7 Days
Duration
Challenging
Physicality
Tanzania
Destination
13+
Age
All Year
Availability

This is the longest and most remote route to Kilimanjaro. After beautiful forests and moorlands it crosses the Shira Plateau to meet up with the Machame Route. The forests around the Lemosho Glades are rich in buffalo, elephant and Other game.

The South Circuit is then followed, offering superb views of the Southern Icefields, past the Barranco Hut Then on to Barafu and hence the summit. Descent is by the Mweka Route. However the campsite A party wishing to ascend slowly can comfortably take 8 days on this route as described below. At Shira Hut and at Karanga Valley could be left out by a very strong party on request. The Mweka Route is used for the descent. Accommodation on the mountain is in tents ‘except Marangu Route which they use huts’which our team will pitch for you.

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Day 1: Londorossi Gate (2250m) - Mti Mkubwa/Big Tree (2780)m.

  • Elevation: 7,742 ft to 9,498 ft
  • Distance: 6 km/4 miles
  • Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
  • Habitat: Rain Forest

You will drive to Londorossi Gate where you will be registered by the national park authorities. Then you drive another 15 km into the dense rainforest to where you will start. A moderately steep path leads to the Big Tree Camp (2780 m). Look out for monkeys and interesting birds along the way. The tents will be already set up and hot tea and washing water will be waiting.

2

Day 2: Mti Mkubwa/Big Tree (2780) - Shira Camp 2 (3900m)

  • Elevation: 9,498 ft to 11,500 ft
  • Distance: 8 km/ 5miles
  • Hiking Time 5-6 hours
  • Habitat: Heath

After an early morning breakfast, you will begin your ascent out of the rainforest and into theheather moorland zone. You will cross many streams and walk over a plateau that leads to Shira 2 Camp (3840m). At this campsite, you will be next to a stream and have a spectacular view of the Western Breach and its glaciers in the East. Similar to the first night, your tents will be set up prior to arriving at camp and the porters will prepare drinking and washing water for you. You will enjoy evening snacks then dinner prepared by our chef. Be prepared for a cold night as temperatures drop below freezing at this exposed camp.

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Day 3: Shira Camp 2 (3900m) - Lava Tower (4640m) – Barranco Camp (3960m)

  • Altitude: ↑ 740 m ↓ 680 m
  • Distance: 10km / 6.2m
  • Hiking Time: 6-7hrs
  • Habitat: Moorland

You will gain 700m in altitude but descend to sleep at Barranco – 60 m higher than last night’s  camp. This will help with acclimatization as you will go up to 4600 m before descending again. Today begins with a long uphill in the direction of the Lava Tower Hut (4640m) and you will notice how the landscape changes to a rocky alpine desert. Later, the path descends again to the Barranco Valley with its giant Senecios and Lobelias. After six to seven hours you should arrive at the most beautiful camp on the mountain – the Barranco Camp.

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Day 4: Barranco Camp (3960 m) – Karanga Camp (4035 m)

  • Elevation: 13,044 ft to 13,106 ft
  • Distance: 5 km/3 miles
  • Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
  • Habitat: Alpine Desert

Today will start with the daunting Barranco Wall.Soon you will realize it looks worse than it actually is, but there are tricky sections where you will need to hold on tight. Admire the views from the top. The rest of the route follows along the mountain ridge into the Karanga valley and out. You reach Karanga Camp after lunch and you will have fantastic views of the southern glacier of Kibo as well as of the Kibo summit.

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Day 5: Karanga Camp (4035 m) – Barafu Camp (4640 m)

  • Elevation: 13,106 ft to 15,331 ft
  • Distance: 4 km/2 miles
  • Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
  • Habitat: Alpine Desert

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: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

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Day 6: Barafu Camp (4640 m) – Uhuru Peak (5895 m) – Mweka Camp (3080 m).

Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak

  • Elevation: 15,331 ft to 19,341 ft
  • Distance: 5 km/3 miles
  • Hiking Time: 7-8 hours
  • Habitat: Arctic

Uhuru Peak to Mweka Camp

  • Elevation: 19,341 ft to 10,065 ft
  • Distance: 12 km/7 miles
  • Hiking Time: 4-6 hours
  • Habitat: Rain Forest

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 rainforest. Mweka Camp (3100m) is located in the upper rainforest, so fog and rain should be expected. You will have dinner, wash, and rest soundly at camp.

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Day 7: Mweka Camp (3080 m) – Mweka Gate (1630 m) – Moshi

  • Elevation: 10,065 ft to 5,380 ft
  • Distance: 10 km/6 miles
  • Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
  • Habitat: Rain Forest

On our last day, we continue the descent to Mweka Gate and collect the summit certificates. At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy. From the gate, we continue another hour to Mweka Village. A vehicle will meet us at Mweka Village to drive us back to the hotel in Moshi.

TOUR INCLUDES

Airport pick-up and drop-off

Transportation to & from the Mt. Kilimanjaro gate

Park entry fees

Accommodation fees for on the mountain

Rescue fees

18% VAT on tour fees & services

Accommodation on the mountain in tents (mattresses and sleeping bags are included)

Friendly and professional mountain guides, cook and porters

3 meals daily while on the mountain

Drinking water throughout the trek

Hot water for washing

Government taxes

Portable oxygen tanks & ox meter

Emergency first-aid kit

 

TOUR EXCLUDES

Accommodation before and after your mountain trek

Travel insurance

Flights

Laundry Service

Personal items and toiletries

Tips for guides, porters and cook (see our tipping guidelines for more information)