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After breakfast, we leave the glades of the forest and follow an ascending path on the open moorland to Barranco Camp.

• Elevation: 2850m/9350ft to 4000m/13,000ft
• Distance: 6km/4mi
• Walking Time: 4-5 hours
• Habitat: Semi-desert

Following breakfast, we depart from Barranco and ascend the Barranco Wall along a difficult slope to reach the Karanga Valley and the intersection with the Mweka Trail.

Elevation: 4000m/13,000ft to 4050m/13,250ft

• Distance: 5km/3mi
• Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
• Habitat: Alpine Desert

Up to the Barafu Camp, we go. The South Circuit, which provides a variety of perspectives of the summit, is now complete. Here, we set up camp, relax, eat dinner, and get ready for the day of the summit.

• Elevation: 4050m/13,250ft to 4700m/15,350ft
• Distance: 4km/2mi
• Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
• Habitat: Alpine Desert

We proceed to the peak between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers between midnight and two in the morning. You make your way to Stella Point on the crater rim by heading northwest and climbing through a thick scree. This is the hardest part of the walk, both physically and mentally. You will pause for a little rest at Stella Point, where you will be treated to the most spectacular sunrise you have probably ever seen. Those who walk more quickly can see the sunrise from the top.

On your one-hour journey to the summit from Stella Point, snow may be encountered the entire time. You have arrived at the highest point on both the African continent and Mount Kilimanjaro, Uhuru Peak!

We start our descent from the summit by going straight down to the Mweka Camp, with a lunch break at Barafu. Trekking poles and gaiters can be useful on the loose gravel descent. Upon reaching Mweka Camp, we relish our final night on the mountain.

• Elevation: 4700m/15,350ft to 5895m/19,340ft Down to 3090m/10,150ft
• Distance: 5km/3mi up / 13km/8mi down
• Hiking Time: 5-7 hours up / 5-6 hours down
• Habitat: Stone scree and ice-capped summit

Following breakfast, we proceed to the Mweka Park Gate where you may pick up your summit certificates. It can be muddy and damp at lower altitudes. Trekking poles and gaiters will be useful. You should probably wear plenty of shorts and t-shirts (have warmer clothes and rain gear accessible).

Proceed to Mweka Village after an additional hour from the gate. You will be picked up at the Mweka gate and driven (about thirty minutes) back to your Moshi hotel.

• Elevation: 3090m/10,150ft to 1680m/5500ft
• Distance: 10km/6mi
• Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
• Habitat: Forest