Lemosho RouteKilimanjaro

On the trail leading out of the rainforest and into a savannah of tall grasses, heather, and volcanic rock covered in lichen beards, we continue. We reach the Shira Ridge before descending gently to Shira 1 Camp as we ascend through the lush, undulating hills and cross a number of streams. Here, we get our first look at Kibo from the other side of the plateau.

We spend the entire day exploring the Shira Plateau. A leisurely stroll through moorland meadows leads to Shira 2 Camp. Then we leave the main trail and head off to Moir Hut, a remote location at the foot of Lent Hills. Lent Hills offers a wide range of walks, making this a fantastic chance to acclimate. One of the highest plateaus on the planet is the Shira Plateau.

We start the day by ascending a ridge and then move southeast in the direction of the 300-foot-tall Lava Tower, a volcanic rock formation. We descend to an elevation of 13,000 feet before entering the strange but lovely Senecio Forest. Even though you start and end each day at the same elevation, spending time at a higher altitude helps your body adjust to the higher altitude.

Moir Hut to Lava Tower

Lava Tower to Barranco Camp

We start the day by making our way down a ravine to the Great Barranco Wall’s base. Then we ascend the nearly 900-foot cliff, which is not technically difficult. We travel through a number of hills and valleys after leaving the top of the Barranco Wall before making a sharp turn into the Karanga Valley. We have one more steep ascent before we reach Karanga Camp. Acclimatization is the goal of today’s shorter day.

After leaving Karanga, we arrive at the intersection where the Mweka Trail joins it. We keep going up the rocky slope to Barafu Hut. You have now finished the Southern Circuit, which provides views of the summit from a variety of angles. We set up camp here, take a nap, and eat a leisurely dinner before the summit day. From here, one can see Mawenzi and Kibo, the two peaks.

We start the ascent very early in the morning (around midnight). The hardest part of the trek both physically and mentally is this section. At this altitude and time of day, the wind and cold can be very strong. We climb in the dark for several hours, stopping frequently but only briefly. You will be rewarded with the most breathtaking sunrise you are ever likely to see approaching Mawenzi Peak close to Stella Point (18,900 feet). Finally, we reach Uhuru Peak, which is both Mount Kilimanjaro’s and Africa’s highest point.

We now begin our descent from the summit, going straight down to the Mweka Hut campsite while stopping at Barafu for lunch. Trekking poles are helpful because the trail is very rocky and can be quite taxing on the knees. Due to its location in the upper forest, Mweka Camp may experience late-afternoon mist or rain. We have our final meal on the mountain later in the evening before a well-earned rest.

Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak

Uhuru Peak to Mweka Camp

We continue the descent to Mweka Gate on our final day, where we pick up the summit certificates. It might be muddy and wet at lower altitudes. We travel another hour to Mweka Village from the gate. We’ll be picked up by car at Mweka Village and taken back to our Moshi hotel.