Itinerary

1. Day 1: Arusha

   • Upon arrival, an Arusha tour guide will arrange to pick up from the airport and proceed towards the Outpost Lodge.

   • Dinner and overnight stay at the lodge.

2. Day 2: Trek to Machame Camp

   • Starts the day with a hearty breakfast and briefing with the tour guide.
   • Drive through Moshi to Mount Kilimanjaro National Park Gate with the tour guide.
   • Trek through the rainforest on a winding trail up a ridge. The trail can be muddy and slippery, so gaiters and trekking poles will come in handy. The trek will end at Machame Camp. The trek to Machame Camp covers a distance of 11 km at an elevation of 5,400ft to 9,400ft. (Duration: 5-7 hours).

3. Day 3: Trek to Shira Camp

   • Leave the rainforest glades and continue on an ascending path, crossing a little valley while walking along a steep rocky ridge covered with heather until the ridge ends.

   • Turn west on the route now onto a river gorge to reach the Shira campsite. (Dinner and overnight stay). This trek to Shira Camp covers a distance of 5km at an elevation of 9,400ft to 12,500ft. (Duration: 4-6 hours)

4. Day 4: Trek to Barranco hut

   • From the Shira Plateau, continue trekking east up a ridge, passing the junction towards the peak of Kibo. Continue southeast, towards the Lava Tower, called the "Shark's Tooth."

   • Cross the tower and reach the second junction at the Arrow Glacier, at 16,000ft.

   • Descend to 13,000ft and reach the Barranco Hut. (Dinner and overnight stay). This day is very important for acclimatizing the body for the summit. The trek to Barranco camp covers a distance of 15km. (Duration 5-7 hours)

5. Day 5: Trek to Karanga Camp

   • After breakfast, leave Barranco and continue on a steep ridge passing the Barranco Wall, to the Karanga Valley campsite(Dinner and overnight stay). This short trek is necessary for acclimatization. The trek to Karanga Camp covers a distance of 5km at an elevation of 13,000ft. (Duration: 4-5 hours)

6. Day 6: Trek to Barafu hut

   • After breakfast, leave Karanga and hit the junction which connects the Mweka Trail. Continue up to reach the Barafu Hut and make camp (Dinner). At this point, the South Circuit would have been completed. From here, get a clear view of the peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo. Trek to Barafu Hut covers a distance of 4km from 13,100ft to 15,300ft. (Duration: 4-5 hours)

7. Day 7: Trek to summit - Descent to Mweka Camp

   • Between midnight and 2 am, trek up to the summit between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers. Head northwest and ascend through heavy scree towards Stella Point on the crater's rim. This is the most mentally and physically challenging part of the trek.

   • At Stella Point (18,600 ft), stop for a short break and maybe see a magnificent sunrise. From Stella Point, encounter snow in the 1-hour ascent to the summit. 

   • Continue to reach Uhuru Peak. Keep pace to see the sunrise from the summit.

   • From the summit, descend to the Mweka Hut camp site, stopping at Barafu for lunch. Get gaiters and trekking poles for the loose gravel.

   • Reach the Mweka Camp situated in the upper forest area. Expect mist or rain during the late afternoon. This will be the last day on the mountain. The trek to the summit covers a distance of 5 km at an elevation of 15,300ft to 19,345ft. (Duration: 7-8 hours). The trek to Mweka Camp covers a distance of 12 km as you descend to an elevation of 10,000ft. (Duration: 4-6 hours)

8. Day 8: Final Descent

   • After breakfast, embark on the final descent to the Mweka Park Gate to receive the summit certificates. The surface can be wet and muddy at lower elevations, so gaiters and trekking poles will help. (Keep rain gear and warm and dry clothing handy). This hike will cover a distance of 10 km at an elevation of 10,000ft to 5,400ft. (Duration: 3-4 hours)

   • From the gate, continue another to Mweka Village. Meet the driver at Mweka village and go back to Arusha.

   Dinner and overnight stay at Karama Lodge.

9. Day 9: Departure

   • Be transferred to Kilimanjaro International Airport for the return flight.