Itinerary

1. Day 1- Moshi - Machame Gate - Machame Camp

   • Connect with your tour guide in Moshi and head to the Machame Gate, which takes about 1 hour. The journey passes through the village of Machame, which is located on the lower slopes of the mountain. 
   • As we leave the park gate, we walk through the dense rain forest on a winding trail up a ridge until we reach the Machame Camp.

   Elevation: 5,380 ft to 9,350 ft
   Distance: 11 km/7 miles
   Hiking Time: 5-7 hours
   Habitat: Rain Forest

2. Day 2- Machame Camp - Shira Cave

   • Wake up and get breakfast. Start your hiking for the second day. You will trek several uphill where there are several viewpoints from which you can see the plains and forests below and Kibo peak above, and Mount Meru, which is the second-highest mountain in Tanzania. 
   • As you gain high altitude, you will notice changes in vegetation, and the trees diminish in size, giving way to Kilimanjaro's famous high altitude plants, Senecio Kilimanjaro and Lobelia Deckenii.

   Elevation: 9,350 ft to 12,500 ft
   Distance: 5 km/3 miles
   Hiking Time: 4-6 hours
   Habitat: Heath

3. Day 3- Shira Cave - Lava Tower - Barranco Camp

   • Continue to the east up a ridge and then head southeast towards the Lava Tower – a tall volcanic rock formation. 
   • Descend to Barranco Camp through the strange but beautiful Senecio Forest to an altitude of 13,000 ft. Although you begin and end the day at the same elevation, the time spent at higher altitude is very beneficial for acclimatization.

   Elevation: 12,500 ft to 15,190 ft down 13044ft
   Distance: 10 km/6 miles
   Hiking Time: 6-7 hours
   Habitat: Alpine Desert

4. Day 4- Barranco Camp - Karanga Camp

   • Begin the day by descending into a ravine to the base of the Great Barranco Wall. 
   • Then, climb the non-technical but steep, nearly 900 ft cliff. From the top of the Barranco Wall, cross a series of hills and valleys until we descend sharply into Karanga Valley. One steeper climb up leads us to Karanga Camp. This is a shorter day meant for acclimatization.

   Elevation: 13,044 ft to 13,106 ft
   Distance: 5 km/3 miles
   Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
   Habitat: Alpine Desert

5. Day 5- Karanga Camp - Barafu Camp

   • Leave Karanga and hit the junction which connects with the Mweka Trail. 
   • Continue up to the rocky section to Barafu Hut. At this point, you have completed the Southern Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many different angles. 
   • Here, we make camp, rest and enjoy an early dinner to prepare for the summit day. The two peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo are viewable from this position.

   Elevation: 13,106 ft to 15,331 ft
   Distance: 4 km/2 miles
   Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
   Habitat: Alpine Desert

6. Day 6- Barafu Camp - Uhuru Peak - Mweka Camp

   • Very early in the morning (around midnight), begin the trek to the summit. This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the hike. The wind and cold at this elevation and time of day can be extreme. 
   • Ascend in the darkness for several hours while taking frequent but short breaks. Near Stella Point (18,900 ft), you will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see coming over Mawenzi Peak. 
   • Finally, arrive at Uhuru Peak- the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa.
   • From the summit, make the descent continuing straight down to the Mweka Hut camp site, stopping at Barafu for lunch. The trail is very rocky and can be quite hard on the knees; trekking poles are helpful. Mweka Camp is situated in the upper forest, and mist or rain can be expected in the late afternoon. 
   • Later in the evening, enjoy our last dinner on the mountain and a well-earned sleep.

   Elevation: 15,331 ft to 19,341 ft descent to 10065ft
   Distance: 18 km/10 miles
   Hiking Time: 13-14 hours
   Habitat: Arctic

7. Day 7- Mweka Camp - Mweka Gate - Moshi

   • On the last day, continue the descent to Mweka Gate and collect the summit certificates. 
   • At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy. A vehicle will meet us at the Mweka gate to drive us back to the hotel in Moshi.

   Trip ends.

   Elevation: 10,065 ft to 5,380 ft
   Distance: 10 km/6 miles
   Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
   Habitat: Rain Forest