.30, allowing ample time to retire early. Departing Karanga, today's stage involves a steady climb, traversing through barren, rocky landscapes, with the Decken and Kersten glaciers visible off to your left. Upon reaching the summit of the climb, the landscape remains stark as you descend into a valley, catching your first sight of another glacier, Rebmann. At the end of this valley lies today's destination, Barafu Camp at 4556 meters, where you arrive after a short, steep scramble and walk.

Approximate driving time: 0
Meals Plan: Breakfast, Picnic Lunch & Dinner.
Journey time and Altitude: 11-14 hours’ walking, from 4556m at Barafu Camp to the summit at 5895m, then down to 3100m at Mweka Camp
Walking distance: 17km/10miles

Still basking in the thrill of your achievement, breakfast is served at 07.00, followed by the chance to honor your trekking team at the 'Tipping Celebration' starting at 08.00.

Although there's still a 10km/6-mile trek ahead, departure is set for a leisurely 09.00 as you descend to the Mweka Gate, situated at an altitude of 1640 meters. There, you'll enjoy a cooked lunch at midday and receive your well-deserved certificate.

Your vehicle transport will be ready to escort you back to your Hotel in Arusha, where you can opt to unwind - or, if you still have some energy left, celebrate!

Approximate driving time: 0
Meals Plan: Breakfast, Picnic Lunch & Dinner.
Journey time and Altitude: 3 hours’ walking, from Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate, descending from 3106m to 1633m; from Mweka Gate to Arusha, 3 hours’ drive.
Walking distance: 10km/6 miles walking, then 1-2 hours’ drive back to Moshi

After a restful night at your hotel, breakfast awaits before the scheduled check-out by 10.00. (If you prefer to stay at the hotel during the day, please let us know when booking your trip, and we'll provide details about the cost for a day room until 18:00hrs, and then arrange the booking on your behalf.)

If you've arranged a transfer to the airport, you'll be picked up from your hotel and transported to the airport. For travelers heading on safari, our Shammah Wonders Safaris guide will meet you in the evening for a briefing

Approximate driving time: 1 hour drive to Airport
Meals Plan: Breakfast.
Journey time and Altitude: 1 hour, 55 km drive from Arusha to Kilimanjaro International Airport
Walking distance: None