Day 1: Kilimanjaro Airport – Arusha – Briefing and welcome dinner

You will be met by our driver at Kilimanjaro Airport and then driven to your booked hotel in Arusha. The drive takes about an hour and with a little luck you will get a glimpse of Mt. Kilimanjaro and Mt. Meru. After checking in, your guide will give you a short briefing about your booked trip and then check your equipment. You have the rest of the day at leisure. In the evening you will be invited by your guide to the welcome dinner. Overnight at Mtoni River Lodge or similar category (D).

Day 2: Drive Arusha to Londorossi Gate (2,250 m) and trek to Big Tree Camp (2,780 m) – 2 hours drive and approx. 3 hours hike

In the morning after breakfast we will be driven to the Londorossi Gate. After completing all formalities and a last 15 km drive on a bumpy road, we reach the starting point on the edge of the rainforest. We will enjoy lunch before making our way through the tropical mountain forest. Today’s hike is quite short compared to the days ahead and takes about 3 hours. This gives us time to enjoy the lush landscape, which will change dramatically in the course of our hike. Maybe we can even catch a glimpse of the thumbless Colobus monkeys perched in the branches of the trees. Our dinner and our overnight stay await us in the beautiful Big Tree Camp (2,780 m). Overnight in tent camp (B|L|D).

Day 3: Big Tree Camp (2,780 m) to Shira Camp 1 (3,500 m) – approx. 6 hours

As we walk along the narrow path through the rainforest, we will find that the vegetation becomes increasingly arid until we finally reach the moorland overgrown with lobelia and heather. We ascend through rolling hills and reach Shira Camp 1. If we look over the Shira plateau from our camp, we can see the inimitable snowcapped summit of Kibo. Kilimanjaro was formed as a result of the active continental fissures and consists of three volcanic cones, the Shira / Shira Ridge (3,962 m), the Mawenzi (5,148 m) and the Kibo (5,895 m). It is believed that the first volcanic activity began around 1 million years ago. A tasty dinner and a last look at the starry sky let the day come to an end. Overnight in tent camp (B|L|D).

Day 4: Shira Camp 1 (3,500 m) to Shira Camp 2 (3,900 m) – 6 hours hike

Today we cross the Shira Ridge with its rocky bottom, low grass and bushes. Since the terrain is much flatter than the day before, our hike seems more leisurely and we enjoy a fantastic view of the Great Rift Valley and Mount Meru (4,566 m). Beautiful and unique giant lobes still characterize the moor landscape. In the late afternoon we arrive at Shira Camp 2, where we will have dinner and spend the night. Overnight in tent camp (B|L|D).

Day 5: Shira Camp 2 (3,900 m) to the lava tower (4,640 m) – Barranco Camp (3,960 m) – approx. 7 hours

After breakfast we begin our ascent to the lava tower through a terrain littered with boulders. In the distance we see the Kibo, which encourages us to keep walking uphill. At an altitude of 4,640 m we reach the lava tower, take a longer break and let our body get used to the greater height. Then we hike further down to the Barranco Camp. This method of ascending and deep sleeping allows our bodies to get used to the different altitudes better and gives us a good idea of how our bodies will react to changes in altitude. On the way the landscape changes again and soon we are surrounded by huge Senecias (special plant on the mountain) and smaller lobelia plants. After 6 – 7 hours we reach the beautiful and green Barranco Camp, which offers a wonderful view of the valley and the snowcapped summit of Kibo (5,895 m). Overnight in tent camp (B|L|D).

Day 6: Barranco Camp (3,960m) to Karanga Camp (4,035m) – 6 to 7 hours

The famous Barranco Wall, which is probably the steepest part of the entire route, awaits us after breakfast. While no technical climbing is required, in some places we need to use our hands for a better grip and pull ourselves up. Our mountain guides are close by to help us if necessary. After passing Kissing Rock, we hike along the ridge through the Karanga Valley. We pass the last water point and after 3 – 4 hours we finally reach the Karanga Camp. After a well-deserved meal, we go to bed. Overnight in tent camp (B|L|D).

Day 7: Karanga Camp (4,035 m) to Barafu Camp (4,640 m) – approx. 4 hours

Today we are on our way to Barafu Camp at approx. 4,640 m, which we will reach in approx. 3 – 4 hours. The landscape is very dry and the ground breaks like glass under our boots. On the way through the Afro-Alpine desert to the rocky Barafu Camp, we feel a sense of anticipation, as our last stretch is only a few hours away. Barafu Camp with its rocky landscape offers a breathtaking view of Mawenzi Peak (5,148 m) and the summit path. Here we can relax and have dinner very early, at 5:00 p.m., and go to sleep around 7:00 p.m. The ascent to the summit starts at midnight, so it is important that we rest well beforehand. Overnight in tent camp (B|L|D).

Day 8: Barafu Camp (4,640 m) to Uhuru Peak (5,895 m) and descent to Millenium Camp (3,820 m) – approx. 12 to 14 hours

After a hot tea and a light snack, the ascent begins around midnight. Warmly dressed and with the light of our headlamps, we climb the scree slopes of the Kibo. It’s steep and uphill in serpentines. After a 5 to 7 hour ascent in the dark we reach Stella Point (5,756 m), the crater rim of Kilimanjaro. From here strong wind and cold can be expected. Another 1 to 2 hours ascent along the crater ridge leads us to Uhuru Peak (5,895 m). Here we see Kilimanjaro in all its glory and enjoy the 360 ° view over the landscape at sunrise. You are now on the “roof of Africa”. The comparatively easy but long descent is almost on the same route. The temperatures now change from minus degrees to high plus degrees. Shortly before noon we should arrive at the Barafu Camp, where the cook is waiting for us with tasty dishes. After a warm meal we can rest for 1 to 2 hours and then descend to Millenium Camp (3,820 m), where dinner and a well-deserved break await us. Overnight in tent camp (B|L|D).

Day 9: Millenium Camp (3,820m) to Mweka Gate (1,630m) and drive to Arusha – 5 hours hike and 2 hours drive

After a delicious breakfast and a traditional farewell ceremony by our mountain crew, we’ll begin our final descent to Mweka Gate. A leisurely 2 to 3 hour walk will take us again through the lush rainforest where the endemic Impatiens Kilimanjari flower grows. When we reach the Mweka Gate, we will be greeted by our transfer driver who will take us back to our hotel. The rest of the day is free – enjoy a long shower. Overnight at the Mtoni River Lodge (B).

Day 10: Departure Drive to Arusha-Kilimanjaro International Airport or connecting module Safari / Zanzibar

Free time until departure. Our driver will pick you up from the hotel according to your flight details and drive you to the airport (B).

We reserve the right to make changes to the program due to special events, force majeure or weather reasons.

Legends: B = breakfast | L = lunch | D = dinner