2250m to 2790m

7380ft to 9160ft

About 2.5 miles/3-4 hours

After breakfast and briefing, drive to Londorossi Park Gate (2250m 7380ft, 2.5 hours). From here a forest track requiring a 4WD vehicle leads to Lemosho Glades (2390m / 7830ft, I Ikm, 45 minutes) and a possible campsite (park fees are not paid to camp here). Walk along forest trails to Mti Mkubwa (big tree) campsite.

9160ft to 1 1,500ft

About 5.5 miles/5-6 hours

After breakfast, we continue as the trail gradually steepens and enters the giant heather moorland zone. Several streams are crossed then it gains the Shira Ridge at about 3600m 1 1,810ft and drops gently down to Shira I camp located by a stream on the Shira Plateau.

-3500m to 3850m/11,500ft to 12,600ft

-About 2 hours

After breakfast, a gentle walk across the plateau leads to Shira 2 camp on moorland meadows by a stream. A variety of walks are available on the Plateau making this an excellent acclimatization day.

-3840m to 3860m/12,600ft to 12,700ft

-About 5-6 hours

From the Shira Plateau, we continue to the east, passing the junction towards the peak of Kibo. As we continue, our direction changes to the South East towards the Lava Tower, called the "Shark's Tooth." Shortly after the tower, we come to the second junction which brings us up to the Arrow Glacier at an altitude of 4876 meters / 15,997 ft. We now continue down to the Barranco Hut at an altitude of 3860 meters / 12,664 ft. Here we rest, enjoy dinner, and overnight. Although you end the day at the same elevation as when you started, this day is very important for acclimatization and will help your body prepare for summit day.

-3860m to 4200m/12,700ft to 13,800ft

-About 3-4 hours

After breakfast, we leave Barranco and continue on a steep ridge passing the Barranco Wall, to the Karanga Valley (4200m / 13,780 ft) campsite.

-4200m to 4600m/13,800ft to 15,100ft

-About 3-4 hours

After breakfast, we leave the Karanga Valley and pass the junction which connects with the Mweka Trail. We continue to the Barafu Hut, which is located ant an altitude of 4600 meters (15,092 ft). You have completed the South Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many different angles. Here we make camp, rest, enjoy dinner, and prepare for the summit day. The two peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo are to be seen from this position.

-4600m to 5895m (and down to 3 100m)/15,100ft to 19,300ft(and down to 10,200ft)

-About 7-8 hours up

-4-5 hours down

Early morning, we continue our way to the summit of Uhuru Peak at 5985 meters (19,636 ft). This part of the climb takes about 6 hours. It can be very cold at night at these elevations, but it will be quite warm by the end of the hiking day. You will want clothing for both extremes with you. At Uhuru Peak, we have reached the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa. Faster hikers will see the sunrise from the summit. From the summit, we now make our descent continuing straight down to the Mweka Hut camp site at 3100 meters (10,171 ft). This part of the descent takes about 5 hours. You will want gaiters and trekking poles for the loose gravel going down. Later in the evening, we enjoy our last dinner on the mountain and a well-earned sleep. Beer and soda may be available for purchase at the Mweka Hut -- the only place on this route.

-3100m to 1680m/10,200ft to 5500ft

About 4-5 hours

After breakfast, we continue the descent down to the Mweka Park Gate. At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy. Gaiters and trekking poles will help. Shorts and t-shirts will probably be plenty to wear (keep rain gear and warmer clothing handy). A vehicle will meet you at Mweka village to drive you back to your hotel.

After a breakfast, your drive will be at your hotel ready to take approximate 2-hour drive to Tarangire National Park. Giant baobab trees, bush savannah and the seasonal marshes add to the wonder of this nature reserve. The Tarangire National Park is considered as one of the best places to view elephants up close. The park is also home to buffaloes, zebras and wildebeests which are always closely followed by a range of predators such as lions. Leopards are seen now and then but cheetahs are rarely spotted. From the open roof of the safari vehicle you will be able to absorb the landscape and watch the animals. In the evening you reach your lodge inside the park.

After breakfast, you will travel via the cooler highlands towards the southern Serengeti and at midday you will reach the plains of the Serengeti National Park. This park is the largest in Tanzania and has a diversity of habitats and landscapes – short grass plains, savannah, thick bush, swamps, and lakes. Bizarre rock formations called kopjes dot the grassy landscape where predators are often seen. The Serengeti is famous for the yearly migration when hundreds of thousands of wildebeests and zebras trek to find fresh grass and water.

On your outward journey to the park gate, you will enjoy some more game viewing before you leave the Serengeti National Park in the early afternoon to continue your journey to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. On the way you can also see the Maasai boma with their traditional life. You will be staying at the lodge located on rim of Ngorongoro crater.

After breakfast you will descend the crater 600m down the crater for game. The massive collapsed volcano is home to over 25,000 mammals ranging from the Big Five – lion, elephant, buffalo, rhino, and leopard – to spotted hyenas, rare warthogs, and some of the more than 500 bird species of the area. After an extensive game drive and a picnic for lunch at hippo pool, you will leave the caldera in the late afternoon you will leave the crater and drive to Arusha town.

Accommodation: Moshi