his is the most remote route to reach the summit of Kilimanjaro. After taking you though beautiful forests and moorlands, it crosses the Shira Plateau to meet up with the Machame Route. The South Circuit is then followed, offering superb views of the Southern Ice fields, past the Barranco Hut and then on to Barafu and the summit. This is the only route that you will be able to see the three peaks of Kilimanjaro (Shira,Mawenzi and the Kibo peak here the summit is).

The route can be done in seven or eight days. We recommend the eight days as it gives you more time to acclimatize and leave you relaxed and enjoy the trekking all the time.

Arrival at Kilimanjaro Airport

Pick up from airport and transfer to accommodation in Arusha for an overnight stay.

Day 1

Mti Mkumbwa (Big Tree Camps) 2750m

Hiking: 3hrs

After breakfast, we will depart from Arusha towards the Londorossi Park Gate where we will register at the park entrance and make our final preparations before commencing ourjourney. We will be transferred by car across the Lemosho Glades and begin our walk along forest trails to Mti Mkubwa (big tree) campsite,stopping to eat a packed lunch along the way.

Day 2

Shira One Camp (3500m)

Hiking: 7hrs

We continue our journey through forest areas where the trail steepens and crosses several streams. We will pass across the Shira Plateau which leads to the Shira Camp, located along moorlands near a stream. Temperature here is notably colder than the previous night so remember to wrap up warm.

Day 3

Shira Two Camp (3840m)

The hiking from Shira one to Shira two takes 4-5 hrs which is a walking from heathers and Mooreland zone. You will have a great view of Shira Peak, Shira plateau and go to the Shira Cathedral. On top of it you will see the nice view of Shira plateau that was formed by the Shira peak eruption. This is a great place not only to see the beauty it offers but also great for acclimatization as it is higher than the Shira two Campsites (3940)

Day 4

Barranco Camp (3950m)

Hiking: 7hrs

We will hike along a rocky path which leads us towards Lava Tower where we will reach an altitude of 4630m and the change in atmosphere is most likely to be felt here.After lunch,we descend back to the Barranco Camp and also back to the heather and Mooreland zone lava tower ad the alpine desert.

Option for 8 days

(For those of you who will go for 8days after day four, the day five will be to Karanga Camp which is in 3940m but those who will do the seven days they will go directly from Baranco camp to Barafu base camp which is 4600m).

For the 7days climbers the day five for them will be hiking to the summit from Baranco passing through Karanga Camp site,take lunch and directly go to the Barafu Camp waiting for summit at mid night.

Hiking: 3-4hrs

A highlight for many trekkers,we continue our ascent scrambling up the Great Baranco Wall and then over scree and ridges of the Karanga Valley which lies beneath the icefalls of the Southern Glaciers towards the Karanga Camp. A very short walk day and the lunch will be at the campsite and after a rest in the evening you will have a short acclimatization walk from 3940m to 4200m and walk back to the Camp site for an evening tea, dinner and overnight.

Day 5

Barafu Base Camp (4600m)

Day 6

Barafu Camp 4600m – Millennium Camp 3700m or Mweka Hut 3100m

Hiking: 2hrs to Milennium 4hrs to Mweka Hut

The day hiking passes though the Alpine desert to the heather and Mooreland Zone.Enjoy seeing the beautiful landscape with different kind of flowers including the protea and the impressions (elephant trunk).

Day 7

Millennium Camp 3700m or Mweka Hut 3100m to Mweka Gate

Hiking 3hrs for those spent a night at Mweka Hut and 4 – 5 for those from Millennium camp.

On our final day of trekking, we will commerce in the morning 3hour hike to Mweka Park gate. You will meet our driver waiting for you to get your certificates and drive back to Arusha for lunch and a relaxed afternoon waiting for the next day departure.

Transfer to Kilimanjaro Airport for departure.