September 2022 Kilimanjaro Itinerary

DAY 1 (Thursday)

Arrive in Kilimanjaro airport in the afternoon.  We will meet you at the airport and drive about an hour and half to the hotel.  We will check in, unpack, and eat dinner at the hotel.

DAY 2 (Friday)

Optional trip to Waterfalls and Coffee Plantation.  Meet with mountain guides to inspect our gear.  ($20-40/person)

DAY 3 (Saturday: 1^st Day of Climb)

Lemosho Gate-Mti Kubwa Camp: Rainforest

• 8am Leave hotel around for Londorossi Gate.
• Drive 2-3 hours
• Expect delays…we will carry a box lunch and eat sometime before we climb…this is the most chaotic part of the trip.
• After completing the paperwork at Londorossi National Park gate, we drive through farmland to reach the Lemosho trailhead.
• Hike for about 3 hours through the rain forest.
• Evening Camp at Mti Kubwa (Big Tree Camp)

2-3 hours · 2.9 miles Elevation: 9137ft to 11,496ft

Elevation Gain: +1,700 ft.

DAY 4 (Sunday: 2^nd Day of Climb)

Mti Kubwa Camp-Shira One: Rainforest to Mooreland

• 7am Breakfast
• 8am Begin Hike to Shira 1 Camp
  • Start in Rainforest & enter into the Mooreland
• The trail climbs with gorgeous views of the area around Kilimanjaro, but the summit may not be in view until the afternoon, depending on weather.
• By afternoon, we reach the rim of the Shira Plateau & get possibly the first clear view  of the summit since we will now be at cloud level.
• Short break at the rim, then we descend into the Shira plateau to Camp at Shira One Camp
• Late lunch at Shira 1
• Leisure hike after lunch to help with climatization 

4-6 hours · 4.9 miles  Elevation: 9137ft to 11,496ft
Altitude gained: +2359 feet

DAY 5 (Monday: 3^rd Day of Climb)

Shira One Camp-Shira Two Camp : Mooreland

• 7am Breakfast
• 8am Begin Hike to Shira Two Camp
  • Steady uphill climb through the Moorelands
  • This is not a difficult climb
• Lunch & Dinner at Shira Two Camp
• At Shira Two camp, it is likely to get cell service
• Shira Two has beautiful views, but it is windy & dusty.  The weather can be hot in the sun, but cold in the wind.  A decent windbreaker jacket is helpful at camp. 
• 5-7  hours · 4.3 miles  Elevation: 11,496ft to 12,770ft
  Altitude gained: +1283 feet

DAY 6 (Tuesday: 4^th Day of Climb)

Shira Two Camp  – Lava Tower – Barranco CAMP: Semi-Desert

• 7am Breakfast
• 8am Begin Hike to Lava Tower
  • This is steep hike that will push you and test your acclimatization.  The altitude gains are deceiving because it is a steep & steady climb to Lava Tower & then steep descent to Barranco Camp
• Lunch at Lava Tower
• After lunch steep descent to Barranco Camp
• This is likely the most comfortable camp to sleep and acclimatize.  After hiking high before lunch, you should enjoy and appreciate sleeping at a lower elevation.
• Barranco Camp is in the shadow of Barranco Wall, the challenge for the next day!
  • Barranco Wall is nicknamed Breakfast Wall because you will climb it immediately after breakfast the next day

4-6  hours · 6.3 miles  Elevation: 12,770 to 13,077ft
Altitude gained: +300 feet

DAY 7 (Wednesday: 5^th Day of Climb)

Two Camp : Barranco Camp- Karanga Camp: Alpine Desert

• 7am Breakfast
• 8am Descend from Camp and begin the 900ft climb up the Barranco Wall
  • The wall is very intimidating in appearance, but quite safe to climb.  You will tuck away your trekking poles because you will need your hands to help you scramble up the wall.
  • This can take 2-3 hours if congested.  If you’re brave, check out the view.  If the weather is clear, the view is amazing.
• Rest at top of  Barranco Wall & then continue to Karanga Camp
• Late lunch at Karanga Camp, Dinner & Sleep
• 4-5  hours · 3 miles  Elevation: 13,077 to 13,235ft
  Altitude gained: +158 feet

DAY 8 (Thursday: 6^th Day of Climb)

Two Camp : KARANGA CAMP- BARAFU Camp: Alpine Desert

• 7am Breakfast
• 8am Begin Hike to Barafu Camp (basecamp)
• Lunch & rest at Barafu Camp
• Early Dinner
• Sleep 7pm-11:30pm                                                   4-5  hours · 2 miles  Elevation: 13,235 to 15,295
                                                                                                                          Altitude gained: +2060 feet

DAY 8-9 (Thur-Fri: 6-7^th Day of Climb)

BARAFU Camp- Summit-MWEKA Camp:  

Alpine Desert,  Glaciers, Snow-Capped Summit, Moorland, Rainforest

• 11:30pm Breakfast
• Midnight: Begin hike to summit
• 6-7am Arrive @ Stella Point & watch the Sunrise
• 7-8am Summit!

6-8  hours · 8 miles  Elevation: 15,295 to 19,341
Altitude gained: +4045 feet

• 8-11am Descend to Barafu
• 11am-1pm Rest/eat lunch
• 1pm-4pm Hike to camp for the night (2 options depending on time)

6-8  hours · 8 miles  Elevation: 19,341 to 10,190
Altitude lost: -9,150 feet

DAY 10 (Saturday: 8^th Day of Climb)

MWEKA Camp – MWEKA Gate :  Rainforest

• 7am Breakfast
• 8am Begin Hike to  Mweka Gate
• Return to Hotel, receive certificates, rest & shower

3-4  hours · 6 miles  Elevation: 10,190ft to 5358ft
Altitude lost: -4,833feet

DAY 11 (Sunday) Optional Visit to Hot Springs ($20-40)

DAY 12 (Monday) Optional Wildlife Safari ($300-500)

DAY 13 (Tuesday) Leave Kilimanjaro Airport to return home