8:00 AM – Departure from Moshi
A private driver will pick you up from your accommodation in Moshi (or Kilimanjaro International Airport if arriving early) for a scenic drive to Londorossi Gate (2,100m/6,890ft) in Kilimanjaro National Park (2-2.5 hours, approximately 80 km) in a luxury van (1 vehicle per 6-7 people). The route passes through rural villages and coffee plantations with views of Kilimanjaro’s western slopes.

10:30 AM – Registration & Drive to Lemosho Glades
At Londorossi Gate, complete registration with the Kilimanjaro National Park Authority. Drive an additional 30 minutes to the Lemosho Glades trailhead (2,390m/7,841ft), where the hike begins. Meet your professional guide, cook, and porters (porters carry up to 15 kg of your gear).

11:30 AM – Hike to Mti Mkubwa Camp (3-4 Hours, 7 km, 460m Ascent)
Begin your ascent through dense rainforest, lush in May with moss-draped trees, ferns, and wildflowers. The trail is relatively gentle, with occasional roots and rocks—trekking poles are helpful for stability. Spot black-and-white colobus monkeys, blue monkeys, and over 100 bird species, like the Hartlaub’s turaco, in the canopy. Arrive at Mti Mkubwa Camp (2,850m/9,350ft), also known as Big Tree Camp, a forested campsite with basic facilities (latrines, no huts).

3:30 PM – Arrival & Gourmet Lunch
Your team sets up luxury tents with sleeping mats and solar-powered lighting for comfort. Enjoy a gourmet lunch, featuring vegetable-stuffed flatbreads and fresh mango salad, surrounded by towering trees.

5:00 PM – Acclimatization Walk & Relaxation
Take a short acclimatization walk around the camp, enjoying the forest’s tranquility and possibly spotting small wildlife like bushbabies. Relax with a cup of Tanzanian coffee, listening to the sounds of the rainforest.

7:00 PM – Dinner & Overnight
Dine on a 4-course meal with paired drinks (non-alcoholic included), such as grilled chicken with peanut sauce, served in a mess tent with foldable chairs and tables. Overnight in your luxury tent, resting for the next day’s climb.

7:30 AM – Breakfast
Enjoy a hearty breakfast in the mess tent, featuring fresh fruits, pastries, and hot dishes, with forest views.

8:30 AM – Hike to Shira 1 Camp (5-6 Hours, 8 km, 650m Ascent)
Ascend through the rainforest, which gradually opens into moorland with giant heather and grassy slopes. The trail climbs steadily, offering views of the Shira Plateau, one of Kilimanjaro’s three volcanic cones. In May, the moorland is lush with wildflowers, adding vibrant color. Arrive at Shira 1 Camp (3,500m/11,483ft), a scenic campsite on the plateau with panoramic views of Kibo peak and the western slopes.

2:30 PM – Gourmet Lunch
Settle into Shira 1 Camp, where your team sets up luxury tents. Enjoy a gourmet lunch, such as spiced lamb with couscous, with views of the Shira Plateau and Kibo.

4:00 PM – Acclimatization Walk & Relaxation
Take a short acclimatization walk to a nearby ridge, gaining panoramic views of the plateau and Mount Meru in the distance. Return to camp to relax, sipping tea while taking in the alpine scenery.7:00 PM – Dinner & Overnight
Dine on a 5-course meal with paired drinks, like fresh fish with coconut sauce, in the mess tent. Overnight in your tent, preparing for the next day’s trek.

7:00 PM – Dinner & Overnight
Dine on a 5-course meal with paired drinks, like fresh fish with coconut sauce, in the mess tent. Overnight in your tent, preparing for the next day’s trek.

7:30 AM – Breakfast
Have breakfast in the mess tent, with morning views of Kibo peak and the Shira Plateau.

