Itinerary

1. Day 1: Machame Gate to Machame Camp

   • Drive from Moshi to Machame Gate, which takes about 45 minutes. The journey passes through the village of Machame, which is located on the lower slopes of the mountain.

   • Depart the park gate and walk through the rain forest on a winding trail up a ridge. At lower elevations, the trail can be muddy and slippery. Gaiters and trekking poles are a good idea here.

   • Continue a short distance until the Machame Camp.

   Elevation: 1830m/6000ft to 3050m/9950ft

   Distance: 11km/7mi

   Hiking Time: 5-6 hours

   Habitat: Montane Forest

   Meals: L, D

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 valley along a steep rocky ridge.

   • Route now turns west onto a river gorge until we arrive at the Shira campsite.

   Elevation: 3050m/9950ft to 3850m/12,600ft

   Distance: 5km/3mi

   Walking Time: 4-5 hours

   Habitat: Moorland

   Meals: B, L, D

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

   • From the Shira Plateau, continue to the east up a ridge, passing the junction towards the peak of Kibo. As you continue, the direction changes to the South East towards the Lava Tower, called the “Shark’s Tooth” (elevation 4650m/15,250ft).

   • Shortly after the tower, come to the second junction, which goes to the Arrow Glacier.

   • Continue down to the Barranco Camp. Although you end the day around the same elevation as when you began, this day is very important for acclimatisation and will help your body prepare for summit day.

   Elevation: 3850m/12,600ft to 4000m/13,000ft

   Distance: 10km/6mi

   Walking Time: 5-6 hours

   Habitat: Semi-desert

   Meals: B, L, D

4. Day 4: Barranco Camp to Barafu Camp

   • After breakfast, leave Barranco and continue on a steep ridge up till the Barranco Wall (elevation 4250m / 13,900ft), through the Karanga Valley (elevation 4050m/13,250ft) to the junction which connects with the Mweka Trail.

   • Continue up to the Barafu Camp. You have completed the South Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many different angles. Here we make camp with views of the summit in the distance.

   Elevation: 4000m/13,000ft to 4700m/15,350ft

   Distance: 9km/6mi

   Hiking Time: 6-8 hours

   Habitat: Alpine Desert

   Meals: B, L, D

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

   • Very early in the morning (midnight to 2 am), continue your way to the summit between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers.

   • 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, stop for a short rest and will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see. Faster hikers may view the sunrise from the summit.

   • From Stella Point, you may encounter snow all the way on your 1-hour ascent to the summit. Once at Uhuru Peak, you have reached the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa!

   • From the summit, begin the descent by continuing straight down to the Mweka Camp, stopping at Barafu for lunch. You may want gaiters and trekking poles for the loose gravel going down.

   • Arrive at Mweka Camp and enjoy your last evening on the mountain.

   Elevation: 4700m/15,350ft to 5895m/19,340ft

   Down to 3090m/10,150ft

   Distance: 5km/3mi up / 13km/8mi down

   Hiking Time: 5-7 hours up / 5-6 hours down

   Habitat: Stone scree and ice-capped summit

   Meals: B, L, D

6. Day 6: Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate 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. Gaiters and trekking poles will help. Shorts and t-shirts will probably be plenty to wear (keep rain gear and warmer clothing handy).

   Elevation: 3090m/10,150ft to 1680m/5500ft

   Distance: 10km/6mi

   Hiking Time: 3-4 hours

   Habitat: Forest

   Meals: B