Itinerary

1. Day 1: Moshi- Machame Camp

   • Drive from Moshi to Mount Kilimanjaro National Park's Gate. 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 rainforest on a winding trail up a ridge. 

   • Continue a short distance to reach Machame Camp.

   Elevation (m): 1,830 m to 3,100 m
   Elevation (ft): 6,000 ft to 10,200 ft

   Distance: 18 km

   Hiking Time: 5-7 hours

   Habitat: Montane Forest

2. Day 2: Machame Camp- Shira Camp

   • Leave the glades of the rain forest and continue on an ascending path.

   • Cross 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. 

   • Interact with the locals on the way.

   • Take time for rest, have dinner and stay overnight at the Shira camp.

   Elevation (m): 3,100 m to 3,840 m

   Elevation (ft): 10,200 ft to 12,600 ft

   Distance: 9 km

   Walking Time: 4-6 hours

   Habitat: Moorland

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

   • Continue to the east up a ridge from the Shira plateau, passing the junction towards the peak of Kibo. 

   • Proceed to the South-East towards the Lava Tower called the "Shark's Tooth." 

   • Come to the second junction, which brings us up to the Arrow Glacier at an altitude of 4,876 metres.

   • Continue down to the Barranco Hut at an altitude of 3,860 metres. 

   • Take some rest, have dinner and stay overnight.

   Elevation (m): 3,840 m to 4, 630 m to 3,860 m

   Elevation (ft): 12,600 ft to 12,700 ft

   Distance: 15 km

   Walking Time: 5-7 hours

   Habitat: Semi-desert

4. Day 4: Barranco Camp- Barafu Camp

   • Leave Barranco and continue on a steep ridge to the Barranco Wall through the Karanga Valley and the junction connecting with the Mweka Trail.

   • Have lunch at 4,200 m.

   • Continue up to the Barafu Hut. 

   • Enjoy the views of the summit from many different angles. 

   • Camp, rest, enjoy dinner and prepare for the summit day. The two peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo are to be seen from this area.

   Elevation (m): 3,860 m to 4,600 m

   Elevation (ft): 12,700 ft to 15,100 ft

   Distance: 13 km

   Hiking Time: 8 hours

   Habitat: Alpine Desert

5. Day 5: Barafu Camp- Summit- Mweka Hut

   • Continue on your way to the summit between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers. 

   • Head in a northwesterly direction and ascend through heavy scree towards Stella Point on the crater rim. 

   • Stop for a short rest and get rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise. 

   • Encounter snow all the way on your 40 minute-1 hour ascent to the summit. 

   • Reach the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa at Uhuru Peak. 

   • Make your descent, continuing straight down to the Mweka Hut campsite.

   • Stop at Barafu for lunch. 

   • Enjoy your last dinner on the mountain and a well-earned sleep at Mweka Hut.

   Elevation (m): 4,600 m to 5,895 m and down to 3,100 m

   Elevation (ft): 15,100 ft to 19,300 ft and down to 10,200 ft

   Distance: 7 km ascent / 23 km descent

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

   Habitat: Stone scree and ice-capped summit

6. Day 6: Mweka Camp- Mweka Gate- Moshi

   • Continue the descent down to the Mweka Park Gate to receive your summit certificates. 

   • A vehicle will meet you from the gate to drive you to your hotel in Moshi for dinner and an overnight stay.

   Elevation (m): 3,100 m to 1,830 m

   Elevation (ft): 10,200 ft to 6000 ft

   Distance: 15 km

   Hiking Time: 3-4 hours

   Habitat: Forest