Itinerary

1. Day 1: Drive to Machame Gate - Climb to Machame Camp (3000m)

   After completing the necessary registration formalities, the climb starts from Machame Gate (1800m) and follows a ridge through a dense mountain forest. This rich forest is the zone from where 96% of the water on Kilimanjaro originates.
   It can be very lush and beautiful during dry seasons but quite muddy during the rainy season. We will have lunch at a halfway clearing and continue climbing steadily.
   The gradient becomes gentler as the forest slowly merges into a giant heather, close to the next camp near the ruins of Machame Hut (3000m).
   We may get our first closer look at the glaciated dome of Kibo if the evening clouds permit.
   [6-8 hours walking]

2. Day 2: Towards Shira Camp (3840m)

   A shorter day - begins by climbing up a steep ridge to reach a small semicircular cliff called the Picnic Rock.
   There are excellent views of Kibo and the jagged rim of the Shira Plateau from here, and it is a good rest point, too! The trail continues less steeply to reach the Shira Plateau.
   We camp near Shira Hut (3840m), which has some of the most stunning views on Kilimanjaro, close to the huge volcanic cone of Kibo. We get a view of the spectacular rock formations of the Shira Plateau, looking across to Mt Meru floating on the clouds.
   [4-6 hours walking]

3. Day 3: Shira Camp - Barranco Camp

   The breakfast session takes place at 7:30 am in Shira campsite. Depart to Barranco campsite and continue east up a ridge via junction towards the peak of Kibo.
   As you walk, your direction changes to the southeast towards Lava Tower, called the "Shark's Tooth."
   Shortly after reaching the second junction, which brings you near the Arrow Glacier at an altitude of 4600Mt, descent downhill to Barranco campsite at an altitude of 3950m. Although you end your day at the same elevation as you started, this day is very important for acclimatization and will help you prepare for the summit session.
   Shira Camp to Lava Tower to Barranco Camp; Elevation- 4600m.
   Distance: 11 km; Hiking Time: 6-7 hours
   Habitat: Alpine Desert

4. Day 4: To Barafu Campsite (4600m)

   We follow an easy path on compacted scree with wide views that gain altitude unrelentingly to reach the Barafu campsite (4600m) for lunch.
   There is a short acclimatisation walk to the plateau at the bottom of the South-East valley (4800m).
   The remainder of the day is spent resting in preparation for the final ascent before a very early night.
   [4-5 hours walking]

5. Day 5: Summit Uhuru Peak (5895m) - Descend to Millenium Camp (3800m)

   We will start our ascent by torchlight at about 1 a.m. so that we can be up on the Crater Rim by sunrise. The steep climb over loose volcanic scree has some well-graded zig-zags, and a slow but steady pace will take us to Stella Point (5735m) in about five or six hours.
   We will rest there for a short time to enjoy the sunrise over Mawenzi.
   Those still feeling strong can make the two-hour round trip from here along the crater rim to Uhuru Peak (5895m), passing close to the spectacular glaciers and ice cliffs still occupying most of the summit area.
   The descent to Barafu will be surprisingly fast, and after some refreshment, we will continue to descend to reach our final campsite, Millenium (3800m).
   [11-15 hours walking]

6. Day 6: Mweka Camp - Mweka Gate

   After your last breakfast on the mountain, we leave the Mweka camp and descend via the rainy forest to the Mweka gate at lower elevations. It can be wet and muddy.
   Our vehicle will meet you from the gate at Mweka gate and drive you back to a hotel in Moshi for a hot shower and leisure dinner overnight.
   Mweka camp to Mweka gate 3100m-1640m

   Distance: 10 km hiking
   Time: 3-4 hours
   Habitat: Rain Forest