Tour Overview
This is the most remote route to reach the summit of Kilimanjaro. After taking you through beautiful forests and moorlands, it crosses the Shira Plateau to meet up with the Machame Route. The South Circuit is then followed, offering superb views of the Southern Ice fields, past the Barranco Hut and then on to Barafu and the summit.
Included And Excluded
- Departure LocationArusha City
- Return LocationArusha City
- Accomdation while on SafariYes
- Arrival & departure airport transfersYes
- Accommodation in Moshi on Day 01Yes
- Shared 4x4 Land cruiser vehicleYes
- All Park Fees as specified in itineraryYes
- English Speaking Drive / GuideYes
- All Tanzania government taxes and service chargesYes
- Flying Doctor’s evacuation serviceYes
- Bottled mineral water while on safariYes
- International Flights to/From No
- All items of personal nature phone callsNo
- Travel insuranceNo
- Laundry & VisasNo
- Tips and gratuitiesNo
- Add-on and supplements [Balloon Safari]No
- All other items not mentioned in the inclusions.No
Tour Plan
It should be noted that weather patterns are changing throughout the world and becoming less predictable, so it is important that you come prepared for poor weather on the mountain at any time of the year. Please contact us for a full information pack with details of our standards of service on the mountain including staff welfare, accommodation, food and general conditions on the Mountain.
01
DAY 01 -ARRIVAL AT KIA
OVERNIGHT: AMEG LODGE
Upon arrival in Arusha you will be transfer to Moshi Accommodation for overnight stay at Ameg Lodge on BB.
02
DAY 02 - LONDOROSSI GATE - MTI MKUBWA
OVERNIGHT: MTI MKUBWA CAMP
We depart Moshi for Londorossi Gate, which takes about 4 hours, where you will complete entry formalities. Then drive to the Lemosho trailhead (another hour to reach the trailhead). Upon arrival at trailhead, we eat lunch, then commence through undisturbed forest which winds to the first camp site.
03
DAY 03 - MTI MKUBWA - SHIRA CAMP 1
OVERNIGHT: BARRANCO CAMP
We continue on the trail leading out of the forest and into a savannah of tall grasses, heather, and volcanic rock draped with lichen beards. As we ascend through the lush rolling hills and cross several streams, we reach the Shira Ridge before dropping gently down to Shira 1 camp. The view of Kibo from across the plateau is amazing.
04
DAY 04 - SHIRA CAMP 1 - SHIRA CAMP 2 - MOIR HUT
OVERNIGHT: MOIR HUT
We explore the Shira plateau for a full day. It is a gentle walk east toward Kibo glaciered peak, across the plateau which leads to Shira 2 camp on moorland meadows by a stream. Then we continue to Moir Hut, a little used site on the base of Lent Hills. A variety of walks are available on Lent Hills making this an excellent acclimatization opportunity. Shira is one of the highest plateaus on Earth.
05
DAY 05 - MOIR HUT - LAVA TOWER - BARRANCO
OVERNIGHT: BARRANCO CAMP
From the Shira Plateau, we continue to the east up a ridge, passing the junction towards the peak of Kibo. As we continue, our direction changes to the South East towards the Lava Tower, called the “Shark’s Tooth.” Shortly after the tower, we come to the second junction which brings us up to the Arrow Glacier at an altitude of 16,000ft. We now continue down to the Barranco Hut at an altitude of 13,000ft. Here we rest, enjoy dinner, and overnight. Although you end the day at the same elevation as when you started, this day is very important for acclimatization and will help your body prepare for summit day.
06
07
DAY 06 - BARRANCO - KARANGA CAMP - BARAFU CAMP
After breakfast, we leave Barranco and continue on a steep ridge passing the Barranco Wall, to the Karanga Valley campsite. Then, we leave Karanga and hit the junction which connects with the Mweka Trail. We continue up to the Barafu Hut. At this point, you have completed the South Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many different angles. Here we make camp, rest, enjoy dinner, and prepare for the summit day. The two peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo are to be seen from this position.
DAY 07 - BARAFU CAMP - SUMMIT - MWEKA CAMP
Very early in the morning (midnight to 2am), we continue our way to the summit between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers. You head in a northwesterly direction and ascend through heavy scree towards Stella Point on the crater rim. This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek.
At Stella Point (18,600 ft), you will stop for a short rest and will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see (weather permitting). From Stella Point, you may encounter snow all the way on your 1-hour ascent to the summit. At Uhuru Peak, you have reached the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa. Faster hikers will see the sunrise from the summit.
From the summit, we now make our descent continuing straight down to the Mweka Hut camp site, stopping at Barafu for lunch. You will want gaiters and trekking poles for the loose gravel going down. Mweka Camp is situated in the upper forest and mist or rain can be expected in the late afternoon. Later in the evening, we enjoy our last dinner on the mountain and a well-earned
DAY 08 - MWEKA CAMP -MOSHI
After breakfast, we continue the descent down to the Mweka Park Gate to receive your summit certificates. At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy. Gaiters and trekking poles will help. Shorts and t-shirts will probably be plenty to wear (keep rain gear and warmer clothing handy). From the gate, you continue another hour to Mweka Village. A vehicle will meet you at Mweka village to drive you back to Moshi then Airport
