Welcome to Tanzania! Upon arrival at the Kilimanjaro airport (JRO), your driver will transfer you about one hour to Moshi for your overnight stay. Located at the base of Mount Kilimanjaro, Moshi serves as the primary gateway for climbers tackling Africa's highest peak. Smaller and more relaxed than nearby Arusha, it's the perfect place to meet your guides, prepare your gear, and begin your expedition.Settle in before our Welcome Dinner of fantastic traditional cuisine and cultural education. In the evening, rest up for our first climbing day tomorrow!
Note: Some travelers like to acclimate before the climb, either with an extra night in Moshi or a pre-trek safari. You can see options in the add-on section when you book and we’re always happy to customize.
We strongly recommend arriving in Tanzania at least one full day before beginning your Kilimanjaro climb. While this day is not part of the official climbing itinerary, it is an important part of your overall experience. After a long international journey, especially from the United States, your body needs time to recover from travel, adjust to the time change, hydrate, rest, and prepare for the adventure ahead.
Taking an extra day to acclimate to your new surroundings, attend your pre-climb briefing, complete a gear check, and get a good night's sleep will ensure you begin your trek feeling rested, refreshed, and ready for the challenge.
Meals: D
After breakfast, we'll drive to Londorossi Gate where you'll complete park registration before continuing to the Lemosho trailhead. Your trek begins through the lush rainforest, where you may spot black-and-white colobus monkeys, buffalo, or even elephants along the trail. The path gradually climbs beneath a canopy of ancient trees before arriving at Mti Mkubwa (Big Tree Camp), your first campsite on the mountain.
Enjoy your first mountain dinner before settling into your tent for the evening.
Meals: B, L, D
Peak Elevation: 9,250 feet
Distance: 3 miles
Hiking Time: 3–4 hours
Habitat: Montane Forest
Leaving the rainforest behind, today's trek climbs steadily into the heath and moorland zone. As the forest gives way to open landscapes, you'll ascend onto the magnificent Shira Plateau with expansive views across Kilimanjaro's western slopes. The gradual climb ends at Shira 1 Camp, where you'll enjoy dinner and your first night in the alpine environment.
Meals: B, L, D
Peak Elevation: 11,850 feet
Distance: 5 miles
Hiking Time: 5–6 hours
Habitat: Moorland
Today's hike is a shorter, more relaxed trek across the vast Shira Plateau, allowing valuable time for acclimatization. Along the way you'll enjoy breathtaking views of the Western Breach, Kibo Peak, and the surrounding valleys. Upon reaching Shira 2 Camp, you'll have time to explore the plateau or simply relax while your body adjusts to the increasing altitude.
Meals: B, L, D
Peak Elevation: 12,630 feet
Distance: 4 miles
Hiking Time: 3–4 hours
Habitat: Moorland
After breakfast we'll continue east through the famous "Garden of the Senecios" toward Lava Tower, an impressive volcanic rock formation known as the Shark's Tooth. After lunch at this high point, we'll descend onto the quieter Northern Circuit Trail to Moir Camp.
Today's "climb high, sleep low" approach is an important part of the acclimatization process and significantly improves your chances of a successful summit.
Meals: B, L, D
Peak Elevation: 15,100 feet
Distance: 8 miles
Hiking Time: 5–7 hours
Habitat: Low-High Alpine
Today's trek follows the remote northern slopes of Kilimanjaro, far from the busier southern routes. After climbing out of Moir Valley, there is an optional hike to Little Lent Hill for spectacular panoramic views before continuing along rolling alpine terrain toward Buffalo Camp.
From camp you'll enjoy sweeping vistas across the Kenyan plains, making this one of the most scenic and peaceful sections of the Northern Circuit.
Meals: B, L, D
Peak Elevation: 13,200 feet
Distance: 7 miles
Hiking Time: 5–7 hours
Habitat: High Alpine Desert
After breakfast we'll continue east around Kilimanjaro's northern slopes, climbing over Buffalo Ridge before descending toward Third Cave Camp. This quieter section of the mountain offers incredible views and a true wilderness experience. By now, your body should be well acclimatized, allowing you to enjoy a shorter day before tomorrow's final ascent to high camp.
Meals: B, L, D
Peak Elevation: 12,470 feet
Distance: 5 miles
Hiking Time: 5–7 hours
Habitat: High Alpine Desert
Today's steady climb crosses the Saddle between Kibo and Mawenzi Peaks before arriving at School Hut, your final camp before the summit attempt. The landscape becomes increasingly barren as you enter the alpine desert and glacial zones.
After an early dinner, you'll organize your summit gear and head to bed early before your midnight wake-up call. A good night's rest is essential as tomorrow is the most challenging—and rewarding—day of the trek.
Meals: B, L, D
Peak Elevation: 15,750 feet
Distance: 8 miles
Hiking Time: 4–5 hours
Habitat: High Alpine Desert
Today is summit night—and day! Around midnight, we'll begin our ascent under a blanket of stars, climbing steadily toward Gilman's Point via Hans Meyer Cave. As dawn breaks over Mawenzi Peak, we'll continue around the crater rim to Uhuru Peak—the highest point in Africa at 19,341 feet.
After celebrating your incredible achievement, we'll begin the long descent via Stella Point and Barafu Camp before continuing down to Millennium Camp for a well-earned rest. This is the longest and most demanding day of the expedition, but also the most unforgettable.
Meals: B, L, D
Peak Elevation: 19,341 feet
Distance: 9.5 miles
Hiking Time: 14–16 hours
Habitat: Arctic
After breakfast, we'll make our final descent through the lush rainforest to Mweka Gate where you'll receive your official summit certificate. Our driver will be waiting to transfer you back to Moshi, where you can enjoy a hot shower, a comfortable bed, and celebrate your incredible accomplishment with your fellow climbers.
Meals: B, L
End Elevation: 5,400 feet
Distance: 6.5 miles
Hiking Time: 3–4 hours
Habitat: Rainforest
After breakfast, we will visit our community partner, Give a Heart to Africa, a local co-operative that empowers women via education & entrepreneurship. From there we’ll continue to Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) for your departure flight. Plan to depart after 5 p.m.
Many travelers like to add-on a three-day safari or a relaxing getaway to Zanzibar after their trek. For those that have a bit more time, you can also consider one of our customized add-ons including a longer safari in either Tanzania or Kenya, a Mount Meru Climb, Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda and or Uganda or other beach holidays like Pemba or the Seychelles.
Meals: B