7-Day Kilimanjaro: Shira Plateau / Morrum Barrier Route

You leave Arusha for Londorossi Gate, a drive of up to four hours, where the park formalities and trekking procedures are completed.

You then continue to Morrum Barrier Gate (3,407 m/11,178 ft), where the trek begins. A short walk through heath vegetation brings you to Shira 1 Camp (3,610 m/11,844 ft), your first camp, for dinner and the night.

Distance: 3.5 km (2.1 miles). Walking time: around 2–3 hours. Habitat: heath and moorland.

Wake to breakfast, break camp and set off across the Shira Plateau on a short hike to Shira 2 Camp (3,850 m/12,631 ft). The pace is gentle and the open moorland gives wide views of Kibo ahead – a perfect day for every trekker to acclimatise.

You reach camp in good time to rest, explore a little and let your body adjust, before dinner and the night at Shira 2 Camp.

Distance: 10 km (6.2 miles). Walking time: around 4–5 hours. Habitat: moorland.

A day of around 10 km and 8–9 hours that takes you high and brings you back down to sleep at Barranco Camp (3,900 m) – the classic walk-high, sleep-low formula. This is one of the toughest parts of the trek, and some climbers begin to feel the altitude: irritability, headache, nausea or breathlessness. Our expert guides watch everyone closely and look after you well.

You climb to Lava Tower (4,600 m/15,092 ft), where you stop for lunch and about an hour of acclimatisation. Photographers will love the views of the Western Breach and the Breach Wall. Ascent – elevation gain: 750 m (2,461 ft). Distance: 7 km (4.3 miles). Time: 4–5 hours. Habitat: alpine desert.

From Lava Tower you descend to Barranco Camp for dinner and the night. Descent – distance: 3 km (1.86 miles). Time: around 2–3 hours. Habitat: moorland.

After a hearty breakfast you set off from Barranco Camp (3,900 m/12,795 ft) with breathtaking views across the whole mountain – the glaciers above and the lowlands far below.

The day begins with an easy scramble to the top of the great Barranco Wall, followed by a traverse over scree and ridges into the Karanga Valley. These shorter stages are designed purely for acclimatisation, helping your body adjust to the mountain environment before the summit push. A hot lunch is served on arrival at Karanga Camp (3,995 m/13,107 ft), where you spend the afternoon resting before dinner and the night.

Distance: 6 km (3.7 miles). Walking time: around 4–5 hours. Habitat: moorland.

After breakfast you continue to Barafu Camp (4,673 m/15,331 ft), arriving around midday. The afternoon is yours to rest, acclimatise and check every piece of gear ahead of the climb to the summit.

Today runs to an earlier schedule: your guides hold the summit briefing and serve dinner early, so you have as much time as possible to prepare and sleep before the night ascent.

Distance: 4 km (2.5 miles). Walking time: around 3–4 hours. Habitat: alpine desert.

The longest day of the climb: around 17.5 km (10.9 miles) and 15–16 hours on the move, from Barafu Camp (4,673 m) to Uhuru Peak (5,895 m/19,341 ft) and back down to Mweka Camp (3,100 m). You rise at around 23:00 after four to five hours' rest, warm up with hot tea and snacks, put on your summit gear and head out into the night. The trail climbs through heavy scree to Stella Point (5,756 m/18,885 ft) on the crater rim, where you take a short rest – and, if the skies are clear, often a beautiful sunrise. From there it is 45 minutes to an hour to Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa. Savour the moment, but do not linger: the extreme cold, thin air and volcanic gases make a long stay unsafe, and fatigue makes it hard to get going again.

Ascent – elevation gain: 1,222 m (4,009 ft). Distance: 5 km (3.1 miles). Time: around 6–7 hours. Habitat: arctic.

You then descend to Barafu Camp for a rest, brunch and to collect the rest of your gear, before continuing down to Mweka Camp. The descent is demanding and the loose gravel is slippery, so keep a steady pace and use your walking poles – every step down is worth it. At camp you enjoy your last dinner and a deep, well-earned sleep on the mountain.

Descent – elevation loss: 2,795 m (9,170 ft). Distance: 12.5 km (7.8 miles). Time: around 6–7 hours. Habitat: moorland.

After a hearty breakfast you walk down from Mweka Camp (3,100 m/10,171 ft) through the montane forest to Mweka Gate (1,640 m/5,381 ft), around 10 km (6.2 miles) and 3–4 hours. The air thickens, birdsong returns and the forest closes in green around you.

At the gate you collect your summit certificate, then drive to Arusha for a delicious hot lunch and a celebration of your achievement. Afterwards your driver guide transfers you comfortably by road to Kilimanjaro International Airport in time for your onward international flight home (transfer timing depends on your flight schedule). If you would rather rest before flying, an extra night in Arusha can be added on request. This marks the end of our services – kwaheri, and safe travels.

Distance: 10 km (6.2 miles). Walking time: around 3–4 hours. Habitat: montane forest.