8:30 AM – Hike to Shira 2 Camp (4-5 Hours, 7 km, 390m Ascent)
Trek across the Shira Plateau, passing through moorland and rocky terrain with sparse vegetation. The trail is relatively gentle, with a gradual ascent offering stunning views of Kibo and the surrounding plains. Pass the Shira Cathedral, a volcanic ridge, with an optional detour for panoramic views. Arrive at Shira 2 Camp (3,890m/12,762ft), a spacious campsite with vistas of Kilimanjaro’s summit and the plateau’s expanse.

1:30 PM – Gourmet Lunch
Settle into Shira 2 Camp with luxury tents set up. Enjoy a gourmet lunch, featuring roasted beef with tamarind sauce, with views of the mountain.

3:00 PM – Acclimatization Walk & Relaxation
Take an acclimatization walk to a nearby viewpoint, gaining altitude to aid acclimatization while enjoying views of the Shira Plateau and Kibo. Relax with a cocktail (non-alcoholic included), soaking in the high-altitude serenity.

7:00 PM – Dinner & Overnight
Dine on a 4-course meal with paired drinks, such as grilled chicken with ugali, in the mess tent. Overnight in your tent, resting for the next day’s climb.

7:30 AM – Breakfast
Have breakfast in the mess tent, with views of Kibo and the plateau.

8:30 AM – Hike to Lava Tower & Descent to Barranco Camp (6-7 Hours, 11 km, 680m Ascent, 730m Descent)
Ascend through semi-desert terrain to Lava Tower (4,630m/15,190ft), a 150-meter volcanic plug, for a key acclimatization stop. The climb is steady, with rocky sections offering views of the Western Breach. After a brief rest at Lava Tower, descend through moorland into the scenic Barranco Valley, passing giant senecio plants that thrive in May’s wet conditions. Arrive at Barranco Camp (3,960m/12,992ft), a stunning campsite with views of the Barranco Wall and Kibo peak.

3:30 PM – Gourmet Lunch
Settle into Barranco Camp with luxury tents set up. Enjoy a gourmet lunch, such as vegetable wraps with mango salad, with views of the Barranco Wall.

5:00 PM – Relaxation
Relax at camp, sipping tea while taking in the dramatic scenery of the valley and the glacier-capped summit.

7:00 PM – Dinner & Overnight
Dine on a 5-course meal with paired drinks, like spiced beef with couscous, in the mess tent. Overnight in your tent, preparing for the next day’s ascent.

7:30 AM – Breakfast
Have breakfast in the mess tent, with views of the Barranco Wall and Kibo peak.

8:30 AM – Hike to Karanga Camp (4-5 Hours, 5 km, 240m Ascent, 150m Descent)
Begin with a steep ascent up the Barranco Wall (non-technical but requires scrambling), offering breathtaking views of the valley below. Traverse a series of ridges and valleys, passing through alpine desert terrain with sparse vegetation. Arrive at Karanga Camp (4,050m/13,287ft), a scenic campsite with views of the Southern Icefields and Mawenzi Peak. This shorter day aids acclimatization, reducing altitude sickness risk.

1:30 PM – Gourmet Lunch
Settle into Karanga Camp with luxury tents set up. Enjoy a gourmet lunch, featuring fresh fish with coconut sauce, with views of Kilimanjaro’s glaciers.

3:00 PM – Acclimatization Walk & Relaxation
Take an acclimatization walk around the camp, exploring the rocky terrain and enjoying panoramic views of the mountain. Relax with a cocktail (non-alcoholic included), preparing for the summit push.

7:00 PM – Dinner & Overnight
Dine on a 4-course meal with paired drinks, such as grilled chicken with ugali, in the mess tent. Overnight in your tent, resting for the summit day.

7:30 AM – Breakfast
Have breakfast in the mess tent, with views of the Southern Icefields and the summit looming closer.

8:30 AM – Hike to Barafu Camp (4-5 Hours, 4 km, 650m Ascent)
Ascend through alpine desert terrain, with the trail becoming rockier as you approach Barafu Camp (4,700m/15,420ft), the base camp for the summit push. The ascent is steady but tiring due to the altitude—move slowly to conserve energy. Barafu Camp offers views of Kibo and Mawenzi peaks, with the summit path visible.

