Day 1
After completing the necessary registration formalities at Londorossi National Park gate, we drive through varied farmland with open views over the plains to reach the Lemosho roadhead. We often have our lunch in the glades before starting to walk.
It is an easy day of walking up a small path through beautiful and lush forest. This area has a variety of game, including buffalo. We camp tonight at Mti Mkubwa, Big Tree Camp (2,650 m.). [2-3 hours walking]
Day 2
We soon leave the forest behind and enter the moorland zone of giant heather. The trail climbs steadily with wide views to reach the rim of the Shira Plateau. There is a tangible sense of wilderness, especially if the afternoon mists come in! We camp in the centre of the plateau at Shira One (3,550 m.). [6-7 hours walking]
Day 3
An easy day to help with your acclimatization, and to explore the volcanic rock formations of Shira Plateau. We walk to the summit of Shira Cathedral before reaching the next camp at Shira Hut (3,840 m.).
This campsite has stunning views, close to the glaciated dome of Kibo and the jagged rim of Shira Plateau. The views from here of Mt. Meru floating on the clouds are simply unforgettable. [4-5 hours walking]
Day 4
A morning of gentle ascent and panoramic views, leaving the moorland plateau behind to walk on lava ridges beneath the glaciers of the Western Breach. After lunch near the Lava Tower junction (4,550 m.) we descend to the bottom of the Great Barranco Valley (3,900 m.), sheltered by towering cliffs and with extensive views of the plains far below. [5-7 hours walking]
Day 5
A steep climb up the Barranco Wall leads us to an undulating trail on the south-eastern flank of Kibo, with superb vistas of the southern icefields. The terrain changes to scree, with pockets of lush vegetation in sheltered hollows, and there is only a short distance to our camp at Karanga (4,100 m.), the last water point on the approach to Barafu, in a narrow valley.
There is plenty of time to rest, or for a short optional acclimatization walk in the afternoon up the valley above the camp. [3 hours walking]
Day 6
We begin the day with a short but steep climb out of Karanga, on compacted scree with wide views. We then climb steadily to reach the Barafu campsite (4,600 m.) The remainder of the day is spent resting in preparation for the final ascent before an early night. [3-4 hours walking]
Day 7
We will start our ascent by torchlight at about 12 a.m. so that we can be up on the Crater Rim by sunrise. The steep climb over loose volcanic scree has some well-graded zig-zags and a slow but steady pace will take us to Stella Point (5,735 m.) in about five or six hours.
We will rest there for a short time to enjoy the sunrise over Mawenzi. Those who are still feeling strong can make the two hour round trip from here along the crater rim to Uhuru Peak (5,896 m.), passing close to the spectacular glaciers and ice cliffs that still occupy most of the summit area.
The descent to Barafu is surprisingly fast, and after some refreshment, we continue to descend to reach our final campsite (3,100 m.) at the edge of Mweka Forest. [11-15 hours walking]
Day 8
A sustained descent through lovely forest with lush undergrowth takes us to the National Park gate at Mweka (1,650 m.), and on through coffee and banana farms to Mweka village. [4-6 hours walking]
