Itinerary

1. Day 0: Arrive in Tanzania

   You will be picked up at the Kilimanjaro International Airport and transferred to your hotel in Moshi town. You will meet your guide, who will brief you on your upcoming trek and do an equipment check to make sure you have all the necessary mountain gear. Any missing gear can be rented on this day.

2. Day 1: Machame Gate to Machame Camp

   • Height (ft): 5,400ft to 9,400ft
   • Distance: 11 km
   • Climbing Time: 5-7 hours
   • Habitation: Rain Forest

   The drive from Moshi/Arusha to the Mount Kilimanjaro National Park Gate passes through the village of Machame, which is located at the base of the mountain. We now 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. Gaiters and trekking poles are a good idea here. We will continue a short distance until we reach the Machame Camp. 

3. Day 2: Machame Camp to Shira Camp

   • Height (ft): 9,400ft to 12,500ft
   • Distance: 5 km
   • Climbing Time: 4-6 hours
   • Habitation: Moorland

   After breakfast, we leave the rainforest glades and continue on an ascending path, crossing the little valley and walking along a steep rocky ridge covered with heather until the ridge ends. The route turns west onto a river gorge overnight at the Shira campsite. 

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

   • Height (ft): 12,500ft to 13,000ft
   • Distance: 10 km
   • Climbing Time: 6-8 hours
   • Habitation: Semi Desert

   From the Shira Plateau, we continue to the east up a ridge, passing the junction towards the peak of Kibo. As we continue, our direction changes to the southeast towards the Lava Tower, called the "Shark's Tooth." Shortly after the tower, we come to the second junction which brings us up to the Arrow Glacier at an altitude of 16,000ft. We now continue down to the Barranco Hut at an altitude of 13,000ft. Here we rest, enjoy dinner, and overnight. Although you end the day at the same height as when you started, this day is very important for acclimatization and will help your body prepare for summit day. 

5. Day 4: Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp

   • Height (ft): 13,000ft to 15,000ft
   • Distance: 9km
   • Climbing Time: 8-10 hours
   • Habitation: Alpine Desert

   After breakfast, we leave Barranco and continue on a steep ridge, passing the Barranco Wall to the Karanga Valley campsite. Then, we leave Karanga and hit the junction which connects with the Mweka Trail. We continue up to the Barafu Hut. At this point, you have completed the South Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many angles. Here, we make camp, rest, enjoy dinner, and prepare for the summit day. The two peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo are to be seen from this position. 

6. Day 5: Barafu Camp to Summit to Mweka Hut

   Very early in the morning (midnight to 2 am), we continue to the summit between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers. You head northwesterly 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), you will stop for a short rest and will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see (weather permitting). From Stella Point, you may encounter snow all the way on your 1-hour ascent to 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, we now descend, continuing straight down to the Mweka Hut camp site, stopping at Barafu for lunch. You will need gaiters and trekking poles for the loose gravel going down. Mweka Camp is situated in the upper forest, and mist or rain can be expected in the late afternoon. Later in the evening, we enjoy our last dinner on the mountain and a well-earned sleep.

7. Day 6: Mweka Camp (3100m) – Mweka Gate (1800 m) – hiking time approx. 5 hours.

   The path leads to a mostly wet, slippery path through the dense cloud forest steeply downhill to Mweka Gate. Transport back to your hotel or lodge.

8. Day 7: Departure Day

    Enjoy breakfast and a morning sightseeing in the city, or join us for one of our Safari Adventures. If you are returning home, our driver will take you to Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) to catch your flight home.