This is the most scenic and least-travelled approach route on Kilimanjaro, due in part for its remote starting location and rougher roads leading to the trailhead at a higher elevation. The hike across the Shira Plateau is renowned as one of Africa’s most breathtaking treks, with the highlight being the chance to camp overnight next to the crater and in close proximity to the dramatic glacier ice walls. Accommodation is provided in our warm mountain tents, with meals served in additional mess tents. For your convenience, we also include sanitary portable flush toilets at all camps. All trekking is conducted during daylight hours, and the specially-designed itinerary enhances a closer connection to nature, allowing you to experience Kilimanjaro in a uniquely immersive way.

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Day 1: Arrival Day

Our guide/representative will meet you at Kilimanjaro International Airport and transfer to your overnight lodge accommodation for dinner near Moshi town with breathtaking views towards Mount Kilimanjaro. Any excess baggage can be stored safely and securely for you to collect after the completion of your trek.

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Day 2: Londorossi Gate to Mti Mkubwa Forest Camp

After a hearty breakfast and briefing session we start-out with our drive to Londorossi Park Gate at around 8.30 a.m. We then drive for another hour up a track to reach the Lemosho Glades trail head to enjoy lunch, before we start slow and easy on our walk through the undisturbed forest trails where Elephant and Buffalo can be sighted.

• Elevation: 2,370m – 2,830m (7,780ft – 9,300ft)
• Distance: 6km (4 miles)
• Time: 3-4 hours
• Terrain: Montane Forest

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Day 3: Mti Mkubwa Forest Camp to Shira 1 Camp

After breakfast, and once out of the forest, we take a steep track that leads into a giant heather moorland zone of tall grasses and volcanic rock draped with lichen beards. Then we ascend through lush rolling hills below the Shira plateau, and cross several streams over the Shira Ridge to finally reach camp. The view of Kibo from across the plateau is quite simply amazing.

• Elevation: 2,830m – 3,500m (9,300ft – 11,500ft)
• Distance: 8km (5 miles)
• Time: 5-6 hours
• Terrain: Heath and Moorland

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Day 4: Shira 1 Camp to Shira 2 Camp

After breakfast, we embark on a full day exploration of the Shira plateau, trekking east towards Kibo’s glacier peak, and with the added option to visit the ancient collapsed Shira cone – the oldest of Kilimanjaro’s three volcanoes. Shira is one of the highest plateaus on earth – averaging over 12,000 feet – and gentle hike across its moorland meadows makes for the perfect acclimatization day before arriving at Shira 2 camp (Fischers’s Camp).

• Elevation: 2,370m – 2,830m (7,780ft – 9,300ft)
• Distance: 6km (4 miles)
• Time: 3-4 hours
• Terrain: Mountain Forest

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Day 5: Shira 2 Camp to Barranco Camp

After breakfast, and once out of the forest, we take a steep track that leads into a giant heather moorland zone of tall grasses and volcanic rock draped with lichen beards. Then we ascend through lush rolling hills below the Shira plateau, and cross several streams over the Shira Ridge to finally reach camp. The view of Kibo from across the plateau is quite simply amazing.

• Elevation: 2,830m – 3,500m (9,300ft – 11,500ft)
• Distance: 8km (5 miles)
• Time: 5-6 hours
• Terrain: Heath and Moorland

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Day 6: Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp

After breakfast, we begin by scrambling up the steep ridge of the Barranco Wall, traversing the ridges and valleys of the mountain¨s southern face, as Kibo as the glacier looms above to your left, and the jagged peaks of Mawenzi jut out straight ahead, high into the African sky at around 17,000 feet. Hot lunch is then served at the Karanga Valley Camp.

• Elevation: 3,950m – 4,200m (13,000ft – 13,300ft)
• Distance: 5km (3 miles)
• Time: 3-4 hours
• Terrain: Alpine Desert

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Day 7: Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp

This is a short day trekking to help with the process of acclimatisation. We continue steadily uphill where the temperature grows colder and the landscape becoming more sparse as we approach nearer Barafu Camp, set within a small exposed flat area on a ridge, that offers spectacular views to the summit from many different angles. Barufa Camp acts as our base camp to prepare for the long day ahead tomorrow. We rest, enjoy dinner, and retire to sleep early, to be awoken before midnight for our attempt to the summit.

• Elevation: 4, 200m – 4,600m (13,300ft – 15,000ft)
• Distance: 4km (2 miles)
• Time: 3-4 hours
• Terrain: Alpine Desert

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Day 8: Barafu Camp – Kilimanjaro Summit – Return to Mweka Camp

After an 11 p.m. wake-up call, we begin-out at midnight up a winding path of endless switchbacks consisting of 5-6 hours of hiking, ascending through heavy scree past the Rebmann glacier until we arrive at Stella Point (5,750 metres/18,870 feet) to take a short rest at the crater rim and rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise, with quicker hikers being maybe able to witness this exhillerating event from the summit itself. Regardless, this section is the most mentally and physically challenging section of the trek. Continuing up, on the gently-sloped final traverse of under one hour, fallen snow may be encountered as we cross the inner crater´s lunar landscape before reaching the summit of Uhuru Peak: the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the whole continent of Africa!

After arriving at the summit and taking photographs you are going to enjoy the vertical ice walls of Furtwangler glacier. You can rest and enjoy hot drinks and snacks in the mess tent, and opt to explore up-close the strange lunar landscape of the inner crater, ash pit, and Kilimanjaro’s dwindling glaciers. This part of the experience sets this trek apart from any other glaciers. We then begin our descent from the summit by continuing back down to Barufa Camp for rest, and a hot lunch, before heading down again to Mweka Camp at 10,200 feet or 3,100 metres and taking around a further 4 hours. Both gaiters and trekking poles will be provided for the loose gravel we will encounter whilst descending to Mweka Camp to enjoy our last evening on the mountain together.

• Elevation: 4,600m – 5,895m (15,000ft – 19,340ft)
• Down to 3,090m (10,150ft)
• Distance: 5km (3 miles) up and 13km (8 miles) down
• Time: 5-7 hours up and 5-6 hours down
• Terrain: Stone scree and ice-capped summit

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Day 9: Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate

After finishing breakfast, we continue our descent down to the Mweka Park Gate where you will receive your personal summit climbing certificates. Finally, we will have a short ceremony celebration for reaching the highest point on the African continent, and which will also give you the opportunity to personally tip your mountain guides and porters. From the gate area we then continue for another hour to our vehicle meeting-point at Mweka Village, before being transferred to your appointed hotel accommodation to enjoy a well-deserved hot lunch.

• Elevation: 3,100m – 680m (10,200ft – 1,5500ft)
• Distance: 10km (6 miles)
• Walking Time: 3-4 hours
• Terrain: Forest

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Day 10: Departure Day

After a long slumbering night´s sleep ending we will pick-you up to either take you on your arranged safari trip or transfer you to Kilimanjaro International Airport for your scheduled flight.

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