Itinerary

1. Day 1: Kilimanjaro airport (JRO) to Moshi

   • Airport pick up, transfer to hotel in Moshi: Overnight accommodation in Moshi including breakfast

   Start of your 4 day - Mount Meru climb

2. Day 2: Moshi to Arusha National Park

   • Once at Arusha National Park we will complete registration formalities before driving to Momella Gate (1,500m). 
   • You begin your ascend through bushy grassland, the track skirts to the south and becomes steeper as you begin to climb through a densely forested area. 
   • After a short hike of 4 – 5 hours you will reach Miriakamba Hut (2,514m), where you have views of Mount Kilimanjaro.

3. Day 3: Miriakamba Hut (2,514m) to Saddle Hut (3,570m)

   • After early morning breakfast we will continue our ascent to Saddle Hut (3,570m). 
   • Although this is a short hiking day of just 3 – 4 hours, it is extremely tiring due to the steep incline of the path. The vegetation consists of montane forest and heather and offers beautiful views of the summit ridge and across the crater floor. 
   • Once at Saddle Hut you can relax for the rest of the day or take a one hour acclimatization hike to Little Meru (3,820m).

4. Day 4: Saddle Hut (3,570m) to Meru Summit (4,565m)

   • Waking at 1am you will have a hot snack and drink before heading to the summit of Meru. This is a 4 -5 hour ascent following a narrow ridge along the western rim of the crater. 
   • We will aim to arrive at Socialist Peak (4,465m) at sunrise, when the views are spectacular as the sun rises of Mt. Kilimanjaro in the east. 
   • The descend back to Saddle Hut taking 2 – 3 hours is breathtaking as the sharp morning sun lights up the outer wall of the crater and the sheer cliffs of the inner wall. 
   • Once at the camp you will have time to rest and enjoy brunch before continuing your hike to Miriakamba Hut.

5. Day 5: Miriakamba Hut (2,514) to Momella Gate (1,500m)

   • We will take the same route down as we took on the way to the summit (4 – 5 hour trek). You may have chances of spotting wildlife along the way. Once at the gate you will receive your certificate of completion before heading back to your hotel for a hot shower and a well deserved rest. Overnight at Lodge

6. Day 6: Rest day

   • Today your Kilimanjaro guide will give you a briefing of what to expect of your following 6 day Kilimanjaro climb. You will have a walking tour of Moshi and get to learn more about the local traditions and culture. Overnight accommodation in Moshi including breakfast
   • The start of 6 day 5 nights Kilimanjaro climb via Machame route

7. Day 7: Machame Gate (1,800m) to Machame Camp (3,100m)

   Trekking Time: 5-7 hours / Distance: 9km / Altitude Gain: 1300m

   A one hour drive will take you to Machame gate (1,800m above sea level) where we will complete National Park registration formalities. You will meet your cook and porters and begin your trek to the top of ‘The Roof of Africa’! Your climb starts steadily, following the trail to the west of Makoa stream into dense, ever-changing rainforest. The trail is sometimes muddy and slippery. Approaching Machame Camp (3,100m) the path emerges onto alpine moorland with beautiful views of the Western Breach.

8. Day 8: Machame Camp (3,100m) to Shira Camp (3,840m)

   Trekking Time: 5 – 7 hours / Distance: 9km / Altitude Gain: 740m                                                             

   • The trail continues northeast and heads towards Shira camp, bringing you out of the forest and up a steep boulder ridge leading to the Shira Plateau. 
   • From here you will be able to take in the stunning views Kilimanjaro has to offer, including Mount Meru in the west with its breath-taking sunsets. 
   • We camp at Shira Camp, where you will have an excursion of the area hiking at higher altitudes to assist in your acclimatization.

9. Day 9: Shira Camp (3,840) to Barranco Camp (3,950m) via Lava Tower

   Trekking Time: 6-7 hours / Distance: 11km / Altitude Gain: 110m

   • The trail to Barranco Camp, taking 6 – 7 hours, is extremely beautiful and starts with a gentle incline towards Kibo. 
   • You will reach a ridge marked by a rock named the Shark’s Tooth (4,400m) and go south, crossing shallow valleys to Lava Tower (4,600m). 
   • We will gradually descend to Barranco Camp with its great views of the icy Western Breach and the Barranco Wall, better known as the ‘Breakfast Wall’. This is an acclimatization day following the ‘walking high, sleeping low’ rule of mountaineering.

