We will be relaxing at our lodge in Arusha and making preparations for the climb, including talking over the plans for the days ahead.

Those joining the Kilimanjaro hike, be sure to arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) on June 30, or at the latest by the morning of July 1.

After breakfast, we will drive from Arusha to the Kilimanjaro National Park Gate (three hours or so), then have lunch together as we are being checked into the park.

After lunch we begin a moderate climb up through the mountain forest, carpeted with unique flowers, begonias, and ferns. The first camp is situated among the giant heather plants at 9,500 ft (2,896 m). (Total ascent: 1,700 ft/518 m during 3-4 hours hiking.)

Emerge from the giant heather zone and hike through fine open moorland to camp at Shira Camp I at 11,500 ft (3,505 m). Eland and antelope sometimes graze up here, and there are fascinating geological features in the old volcanic caldera which can be viewed during a half-hour optional walk in the afternoon. (Total ascent: 2,000 ft/610 m during 5-6 hours hiking.)

We hike along the Shira plateau for the duration of the day. Begin with a gentle walk east toward Kibo’s glaciered peak, winding across the plateau that leads to Shira II camp on moorland meadows. We'll then continue to Moir Hut, a little-used site on the base of the Lent Hills. A variety of optional walks are available on Lent Hills making this an excellent acclimatization opportunity. (Total ascent: 2,300 ft/701 m during 6-7 hours hiking.)

From the Shira Plateau, we'll continue up a ridge, passing the trail junction towards the Kibo peak. As we continue we'll arrive at the Lava Tower geological formation, called the "Shark's Tooth." After that, we'll come to a second trail junction, which brings us up to Arrow Glacier at an altitude of 16,000 ft/4,877 m. We'll then continue down to Barranco Hut Camp at an altitude of 13,000 ft/3,964 m. Although you'll finish the day below the elevation you started at, this day is an important step for acclimatization and will help your body prepare for the summit. (Total descent: 800 ft/244 m during 5-6 hours hiking.)

After breakfast, we'll leave Barranco Hut Camp and continue on a steep ridge passing the steep Barranco Wall, ending at the Karanga Valley campsite. This is a short day meant for acclimatization. (Total ascent: 100 ft/30 m during 4-5 hours hiking.)

We'll leave Karanga Camp and hit the next junction, which connects with the Mweka Trail. We then continue up to the Barafu Hut Camp, which completes the South Circuit trail. Here we'll make camp, rest, enjoy dinner, and prepare for the summit morning/day. (The twin peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo can be seen from this position.) (Total ascent: 2,200 ft/671 m during 4-5 hours hiking.)

A bracing 12:00 am start to climb the frozen scree up to the summit. This is unavoidable on any route, but we want to aim to reach Stella Point (on the crater rim) for sunrise (around 6:30 a.m.) — another 40 minutes later, and magically you’re at the highest point on the continent, bathing in the sun's warmth (which is much appreciated at that elevation).

After reaching the summit and snapping the prerequisite photos, we then return to base camp for a short rest and food break, after which we go via the Mweka descent route to our next camp.

Total walking time will be around 7 hours (4,265ft/1,300m ascent) to the summit, then a 6-8 hour (9,186ft/2,800m) descent to Mweka camp, set in a clearing amongst the giant heather. This is a long and hard day — you’ll feel extremely tired, but also absolutely ecstatic that you’ve actually done it. Enjoy your sleep — you've earned it! (Total ascent: 4,045 ft/1,233 m during 7-8 hours hiking, followed by 9,345 ft/2,848 m of descent over a period of 5-6 hours.)

We finish up with a four-hour descent through the forest to Mweka Gate to collect our completion certificates and meet with our vehicle. Head towards our lodge near the airport, arriving early afternoon, and check into our hotel for some R&R and a celebratory dinner. (Total descent: 4,600 ft/1,402 m during 4 hours hiking.)

Have breakfast at the hotel and chill until your flight back. You'll be transferred by the hotel to the airport approximately 2.5 hours before your flight departs.