On the day of our journey, we will travel from Moshi to the Umbwe Gate, which takes approximately an hour. We will start our ascent through the rainforest while enjoying a lunch along the way.
Time taken: 5-6 hours
Distance: 11km

On the day of our journey, we traverse ground scattered with sparse vegetation and twisted trees covered in moss. As we climb higher, we catch views of Kilimanjaro in the distance. The trail levels out as we near Barranco Valley. Descending from Umbwe Ridge, we make our way, to Barranco Camp through the captivating Senecio Forest.
Time taken: 4-5 hours
Distance: 6 km

We start the day by heading down into a ravine, towards the foot of the imposing Great Barranco Wall. Next, we ascend a technical cliff that reaches almost 900 feet. After conquering the Barranco Wall, we traverse through a sequence of hills and valleys before descending into Karanga Valley. A final challenging climb brings us to Karanga Camp. This shorter day is designed for acclimatization purposes.
Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
Distance: 5 km

After departing Karanga, we reach the junction that links up with the Mweka Trail. Moving onward through the terrain, we arrive at Barafu Hut. This marks the completion of the Southern Circuit, providing views of the summit, from perspectives. Here we set up camp take a break and indulge in a dinner to gear up for summit day. The striking peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo are visible, from this vantage point.
Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
Distance: 4 km

In the hours of the morning, just as midnight approaches, we kick off our journey towards the peak. This stretch is by far the most physically demanding part of the hike. The biting wind and chilling cold at this height and time can be quite harsh. We climb in darkness for hours, pausing briefly but frequently to catch our breath. As we near Stella Point at 18,900 feet, a breathtaking sunrise unfolds over Mawenzi Peak. A sight to behold like no other. Finally, we reach Uhuru Peak, standing tall as the spot-on Mount Kilimanjaro and in all of Africa.
From the summit, our descent leads us down to the Mweka Hut campsite, with a pit stop at Barafu for lunch, along the way. The trail is rugged and can take a toll on your knees; using trekking poles can be beneficial here. Nestled in the forest region, Mweka Camp often sees mist or rain in the afternoon hours. Later at night we savor our meal on this mountain before drifting off into a well-deserved slumber.
Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak
Time taken: -7-8 hours
Distance: 5 km
Uhuru Peak to Mweka
Time taken: 4-6 hours
Distance: 12 km

On the day, we head down to Mweka Gate to receive our summit certificates. The lower areas might be damp and muddy. After reaching the gate, we proceed for an hour to Mweka Village. A vehicle will be waiting for us at Mweka Village to take us back, to the hotel, in Moshi.