Leave in the morning from hotel to Lemosho Gate were gate is located. The start of trail 2100m trek winds up through the lush forest zone on to the lower slopes of the northern side, going to Shira Plateau. Overnight at Mti Mkubwa 2650m, 3 to 4 hours.

Elevation: 1830m/6000ft to 2650m/8700ft
Distance: 7km
Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: Montane Forest

After breakfast, you will follow a thin trail through the rainforest before leaving the green area behind heading into moorland. Erica and Lobelia plants will start to take over the landscape. After about 4-5 hours you will reach Shira One Camp where you will have your evening meal and overnight stay.

Elevation: 2650m/8700ft to 3500m/11,500ft
Distance: 8km/5mi
Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
Habitat: Moorland

After breakfast, a gentle hike across the plateau leads to Shira 2 camp on moorland meadows by a stream. A variety of hikes are available on the Plateau, making this an excellent acclimatization day.

Elevation: 3500m/11,500ft to 3850m/12,600ft

Distance: 8km/5mi

Hiking Time: 4-5 hours

Habitat: Moorland

Day four is a long trek heading east which passes through the ‘Garden of the Senecios’ and then enters the high alpine desert zone. The morning is spent trekking up to Lava Tower and the iconic Shark’s Tooth rock formation at 4,600 meters, where you will have lunch. After lunch, you will join the northern circuit heading down to Moir Camp at 4,200 meters (see map above). This is an important day in your trek as you will get to experience high altitude and then sleep low, which is good for the acclimatization process.

Elevation: SHIRA CAMP 2 (3850M) to MOIR CAMP (4200M)
Distance covered: 14km / 8mi
Approx. time taken: 5-7 hours

Day six starts with a climb up he Buffalo ridge and down into Porfu Camp where lunch is usually served. The route then continues east around the northern slopes to the Rongai Third Cave at 3,800 meters. The trek is shorter than the day before and by now you should be feeling well acclimatised to the altitude. You will arrive at the Third Cave just around mid-afternoon.

Elevation: Buffalo Camp (4020 M) to Rongai Third Cave (3800 M)
Distance covered: 8km / 5mi
Approx. time taken: 5 -7 hours

Day seven involves a steady incline up and over the Saddle which sits between the peaks of Kibo and Mawenzi Peak. Trekkers then continue walking south-west up to School Hut (4,800 meters). After arriving at School Hut you will be served an early dinner and then you should get some shut-eye as you will be awoken before midnight to start your summit attempt. Remember to prepare all your gear, including warm clothes, insulated water bottles, snacks, headlamp and camera before going to bed.

Elevation: Third Cave Camp (3800 M) to School Hut (4800 M)
Distance covered: 15km / 8miles
Approx. time taken: 5 hours

The final day is a short hike through the dense montane rainforest from Millennium Camp (3,950 meters) to Mweka Gate (1,640 meters). At the gate you will need to sign-out with the authorities, who will also provide you with your official certificate – a green certificate for those who made it to Gilman’s Point and a gold certificate for those who reached Uhuru Peak. It is customary to give your guide and porter tips before being driven back to your hotel in Arusha.

Elevation : Millennium Camp (3,950 meters) to Mweka Gate (1,640 meters)
Distance: ~10km / 6.5 miles

Trekking time: 4-5 hours