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Tanzania · Trekking
The journey
Trek Mount Kilimanjaro on the scenic Machame Route, beginning in the green rainforest on the mountain's southern slopes. Climb through lush forest and giant heather moorland to the Shira Plateau, then traverse beneath the Southern Icefield before making your summit push from Barafu Hut. Along the way, enjoy panoramic views, acclimatization stops, and a sunrise ascent toward Stella Point and Uhuru Peak. This 9-day journey includes lodge stays in Arusha before and after the climb, mountain crew support, camping, meals, and airport transfers.
Start your ascent by torchlight at about 1 a.m. so that you can be on the crater rim by sunrise.
From the itinerary
At a glance
Day by day
Arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) and use the private transfer to Arusha Safari Lodge. Gather in the evening for a pre-climb briefing and an equipment check, and confirm that you have the appropriate mandatory medical coverage and travel insurance.
Dinner and overnight at Arusha Safari Lodge: bed, dinner, and breakfast included.
After completing the necessary registration formalities at Machame National Park gate, begin trekking through a beautiful and lush forest. Have a picnic lunch en route before continuing to Machame Camp (9,800 ft). [5-6 hours of walking]
Leave the forest behind and enter the moorland zone of giant heather. The trail climbs steadily through rocky hills with wide views of the Shira Plateau (11,000 ft). From the camp near Shira Hut (12,600 ft), take in the unforgettable views of Mt. Meru as she floats among the clouds. [4-5 hours walking]
A morning of sustained ascent and panoramic views brings you to lunch near Lava Tower (14,900 ft). The trail then descends to the bottom of the Barranco Valley (12,800 ft), where you stay at the spectacular Barranco Camp, sheltered by towering cliffs and with extensive views of the plains far below. [7-9 hours walking]
Take a steep climb up the Barranco Wall, which leads to an undulating trail on the southeastern flank of Kibo, with superb vistas of the Southern Icefields. The terrain changes to scree with pockets of lush vegetation in sheltered hollows, and there is only a short distance to Karanga Camp (13,100 ft), the last water point on the approach to the summit. [5-7 hours walking]
Follow an easy path on compacted scree with wide views that gains altitude unrelentingly to reach Barafu Hut (14,800 ft) for lunch. There is a short acclimatization hike to the plateau at the bottom of the southeast valley (15,700 ft). The remainder of the day is spent resting in preparation for the early morning final ascent. [3-5 hours walking]
Start your ascent by torchlight at about 1 a.m. so that you can be on the crater rim by sunrise. The steep climb over loose volcanic scree has some well-graded zigzags, and a slow but steady pace will take you to Stella Point (18,800 ft) in about five or six hours.
Take a short rest there to enjoy the sunrise over Mawenzi. Those who are still feeling strong can make the two-hour round trip from here along the crater rim to Uhuru Peak (19,345 ft), passing close to the spectacular glaciers and ice cliffs that still occupy most of the summit area. The descent to Barafu is surprisingly fast, and after some refreshments, continue descending to reach your final campsite, Millenium Camp (12,500 ft). [11-15 hours walking]
A sustained descent on a well-constructed path takes you through a lovely tropical forest alive with birdsong and boasting lush undergrowth with considerable botanical interest. Your route winds down to the Kilimanjaro National Park gate at Mweka (5,400 ft), and then through coffee and banana farms to Mweka village, where you are transferred to your lodging in Arusha. [4-6 hours of walking]
Dinner and overnight at Arusha Safari Lodge: bed, dinner, and breakfast included.
After saying goodbye to your team of guides, take the included private departure transfer from Arusha to Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) for your flight, unless you choose the option of a short safari or another activity.
Where this trip takes you
Shira Plateau, Lava Tower, Stella Point
The route
The fine print
MOUNT KILIMANJARO TREKKING ESSENTIAL ITEMS:
THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND ABOUT THE ESSENTIALS
ADDITIONAL ITEMS:
OPTIONAL ITEMS:
THE BEST MONTHS TO CLIMB KILIMANJARO.
SUMMIT SUCCESS RATES: STELLA POINT (97%). UHURU PEAK (94%).
Logistics
Your 9 days finish where they began, in Arusha.
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