Though the route is not popular and famous, but it is one of the best routes, though it requires some extra days but it gives much time for acclimatization hence, it has a very high rate of success to the summit. The route approaches Mount Kilimanjaro from the west, the route do begin with a long drive from Moshi to Londorossi Gate. The route gives the best scenery of the Kilimanjaro Mountain.
Day 1, Moshi to Londossori gate then to Mti Mkubwa
Your day will begin with a 3 to 4 hrs drive from Moshi up on reaching the Londosori gate where you will have to finish up some park regulation and other formalities and you will take some minutes walking back up to the Londorossi/ Lemosho glade where the real train starts. Then you will be trekking upon reaching the Mti Mkubwa camp for your overnight rest.
Accompaniment: Experienced Mountain guide/ guides, porters, and chef
What to see: Small wildlife such as black and white colobus from the gate
Time and distance: 2 to 3hrs hiking a distance of 6km
Walking through: the dense misty rainforest
Meal plan: Lunch & Dinner
Elevation: 2895 m/9500 ft
Day 2, Mti Mkubwa camp to Shira camp
This seems to be a short trekking day as it takes only 4 to 5 hrs, though the day seems to be short but it is a bit long due to the nature of the trail as it is very steep with some ridges before reaching the Shira plateau, hence you will be having a lot of stops for break to the next.
Accompaniment: Experienced Mountain guide/ guides, porters, and chef
What to see: Great views of the valleys, the scenery and the Kibo view
Time and distance: 4 to 5hrs hiking a distance of 8km
Walking through: Moorland and valleys
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Elevation: 3480 m/11420 ft
Day 3, Shira 1 to Shira Hut
On this day you will be having a moderate walk across the Shira plateau, though, from here there are several options, but as the guide have experience in any of the options but the beat is walking though the Shira plateau through the Shira cathedral up on reaching the Shira 2 camp.
Accompaniment: Experienced Mountain guide/ guides, porters, and chef
What to see: Great views of the valleys, the scenery and the Shira Cathedral
Time and distance: 6 to 8hrs hiking a distance of 8km
Walking through: Shira cathedral
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Elevation: 3850 m/12630 ft
Day 4, Shira Hut to lover tower then to Moir Camp
On this day you will be having a walk through the steep up to the lava tower which is the volcanic plug formed when volcanic occurred to the Kilimanjaro. Reaching the Shira hut you are at the Junction between the Machame route and the Shira route. Then we divert from the main trail 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 Plateau is one of the highest plateaus on earth.
Accompaniment: Experienced Mountain guide/ guides, porters, and chef
What to see: Great view of the valleys, the scenery of the Shira plateau
Time and distance: 5 to 7hrs hiking a distance of 14km
Walking through: the ridges and the Shira plateau
Elevation: 3850m/11,500ft to 4200m/13,780ft
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 5, Moir Camp to Buffalo Camp
The day will begin with the trekking out of the Moir Valley with a moderately steep climb, and then have a hike to the summit of Lent Hills before returning to the main trail. The path crosses a rock field and gently undulates before reaching the Buffalo Camp. This section of the trail offers great views across the plain that lies on the north of Kilimanjaro and stretch out to the Kenyan/Tanzanian border.
Accompaniment: Experienced Mountain guide/ guides, porters, and chef
What to see: Great view of the plain, the scenery the Tanzania & Kenya
Time and distance: 5 to 7hrs hiking a distance of 12km
Elevation: 4200m/13,780ft to 4020m/13,188ft
Walking through: Hills and the alpine zone
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 6: Buffalo Camp to Rongai third Cave
The day have some difficulties, as you will be heading up the Buffalo Ridge, the terrain becomes increasingly sparse. As the route not being popular as it is rarely travelled from here you will enjoy the mountain wilderness feel. Then you will be trekking through the remote valleys on to the northern slopes of Kilimanjaro until we arrive at third Cave where we will be having the stop of the day before the next day.
Accompaniment: Experienced Mountain guide/ guides, porters, and chef
What to see: Great view of the plain, the scenery the Tanzania & Kenya
Time and distance: 5 to 7hrs hiking a distance of 8km
Walking through: Remote valleys of the alpine zone
Elevation: 4020m/13,188ft to 3800m/15,350ft
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 7, third camp to school hut
This is the day before the dream day of reaching to the roof of Africa, you will have a steady climb up and over the “Saddle,” which sits between the two mountain peaks the Kibo and Mawenzi. From there you will continue climbing on upon reaching to the camp, which is a School Hut. Once here you’re here for the rest, enjoy an early dinner to prepare by the professional chef preparing for the summit day which is an adventure day ahead of you.
Walking through: The saddle of the glacial zone between the Kibo and Mawenzi peak
Accompaniment: Experienced Mountain guide/ guides, porters, and chef
What to see: Great view of the two Kilimanjaro peak Kibo & Mawenzi
Time and distance: 5 to 7hrs hiking a distance of 5km
Elevation: 3800m/15,350ft to 4800m/15,748ft
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 8, Summit Day then descend to Mweka camp
This is the dream come true and the adventurous day where you will be heading to the roof of Africa. A day will starts early in the morning at around midnight, where you will begin your push to the summit at the Uhuru peak. The day is the mentally and physically challenging day of the trek. The wind and cold at this elevation is extreme. You will be ascending in the darkness for several hours while taking frequent, but short, breaks. Up on reaching the Gilman’s point you will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see coming over from the Mawenzi Peak. Finally, you will arrive at the Uhuru Peak, Congratulations, you have reached the highest Mountain peak in Africa hence, and you are at the roof of Africa. From the success and joyful moment of the summit, you will make your descent descending straight down to the Mweka Hut camp site, stopping at Barafu for lunch. The trail is very rocky and can be quite hard on the knees, trekking poles are helpful.
Walking through: The rocky trail which can be quite hard then the rainforest approaching Mweka camp
Accompaniments: Mountain guide/guides, on the summit then joining the chef and porters at Barafu on descending back
Time and distance: hiking of 6 to 8hrs ascending and 5 to 6 hrs descending a distance of 5km up and 13km down respectively.
What to see: the great view at the Uhuru peak, the best sunrise
Elevation: 15,600 ft to 19,341 ft up and 19,341 ft to 10,065 down
Meal plans: Breakfast, Lunch & dinner
Day, 9 Mweka camp to Mweka gate, then back to Moshi
This is the last day of your adventure to the roof of Africa where you will be taking your morning breakfast at the camp and then takes time to continue the descending up to the Mweka gate where you will meet Ngaiza Adventures staff waiting to pick you back to Moshi. On descending at the lower elevation it will be wet and muddy hence the gaiters and highly recommended to be used.
Walking through: Wet and muddy forestry ways
Accompaniments: Mountain guide/guides, chef and porters
Time and distance: hiking of 3 to 4hrs a distance of 10km
What to see: The forest and its features
Elevation: 10,150ft to 5500ft
Meal plans: Breakfast
- Park fees, camping fees, rescue fees and 18% VAT on tour fees & services
- Transportation to & from the mountain gate
- Professional mountain guides, cooks and porters
- 3 meals daily while on the mountain
- Filtered water throughout the trek
- Fair wages for the mountain crew as approved by the Kilimanjaro National Park Authority (KINAPA), Kilimanjaro Association of Tour Operators (KIATO)
- Both domestic and international Flights
- Tanzania Visa
- Items of a personal nature such as Mountain Climbing equipment
- Tips and gratitude for the mountain crew
- Pick up and drop off at Kilimanjaro International Airport $25 per route
- Pre and after Trek accommodation in Moshi Kilimanjaro