Itinerary

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

   • 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.

   Elevation: 1811m/5942ft to 3021m/9911ft

   Altitude gained: 1210m

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

   • After a good night's sleep and a hearty breakfast, we emerge from the rain forest and continue on an ascending path, crossing the valley along a steep rocky ridge. 
   • The route now turns west onto a river gorge until we arrive at the Shira campsite. Temperatures begin to drop.

   Elevation: 3021m/9911ft to 3839m/12,595ft 

   Altitude gained: 818m

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

   • 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 we then continue, South East towards the Lava Tower, called the “Shark’s Tooth” (elev. 4650m/15,250ft). 
   • Shortly after the tower, we come to a second junction, which leads to the Arrow Glacier. 
   • We then continued to descend to overnight at Barranco Camp.

   Elevation: 3839m/12,595ft to 3986m/13,077ft

   Altitude gained: 147m

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

   • After breakfast, we continue on a steep ridge up to the adventurous Barranco Wall to the Karanga Valley and the junction, which connects, 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.

   Elevation: 3986m/13,077ft to 4034m/13,235ft         

   Altitude gained: 48m

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

   • 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.

   Elevation: 4034m/13,235ft to 4662m/15,295ft    

   Altitude gained: 628m

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

   • 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 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, you are likely to 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 down to Mweka Camp, stopping at Barafu for lunch and a very 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 Mweka Camp.

   Elevation: 4673m/15,295ft to 5895m/19,341ft   

   Altitude gained: 1233m

   Descent to 3106m/10,190ft      

   Altitude lost: 2789m

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

   • After breakfast and a heartfelt ceremony of appreciation and team bonding with your crew, it’s time to say goodbye. 
   • We continue the descent down 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!

   Elevation: 3106m/10,190ft to 1633m/5358ft

   Altitude lost: 1473m