With both an extra day included and an approach across the beautiful Shira Plateau, this itinerary is a good compromise for people who do not want to take on the challenge of the Western Breach or spend a night in the Crater of Kibo.
Day 1: MONTANE FOREST (9,000') Drive approximately two hours from Arusha to the National Park forest edge. The trailhead here is in an area called the Lemosho Glades and even the drive there sets a spectacular precedent for the scenery you will experience during the hike From here you will walk about 3 hours through the undisturbed forest to your camp for the night. With luck you will be able to see Colobus monkeys and at least signs of elephant on your walk to camp.
Day 2: SHIRA PLATEAU WEST SIDE (11,300') Taking your time walking through the forest will help you spot some of the plentiful bird life as well as enjoying the unique highland vegetation. The day's hike will take you through the Montane Forest and the Hagenia (Rosewood) zone. Guides will point out the unique environmental differences that characterize these separate equatorial zones. The camp tonight is by a stream in the north-west corner of the Shira Plateau in the open lower moorland zone.
Day 3: SHIRA PLATEAU EAST SIDE - FISCHER'S CAMP (12,950'). The hike today will be about 4 hours across the Shira Plateau and one hour up the western slope of the Kibo Massif. Camp will be in the upper heath (moorland) zone with a wonderful view down on the Plateau itself.
Day 4: BARRANCO CAMP (13,000') Today you will hike to the Barranco Valley on the South West side of the Kibo massif. The route will take you up to 14,500 feet just below Lava Tower and then back down to the camp in the Great Barranco Valley. The views of the Great Breach Wall are better from this camp than anywhere on the mountain.
Day 5: KARANGA CAMP (13,400') Climbing out of the Barranco Valley you enjoy a short day hike to the Karanga Valley directly below the southern face of Kibo. After a warm lunch at camp you can explore the glacial moraines of the upper Karanga Valley, or just rest up in camp.
Day 6: BARAFU CAMP (15,500') The route today climbs up from the Karanga Valley and ascends to over 14,000 feet. You then traverse under the glaciers of the southern slopes of Kilimanjaro. As you traverse you will have close-up views of all of the mountain's Southern Glaciers. You then make the final 1000ft ascent to Barafu Hut.
Day 7: MWEKA CAMP (9,600') Summit day. You will start the ascent to the summit (19,340') very early in the morning (12 midnight!). This will allow you to be near the crater rim as the morning sun is rising. After taking in the view from Uhuru Peak you will begin the long descent back to Barafu Hut, where there is the chance to rest and get a snack brunch, and on down to Mweka Hut for a well deserved sleep.
Day 8: MWEKA PARK GATE. It takes about 2 to 2 and a half hours to make the 3,500 foot descent to the roadhead. Here you will have our lunch and say goodbye to your mountain staff. Transfer back to Arusha and overnight at a lodge where you will enjoy a celebratory drink and dinner.