Itinerary

1. Day 1: Machame Gate to Machame Camp

   • The drive from Moshi to the Mount Kilimanjaro National Park Gate takes about 50 minutes. Along the journey, drive to Machame Gate, and hikers will pass through the village of Machame, which is located on the lower slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro.
   • Hikers will now 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 recommended and are an excellent idea here. Hikers will now continue a short distance until we reach the Machame encampment.

   Rising(ft): 3,000m: 6,000ft/1,830m to 10,200ft/3,100m
   Stretch: 11 km
   Hiking time: 5-7 hours
   Climatic habitat: Rainforest
   Shelter: Machame Camp

2. Day 2: Machame Campsite to Shira Campsite

   • After breakfast, we leave the glades of the rainforest and continue on an ascending path, crossing the valley along a steep rocky ridge. The route now turns west into a river gorge until we arrive at Shira campsite.

   Rising(ft): 10,200ft/3,100m to 12,600ft/3,840m
   Stretch: 9 km
   Hiking time: 4-6 hours
   Climatic habitat: Moorland
   Shelter: Full board Shira Cave Camp

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

   • On the third day of hiking the Machame route, the hikers and the team walk on a gentle ascent and panoramic views. We will traverse the southwest side of Mount Kilimanjaro, passing underneath the Lava Tower and the final section of the Western Breach after hot lunch; the bottom of the Lava Tower is 4,600m. We descend to the bottom of the Great Barranco Valley, 3,950m.

   Shira Camp to Barranco Camp (3,950m)
   Hiking time: 5-7 hours walking
   Rising: 12,600ft / 3,840m to 12,700ft / 3,860m
   Stretch: 15 km
   Climatic habitat: Semi-desert
   Shelter: Full board Barranco Camp

4. Day 4: Barranco Camp to Barafu Camp

   • After breakfast, we leave Barranco and continue on a steep ridge up the Barranco Wall (elevation 4250m/13,900ft), through the Karanga Valley (elevation 4050m/13,250ft) to the junction which connects with the Mweka Trail. 
   • We continue up to the Barafu Campsite. You have completed the Southern Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many different angles. Here at Barafu campsite, hikes and the team together make camp with views of the summit in the distance.

   Barranco Camp to Barafu Camp (4600m)
   Hiking time: 6-8 hours
   Rising: 4000m/13,000ft to 4700m/15,350ft
   Stretch: 9 km
   Climatic habitat: Alpine Desert
   Shelter: Full board at Barafu Camp

5. Day 5: Barafu Camp to Summit to Mweka Camp

   • Very early in the morning (from midnight to 2:00 a.m.), hikers and the team will continue to hike towards the summit between the Rebmann and Reitzel glaciers. The hikers and the team will head in a northwesterly direction 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, you will stop for a short rest and will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you have ever seen. Faster hikers may view the sunrise from the summit. 
   • From Stella Point, you may encounter snow all the way on your 1-hour ascent to the summit. Once at Uhuru Peak, you have reached the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa.
   • From the summit, we begin our descent by continuing straight down to the Mweka Camp, stopping at Barafu for lunch. You may want gaiters and trekking poles for the loose gravel going down. We will arrive at Mweka Camp and enjoy our last evening on Mount Kilimanjaro.

   Rising (ft): 4700m/15,350ft to 5895m/19,343ft; down to 3090m/10,150ft
   Stretch: 6km up/13km down
   Hiking Time: 5-7 hours up/5-6 hours down
   Climatic habitat: Arctic

6. Day 6: Kilimanjaro Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate to Arusha or Moshi

   • After breakfast, we continued the descent down 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). We will be waiting for you at Mweka Gate to drive you back to your hotel in Moshi or Arusha.

   Decend(ft): 3090m/10,150ft to 1680m/5500ft
   Stretch: 10 km
   Hiking time: 3-4 hours
   Climatic habitat: Rainforest
   Meals: Breakfast, lunch