Program Overview
Day 1
Start: Lemosho Gate (2385 m)
Finish: Big Tree Camp (2780 m)
Altitude: ↑ 395 m
Walking Time: 2-3h
The path follows through the forest on a clear path with a moderate incline. You might see monkeys.
Day 2
Start: Big Tree Camp (2780 m)
Finish: Shira Camp 2 (3900 m)
Altitude: ↑ 1120 m
Walking Time: 7-8h
A long day. Path is up and down until you ascent out of the rainforest section. Here you should have clear views of the Shira Ridge and the Kibo Summit on a sunny day.
Day 3
Start: Shira Camp 2 (3900 m)
Finish: Barranco Camp (3960 m)
Altitude: ↑740m ↓ 680 m
Walking Time: 6-7h
This day should help with acclimatization as you will ‘walk high, sleep low’. A long trek through the shrubs of the heath and moorland zone to reach the Lava Tower rocks.
Day 4
Start: Barranco Camp (3960 m)
Finish: Karanga Camp (4035 m)
Altitude: ↑ 100 m ↓ 25 m
Walking Time: 3-4h
The imposing Barranco Wall lies ahead today, but it is not as bad as it looks. It is a steep climb but the views of Kibo’s southern glacier are breathtaking.
Day 5
Start: Karanga Camp (4035 m)
Finish: Barafu Camp (4640 m)
Altitude: ↑ 605 m
Walking Time: 3-4h
A relatively easy day through a desolate moon landscape.
Day 6
Start: Barafu Camp (4640 m)
Finish: Uhuru Peak (5895 m) – Mweka Camp (3080 m)
Altitude: ↑ 1255 m ↓ 2815 m
Walking Time: 10-14h
Summit day starts off in the dark. You will first go to Stella Point on the crater’s rim. Another few hours to reach Uhuru peak in the early sunrise. You will ‘feel’ the altitude. After a few minutes at the summit, the descent is steep and long.
Day 7
Start: Mweka Camp (3080 m)
Finish: Mweka Gate (1630 m)
Altitude: ↓ 1450 m
Walking Time: 2-3h
Congratulations from the crew as they sing a traditional song and dance after breakfast. A relatively short and easy descent through the green forest.