Meet anytime at Kilimanjaro International Airport by a staff of TRR Safaris driven to Arusha or Moshi for accommodation. Our Kilimanjaro Expert will gather in the hotel for a pre-climb briefing and an equipment check.
Dinner and overnight at Arusha or Moshi
After a good night’s sleep and a hearty breakfast, we leave the forest behind, the trail climbs steadily with wide views to reach the rim of the Shira Plateau. A full-day trekking with a slow and steady pace up to Shira Camp.
Mti Mkubwa Camp to Shira Camp: 6-7 hours walking.
Elevation: 2785m/9137ft to 3895m/12,779ft Altitude gained: 1110m
We explore the Shira plateau for a full day. It is a gentle walk east toward Kibo’s 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. (3,840 m): 4-5 hours walking.
Elevation: 3504m/11,496ft to 3895m/12,779ft Altitude gained: 391m
Although you end the day around the same elevation as when you began, this day is very important for acclimatization. From Shira Plateau we continue east up a ridge, passing the junction towards the Kibo peak before we then continue, South East towards the Lava Tower, called the “Shark’s Tooth” (elev. 4650m/15,250ft). Shortly after the tower, we come to a second junction, which leads to the Arrow Glacier. We then continue to descend to overnight at Barranco Camp.
Shira Camp to Barranco Valley: (5-7 hours walking)
Elevation: 3895m/12,779ft to 3986m/13,077ft Altitude gained: 91m
A steep climb up the eastern wall leads us just below the Heim Glacier, where we may have some spectacular views of Kilimanjaro. We then take a steep exit up the Great Barranco Wall, which divides us from the southeastern slopes of Kibo, the trail continues down into the alpine desert of the Karanga Valley, and finally, we have a steep climb up to Karanga Camp.
Barranco Camp to Karanga camp: (4-5 hours walking)
Elevation: 3986m/13,077ft to 4034m/13,253ft Altitude gained: 48m
Today we take the Traverse Route that takes up the Barafu Ridge, we walk up quite slowly to the final camp before your last ascent day to the summit. The remainder of the day is spent relaxing in preparation for the final ascent before a very early night.
Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp: 3-4 hours walking.
Elevation: 4034m/13,253ft to 4662m/15,295ft Altitude gained: 628m
Wake up before midnight in the cover of darkness. We begin a steep climb over loose volcanic scree that has some well-graded zig-zags and a slow but steady pace will take us to the rim of the main crater, Stella Point, at 5,735m. We will rest there for a few minutes to enjoy the sunrise over Mawenzi. Those who are still feeling good can continue slowly to make the two-hour round trip from here along the crater rim to the main peak (5,895 m), which is the highest point in Africa. After a few minutes to appreciate your accomplishment we descend to Barafu is amazingly fast, and we stop at Barafu Camp for some refreshment, we continue to descend to reach Mweka Camp.
Barafu Camp to Summit to Mweka Camp: (13-15 hours walking).
Elevation: 4662m/15,295ft to 5895m/19,341ft Altitude gained: 1233m
Descent to 3090m/10,150ft Altitude lost: 2789m
After breakfast and a heartfelt ceremony of appreciation and team bonding with your crew, it’s time to say goodbye. We continue the descent down to the Mweka Park Gate to receive your summit certificates. As the weather is drastically warmer, the terrain is wet, muddy, and steep and we highly recommend Gaiters and trekking poles.
From the gate, a vehicle will meet you at Mweka village to drive you back to your hotel in Arusha, Moshi. Enjoy a long overdue hot shower, dinner, and celebrations!!
Dinner and Overnight at Karama Lodge and Spa or Similar
Elevation: 3106m/10,190ft to 1633m/5358ft Altitude lost: 1473m
Arusha to Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) for your flight unless you have the option to relax at Zanzibar beach, or any other option we will discuss
Impression climbing Kilimanjaro
2024
2024
