Pick up and check out of a hotel in the morning then drive to the Kilimanjaro National Park Lemosho Gate. We enter the western gate of the park about (7,700ft or 2,100m) and climb to the Forest Camp (9,255ft or 2,821 m) in the Rainforest Zone. The trekking can take about 2 to 3 hours. While trekking in the lush rainforest you may see some black and white Colobus Monkeys as well as some Blue Monkeys.

Dinner and overnight at Forest Camp.

Zone: Rainforest Zone

Elevation: 2,100m to 2,821m

We climb from Forest Camp to Shira 1 Camp (11,300ft or 3,444 m) in the Heather/ Moorland Zone consisting of more lush vegetation. We will be having the lunch break halfway through the day. This trekking can take about 5-7 hours.

Dinner and overnight at Shira 1 Camp.

Zone: Heather / Moorland Zone

Elevation: 2,821m to 3,444m

We climb from Shira 1 Camp to Moir Camp (13,779ft or 4,200 m) through the Heather and Moorland Zone. From this point, the landscape will begin changing to smaller plants and you will start traveling through a more desert-like landscape. This trekking can take about 5 to 7 hours including a short break for lunch.

Dinner and overnight at Moir Camp.

Zone: Heather / Moorland Zone

Elevation: 3,444m to 4,200m

We climb from Moir Camp to Lava Tower Camp (15,091ft or 4,600 m) in the Alpine Desert Zone. This trekking can take about 3 hours including a short lunch break. After lunch, we relax for the rest of the day to acclimatize. Depending on the weather, you can opt to climb Lava Tower with one of our guides for more spectacular views.

Dinner and overnight at Lava Tower Camp.

Zone: Alpine Desert Zone

Elevation:4,200m to 4,600m

Acclimatization hiking day!

The acclimatization day starts with the hiking to the Arrow Glacier Camp (16,076ft or 4,900 m). This is an elevation gain of approximately 1,000ft/ 300 m and the hiking can take about 2 to 3 hours to complete. Later you will descend back to Lava Tower Camp (15,091ft or 4,600 m).

Dinner and overnight at Lava Tower Camp.

Zone: Alpine Desert Zone

Elevation:4,600m to 4,900m

We climb from Lava Tower Camp to Arrow Glacier Camp through the Alpine Desert Zone. This trekking can take about 1 to 1.5 hours depending on your pace. We hike about 1,000ft/ 300 m but the terrain is a bit steep, with a few scramble sections to get over the Great Barranco Wall. Spend the rest of the day for relaxation and preparing for the next day’s climb to the Western Breach.

Dinner and overnight at Arrow Glacier Camp.

Zone: Alpine Desert Zone

Elevation: 4,600m to 4,900m

Western Breach climbing day!

We climb from Arrow Glacier Camp to Crater Camp (18,800ft or 5,730 m). We wake up very early before sunrise, cross the Western Breach, and head into the Crater Rim. We then walk past the Northern Ice Field and Furtwangler Glacier on our way to Crater Camp.

This portion of hiking can take about 5 to 7 hours, then we will have a short break at Crater Camp for lunch. From this point onwards, the climbing has 2 options which will be decided in cooperation by the head guides, and all the climbers on the trek.

Option 1: After the short break from crater camp, we continue our ascent to the summit. It takes about 1.5 hours to reach Uhuru Peak from Crater Camp. Many climbers still feel great at this point and wish to continue making their ascent to Uhuru Peak the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro.

If your group decides on option 1, you will descend to Barafu Camp (15,239ft or 3,983m) for dinner and overnight. The descending can take about 2 to 3 hours.

The benefit of choosing Option 1 is that you will be reaching the summit in the mid-afternoon when there are few climbers at the summit, hence you may have the freedom to take as many pictures as you wish.

Option 2: After the short break from crater camp, you will also spend the night at Crater Camp waiting for the next day’s ascent to the summit at sunrise.

Zone: Arctic Zone

Elevation: 4,900m to 5,730m

If your group chooses option 2 the hiking begins at the crater camp making your ascent to Uhuru Peak (19,341ft or 5,895 m). This trekking can take about 1.5 hours.

Congratulations on reaching the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro. Spend some minutes celebrating your accomplishments and taking photos.

Zone: Arctic Zone

Elevation: 5,730m to 5,895

After breakfast, we continue descending to Mweka Gate (5,423ft or 1,653m). Then you can enjoy cold drinks while waiting for your Official Kilimanjaro Climbing Certificate for the great experience you had. Then you will meet your safari guide at Mweka gate to drive you back to your hotel in Arusha/Moshi.