DAY-0 | Arrival at {JRO}

Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro Airport you will be met by a member of the Expect in Africa Safari team who will transfer you by road to your hotel.

Accommodation : Arusha Gold Crest Hotel
Meals : Dinner & Breakfast

Day -1 | Londorossi Gate to Forest Camp

Depart from Arusha to Londorossi Gate, which takes about 3 to 4 hours, where you will complete entry registration and formalities. Then drive to the Lemosho trailhead (another hour to reach the trailhead). Upon arrival at trailhead, hikers eat lunch and then commence through undisturbed forest which winds to the first camp site.

Rising (ft): 7,800ft to 9,500ft

• Stretch: 6 km
• Hiking time: 3-4 hours
• Climatic habitat: Rain Forest

Accommodation : Shira 1 Camp
Meals : All meals included

Day -2 | Forest Camp to Shira Camp

Hikers 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. 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 phenomenal, extraordinary and amazing.

• Rising (ft): 9,500ft to 11,500ft
• Stretch: 8 km
• Hiking time: 5-6 hours
• Climatic habitat: Moorland

Accommodation : Shira 1 Camp
Meals : All meals included

Day -3 | Shira Camp 1 to Shira 2 to Moir Camp

Hikers and the team explore the Shira plateau for a full day, it is a gentle walk east toward Kibo’s glaciered summit across the plateau which leads to Shira 2 camp on moorland meadows by a stream. Then we continue to Moir Camp, a little used site on the base of Lent Hills. A variety of walks are available on Lent Hills making this an excellent chance for acclimatization opportunity, Shira is one of the highest plateaus on Earth.

• Rising (ft): 11,500ft to 13,800ft
• Stretch: 14 km
• Hiking time: 5-7 hours
• Climatic habitat: Moorland

Accommodation : Moir Camp
Meals : All meals included

Day -4 | Moir Camp to Lava Tower to Barranco Camp

From the Shira plateau hiker(s) and the team will 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 camp 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.

• Rising (ft): 13,800ft to 13,000ft
• Stretch: 7 km
• Hiking time: 4-6 hours
• Climatic habitat: Semi desert

Accommodation : Barranco Camp
Meals : All meals included

Day -5 | Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp

After breakfast hicker(s) and the rest of the team leave Barranco and continue on a steep ridge passing the Barranco wall, to the Karanga valley camping ground. Then we leave Karanga and hit the junction which connects with the Mweka Trail we continue up to the Barafu camp. 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 night.

• Rising (ft): 13,000ft to 15,000ft
• Stretch: 9km
• Hiking time: 8-10 hours
• Climatic habitat: Alpine desert

Accommodation : Barafu Camp
Meals : All meals included

Day -6 | Barafu Camp to Summit to Mweka Camp

Very early in the morning from midnight to 2 am, hiker(s) and the team continue our way to the summit between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers. Hiker(s) on Lemosho hiking route will 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 and beautiful sunrise you are ever likely to see weather permitting. From Stella Point you may encounter snow all they 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, congratulations faster hikers will see the sunrise from the summit. From the summit we now make our descent continuing straight down to the Mweka 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 and fulfilling sleep.

• Rising (ft): 15,300ft to 19,345ft and down to 10,000ft
• Stretch: 5 km ascent / 12 km descent
• Hiking time: 7-8 hours ascent / 4-6 hours descent
• Climatic habitat: Arctic

Accommodation : Mweka Camp
Meals : All meals included

Day -7 | Mweka Camp to Arusha

After breakfast hiker(s) 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, hiker(s) continue another hour to Mweka Village. A vehicle will meet hiker(s) at Mweka village to drive them back to hotel in Arusha.

• Decend (ft): 10,000ft to 5,400ft
• Stretch: 10 km
• Hiking time: 3-4 hours
• Climatic habitat: Rain Forest

Accommodation : Arusha Gold Crest Hotel
Meals : Dinner & Breakfast