10. Day 10: Barranco Camp (3,950m) to Barafu Camp (4,700)

    Trekking Time: 6 – 7 hours / Distance: 9km / Altitude Gain: 750m

    • The day starts with a not too technical trek up Barranco Wall (200m High) which, although steep, only requires hand-and-feet climbing for a few stretches. 
    • The top of the ‘Breakfast Wall’ has attractive vistas of Kibo and the surrounding landscape. 
    • We will then follow the trail with many up and down sections across small streams and then cross the Karanga River to the Karanga campsite (3930m). This is just a short day of trekking to help with acclimatization. 
    • Continuing our eastward traverse to Barafu Camp we meet the crossroads with the Mweka route.  A further hour’s climb up a steep and rocky lava ridge will bring us to Barafu Camp. 
    • You have completed the South Circuit of the mountain and from here you will be able to view the summit from a number of different angles. The terrain at Barafu Camp is inhospitable and has very little vegetation; it often snows at this point and in the rainy season can be blanketed. 
    • We will set up camp, rest and enjoy a hearty meal before heading to bed – the summit is just a further 1188m, which we will start to attempt at midnight.

11. Day 11: Barafu Camp (4,700m) to Summit (5,895m) (Midnight start), descent to Mweka Camp (3,100m)

    Trekking Time: 6 – 7 hours / Distance: 5km / Altitude Gain: 1195m

    • Waking up at 23.00hrs you will have a light snack and hot drink before starting your 5km trek to the summit. This is the most exhausting day of your climb with an overall trekking time of approximately 16 hours. 
    • This section of your climb is the coldest with temperatures ranging from -5°C to -10°C. 
    • We will head North West; following the trail up an increasingly steep valley on the edge of scree fields you will pass the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers towards Stella Point (5,672m). 
    • You are now on the southern rim of Kibo, where you will have spectacular views as the sun rises. 
    • Just a further hour’s climb will bring you to Uhuru Peak – congratulations you have reached the highest point of Mount Kilimanjaro, the ‘Roof of Africa’. You will be surrounded by awe-inspiring ice cliffs and magnificent views of Mawenzi peak and beyond.

    Summit (5,895m) to Mweka Camp (3,100m)

    Trekking Time: 5 – 6 hours / Distance 9km / Altitude loss: 2795

    • We will start our descent to Stella Point and then get back on the trail to Barafu Camp where you will have a short rest before heading to Mweka Camp (3100m), it is a 9km trek and on-route you will be able to take in the spectacular views of the plains of Kilimanjaro. 
    • This is not a difficult route, taking just 4 – 5 hours, the trail takes you down a rocky scree path (remember to go ‘Pole pole’) through moorland and then into beautiful forest habitat. 
    • We will share our last meal on Mount Kilimanjaro and you will have a very well deserved sleep.

12. Day 12: Mweka Camp (3,100m) to Mweka Gate (1,800m)

    Trekking Time: 4 – 5 hours / Distance: 10km / Altitude Loss: 1300m

    • You will start your day with breakfast and then singing and celebrations with your porters before descending 1300m to Mweka Gate, considered an easy days’ climb with it taking just a few hours to get to get to the gate. 
    • On arrival at Mweka Gate you will receive your Gold Summit Certificate, a token for you to take home to remember one of the biggest adventures you have experienced. 
    • You will continue a short walk to Mweka Village where you will be transferred back to your hotel for a refreshing hot shower, dinner and perhaps even a Kilimanjaro beer! Overnight accommodation in Moshi including breakfast

13. Day 13: Moshi to Kilimanjaro airport for drop off

    • Moshi to Kilimanjaro Airport (JRO) - 
    • Pick up from you hotel and drop off at Kilimanjaro airport.