Itinerary

1. Day 1: Machame Gate to Machame Camp

   • Dive from Moshi to Machame Gate, which takes about 50 minutes.  The journey passes through the village of Machame, which is located on the lower slopes of the mountain.

   • Leave the park gate and walk through the rainforest on a winding trail up a ridge.  Lower down, the trail can be muddy and slippery.

   • Continue a short distance until the Machame Camp.

   Elevation (ft): 5,380 ft to 9,350 ft

   Distance: 11 km

   Hiking Time: 5-7 hours

   Habitat: Rain Forest

2. Day 2: Machame Camp to Shira Camp

   • After breakfast, leave the glades of the rain forest and continue on an ascending path. 

   • Crossing the little valley walking along a steep rocky ridge, covered with heather, until the ridge ends. The route now turns west onto a river gorge.

   • Time for rest, dinner, and overnight at the Shira campsite.

   Elevation (ft): 9,350 ft to 12,500 ft

   Distance: 5 km

   Hiking Time: 4-6 hours

   Habitat: Heath

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

   • From the Shira Plateau, continue east up a ridge, passing the junction towards the peak of Kibo. As you walk, the direction changes to the southeast towards Lava Tower, called the "Shark's Tooth."

   • Shortly after, come to the second junction, which brings you near Arrow Glacier at an altitude of 16,000 ft.

   • Continue down to Barranco Hut at an altitude of 13,044 ft. 

   • Although you end up at the same elevation as you started, this day is very important for acclimatisation and will help prepare for summit day.

   Elevation (ft): 12,500 ft to 15,190 ft to 13,044 ft

   Distance: 10 km

   Hiking Time: 6-8 hours

   Habitat: Alpine Desert

4. Day 4: Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp

   • First challenge is a climb and scrambles over the volcanic rock of the 1,200 ft Barranco Wall. 

   • On reaching the top, have a well-earned lunch break and enjoy fantastic views of Barafu and Mount Meru.

   • Continue across the ridges and valleys to the Karanga Valley campsite.  This is a short day meant for acclimatisation.

   Elevation (ft): 13,044 ft to 13,106 ft

   Distance: 5km

   Hiking Time: 4-5 hours

   Habitat: Alpine Desert

5. Day 5: Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp

   • After breakfast, leave Karanga and hit the junction which connects with the Mweka Trail.

   • Continue up to Barafu Hut.

   • At this point, you have completed the Southern Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many different angles. 

   • Here make camp, rest, enjoy an early dinner, and prepare for the summit day.  The two peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo are visible from this site.

   Elevation (ft): 13,106 ft to 15,331 ft

   Distance: 4 km

   Hiking Time: 4-5 hours

   Habitat: Alpine Desert

6. Day 6: Barafu Camp to Uhuru Point to Mweka Hut

   • Very early in the morning (midnight), put on many layers of clothing and begin the climb to the summit.

   • Head in a northwesterly direction and ascend through heavy scree towards Stella Point on the crater rim. This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek.

   • At Stella Point (18,600 ft), stop for a short rest and will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see. 

   • From Stella Point, you have just one more hour before reaching the summit. 

   • At Uhuru Peak, you have reached the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa. Faster hikers will see the sunrise from the summit. 

   • From the summit, make your descent continuing straight down to the Mweka Hut camp site, stopping at Barafu for lunch. Mweka Camp is situated in the upper forest. 

   • Later in the evening, enjoy your last dinner on the mountain and a well-earned sleep. 

   Elevation (ft): 15,331 ft to 19,341 ft to 10,065 ft

   Distance: 17 km

   Hiking Time: 11-14 hours

   Habitat: Arctic

7. Day 7: Mweka Camp to Moshi

   • After breakfast, continue the descent down to the Mweka Park Gate to receive your summit certificates. 

   • At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy. 

   • From the gate, continue another hour to Mweka Village. A vehicle will meet you at Mweka village to drive you back to the hotel in Moshi for a hot shower.

   Elevation (ft): 10,065 ft to 5,380 ft

   Distance: 10 km

   Hiking Time: 3-4 hours

   Habitat: Rain Forest