Itinerary

1. Day 1: Machame Gate – Machame Camp: 10.75K /7mi | 5-6 hrs | Rainforest

   • Elevation: 1811m/5942ft to 3021m/9911ft Altitude gained: 1210m
   • Departing from Moshi, a 45-minute drive will take you through the village of Machame to the Kilimanjaro National Park Gate.
   • We will patiently wait for our permits to be issued while watching the hustle and bustle of operations as many crews prepare for the journey ahead. 
   • Enjoy the beautiful rainforest scenery and windy trails while your guide tells you about the local flora, fauna, and natural wildlife. At these lower elevations, the trail can be muddy and quite slippery. We highly recommend gaiters and trekking poles here.

2. Day 2: Machame Camp – Shira Camp: 5.3km/3mi | 4-5hrs | Moorland

   • Elevation: 3021m/9911ft to 3839m/12,595ft Altitude gained: 818m
   • After a good night's sleep and a hearty breakfast, we emerge from the rainforest and continue on an ascending path, crossing the valley along a steep rocky ridge. The route turns west onto a river gorge until we arrive at the Shira campsite. Temperatures begin to drop.

3. Day 3: Shira Camp – Lava Tower – Barranco Camp: 10.75km/6mi | 5-6hrs | Semi-Desert

   • Elevation: 3839m/12,595ft to 3986m/13,077ft Altitude gained: 147m
   • Although you end the day around the same elevation as when you began, this day is very important for acclimatization. From Shira Plateau, we continue east up a ridge, passing the junction towards the Kibo peak before continuing southeast towards the Lava Tower, called the “Shark’s Tooth” (elev. 4650m/15,250ft). Shortly after the tower, we come to a second junction leading to the Arrow Glacier. We then continue to descend to overnight at Barranco Camp.

4. Day 4: Barranco Camp – Karanga Camp: 5.2km/3mi | 3-4hrs | Alpine Desert

   • Elevation: 3986m/13,077ft to 4034m/13,235ft Altitude gained: 48m
   • After breakfast, we continue on a steep ridge up to the adventurous Barranco Wall to the Karanga Valley and the junction connecting with the Mweka Trail. This is one of the most impressive days to see the power, agility, and strength of your crew zip over this wall with what appears such ease. Overnight at Karanga Camp.

5. Day 5: Hike Karanga Camp – Barafu Camp: 3.3km /2mi | 3-4hrs | Alpine Desert

   • Elevation: 4034m/13,235ft to 4662m/15,295ft Altitude gained: 628m
   • We continue up toward Barafu Camp, and once reached, you have now completed the South Circuit, which offers a variety of breathtaking views of the summit from many different angles. An early dinner and rest as we prepare for summit night. Overnight at Barafu Camp.

6. Day 6: Barafu Camp – Summit: 4.86km/3mi Up | 5-7hrs | – Mweka Camp: 11.5km/7.2mi Down | 5-6hrs | Glaciers, Snow-Capped Summit

   • Elevation: 4662m/15,295ft to 5895m/19,341ft Altitude Gained: 1233m Descent to 3106m/10,190ft Altitude Lost: 2789m
   • Excitement is Building as Morning Comes with an Early Start Between Midnight and 2 a.m. This is the Most Mentally and Physically Challenging Portion of the Trek.
   • We continue our way to the summit between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers, trying to stay warm and focused on the amazing sense of accomplishment that lies ahead. With a switchback motion in a northwesterly direction, we ascend through heavy scree towards Stella Point on the crater rim. You will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise during your short rest here. Faster hikers may view the sunrise from the summit. 
   • From here on, your remaining 1-hour ascent to Uhuru Peak will likely encounter snow all the way.
   • Congratulations, One Step at a Time, You Have Now Reached Uhuru Peak, the Highest Point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the Entire Continent of Africa!
   • After photos, celebrations, and maybe a few tears of joy, we take a few moments to enjoy this incredible accomplishment. We begin our steep descent to Mweka Camp, stopping at Barafu for lunch and a brief rest. We strongly recommend gaiters and trekking poles for uncooperative loose gravel and volcano ash terrain. Well-deserved rest awaits you to enjoy your last evening on the mountain. Overnight at Mweka Camp.

7. Day 7: Mweka Camp – Mweka Gate – Moshi: 9.1km/6mi |3-4hrs | Rainforest

   • Elevation: 3106m/10,190ft to 1633m/5358ft Altitude Lost: 1473m
   • After breakfast and a heartfelt ceremony of appreciation and team bonding with your crew, it’s time to say goodbye. We continue descending to the Mweka Park Gate to receive your summit certificates. As the weather is drastically warmer, the terrain is wet, muddy, and steep, and we highly recommend gaiters and trekking poles.
   • From the gate, a vehicle will meet you at Mweka village to drive you back to your hotel in Moshi (about 30 minutes). Enjoy a long overdue hot shower, dinner, and celebrations!