Day 1, Moshi town:

Upon arrival at the Kilimanjaro International Airport (KIA), you will be greeted by our warm, friendly guide(s). After the long international flight, you will be transferred to a nearby hotel to rest and relax. During the day on your way to the nearby hotel from the KIA-hotel, you may get the chance to view the mountain as it showed itself for some time before being shrouded in cloud. Overnight in the hotel in Moshi town; notice the sounds and smells of Moshi town all around you.

Accommodation: Lodge or Hotel in Moshi town Meals: Dinner

Day 2: Marangu Village & Coffee Tour (recommended for acclimatization)

After breakfast, you will drive from your hotel for 45 minutes to Marangu village for the local tour. If you would be interested, we will prepare local food, which we can share. The name Marangu comes from the local Chagga word meaning spring water,’ and the village itself is located in the foothills of Mt. Kilimanjaro, about 40 km from Moshi town. This one-day trip takes you to various natural and cultural sites around Marangu.

Activities

Day 3: Big Tree Camp (2780m)

After breakfast, you’ll be picked up from your hotel and driven to Londorosi Gate (which is approximately 3 hours from Moshi town). After signing in, you will then be driven a further 12km on a forest track that leads to the Lemosho starting point. From here you will enter the beautiful and undisturbed rainforest to begin your ascent up the mountain. The route offers a good chance to witness an undisturbed forest, undisturbed by human activities with a splendid view of varieties of birds and black and white colobus monkeys. Mti Mkubwa Camp is also known as Big Tree Camp, the camp name is given to present the large conifer trees that provide shade over the campsite. The hiking will take 3 to 4 hours.

Day 4: Big Tree Camp (2780m)-Shira 1 Camp (3500m)

On this day you’ll rise early for breakfast and begin climbing a slightly steeper gradient through various vegetation zones. This day we reach the west side of the Shira Plateau, hiking through a montane forest, through a transition zone, and into the heather zone where the old lava flows are visible. Here you will start to get fantastic views of Kibo, the summit cone of Mt. Kilimanjaro.

Day 5: Shira 1 Camp (3500m) – Shira 2 Camp (3990m)

Today is an easy-paced acclimatization day, enjoying a gentle walk across the Shira Plateau into the moorland of Kilimanjaro. So now you are on the west of Kibo Peak. Tea or coffee and some nuts or popcorn will be served to help warm up your body before the main dish of the evening and retiring to sleep. Shira Two Camp is very exposed and will be much colder with temperatures dropping below freezing point. Hiking time is 4-5 hours.

Day 6: Shira 2 Camp (3900m) – Lava Tower (4600m) – Moir Hut (4160m)

Today is a long trek heading east passing through the ‘ Golden of the Senecio’s and then entering the high alpine desert zone with rocky landscapes and surrounding Lava Tower of 300ft high with rocky scree at its base. The morning is spent trekking up to Lava Tower camp where you will have a hot lunch. After lunch you will join the Northern Circuit descending to Moir Hut. This is an important day in your trek as you will get to experience high altitude and then sleep low which is good for the acclimatization process. Hiking time is 5 to 6 hours.

Day 7: Moir Hut Camp (4160m)-Buffalo Camp (4020m)

We begin with a moderately steep climb out of Moir Hut. If you wish, you can take a small detour here to climb to the summit of Little Lent Hill (4375m) before returning to the Northern Circuit trail. The route follows a series of inclines and declines, skirting around the northern slopes of Kibo to Buffalo Camp. Spectacular views of the plains north of Kilimanjaro stretch as far as the eye can see to the Kenyan /Tanzanian border before arriving at the buffalo camp just after midday for lunch and having time to rest. Hiking time is 5 to 7 hours.

Day 8: Buffalo Camp (4020m) – Rongai Third Cave (3930m)

This day starts with a climb up the Buffalo Ridge and down into the Pofu camp where lunch is served. We continue east around the northern slopes to the Rongai Third Cave camp. Today’s climb is shorter than the day before and you should be feeling better acclimatized to the altitude at this point. You will arrive at the Third Cave camp just around mid-afternoon. Hiking time is 4 to 5 hours.

Day 9: Rongai Third Cave (3930m) – School Hut (4800m)

A steady ascent over the Saddle which sits between the peaks of Kibo and Mawenzi Peak. We continue with the trail to the southwest to School Hut (4800m) where you will be served an early dinner and go to rest as you will begin your summit bid just before midnight Hiking time is 4 to 5 hours.

Day 10: School Hut (4800m) – Uhuru Peak (5895m) – Millenium Camp (3790)

Very early in the morning leaving your campsite between midnight and 1:00 am, we begin our push to the summit. This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek. The wind and the cold at this elevation can be extreme. We ascend in the darkness for several hours while taking short breaks on the way up. At Gilman’s Point you will be awarded with the most magnificent view of sunrise you can ever likely to see coming over Mawenzi Peak. Finally, we arrive at Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa. At this early hour, before the clouds close in, we have spectacular views of Africa in all directions taking pictures and cheers for a few minutes. The hiking time is 7 to 8 hours. 

You then head back down, via the Mweka route. The section from Uhuru down to Barafu (4 hours) is screed (as on the way up). Then, at Barafu camp you will have 30-45 minutes of rest before continuing with the trail to Millenium Camp where you will get the hot drink juice while waiting for the lunch and dinner overnight. Then after lunch, you head down through the various vegetation zones, on a continual downhill, into Mweka camp which is located on the edge of the rainforest area (1: 30 hours from Barafu Camp). Congratulations, you made it to the Roof of Africa!

Day 11: Millenium Camp – Moshi town

After a fantastic breakfast, you will begin the easiest part of your adventure on Mt. Kilimanjaro via a scenic path through the forest to Mweka Gate, our last hike will be of 4 to 5 hours. The hike is steep in some places and may be slippery if wet so again we recommend that you use trekking poles. Successful hikers who make it to Gilman’s Point or Stella Point and Uhuru Peak will be awarded their signed and stamped certificates at the Mweka gate. At the gate you will say goodbye to your mountain crew and enjoy a picnic lunch. The trip leaders will take you back to your hotel for a much-welcome hot shower and a celebration dinner.

Accommodation: Lodge or Hotel in Moshi town/Arusha Meals: Dinner

Moshi/ Arusha town – Departure:

For those returning home, you will be transferred to the Kilimanjaro International Airport to catch your flight. Those continuing on safari or to Zanzibar will be picked up at your hotel for the continuation of your Tanzania Unforgettable tour.