Day 1:
Machame Gate to Machame Camp
The drive from Moshi to the Mount Kilimanjaro National Park Gate takes about 50 minutes. The journey passes through the
village of Machame which is located on the lower slopes of the mountain. We now 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. We continue a short distance until we reach the Machame Camp.
Meals: Lunch & Dinner
Distance Covered: 10.8kms(6 hours)
Accommodation: Machame Camp
Day 2:
Machame Camp to Shira Camp
After breakfast, we 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.
Meals: Breakast, Lunch & Dinner
Distance Covered: 5.4kms (4-6 hours)
Accommodation: Shira Camp
Day 3:
Shira Camp to Lava Tower to Barranco Camp
From the Shira Plateau, we continue to the east up a ridge, passing the junction towards the peak of Kibo. As we continue,
our direction changes to the South East towards the Lava Tower, called the "Shark's Tooth." Shortly after the tower, we come
to the second junction which brings us up to the Arrow Glacier at an altitude of 16,000ft. We now continue down to the Barranco
Camp at an altitude of 13,000ft. Here we rest, enjoy dinner, and overnight. Although you end the day at the same elevation as
when you started, this day is very important for acclimatization and will help your body prepare for summit day.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Distance Covered: 10.8kms (8-10 hours)
Accommodation: Barranco Camp
Day 4:
Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp
After breakfast, we leave Barranco and continue on a steep ridge passing the Barranco Wall, to the Karanga Valley campsite.
This is a short day meant for acclimatization.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Distance Covered: 5.5km (5 hours)
Accommodation: Karanga Camp
Day 5:
Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp
After breakfast, we leave Karanga and hit the junction which connects with the Mweka Trail. We 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 we
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.
Meals: Breakast, Lunch & Dinner
Distance Covered: 3kms (3 hours)
Accommodation: Barafu Camp
Day 6:
Barafu Camp to Summit to Mweka Camp
Very early in the morning (midnight to 2am), we continue our 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, we now make our 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. Mweka Camp is
situated in the upper forest and mist or rain can be expected in the late afternoon. Later in the evening, we
enjoy our last dinner on the mountain and a well-earned sleep.
Meals: Breakast, Lunch & Dinner
Distance Covered: 16.4kms (13-15 hours)
Meals: Mweka Camp
Day 7:
Mweka Camp to Moshi
After breakfast, we 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 gate. A vehicle will meet you at Mweka gate to drive you back to hotel in Moshi.
Meals: Lunch & Dinner
Distance Covered: 9.1kms (3 hours)