Itinerary

1. Day 1: Moshi - Machame Gate (6,000 ft) - Machame Camp (9000 ft)

   • On the way to Mount Kilimanjaro National Park, the journey passes through the village of Machame, which is located on the lower slopes of the mountain. 
   • Once you leave the park gate, you will walk through the rain forest on a winding trail up a ridge until you reach the Machame Camp.

   Hiking time: 7 hours

2. Day 2: Machame Camp (9,700 ft) to Shira Camp (12,600 ft)

   • Shortly after leaving the Machame camp you will leave the glades of the rain forest and continue on an ascending path to a steep rocky ridge, covered with heather. The route then turns west onto a river gorge onto the Shira Campsite.

   Hiking Time: 5 hours

3. Day 3: Shira Camp (12,600 ft) to Barranco Camp (12,950 ft)

   • From the Shira Plateau, you will continue to the east up a ridge eventually passing the Lava Tower, called the “Shark’s Tooth.” 
   • Shortly after the tower, you come to the second junction which brings you up to the Arrow Glacier and continues on to the Barranco campsite.

   Hiking Time: 7 hours

4. Day 4: Barranco Camp (12,950 ft.) to Karanga Camp (13,780 ft)

   • Leave Barranco after breakfast with a challenging scramble up the Barranco Wall. This is the most difficult part of the day. 
   • Once you reach the top of the wall you will make a small descent to the Karanga Valley and spend the night a Karanga Camp.

   Hiking time: 4 hours

5. Day 5: Karanga Camp (13,780 ft) to Barafu Camp (15,200 ft)

   • You leave Barranco and continue on a steep ridge passing up the Barranco Wall and through the Karanga Valley. 
   • From Karanga head up a moraine ridge where views can be spectacular. The final stage to Barafu is quite steep, and as always it’s taken it very slowly. 
   • In the evening your guide briefs you for the final ascent. (You can take an optional Allimatization Day: Stay a night at Karanga Camp (13,100 ft) before continuing the next day to Barafu Camp. This gives you a little extra time to acclimate.)

   Hiking Time: 5 hours

6. Day 6: Barafu Camp (15,200 ft.) to Summit (19,340 ft) to Mweka Hut (10,000 ft)

   • Very early in the morning (midnight to 2 am), you will continue your way to the summit between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers. This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek. 
   • At Stella Point, you will stop for a short rest and will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see (weather permitting). It can be very cold at night at these elevations, but it will be quite warm by the end of the hiking day. You will want clothes for both extremes with you. 
   • We now make our descent from the summit, continuing straight down to the Mweka Hut camp site, stopping at Barafu for lunch. Mweka Camp is situated in the upper forest, and mist or rain can be expected in the late afternoon.

   Hiking Time: 15 hours

7. Day 7: Mweka Camp (10,000 ft.) to Mweka Gate (6,000 ft)

   • From Mweka Camp, you continue the descent down to the Mweka Gate. At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy. Shorts and t-shirts will probably be plenty to wear (keep rain gear and warmer clothing handy). 
   • At the Mweka Gate, summiting climbers receive their summit certificates. 
   • Our driver will meet you at the gate and transport you to your Moshi hotel (depending on availability, overnight stay included in our packages.

   Hiking Time: 3-6 hours

8. Day 8: Departure

   •  Enjoy breakfast and a morning sightseeing in the city, or join us for one of our Safari Adventures. 
   • Our driver will bring you to Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) to catch your flight if you are returning home.