Itinerary

1. Day 1: Machame Gate (1,640m) to Machame Camp (2,835m)

   • The drive from Moshi to the Mount Kilimanjaro National Park Gate takes about 50 minutes. The journey passes through the village of Machame, located on the mountain's lower slopes.

   • Leave the park gate and walk through the rainforest on a winding trail up a ridge. Lower down, the trail can be muddy and slippery. Gaiters and trekking poles are a good idea here.

   • Continue a short distance until reaching the Machame Camp.

   Meals: Lunch & Dinner

   Distance Covered: 10.8kms(6 hours)

   Accommodation: Machame Camp

2. Day 2: Machame Camp (2,835m) to Shira Camp 2 (3,850m)

   • After breakfast, leave the rainforest glades and continue on an ascending path, crossing the little valley and walking along a steep rocky ridge covered with heather until the ridge ends. The route now turns west onto a river gorge.

   • Time for rest, dinner, and overnight at the Shira campsite.

   Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

   Distance Covered: 5.4 km (4-6 hours)

   Accommodation: Shira Camp

3. Day 3: Shira Camp 2 (3,850m) to Lava Tower (4,600m) to Barranco Camp (3,900m)

   • From the Shira Plateau, continue to the east up a ridge, passing the junction towards the peak of Kibo. As you continue, your direction changes to the southeast towards the Lava Tower called the "Shark's Tooth." Shortly after the tower, come to the second junction, which brings you up to the Arrow Glacier at an altitude of 16,000 ft.

   • Now, continue down to the Barranco Camp at an altitude of 13,000ft. Here, rest, enjoy dinner, and overnight. Although you end the day at the same elevation as when you started, this day is significant for acclimatization and will help your body prepare for summit day.

   Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner 

   Distance Covered: 10.8 km (8-10 hours)

   Accommodation: Barranco Camp

4. Day 4: Barranco Camp (3,900m) to Karanga Camp (3,960m)

   • After breakfast, leave Barranco and continue on a steep ridge, passing the Barranco Wall, to the Karanga Valley campsite. This is a short day meant for acclimatization.

   Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

   Distance Covered: 5.5 km (5 hours)

   Accommodation: Karanga Camp

5. Day 5: Karanga Camp (3,960m) to Barafu Camp (4,680m)

   • After breakfast, leave Karanga and hit the junction which connects with the Mweka Trail.

   • Continue up to the Barafu Hut. At this point, you have completed the South Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many angles. Make camp, rest, enjoy dinner, and prepare for the summit day. The two peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo are to be seen from this position.

   Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

   Distance Covered: 3 km (3 hours) 

   Accommodation: Barafu Camp

6. Day 6: Barafu Camp (4,680m) to Uhuru Peak (5,895m) to Mweka Camp (3,100m)

   • Very early (midnight to 2 am), continue to the summit between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers. You head northwesterly and ascend through heavy scree towards Stella Point on the crater rim. This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek.

   • At Stella Point (18,600 ft), you will stop for a short rest and be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see (weather permitting). You may encounter snow from Stella Point on your 1-hour ascent to the summit.

   • At Uhuru Peak, you have reached the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa. Faster hikers will see the sunrise from the summit.

   • Now, descend from the summit, continuing to the Mweka Hut camp site, stopping at Barafu for lunch. You will want gaiters and trekking poles for the loose gravel going down. Mweka Camp is situated in the upper forest, and mist or rain can be expected in the late afternoon.

   • Later in the evening, enjoy your last dinner on the mountain and a well-earned sleep.

   Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

   Distance Covered: 16.4 km (13-15 hours)

   Meals: Mweka Camp

7. Day 7: Mweka Camp (3,100m) to Moshi

   • After breakfast, continue the descent to the Mweka Park Gate to receive your summit certificates. At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy. Gaiters and trekking poles will help. Shorts and T-shirts will probably be plenty to wear (keep rain gear and warmer clothing handy).

   • From the gate, you continue another hour to Mweka gate.

   • Meet a vehicle at Mweka gate to drive you back to the hotel in Moshi.

   Meals: Lunch & Dinner

   Distance Covered: 9.1 km (3 hours)