Itinerary

1. Day 1: Machame Gate to Machame Camp

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

   • Leave the park gate and walk through the rain forest 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 you reach the Machame Camp.

   Elevation (ft): 5,400ft to 9,400ft

   Distance: 11 km

   Hiking Time: 5-7 hours

   Habitat: Rain Forest

2. Day 2: Machame Camp to Shira Camp

   • After breakfast, leave the glades of the rain forest and continue on an ascending path, crossing the little valley, 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.

   Elevation (ft): 9,400ft to 12,500ft

   Distance: 5 km

   Hiking Time: 4-6 hours

   Habitat: Moorland

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

   • From the Shira Plateau, continue to the east, up a ridge, and passing the junction towards the peak of Kibo.

   • As you continue, your direction changes to the South East 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.

   • Continue down to the Barranco Hut at an altitude of 13,000 ft.

   • Here rest, enjoy dinner, and overnight. Although you end the day at the same elevation as when you started, this day is very important for acclimatisation and will help your body prepare for the summit day.

   Elevation (ft): 12,500ft to 13,000ft

   Distance: 10 km

   Hiking Time: 6-8 hours

   Habitat: Semi Desert

4. Day 4: Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp

   • 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 acclimatisation.

   Elevation (ft): 13,000ft to 13,100ft

   Distance: 5 km

   Hiking Time: 4-5 hours

   Habitat: Alpine Desert

5. Day 5: Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp

   • 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 different angles.

   • Here 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.

   Elevation (ft): 13,100ft to 15,300ft

   Distance: 4 km

   Hiking Time: 4-5 hours

   Habitat: Alpine Desert

6. Day 6: Barafu Camp to Summit to Mweka Hut

   • Very early in the morning (midnight to 2 am), continue your way to the summit between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers. You 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 (18,600 ft), you will stop for a short rest and will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see (weather permitting). From Stella Point, you may encounter snow all the way 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.

   • From the summit, now make your descent continuing straight down to the Mweka Hut camp site, stopping at Barafu for lunch. You will want gaiters and trekking poles for the loose gravel going down.

   • Later in the evening, enjoy your last dinner on the mountain and a well-earned sleep. Mweka Camp is situated in the upper forest, and mist or rain can be expected in the late afternoon. 

   Elevation (ft): 15,300ft to 1345ft (and down to 10,000ft)

   Distance: 5 km ascent / 12 km descent 

   Hiking Time: 7-8 hours ascent / 4-6 hours descent

7. Day 7: Mweka Camp to Moshi

   • After breakfast, continue 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).

   • From the gate, you continue another hour to Mweka Village. A vehicle will meet you at Mweka village to drive you back to the hotel in Moshi.

   Elevation (ft): 10,000ft to 5,400ft

   Distance: 10 km

   Hiking Time: 3-4 hours

   Habitat: Rain Forest