Itinerary

1. Day 1: Machame Gate to Machame Camp

   • We drive about 50 minutes from Arusha/Moshi to Machame Gate of Mount Kilimanjaro National Park. The journey passes through the Machame villages on the lower slopes of Kilimanjaro.
   • We now leave the Machame Gate and trek through the rainforest on a winding path that climbs a ridge.
   • Further down the trail can be muddy and slippery. Gaiters and trekking poles are very important when climbing. We continue a short distance until we reach Camp Machame.

2. Day 2: Machame Camp to Shira Cave Camp

   • After breakfast, we leave the rainforest clearings and continue on an uphill trail to Shira Cave Camp, crossing the small valley and hiking along a steep heather-covered rocky ridge to the bottom of the ridge. The route now turns west into a river gorge. Upon arrival at camp, rest, dinner and overnight at Shira Camp.

3. Day 3: Shira Camp to Lava Tower to Barranco Camp

   • From the Shira Plateau, continue east along a ridge past the junction to Kibo Peak. As we continue, our direction changes to the southeast to the lava tower called "Shark's Tooth".
   • Shortly after the tower, we reach the second trail crossing that takes us 1 km to Arrow Glacier.
   • We now continue to Barranco Hut at an elevation of 13,000 feet, where we will rest, have dinner and spend the night. Although you end the day at the same altitude as when you started, this day is very important for acclimatization and helps your body prepare for summit day.

4. Day 4: Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp

   • After breakfast, we leave Barranco Camp and continue up a steep ridge past the Barranco Wall to Karanga Valley Camp. This is a short acclimatization day.

5. Day 5: Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp

   • After breakfast, we leave Karanga Camp and reach the turnoff that leads to the Mweka Trail. Continue to Barafu Hut.
   • At this point, you have completed the South Circuit, which offers views of the summit of Uhuru Peak from many different angles. Here we camp, rest, have dinner and prepare for the summit day. The two peaks, Mawenzi and Kibo, can be seen from this position.

6. Day 6: Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak Summit to Mweka Hut

   • Very early in the morning (particularly from midnight to 2 a.m.), we continue to the summit site between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers. Head northwest and climb through dense boulders to Stella Point on the rim of Kilimanjaro's crater. This is the most mentally and physically challenging part of the climb. 
   • Take a short break at Stella Point and be rewarded with the most glorious sunrise. From Stella Point, you can find snow on your 1-hour climb to the top of Uhuru Peak.
   • In Uhuru Peak, you have reached the highest point of Kilimanjaro and the African continent. From the summit, we descend directly to Mweka Hut Camp and stop at Barafu for lunch. You will need gaiters and trekking poles for the loose gravel that comes down. Mweka Camp is situated in the upper part of the forest, and fog or rain can be expected in the late afternoon. Later we enjoy our last dinner on Mount and a well-deserved night's sleep.

7. Day 7: Mweka Camp to Moshi/Arusha

   • After breakfast, we continue the descent to the gate of Mweka Park to receive your summit certificates. Continue from the gate back to Moshi/Arusha.