1:30 PM – Gourmet Lunch & Summit Briefing
Settle into Barafu Camp with luxury tents set up. Enjoy a gourmet lunch, such as vegetable wraps with mango salad, with views of the summit path. Your guide will brief you on the summit attempt via Stella Point, advising on gear (warm layers, headlamp, trekking poles) and safety. Rest to conserve energy for the midnight start.

6:30 PM – Early Dinner & Rest
Dine on a 5-course meal with paired drinks, like spiced beef with couscous, to fuel up for the summit. Sleep early in your tent, as you’ll wake around 11:00 PM for the climb.

11:00 PM – Summit Push to Uhuru Peak via Stella Point (6-7 Hours, 5 km, 1,195m Ascent)
Wake up for a light snack and tea, then begin the summit ascent in the dark, guided by headlamps. The steep, switchback trail to Hans Meyer Cave (5,150m/16,896ft) is rocky and strenuous. Continue to Gilman’s Point (5,681m/18,638ft) on the crater rim, arriving around 4:30 AM. From Gilman’s Point, it’s a 1.5-2-hour traverse along the rim to Stella Point (5,739m/18,822ft), then another 45 minutes to Uhuru Peak (5,895m/19,341ft). Reach the summit at sunrise (around 6:30 AM), witnessing the sun rise behind Mawenzi Peak, casting a fiery glow over the glaciers and crater. Stand at Africa’s highest point, taking in views of the icefields and vast plains below.

8:00 AM – Descent to Barafu Camp (2-3 Hours, 5 km, 1,195m Descent)
After photos and a brief rest, descend back to Barafu Camp, retracing your steps along the crater rim and down the switchbacks. The descent offers daylight views of the summit path and surrounding landscapes.

11:00 AM – Brunch & Rest
Enjoy a hearty brunch at Barafu Camp, featuring eggs, pastries, and fresh juices, then rest briefly to recover from the summit climb.

1:00 PM – Descent to Mweka Camp (3-4 Hours, 7 km, 1,600m Descent)
Continue descending via the Mweka Route through moorland and back into the rainforest, arriving at Mweka Camp (3,100m/10,170ft). The trail can be slippery in May’s wet conditions—trekking poles are helpful. Spot blue monkeys and birdlife like the white-necked raven along the way.

5:00 PM – Relaxation
Relax at Mweka Camp, where luxury tents are set up. Sip a cocktail (non-alcoholic included) while reflecting on your summit achievement, surrounded by the rainforest’s sounds.

7:00 PM – Dinner & Overnight
Celebrate with a 5-course dinner with paired drinks, such as roasted fish with tamarind sauce, in the mess tent. Overnight in your tent, enjoying a final night on the mountain.

7:30 AM – Breakfast
Have breakfast in the mess tent, savoring the morning views of the rainforest and the journey you’ve completed.

8:30 AM – Descent to Mweka Gate (3-4 Hours, 10 km, 1,250m Descent)
Descend through the lush rainforest to Mweka Gate (1,850m/6,069ft), enjoying the vibrant greenery and birdlife. The trail can be muddy in May—step cautiously. Arrive at the gate, where you’ll sign out and receive your summit certificate (gold for Uhuru Peak, green for Gilman’s Point if you didn’t reach the summit). Say goodbye to your crew after tipping (suggested USD 20-30/day for the guide, cook, and porters).

12:30 PM – Gourmet Picnic Lunch
Enjoy a gourmet picnic lunch at the gate, featuring fresh sandwiches and tropical fruits, as a final treat before departing.

1:30 PM – Return to Moshi
Board your luxury van for the 1-hour drive back to Moshi, arriving at your accommodation or Kilimanjaro International Airport by late afternoon, concluding your Kilimanjaro climb.