This route is the least frequently used and also the longest route to the summit. After beautiful forests and moorlands it crosses the Shira Plateau to meet up with the Machame Route. The south circuit is then followed, offering superb views of the southern ice fields, past the Barranco Huts then onto Barafu and finally the summit. Descent is via the Mweka Route.
When climbing this route, the terrain passes from a tropical to an arctic climate in just a few days. The encircling rain forest ensures the fertility of the lower lying farms and is rich in birdlife. Above the rain forest lie the alpine meadows and beautiful moorland, offering many splendid views. Exotic plants such as giant lobelia and the fork-like groundsel can be seen. The latter blooming once every 50 - 70 years. After you leave the alpine meadows we enter the alpine desert and finally the snows of Kilimanjaro and the summit itself.
