Itinerary

1. Day 1- Arusha to Kilimanjaro

   • Drive from Arusha to the Mount Kilimanjaro National Park's Machame Gate, which passes through the village of Machame, located on the lower slopes of the mountain.

   • Leave Machame gate on foot and trek through the rainforest on a winding trail up a ridge. 

   • Further on, struggle on the trail, which is muddy and slippery. Again, gaiters and trekking poles are a good idea here.

   • Arrive at Machame Camp. 

2. Day 2- Machame Camp to Shira Camp

   • After breakfast, leave the glades of the rainforest behind and continue on an ascending path, crossing the little valley.

   • Walk along a steep rocky ridge covered with heather, until the ridge ends. The route now turns west onto a River Gorge.

   Dinner and overnight at the Shira campsite.

3. Day 3- Shira Camp - Lava Tower - Barranco Camp

   • From the Shira Plateau, continue east up a ridge, passing the junction towards the peak of Kibo.

   • Further on, trek the direction as it changes to the South East towards the Lava Tower also called the "Shark's Tooth". 

   • Arrive at the second junction, which brings one up to the Arrow Glacier, at an altitude of 16,000ft.

   • Continue down to the Barranco Hut at an altitude of 13,000ft. Take rest, have dinner and overnight.

   • Although the day ends at the same elevation initially, it is essential for acclimatization and helps prepare for summit day.

4. Day 4- Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp

   • After breakfast, leave Barranco camp and continue on a steep ridge, passing the Barranco Wall to the Karanga Valley campsite.

5. Day 5- Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp

   • After breakfast, leave Karanga and reach the junction that connects with the Mweka Trail. 

   • Continue up to the Barafu Hut. This point completes the South Circuit and offers views of the summit from different angles. The two peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo can be seen from this position.

   Make camp, rest, enjoy dinner and prepare for the summit day.

6. Day 6- Barafu Camp - Summit - Mweka Hut

   • Start the day early at 2 am and continue to the summit between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers. 

   • Head in a northwest 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 (18600 ft), stop for a short rest and, if weather permits, be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise.

   • From the summit, descent by continuing straight down to the Mweka Hut campsite.

   • Stop at Barafu for lunch. Gaiters and trekking poles are necessary to negotiate 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, enjoy the last dinner on the mountain and get some well-earned sleep.

7. Day 7- Mweka Camp to Arusha

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

   • From the gate, continue for another hour to Mweka Village, where a vehicle is waiting for the drive back to the hotel in Arusha.