Day 1: Arrival in Arusha or Moshi (Pre-Climb Day)

Arrive and transfer to your hotel for rest. In the afternoon or evening, your team will do a trek briefing and gear check to confirm you have the right equipment. This is a good time to rent any missing gear and prepare your day pack.

Overnight: Arusha or Moshi

Day 2: Londorossi Gate to Mti Mkubwa Camp (Rainforest Zone)

After breakfast, drive to Londorossi Gate for registration and permit processing. Continue to the trailhead and begin your trek through lush rainforest. The trail is peaceful, green, and full of forest sounds, with chances to spot birds and monkeys.

You’ll hike at a steady pace and arrive at Mti Mkubwa (Big Tree) Camp in the afternoon. After settling in, you’ll have time to rest, enjoy dinner, and sleep early.

Overnight: Mti Mkubwa Camp

Day 3: Mti Mkubwa Camp to Shira 1 Camp (Moorland Zone)

After breakfast, continue climbing as the forest thins and the scenery opens up. You will notice the air becoming cooler as you enter the moorland zone, with wider views and fewer trees.

As you gain altitude, you’ll reach the Shira Plateau, a broad highland area with dramatic mountain views. Arrive at Shira 1 Camp in the afternoon and spend time resting and acclimatizing.

Overnight: Shira 1 Camp

Day 4: Shira 1 Camp to Shira 2 Camp (Shira Plateau)

Today is a more gentle trekking day across the Shira Plateau. The route is scenic and helps with acclimatization while still gaining altitude gradually.

You’ll hike through open high-altitude landscapes with views of Kibo peak and the surrounding ridges. Arrive at Shira 2 Camp, where climbers often feel the altitude more, so hydration and a relaxed pace are important.

Overnight: Shira 2 Camp

Day 5: Shira 2 to Lava Tower then Barranco Camp (Acclimatization Day)

This is a key acclimatization day using the “climb high, sleep low” approach. After breakfast, trek up to the Lava Tower area. The terrain becomes more rugged and alpine, and your guide will keep the pace steady.

After reaching the high point and taking a break, you will descend to Barranco Camp, located in a scenic valley with big views of the Barranco Wall. Many climbers feel better after descending because you sleep lower than the day’s highest point.

Overnight: Barranco Camp

Day 6: Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp (Barranco Wall Day)

After breakfast, begin the climb up the Barranco Wall, one of the most exciting parts of the route. It involves light scrambling and careful footing, but it is safe and guided. From the top, enjoy sweeping views across the valleys and the mountain slopes.

After the wall, continue trekking across ridges and small valleys, keeping a steady pace. Arrive at Karanga Camp in the afternoon, rest, and focus on hydration as you continue acclimatizing.

Overnight: Karanga Camp

Day 7: Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp (Summit Preparation)

After breakfast, continue climbing toward Barafu Camp, your final base camp before the summit attempt. The landscape becomes rocky and dry, and the air is noticeably thinner.

Arrive at Barafu in the afternoon. After rest and an early dinner, your guide will brief you for summit night, explaining pacing, safety, and what to expect. You will sleep early, as the summit push begins around midnight.

Overnight: Barafu Camp

Day 8: Summit Day (Barafu to Uhuru Peak) then Descend to Mweka Camp

Around midnight, wake for tea and snacks, then begin the climb toward the summit. The trail is steep and slow, and your guide will keep a steady rhythm with frequent short rest stops.

You will reach the crater rim at Stella Point around sunrise, then continue to Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa. After photos and celebrating, descend back to Barafu for a short rest, then continue down into the greener zone to Mweka Camp for overnight.

Overnight: Mweka Camp

Day 9: Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate (Finish)