Itinerary
Day 1
Arrival
All trekkers need to organise their own flights to Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO). From JRO we will arrange a private transfer to your hotel. That night or early the next morning you will meet your local Kandoo representative and have a full pre-climb briefing.
Day 1
Arrival
- Transport: Private transfer
- Accomodation: Hotel
Day 2
Londorossi Gate to Mti Mkubwa Camp
4WD transfer to Londorossi Park Gate for registration. Our porters prepare and pack our supplies and luggage before we start our ascent along the forest trail to Mti Mkubwa (Big Tree) campsite at 2895m. We will stay here overnight.
Day 1
- Hiking time: 3 - 4 hours
- Ascent: 535 m
- Max. altitude: 2895 m
- Accomodation: Camping
- Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Day 3
Mti Mkubwa Camp to Shira 1 Camp
Our journey continues eastwards across the Shira Plateau with spectacular views of Shira Cathedral. We cross moorland meadow to reach Shira 1 Camp for dinner and overnight camping at 3500m. By now we will be able to see the stunning glaciers of the Western Breach. It will be colder tonight than the previous night with temperatures possibly falling below freezing.
Day 1
- Hiking time: 5 - 6 hours
- Ascent: 605 m
- Max. altitude: 3500 m
- Accomodation: Camping
- Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Day 4
Shira 1 Camp to Shira 2 Camp
Today we walk to the summit of Shira Cathedral, a huge buttress of rock surrounded by steep spires and pinnacles. There is a tangible sense of wilderness here, especially when the afternoon mists roll in. From our camp near Shira Hut, we take in the unforgettable views of Mt Meru.
Day 1
- Hiking time: 3 - 4 hours
- Ascent: 310 m
- Max. altitude: 3810 mm
- Accomodation: Camping
- Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Day 5
Shira 2 Camp to Moir Hut
We leave the moorland behind now and a gentle grade walk takes us across the high altitude Shira Caldera to Shira Cave with fabulous views of Arrow glacier. We will camp here for the night at 4200m.
Day 1
- Hiking time: 6 - 7 hours
- Ascent: 390 m
- Max. altitude: 4200 m
- Accomodation: Camping
- Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Day 6
Moir Hut to Pofu Camp
We climb out of the Moir Valley and take a short detour to reach the summit of Lent Hills (4700m). After admiring the views we return to the trail and heads eastwards around the Northern Circuit trail. The final section of today’s walk undulates until reaching the location of Pofu Camp.
Day 1
- Hiking time: 7 - 8 hours
- Ascent: 500 m
- Descent: 680 m
- Max. altitude: 4700 m
- Accomodation: Camping
- Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Day 7
Pofu Camp to Third Cave Camp
From Pofu Camp we cross numerous small valleys as the trail continues through a landscape that has increasingly sparse vegetation to eventually reach Third Cave Camp.
Day 1
- Hiking time: 6 - 7 hours
- Descent: 60 m
- Max. altitude: 4020 m
- Accomodation: Camping
- Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Day 8
Third Cave Camp to School Hut
Today there is a steady ascent to reach the Saddle, a lunar landscape between the peaks of Kibo and Mawenzi. From here we continue upwards and reach School Hut in the early afternoon. The remainder of the afternoon is spent resting and preparing for the summit day.
Day 1
- Hiking time: 5 - 6 hours
- Ascent: 830 m
- Max. altitude: 4790 mm
- Accomodation: Camping
- Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
