9-Day Kilimanjaro Trek via Machame Route to Uhuru Peak

• On arrival, meet your driver-guide and transfer to your accommodation for the evening.

• In the late afternoon, there is a briefing with the expedition manager and head guide to go over the itinerary in detail, check your gear, and answer any questions you may have.

Dinner and overnight at the lodge.

• After breakfast, depart by vehicle for Kilimanjaro. At the gate, your crew will finalise packing, and after completing the formalities, you begin the trek from Machame Gate.

• Today's hike takes you through the verdant afro-montane forest to Machame Camp.

• Enjoy a picnic lunch en route, and look out for pretty endemic flora and a graduation of forest zones.

Overnight at Machame Camp (full board).

• From Machame Camp, hike to Shira Camp. The first section is relatively steep, and altitude is gained rapidly.

• A picnic lunch is taken on the trail today. The zone you pass through is known as the heath zone, where attractive helichrysum and lobelia plants become apparent. Various geological features can be seen today, from lava tubes to glacial valleys.

Overnight at Shira Camp (full board).

• Today is a walk high, sleep low day. You ascend into the alpine desert, and for those feeling strong, there is even the option to head up to Lava Tower before descending to Barranco Camp.

• Lunch is taken as a picnic lunch on the route.

• This is a long day, but note that the next time you head to this altitude is in two days' time - making this a great acclimatisation day.

Overnight at Barranco Camp (full board).

• From Barranco Camp, famous for its giant groundsels (Senecio species), you ascend the Barranco Wall and hike through glacial valleys to Karanga Camp. Today is a relatively short hiking day, and lunch is taken at Karanga Camp.

• In the afternoon, a walk can be taken with your guides for great views of the southern walls of Kibo and deep glacial valleys.

Overnight at Karanga Camp (full board).

• Today is another half-day ascent to Barafu Camp.

• Once again, lunch is taken in camp, allowing plenty of time to relax before the summit bid.

• Desolate alpine desert surrounds this camp, and at times strong winds rip through it, yet splendid views of Mawenzi Peak in the evening are the norm.

• A relatively early dinner is taken before heading to rest for the evening.

Overnight at Barafu Camp (full board).

• Most people depart just before midnight for the final summit bid. Patience and persistence are the name of the game to reach the summit, and by dawn, as the first rays of light begin to appear, most arrive near the rim.

• Ascending via Stella Point affords a relatively short final section to Uhuru Peak, the Roof of Africa. What goes up must come down, and your goal today is to reach Mweka Camp before dusk.

Overnight at Mweka Camp (full board).

• A final descent of 4,500 ft brings you down to Mweka Gate, where your team will have prepared another scrumptious and fresh lunch, and your transfer vehicles will be waiting to collect you.

• Here, you will say goodbye to the mountain staff before heading to the hotel near Arusha for a farewell dinner and either an overnight stay or a day room before departure.

• After breakfast, you are transferred for your onward connections.

• Please note that if you want to spend the day resting, you may request a day room at an extra charge.