Welcome to Moshi- the more quaint, laid-back of the small towns sitting at the base of the famed Mount Kilimanjaro! Upon arrival in Kilimanjaro International airport you will be met by our Embark representatives, who will provide transportation to your hotel. No activities are planned for the day. You are free to explore picturesque downtown Moshi.

Group briefing and pre-trip discussion. You will be introduced to your trekking guide, have a comprehensive gear check. You are free to explore some more, take part in informal group tour around town; visit the market or a local coffee shop for lunch. Moshi is a relatively small, comfortable city that has a reputation for being somewhat laid-back compared to it's sister city of Arusha so fee free to wander. There will also be time to do last-minute shopping for the trek if needed.

Depart Moshi for Londorossi Gate, which takes about 4 hours, where you will complete entry formalities. With flora and fauna heavier and richer here than on any other route through the thick rainforest, the trail cuts through underbrush that is so untouched it at times grows right across the narrow trail. After 3 to 4 hours, we'll reach our camp, Mti Mkubwa, which means "Big Tree" in Kiswahili.

We continue on the trail leading out of the forest and into a savannah of tall grasses, heather, volcanic rock draped with lichen beards. Ascending through the lush rolling hills and cross several streams, we reach the Shira Ridge before dropping gently down to Shira 1 camp. The view of Kibo from across the plateau is amazing.

We explore the Shira plateau for a full day. It is a gentle walk east toward Kibo’s glaciered peak, across the plateau, which leads to Shira 2 camp on moorland meadows by a stream. Then we continue to Moir Hut, a little used site on the base of Lent Hills. A variety of walks are available on Lent Hills making this an excellent acclimatization opportunity. Shira is one of the highest plateaus on earth.

Today is one of the most important days for acclimatization; we head to Lava Tower, around the southern flank of Kibo near the start of the Western Breach. We have a mostly uphill climb today of 5 hours to the alpine moorland zone where plants are extremely hardy and consist of lichens, grasses heather.

Full day spent at Lava Tower for acclimatization. We will take an optional 2-hour round trip acclimatization climb up to Arrow Glacier camp. This scramble will help prepare us for the ascent up the Western Breach.

All the preparation, acclimatization and hiking we’ve done to prepare for the Kilimanjaro climb will be put to the test today as we ascend the Great Western Breach; an imposing, steep wall of rock leading to the edge of Kibo’s Crater. Rather than traversing farther around the southern slopes of the mountain we ascend up and slightly westward, climbing easy terrain through the scree and rocky ridges. The ascent gives us stunning views of the Western Breach Wall and the Breach Icicle. As we near the Arrow Glacier and our campsite, the view
opens toward the west. The entire Shira Plateau lies below us.

We wake late in the night/early morning for our ascent to Uhuru Peak, we will reach the summit around 7am. At this early hour, before the clouds close in, the views are incredible. Africa’s highest point is also the world’s highest solitary peak. The view cannot be topped anywhere on the continent! From the summit, we now make our descent continuing straight down to the Mweka Hut camp site, stopping at Barafu for lunch. You will want
gaiters and trekking poles for the loose gravel going down. Mweka Camp is situated in the upper forest and mist or rain can be expected in the late afternoon. Later in the evening, we enjoy our last dinner on the mountain and a well-earned sleep.

After breakfast, we continue the descent down to the Mweka Park Gate to receive your summit certificates. At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy. Gaiters and trekking poles will help. Shorts and t-shirts will probably be plenty to wear (keep rain gear and warmer clothing handy).

Departure for airport for international flight home or add-on safari.