Accommodations: Kilimanjaro Camping

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodations: Kilimanjaro Camping

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Crossing the Shira Plateau – one of the highest plateaus on Earth – is one of the most scenic parts of this trip during your 3-4 hour hike across moorland meadows to the lunch point. After lunch you ascend to Moir camp, arriving in the mid afternoon. If you have the energy, a hike in the late afternoon is possible in the surrounding Lent Hills, which makes this an excellent acclimatization opportunity. Overnight at Moir Hut.

11,500 ft to 13,800 ft, 7 miles, 5-7 hours

Accommodations: Kilimanjaro Camping

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

From Moir you traverse the slopes of Kibo. Here relatively little flora or fauna can survive the extreme temperature ranges and conditions that typify this zone. Lunch is normally taken close to a volcanic rock formation known as the Lava Tower. If you feel very strong there is an optional ascent of the 300-foot-tall Lava Tower before descending down to Barranco camp in the afternoon, passing through the strange yet beautiful ‘Garden of the Senecios’ (giant groundsel) which also features many giant lobelias. The Barranco Valley is one of the prettiest areas of the entire trail. Overnight at Barranco Camp.

13,800 ft to 15,223 ft (Lava Tower), down to 13,044 ft, 7km, 4-6 hours

Accommodations: Kilimanjaro Camping

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

You now have a relatively short day to reach Karanga Camp, after conquering the intimidating Barranco Wall. Be prepared to use all four limbs as you traverse the wall to the top of the Karanga Valley. From here, follow a path that sojourns through many inclines and declines to Karanga Camp, arriving in the late afternoon. Our selection of Karanga Camp is strategic – significant time at altitude is essential for safe acclimatization. Sunsets here are particularly spectacular with views of the southern glacial valleys and ice fields towering over 3000 feet above you. Overnight at Karanga Camp.

13,044 ft to 13,123 ft, 3 miles, 4-5 hours

Accommodations: Kilimanjaro Camping

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today is another half day ascending to Barafu Camp. Once again lunch is taken in this high camp, allowing plenty of time to relax before the summit bid. Desolate alpine desert and, at times, strong winds rip over this camp, yet in the evenings splendid views of Mawenzi peak are the norm. A relatively early dinner is taken before resting for the evening. Overnight at Barafu Camp.

15,288 ft to 19,341 ft to 12,467 ft, 3 miles ascent, 7 miles descent, 7-8 hours ascent, 4-6 hours descent

Accommodations: Kilimanjaro Camping

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Depart just before midnight for the final summit bid. Patience and persistence is the name of game to reach the summit, and this is the coldest, windiest section of your adventure. Most likely by dawn, as the first rays of light start to appear across the Tanzanian landscape, you arrive near the rim at Stella Point, at an altitude of 18,652ft. Here, you are rewarded with the most glorious sunrise you are ever likely to see, appearing over Mawenzi Peak. Ascending via Stella Point affords a relatively short final section to Uhuru Peak, the Roof of Africa! Take as many pictures as you can! After a short celebration at the summit, begin the ebullient trek down. Go slowly and enjoy the wonderful rainforest scenery as you head towards Mweka Camp, arriving before dusk. With every step the air has more and more oxygen so although your legs will be jelly your heart will be light. Overnight Mweka Camp

12,467 ft to 5,380 ft, 6 miles, 3-4 hours

Accommodations: Kilimanjaro Camping

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

• 8

Hours trekking: 4-7