Itinerary

1. Day 1: Moshi to Machame Gate to Machame Camp

   • After breakfast, the vehicle will transport you from the hotel 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. 

   • At Machame Gate, you will do the required registration procedures and then start the trek through the rainforest; at lower elevations, the trail can be muddy and slippery. Gaiters and trekking poles are a good idea here. 

   • Continue until the Machame Camp, where you will find the tents are already set up for you. 

   Dinner and overnight at the Machame Campsite.

   Elevation: 1200 m to 1830 m to 3050 m

   Distance: 13 km

   Walking Time: 5-6 hours

   Habitat: Montana Forest

2. Day 2: Machame Camp to Shira Camp

   • After breakfast, leave the glades of the rainforest and continue ascending by crossing little valleys and steep rock ridges covering with heather plants to the western side of the mountain where the camp is situated. 

   • At this camp, you will be able to get spectacular views of Mount Meru, Shira Plateau and Kibo Peak. 

   Dinner and overnight.

   Elevation: 3050 m to 3850 m 

   Distance: 5 km 

   Walking Time: 4 -5 hours 

   Habitat: Moorland

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

   • This is a long and important acclimatisation day. From the Shira Plateau, continue to the east up a ridge as you pass the junction and proceed towards Kibo with your Kilimanjaro hiking guide.

   • During the hiking, your direction is diverted to the southeast and proceed towards the Lava Tower, popularly called the Shark’s Tooth (elevation 4650 m). 

   • After a short journey from the tower, come to the second junction, Arrow Glacier. 

   • Thereafter, continue down to the Barranco Camp. This is the most amazing thing to know that you would end up your trip in the same elevation from where you had started yet; this day is very important for acclimatization and will help your body prepare for summit day.

   Elevation: 3850 m to 4000 m 

   Distance: 10 km 

   Walking Time: 5-6 hours 

   Habitat: Semi-desert

4. Day 4: Barranco Camp to Barafu Camp

   • After breakfast, leave Barranco and continue on a steep ridge up to the Barranco wall (elevation 4250m), through the Karanga Valley (elevation 4050m) to the junction which connects with the Mweka Trail. 

   • Continue up to the Barafu Camp with your Kilimanjaro trekking guide. You have completed the South Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many different angles. 

   • Here make camp with views of the summit in the distance.

   Elevation: 4000 m to 4700 m 

   Distance: 9 km 

   Walking Time: 6-8 hours 

   Habitat: Alpine Desert

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. 

   • Ascend through the scree towards the Stella Point on the crater rim. Remember, this would be the most challenging trek for you: both mentally and physically. 

   • After taking a short stop at Stella Point, you would view the most magnificent view of the sunrise you ever desired to see. The faster hikers only will have the opportunity to view the sunrise from this point. It is not the final stop; there is a one hour hike to rich at the summit. And while hiking from Stella Point to the summit, you may come across the snow all the way. 

   • Once on the summit try to take all your photographs as soon as possible as it would be too cold. 

   • Head to your next destination by descending to the Mweka Camp, stopping at Barafu for lunch. Descending with the use of gaiters and trekking poles would be good for this region. 

   • Enjoy the last night on the mountain, reaching Mweka Camp.

   Elevation: 4700 m to 5895 m to 3090 m 

   Distance: 5 km up and 13 km down 

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

   Habitat: Stone scree and ice-capped summit

6. Day 6: Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate to Moshi

   • Today is your last day on the mountain. After breakfast, you will descend down to the Mweka park gate, walking across Montana forest. This descent will take 3 -4 hours. 

   • Here at the gate, you will sign out and get ready to board the vehicle ready for the transfer back to Moshi (about 30 minutes) at the hotel for your certificate presentation and a well-deserved celebration.

   Elevation: 3090 m to 1680 m to 1200 m 

   Distance: 10 km down 

   Walking Time: 3-4 hours descent

   Habitat: Forest