Itinerary

1. Day 1: Kilimanjaro Airport to Arusha

   • Upon your arrival at Kilimanjaro Airport, you will be greeted by our transfer driver and taken to the Natron Palace Hotel within  Arusha. The rest of the day is for you to enjoy at leisure – relax at the hotel pool or take a taxi and explore the town of Arusha.

   • In the late afternoon, you will meet one of our Kilimanjaro team members, who will brief you on your upcoming trek.

   Dinner and overnight at the Natron Palace Hotel.

   Dinner: Clients pay direct

2. Day 2: Arusha to Machame Gate (1,790m) to Machame Camp (3,010m)

   • After breakfast, you will be picked up at the Green Hills of Africa and taken to the Kilimanjaro National park gate. After completion of all the necessary paperwork, your adventure commences. 

   • Your destination for today is the Machame Camp, a 5–6 hour hike. Soon you will be hiking through the lush rainforest with its large ancient trees, primaeval ferns and endemic flowers, like the Impatiens Kilimanjari. You might also spot black and white thumbless colobus monkeys peeking through the leaves. 

   • Reaching the campsite, you will have time to relax, stretch your legs and enjoy a hearty meal before snuggling into your tent for the night. 

   Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

3. Day 3: Machame Camp (3,010m) to Shira Camp (3,845m)

   • Today’s early start is not due to a long stretch but rather to allow you to reach Shira Camp at around mid-afternoon. 

   • As you walk, you will notice the dramatic change in the landscape – from lush and green rainforest to dry moor and heathland. 

   • Arriving at your campsite, a beautiful view of the mountain range opens up before you. The glaciers of Kibo glistens in the golden hue of the setting sun as you enjoy another lovingly cooked meal before climbing into your tent. 

   Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

4. Day 4: Shira Camp (3,845m) to Lava Tower Hut (4,640m) to Barranco Camp (3,960m)

   • Acclimatization is on today’s menu, where you will climb roughly 700 m, but sleep on a level not much higher than the previous night. Starting at Shira Plateau, you will make your way up to Lava Tower (4,640m), where you will rest a while before continuing through the Barranco Valley to the beautiful Barranco Camp. The trek will take approximately 6 – 7 hours, but the various distractions of the alpine desert, as well as the Barranco Valley with its small lobelia plants and giant senecio’s, will keep your mind off the stretch still ahead. 

   Well-deserved dinner and overnight await you at Barranco Camp.

   Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

5. Day 5: Barranco Camp (3,960m) to Karanga Camp (4,035m)

   • Today the Barranco Wall stands before you to conquer. Some stages will require you to use your hands for a better grip, but no actual climbing is necessary, and your guide will be with you every step of the way to lend a helping hand. 

   • Route with its numerous ascents and descents allow for further acclimatisation before reaching the mountain ridge. 

   • Walking along the ridge, you can take in the beautiful landscape with its stunning contrasts of desert and vegetation before finally reaching the cloudy Karanga Camp. Your trek will take between 3–4 hours, leaving more than enough time to rest and play a game of rummy. 

   Evening meal and overnight at Karanga Camp. 

   Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

6. Day 6: Karanga Camp (4,035m) to Barafu Camp (4,640m)

   • Awakening to the sunlight dancing off the Kibo Summit, you will enjoy a hearty breakfast before setting out to today’s destination – Barafu Camp. 

   • Most of the day will be spent walking through arid desertic terrain, with Kibo ever-present on your left side. 

   • After 3-4 hours, you will reach Barafu Camp, where you will have an early dinner and overnight as the highlight of your trip is only a few short hours away.

   Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

7. Day 7: Barafu Camp (4,640m) to Uhuru Peak (5,895m) to Mweka Camp (3,080m)

   • At around midnight, you will be awoken by your guide with a warm cup of tea and biscuits to get you ready for your final ascent. The moon and your headlamps will be your only source of light as you make your way up to Stella Point, reaching the crater rim in about 5–7 hours.

   • Another 1–2 hours will take you to Uhuru Peak (5,895m), where you can enjoy the sun rising over the African landscape, casting a pink hue over the snowy peak and making the glaciers sparkle like diamonds around you. 

   • After capturing this incredible view and achievement on film, you will start your descent along the same route back to Barafu Camp, where your team awaits you with some snacks and refreshments. 

   • Rested and relaxed, you will make your way to Mweka Camp for your last night on the highest mountain in Africa. 

   Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

8. Day 8: Mweka Camp (3,080m) to Mweka Gate (1,630m) to Arusha

   • Scrumptious breakfast is followed by a traditional farewell ceremony from your mountain crew, before you start your final stretch down the mountain. 

   • You will once more trek through the rainforest, giving you another opportunity to spot the cheeky colobus monkeys, finally reaching the Mweka gate in about 2 – 3 hours. 

   • You will be met at the gate and taken back to the Green Hills of Africa for a long shower and relaxed day by the pool. Overnight at the Natron Palace Hotel. Bed and Breakfast.

   • Next morning you will be taken to Kilimanjaro Airport or you can opt to extend your trip with a safari or a beach holiday on Zanzibar.