Kilimanjaro — Crater Camp, 10 Days

The Northern Circuit with an extra night camped at 5,700 m inside Kibo's crater, next to the Furtwängler Glacier. Sleeping that high is demanding and only sensible after a long acclimatisation, which is why it is built onto the nine-day route rather than a short one.

Highlights

• Camp inside the summit crater at about 5,700 m
• Walk to the Furtwängler Glacier and the Reusch ash pit
• Summit Uhuru twice — evening and sunrise, if you want
• The full northern traverse beforehand

The itinerary, day by day

1. 01

   Londorossi Gate to Mti Mkubwa

   2,780 m · 3–4 hours

   Western gate and rainforest.

2. 02

   Mti Mkubwa to Shira 1

   3,505 m · 5–6 hours

   Onto the Shira Plateau.

3. 03

   Shira 1 to Shira 2

   3,850 m · 4–5 hours

   Across the plateau, walking higher in the afternoon.

4. 04

   Shira 2 to Moir Hut

   4,200 m · 5–7 hours

   By way of Lava Tower into the quiet Moir valley.

5. 05

   Moir Hut to Buffalo Camp

   4,020 m · 5–7 hours

   Onto the northern slopes.

6. 06

   Buffalo Camp to Third Cave

   3,870 m · 5–6 hours

   Continuing the traverse.

7. 07

   Third Cave to School Hut

   4,800 m · 4–5 hours

   To the eastern base camp.

8. 08

   School Hut to Crater Camp, via Uhuru Peak

   5,700 m · 8–10 hours

   A pre-dawn start to the crater rim and Uhuru Peak, then down into the crater to camp beside the glacier.

9. 09

   Crater Camp to Mweka Camp

   3,100 m · 8–9 hours

   The ash pit and the glaciers at first light, an optional second summit, then a long descent.

10. 10

    Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate

    1,640 m · 3–4 hours

    Down through the rainforest to the gate.