A west-side route starting high on the Shira Plateau, quiet on the first two days and best for climbers with some altitude experience.
- Duration
- 6 Days
- Style
- Trekking
- Country
- Tanzania
- Format
- Private
6 days · Trekking
At a glance
- 6
- Days
- 5
- Nights
- 5
- Places to stay
- Private
- Group
Where you'll stay
- Shira 2 Camp
- Barranco Camp
- Karanga Camp
- Barafu Camp
- Mweka Camp
Every day is flexible — we tune the pace, lodges and game drives to you.
Drive to Shira Gate, hike to Shira 2 Camp
About a 4-hour drive from Arusha to the trailhead, then a 4–5 hour hike (8 km) on a winding trail up a ridge to Shira 2 Camp. Elevation 1,830 m to 3,850 m. Gaiters and trekking poles are useful on the muddy lower sections.
Where you stay
Shira 2 Camp (camping)
Meals
Full board (on the mountain)
Shira 2 Camp to Lava Tower to Barranco Camp
Continue east up a ridge, passing the junction towards Kibo, then south-east to Lava Tower, the 'Shark's Tooth' (4,650 m). Shortly after, pass the junction to Arrow Glacier and descend to Barranco Camp. Important for acclimatization (5–6 hours).
Where you stay
Barranco Camp (camping)
Meals
Full board (on the mountain)
Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp
Climb the steep Barranco Wall ridge to the Karanga Valley and the junction with the Mweka Trail (3–4 hours, 5 km, about 4,050 m).
Where you stay
Karanga Camp (camping)
Meals
Full board (on the mountain)
Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp
Continue to Barafu Camp (about 4,700 m), completing the South Circuit with views of the summit from many angles. Rest, dinner and preparation for summit day (3–4 hours).
Where you stay
Barafu Camp (camping)
Meals
Full board (on the mountain)
Summit Day: Barafu to Uhuru Peak, down to Mweka Camp
Start between midnight and 2 am between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers, through heavy scree to Stella Point on the crater rim for sunrise, then about an hour to Uhuru Peak (5,895 m). Descend via Barafu for lunch to Mweka Camp.
Where you stay
Mweka Camp (camping)
Meals
Full board (on the mountain)
Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate
Descend through forest to Mweka Gate (3–4 hours) and receive your summit certificates, then transfer back to your hotel.
Meals
Breakfast, lunch
Rates are in US dollars, per person sharing, based on the lodges in this itinerary. We'll confirm exact pricing for your dates and party.
Per person sharing
USD
Per person, USD, 2022-23 rate (6 days / 5 nights plus 2 nights hotel); solo climber add-on $320, single supplement $280; subject to current national park fees at time of booking. Prices are guides and may change with season, availability and exchange rates. See our terms for payment and cancellation details.
Included
- Professional Kilimanjaro guides with Wilderness First Responder and CPR certification
- Government taxes
- Adequate number of guides, porters and cooks for your group
- Transfers to and from Kilimanjaro International Airport
- All park, camping, rescue and crew fees and 18% VAT
- Transfers to and from the route gates
- Sleeping mattresses, dining and sleeping tents and crew equipment
- 2 nights in Moshi on bed and breakfast (before and after trekking)
- All crew wages
- Food and drinking water
- Portable toilet for the trek
- Complimentary oxygen cylinder
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