After breakfast at the lodge, we depart Arusha for Londorossi Gate which is located the western side of Kilimanjaro, the drive takes about 4-5 hours. After reaching the gate we will complete the entry formalities while guides and porters prepare equipments. After all the logistics are in place, we then continue to drive up a steep path to the shira Gate where we will begin the hike. The hike begins through shrubs and giant heather until we reach Shira Camp 1. Dinner is served during the early evening at around 7 PM.

After breakfast, we will take a gentle walk across the plateau all the way to Shira Camp 2. A variety of walks are available on the plateau making this an excellent acclimatization day.

After breakfast, you will hike east up a steepening path above the highest vegetation toward Kilimanjaro's looming mass. After several hours, you walk through a rocky landscape to reach the prominent landmark called Lava Tower at 4,630 m/15,190 ft. This chunky remnant of Kilimanjaro's earlier volcanic activity is several hundred feet high, and the trail passes right below it. For extra credit, the sure-footed can scramble to the top of the tower. After a lunch stop near Lava Tower, descend for 2 hours below the lower cliffs of the Western Breach and Breach Wall to Barranco Camp at 3,950 m/12,960 ft. There are numerous photo opportunities on this hike, especially if the walls are festooned with ice. Barranco Camp is in a valley below the Breach and Great Barranco Walls, which should provide you with a memorable sunset while you wait for your dinner. On this day, be careful to notice any signs of altitude sickness.

This morning, we begin the day by descending into a ravine to the base of the greet Barranco Wall. Then we climb the non-technical but steep part, nearly 900ft cliff. From the top of Barranco Wall we cross a series of hills and valleys until we descend Sharply into Karanga Valley. After a hot lunch in a camp, your afternoon is at leisure for resting or exploring the beauty the camp has to offer.

After breakfast, you will leave Karanga Valley (3959). The trails to Barafu intersects with the Mweka route, which is the trails used to ascend on the final two days. As you continue hiking for an hour, you will reach Barafu Camp. The word “Barafu” in English means “Ice”, this camp is located on the rocky, expose ridge. Barafu Camp offers stunning views of Kibo and Mawenzi Peaks. At this camp your tent will be pitched on a narrow, stony, wind-swept ridge so make sure that you familiarize yourself with the terrain before dark to avoid any accidents. Prepare your equipment and warm clothing for your summit climb, and drink a lot of fluids. After an early dinner, go to bed for a few hours of precious sleep.

You will rise around 11:30 PM, and after some steaming tea and biscuits, you shuffle off into the night. Your 6-hour climb northwest up through heavy scree between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers to Stella Point on the crater rim is the most challenging part of the route for most climbers. At Stella Point (5,685 m/18,650 ft) you stop for a short rest and a chance to see a supremely sanguine sunrise. At Stella Point you join the top part of the Marangu Route, but do not stop here too long, as it will be extremely difficult to start again due to cold and fatigue. Depending on the season and recent storms, you may encounter snow on your remaining hike along the rim to Uhuru Peak. On the summit, you can enjoy your accomplishment and know that you are creating a day that you will remember for the rest of your life. After your 3-hour descent from the summit back to Barafu Camp, you will have a well-earned but short rest, collect your gear, and hike down a rock and scree path into the moorland and eventually into the forest to Mweka Camp (3,100 m/10,170 ft). This camp is in the upper forest, so you can expect mist or rain in the late afternoon. Dinner, and washing water will be prepared, and the camp office sells drinking water, soft drinks, chocolates, and beer!

A final descent of 4500 ft brings you down to Mweka Gate, on the way to the gate you will go through the moorland, rain forest zones and enjoy the last views of the mountain. At the gate you will say goodbye to our mountain stuff before heading to your lodge in Mosha or Arusha for dinner and overnight.