Itinerary

1. Day 1: Machame Gate – Machame Camp

   • Meet your tour guide at the airport or your hotel in Moshi and drive 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. 
   • As you leave the park gate, walk through the dense rain forest on a winding trail up a ridge until you reach the Machame Camp.

   Elevation: 5,380 ft to 9,350 ft

   Distance: 11 km/7 miles

   Hiking Time: 5-7 hours

   Habitat: Rain Forest

2. Day 2: Machame Camp to Shira 2 Camp

   • Leave the glades of the rain forest and continue on an ascending path up to a steep, rocky ridge. On the Shira Plateau, you will pass through heather and open moorlands, then cross a large river gorge to Shira 2 Camp.

   Elevation: 9,350 ft to 12,500 ft

   Distance: 5 km/3 miles

   Hiking Time: 4-6 hours

   Habitat: Heath

3. Day 3: Shira 2 Camp to Lava Tower

   • Continue to the east up a ridge and then head southeast towards the Lava Tower – a 300 ft tall volcanic rock formation. 

   Elevation: 12,500 ft to 15,190 ft; Distance: 7 km/4 miles

   Hiking Time: 4-5 hours

   Habitat: Alpine Desert

   • You will descend down to Barranco Camp through the strange but beautiful Seneca Forest to an altitude of 13,000 ft. 
   • Although you begin and end the day at the same elevation, the time spent at higher altitude is very beneficial for acclimatization.

   Elevation: 15,190 ft to 13,044 ft; Distance: 3 km/2 miles

   Hiking Time: 2-3 hours

   Habitat: Alpine Desert

4. Day 4: Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp

   • Start the day by descending into a ravine to the base of the Great Barranco Wall. 
   • Then you will climb the non-technical but steep, nearly 900 ft cliff. From the top of the Barranco Wall, cross a series of hills and valleys until you descend sharply into Karanga Valley. One more steep climb up leads us to Karanga Camp. This is a shorter day meant for acclimatization.

   Elevation: 13,044 ft to 13,106 ft

   Distance: 5 km/3 miles

   Hiking Time: 4-5 hours

   Habitat: Alpine Desert

5. Day 5: Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp

   • Leave Karanga and hit the junction which connects with the Mweka Trail. Then, continue up to the rocky section to Barafu Hut. 
   • At this point, you will have completed the Southern Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many different angles. Here you will put up a camp, rest and enjoy an early dinner to prepare for the summit day. The two peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo are viewable from this position.

   Elevation: 13,106 ft to 15,331 ft

   Distance: 4 km/2 miles

   Hiking Time: 4-5 hours

   Habitat: Alpine Desert

6. Day 6: Barafu camp to Uhuru Peak to Mweka Camp

   • Wake up very early in the morning (around midnight), and begin your push to the summit. This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek. The wind and cold at this elevation and time of day can be extreme. 
   • Ascend in the darkness for several hours while taking frequent, but short, breaks. Near Stella Point (18,900 ft), you will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see coming over Mawenzi Peak. 
   • Finally, arrive at Uhuru Peak- the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa.

   Elevation: 15,331 ft to 19,341 ft

   Distance: 5 km/3 miles

   Hiking Time: 7-8 hours

   Habitat: Arctic

   • From the summit, you will now make your descent continuing straight down to the Mweka Hut camp site, stopping at Barafu for lunch. The trail is very rocky and can be quite hard on the knees; trekking poles are helpful. Mweka Camp is situated in the upper forest and mist or rain can be expected in the late afternoon.
   • Later in the evening, enjoy your last dinner on the mountain and a well-earned sleep.

   Elevation: 19,341 ft to 10,065 ft

   Distance: 12 km/7 miles

   Hiking Time: 4-6 hours

   Habitat: Rain Forest

7. Day 7: Mweka Camp - Moshi

   • On your last day, continue the descent to Mweka Gate and collect the summit certificates. At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy. 
   • From the gate, continue for another hour to Mweka Village. A vehicle will meet you at Mweka Village to drive you back to the Hotel in Moshi or Airport.

   Elevation: 10,065 ft to 5,380 ft

   Distance: 10 km/6 miles

   Hiking Time: 3-4 hours

   Habitat: Rain Forest