8 Days/7 nights on Mount Kilimanjaro

Mountain Day 1 – Forest Camp (8,817')

From town we drive several hours over highways, then dirt roads, and finally narrow dirt tracks to the Londorosi Gate where you will sign in with the rangers.  A short drive further to Lemosho Glades brings us to meet your porters and start the hike. From here we’ll walk about 4 hours through the forest to our camp. A picnic lunch will be provided during our hike.  In the forest, exotic moss and flowers delight the eye while bird calls entertain the ear.  You may see signs of the elephants that travel in this area. 

Mountain Day 4 - Barranco Camp (hike up to ~14,300', sleep at ~13,500')

We leave the heath zone and enter the alpine zone as we hike 4-6 hours past Lava  Camp and its volcanic landscape and then down a bit into the scenic Barranco Valley to camp. 

Mountain Day 5  - Barafu Camp (~15,100')

Ascend the Great Barranco Wall with views of Kilimanjaro’s ice fields, then traverse around to Barafu Camp (hike about 6-8 hours).  After settling into camp, we’ll have a demonstration on use of safety equipment such as the Gamow (hyperbaric) bag and oxygen.

Mountain Day 6 - Crater Camp (~18,500')

Although the distance is short, today’s hike is challenging.  We climb for around 6-7 hours to Stella Point (views into the Crater and of surrounding Africa) then another hour into and across the Crater to camp in view of the glaciers. 

Mountain Day 7 – Summit and Mweka Camp (up to 19,340', down to 10,448')

Summit day. We will start our ascent to the summit (19,340ft - 5,896m) around 6:00 am and reach the summit in under 2 hours. After taking in the view from Uhuru Peak we’ll begin the long descent down to Barafu Hut for lunch and then to our camp at Mweka Camp.  Hiking poles will help protect your knees on this steep descent.  A long day, around 8-11 hours for average speed groups.

Mountain Day 8 – Mweka Park Gate

We make the final descent to the trail head today, only 3-4 hours hiking. Here we will have lunch and say goodbye to our mountain crew before leaving Mount Kilimanjaro.