6:00 AM – Hotel Pickup

Your day begins with an early pickup from your hotel in Moshi or Arusha by your private guide and a specialized 4×4 safari vehicle. We’ll start the scenic drive towards Kilimanjaro’s western side, a less-traveled route that promises its own adventure through rich agricultural lands and local villages.

10:00 AM – Londorossi Gate (2,250 m / 7,380 ft) & Registration

We arrive at the Londorossi Gate, the entry point to this pristine region of Kilimanjaro National Park. While your guide handles the registration and park formalities, you can stretch your legs and breathe in the cool mountain air of the rainforest belt.

10:15 AM – The 4×4 Ascent to the Plateau

This is where the true adventure escalates. You will re-board the 4×4 for a thrilling drive up a rugged track, ascending nearly 1,300 meters. You’ll witness a dramatic and rapid transition of ecosystems—from the lush montane forest, through the giant heather zone, and into the otherworldly Afro-alpine moorland. 

Arrival at Morum Barrier Gate 

Your vehicle will bring you to the Morum Barrier Gate, located on the edge of the Shira Plateau. Stepping out of the car at this altitude, you’ll immediately feel the vast, open space and notice the thin, crisp air. The views are already magnificent.

11:45 AM – High Altitude Acclimatization Walk

Guided by your expert, you will begin a gentle and awe-inspiring walk across the Shira Plateau. This ancient, collapsed volcanic caldera offers a relatively flat terrain, making for a pleasant hike. On a clear day, the sky feels incredibly close, and the views of Kibo (the main peak of Kilimanjaro) are simply stunning. You will explore the unique flora, including the iconic giant groundsels and lobelias that dot the landscape. Your destination is a scenic viewpoint, perhaps near the striking geological formation of the Shira Cathedral.

1:30 PM – Picnic Lunch with a World-Class View

We’ll select a protected and scenic spot on the plateau for a well-deserved picnic lunch. There are few dining settings in the world that can compete with this – enjoying a delicious meal surrounded by the immense beauty of Kilimanjaro’s high-altitude desert.

2:30 PM – Descent by Vehicle

After lunch and capturing final photos, you will begin your descent. The journey back down in the 4×4 offers a different perspective on the landscape you ascended earlier in the day.

5:30 PM – Return to Your Hotel

You will be chauffeured back to your hotel in the late afternoon, filled with an incredible sense of accomplishment and memories of a landscape few get to witness. You can expect to arrive back with plenty of time to relax and reflect on your day on Kilimanjaro.