Day 1: Hotel to Mti Mkubwa Camp
Elevation: 1830m/6000ft to 2650m/8700ft
Distance: 6km/4mi
Hiking Time: 2-3 hours
Habitat: Montane Forest
Meals: Lunch and Dinner
Itinerary:
After breakfast and briefing, drive to Lemosho Park Gate.A 4WD vehicle will take you along forest tracks to Lemosho Glades.
Walk through forest trails to Mti Mkubwa (Big Tree) Camp.
Day 2: Mti Mkubwa Camp to Shira 2 Camp
Elevation: 2650m/8700ft to 3850m/12,600ft
Distance: 16km/10mi
Hiking Time: 7-8 hours
Habitat: Moorland
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Itinerary:
Continue on a gradually steepening trail into the giant heather moorland zone.Cross several streams and ascend over the Shira Ridge.Pass Shira 1 Camp and continue to Shira 2 Camp on moorland meadows by a stream.
Day 3: Shira 2 Camp to Barranco Camp
Elevation: 3850m/12,600ft to 4000m/13,000ft
Distance: 8km/5mi
Walking Time: 5-6 hours
Habitat: Semi-desert
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Itinerary:
Head east up a ridge from the Shira Plateau.
Pass the junction towards Kibo Peak and continue southeast towards the Lava Tower ("Shark’s Tooth") at 4650m/15,250ft. Descend to Barranco Camp. This day aids acclimatization despite ending at a similar elevation.
Day 4: Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp
Elevation: 4000m/13,000ft to 4050m/13,250ft
Distance: 5km/3mi
Climbing Time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Itinerary:
Climb the Barranco Wall and follow a steep ridge to the Karanga Valley.Proceed to the junction connecting with the Mweka Trail.
Overnight at Karanga Camp.
Day 5: Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp
Elevation: 4050m/13,250ft to 4700m/15,350ft
Distance: 4km/2mi
Climbing Time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Itinerary:
Ascend to Barafu Camp, completing the South Circuit.Rest, enjoy dinner, and prepare for the summit day.
Overnight at Barafu Camp.
Day 6: Barafu Camp to Summit to Mweka Camp
Elevation: 4700m/15,350ft to 5895m/19,340ft (Uhuru Peak), then down to 3090m/10,150ft
Distance: 5km/3mi up, 13km/8mi down
Hiking Time: 5-7 hours up, 5-6 hours down
Habitat: Stone scree and ice-capped summit
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Itinerary:
Early morning summit attempt between midnight and 2 a.m.Ascend through scree to Stella Point and continue to Uhuru Peak.Enjoy the summit views and sunrise.
Descend to Mweka Camp with a lunch stop at Barafu Camp.
Overnight at Mweka Camp.
Day 7: Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate to Hotel
Elevation: 3090m/10,150ft to 1680m/5500ft
Distance: 10km/6mi
Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: Forest
Meals: Breakfast
Itinerary:
Continue descending through the forest to Mweka Gate.Collect summit certificates at the gate.
Transfer back to your hotel in Moshi (60-minute drive) or to the airport