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 Mosh

After breakfast Arusha/ Moshi, we will drive to Lemosho Gate. Here you will be registered by the national park authorities and your trek through a dense rainforest begins. Today will be the shortest walk of the trek, about 2½ hours, giving you a small taste of what lies ahead in the coming days. The walk takes you through dense and unspoiled rainforest, which is very different from the scenery you will have in the next couple of days.

We soon leave the forest behind and enter the moorland zone of giant heather. The trail climbs steadily with wide views to reach the rim of the Shira Plateau. There is a tangible sense of wilderness, especially if afternoon mists come in! We camp in the center of the plateau at Shira One. 4-6hrs Walking)

Today we explore the grassy moorland and volcanic rock formations of the plateau. We walk to the summit of Shira Cathedral (12,800 ft), a huge buttress of rock surrounded by steep spires and pinnacles. There is a tangible sense of wilderness here, especially when the afternoon mists roll in.

In the morning we follow the main trail up to Lava Tower (15,150 ft), and for those feeling strong, there is a possibility to climb up to the ruined hut at Arrow Glacier (15,700 ft). We then continue from Lava Tower to reach our campsite at Moir Hut.(6-7hrs Walking)

For those wanting some extra exercise and acclimatization, there are a number of short hikes that can be taken in the nearby Lent Hills.

We climb out of the Moir Valley and take a short detour to reach the summit of Lent Hills (15,400 ft). After admiring the views we return to the trail and head eastwards around the northern circuit trail. Here the trail passes through a field of rock slabs that clink as they are walked on. The final section of today’s walk undulates until reaching the location of Buffalo Camp.

You’ll begin your day by heading up Buffalo Ridge. This is truly wild country, as you’ll feel like the only people on the mountain as you trek through this sparse terrain. Trekking through remote valleys and windswept terrain, you’ll overnight on the northern slopes of Kilimanjaro.

There is a steady ascent to reach the saddle, a lunar landscape between the peaks of Kibo and Mawenzi. From here we continue upwards and reach School Hut in the early afternoon.

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!!

We start the final and most demanding part of the climb by headlamp around 1 a.m. We plod very slowly in the darkness on a switchback trail through loose volcanic scree to reach the crater rim at Gilman’s Point (18,600 ft). We rest here for a short time to enjoy the spectacular sunrise over Mawenzi. Those who are still feeling strong can make the three- our round trip to Uhuru Peak (19,345 ft), passing close to the spectacular glaciers and ice cliffs that still occupy most of the summit area. We leave the summit heading northwest, down steep switchbacks for a short distance to Crater Camp (18,900 ft), where the rest of the crew will join us to set up camp. There is an option to hike Reusch Crater and the Ash Pit (19,140), or stay in the area and explore Furtwangler Glacier. Sleeping at this high altitude can be dangerous. Serious AMS can develop if adequate altitude acclimatization has not been achieved so the guides will monitor you very closely later descend to Mweka Camp. [10-13 hours walking]

A sustained descent on a well-constructed path takes us through a lovely tropical forest alive with birdsong and boasting lush undergrowth with considerable botanical interest. Our route winds down to the Kilimanjaro National Park gate at Mweka (5,400 ft); and on through coffee and banana farms to Mweka village, where we are transferred to your lodge in Arusha. (3-4hrs Walking)

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