Itinerary
- Day 1
Kilimanjaro International Airport to Arusha
You'll arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport and get transferred to your hotel in Arusha. After checking in, you'll meet your mountain guide for a pre-climb briefing where you'll go over what to expect and check your gear. The rest of the day is for resting and mentally preparing for the climb ahead.
- Start point
- Kilimanjaro, Tanzania (Kilimanjaro International Airport, 00:00 - 23:00)
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Meet mountain guide for pre-climb briefing
- Gear check
Landmarks Kilimanjaro International Airport - Day 2
Machame Gate to Machame Camp
The drive from Arusha takes you to Machame Gate for registration. From there, your trek starts through lush rainforest with tall trees, moss-covered rocks, and chances to spot local wildlife. You'll hike for 5-7 hours covering 11 km before reaching Machame Camp where you'll have dinner and spend the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek through rainforest from Machame Gate to Machame Camp (11 km, 5-7 hours)
Landmarks Machame Gate - Day 3
Machame Camp to Shira Camp
Today you leave the rainforest and enter the moorland zone where you'll get views of Kibo Peak. The trek covers 5 km over 4-6 hours with a steady climb along rocky ridges. By evening you'll reach Shira Plateau, a volcanic caldera, and stay at Shira Camp where the sunset views are really nice.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek from Machame Camp to Shira Plateau (5 km, 4-6 hours)
- View Kibo Peak and Shira Plateau volcanic caldera
Landmarks Kibo Peak Shira Plateau - Day 4
Shira Camp to Barranco Camp
This is an important acclimatization day using the 'climb high, sleep low' method. You'll trek 10 km over 6-8 hours through alpine desert terrain to Lava Tower at 4,630m/15,190 ft where you might start feeling altitude effects. After that you'll head down to Barranco Camp to sleep at a lower elevation.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek to Lava Tower (4,630m) for acclimatization (10 km, 6-8 hours)
- Descend to Barranco Camp
Landmarks Lava Tower Barranco Wall - Day 5
Barranco Camp to Barafu Camp
You'll start by scrambling up the Barranco Wall, which isn't technical but is exciting. Then you trek 9 km over 7-9 hours through valleys and ridges to Karanga Camp for a quick break. After that, you'll continue to Barafu Camp, your summit base camp. Dinner comes early here since you'll need rest before the midnight summit push.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Early dinner before midnight summit attempt)
Included Activities
- Climb Barranco Wall (non-technical scramble)
- Trek through valleys and ridges to Karanga Camp and then to Barafu Camp (9 km, 7-9 hours)
Landmarks Barranco Wall Karanga Camp Barafu Camp - Day 6
Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak to Mweka Camp
Around midnight you start climbing steep scree slopes in cold conditions. By sunrise you'll reach Stella Point at 5,756m/18,885 ft, then continue to Uhuru Peak at 5,895m/19,341 ft, Africa's highest point. You'll take photos and soak in the views before descending 17 km over 12-16 hours to Mweka Camp for some much-needed rest.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Snack (Summit climb snacks including energy drink, chocolates, cookies and Pringles chips)
Included Activities
- Summit attempt starting at midnight from Barafu Camp
- Climb to Stella Point (5,756m)
- Reach Uhuru Peak (5,895m) - Africa's highest point
- Descend to Mweka Camp (17 km, 12-16 hours total)
Landmarks Stella Point Uhuru Peak - Day 7
Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate to Arusha
The final descent is gentle, taking you back through rainforest over 3-5 hours and 10 km. At Mweka Gate you'll receive your summit certificate. Then you'll drive back to Arusha or Moshi to celebrate, relax, and maybe do optional safari activities to finish off your trip.
- End point
- Kilimanjaro, Tanzania (Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), 00:00 - 23:00)
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Final descent through rainforest to Mweka Gate (10 km, 3-5 hours)
- Receive Kilimanjaro National Park summit certificate
Optional Activities
- Optional safari in Arusha/Moshi area
- Optional shared tourist shuttle airport transfers between Kilimanjaro International Airport and Moshi town
Landmarks Mweka Gate
