This route to Kilimanjaro is the most scenic and offers the smoothest acclimatization, which increases your chances of successfully reaching the summit. We offer this tour over six or seven days in addition to eight. The trek starts on the western side of the mountain at the Londorossi Gate. As an alternative, you can take the Shira route, which begins at a higher, more challenging attitude.
After breakfast we will drive straight to Kilimanjaro. Getting to the Londorossi Gate (2,100 meters) takes approximately two hours from Arusha. At the gate you will register with the Kilimanjaro National Park authorities before being transported to your trek’s starting point, which is an additional 12km from Londorossi.
Today, we will continue on the trail leading out of the forest and into a savannah of tall grasses, heather, and volcanic rock draped with lichen beards. We’ll ascend through the lush rolling hills and cross several streams before reaching the Shira Ridge and dropping gently down to Shira 1 Camp. The view of Kibo from across the plateau is amazing.
After breakfast, you will continue on your hike across and up the Shira plateau to Shira Camp 2 at 3,850 meters. Here you will join trekkers from the Machame Route whilst enjoying stunning views across the valley below and the western breach of Kilimanjaro above. The plateau is exposed so be prepared for strong winds and temperatures getting below zero in the early hours.
You’ll then continue up the Shira Caldera and onto an off-the-beaten path to Moir Hut.
Today is long and finishes at high altitude. You may start feeling altitude sickness symptoms. Make sure you monitor yourself closely. Sleeping high on this night will pay dividends on your trek going forward.
On day four, you will continue trekking through a desert-like landscape as you approach Lava Tower and the Shark’s Tooth formation at 4,600 meters. You will have lunch at Lava Tower before joining the Southern Circuit trail, which descends to Barranco Camp (3,900 meters). You will spend the night at a very similar elevation to the night before.
Climbing high and sleeping low is a good way to acclimatize the body to altitude.
After breakfast, we’ll leave Barranco and continue on a steep ridge passing the Barranco Wall towards the Karanga Valley campsite. From Karanga, we’ll hit the junction that connects with the Mweka Trail. Once we arrive at the Barafu Hut, we’ll have completed the South Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many different angles. Here we will make camp, rest, enjoy dinner, and prepare for the summit day. The two peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo can be seen from this position.
You will wake up around 1130pm, and after some tea and biscuits, start climbing to Uhuru peak into the early morning. You will head in a northwesterly direction and ascend through heavy scree towards Stella Point on the crater rim. At Stella Point (5685m) you will stop for a short rest and be rewarded with perhaps the most beautiful sunrise you will ever see. The time spent on the summit will depend on the weather conditions. Do not stop here for too long, as it will be extremely difficult to start again due to cold and fatigue.
You will walk back to Barafu from the summit. Here you will have a well-earned (but short) rest and collect the rest of your gear before heading down to Mweka Hut (3100m). Be sure to enjoy your accomplishment and a day to remember for the rest of your life.
After an early and well-deserved breakfast, it is a short (three-hour) and scenic hike back to the park gate. Here you’ll sign your name and details in a register. This is also where successful climbers receive their summit certificates. Climbers who reached Stella Point (5685m) are issued green certificates and those who reached Uhuru Peak (5895m) receive gold certificates. From the Mweka Gate you will continue down into the Mweka village, which is normally a muddy 3km (one-hour) hike. Upon arrival at the hotel you will freshen up.
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