Altitude: 4,640 m – 5, 895 m – 3,090 m Hiking Distance: 17 km Hiking Time: 15+ hours
Your summit day begins around 23:30, commencing with a light meal of tea and biscuits. Under the cover of night, you'll head in a northwesterly direction, embarking on an ascent through heavy scree toward Stella Point on the crater rim. This six-hour journey to Stella Point is often regarded as the most mentally and physically challenging part of the entire route.
At Stella Point (5,685 meters), you'll pause for a brief rest, greeted by the awe-inspiring spectacle of a sunrise that may be one of the most magnificent you'll ever witness, weather permitting. From Stella Point, you'll typically encounter snow throughout your two-hour ascent to Uhuru Peak, the highest point on Kilimanjaro.
After experiencing the summit's majesty, the return journey to Barafu will take about three hours. Here, you'll enjoy a well-deserved but short rest, collect your gear, and descend to Mweka Camp for dinner and a restful overnight stay.