Itinerary
- Day 1
Arusha to Mount Kilimanjaro
You'll drive from Arusha to Mount Kilimanjaro National Park Gate, which takes about 50 minutes and passes through Machame village. Once at the gate, there's time to handle final preparations before starting your trek. The trail winds through the main forest heading toward Machame Hut at 3,840 meters/12,598 feet. Fair warning that the lower sections can get muddy and slippery depending on recent rainfall. By evening you'll settle in at camp for dinner and an overnight stay.
- Start point
- Kilimanjaro, Tanzania (Airport)
- Meals
- Dinner
Included Activities
- Transfer from Arusha to Mount Kilimanjaro National Park Gate
- Trek from Park Gate through main forest to Machame Hut (3,840m)
Landmarks Mount Kilimanjaro National Park Gate Machame Village Machame Hut - Day 2
Machame Hut to Shira Camp
After breakfast, you'll trek through rain forest glades on a path that climbs steadily. The route crosses a small valley and then follows a steep rocky ridge covered with heather vegetation. From there you continue west onto the Shira plateau where glaciers on the western breach come into view. The path heads into a river gorge at 3,658 meters/12,001 feet before reaching Shira Camp for the night. Dinner and rest await you at the campsite.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek through rain forest glades
- Ascent to Shira plateau (3,658m)
- Views of western breach and glaciers
Landmarks Shira Plateau Shira Campsite - Day 3
Shira Plateau to Barranco Camp
Starting from Shira Plateau, you'll trek east toward the junction that heads toward Kibo peak, then angle southeast toward the Lava Tower, also called 'Shark's Tooth.' This is often where climbers first notice altitude effects like breathlessness and headaches, so moving slowly really matters here. After the tower, there's a descent down to Barranco Camp at 3,950 meters/12,959 feet in a valley below the breach and Barranco Wall. You end at the same elevation where you started, but this acclimatization day is critical for your body before the summit push.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek to Lava Tower ('Shark's Tooth')
- Descent to Barranco Camp (3,950m) for acclimatization
Landmarks Lava Tower Barranco Wall Barranco Camp 
- Day 4
Barranco Camp to Karanga Valley
After breakfast from Barranco Camp, you'll traverse a steep ridge and climb the Barranco Wall through Karanga Valley at 4,200 meters/13,779 feet, which is your last water source before reaching Barafu Camp. Glaciers are visible up close during this section. Hot lunch happens at Karanga Valley campsite after you arrive. Following a short rest, there's a walk to see Mawenzi slopes and the Tanzania Sugar Plantation farms, including distinctive sedimentary rocks that make an iron-like sound underfoot. You'll return to Karanga Valley for dinner and overnight.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Hot lunch at Karanga Valley campsite), Dinner
Included Activities
- Ascent of Barranco Wall through Karanga Valley (4,200m)
- Walk to view Mawenzi slopes and sedimentary rocks
Landmarks Barranco Wall Karanga Valley Mawenzi Slopes - Day 5
Karanga Valley to Barafu Camp
You'll leave Karanga Valley Campsite at 4,200 meters/13,779 feet and head toward the junction with the Mweka Trail, continuing to Barafu Hut at 4,600 meters/15,092 feet. The Southern Circuit is now complete, having shown you summit views from multiple angles. Despite Barafu meaning 'ice' in Swahili, the famous snows are still high above near the summit itself. Your tent sits on a narrow, stony, wind-swept ridge, so take time to get familiar with your surroundings before darkness falls. Prepare your equipment and warm layers for tomorrow's summit bid, drink plenty of water, then try to get a few hours of sleep.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek to Barafu Camp (4,600m)
- Completion of Southern Circuit
Landmarks Barafu Camp - Day 6
Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak to Mweka Camp
Early morning starts the summit push toward Uhuru Peak at 5,895 meters/19,341 feet, the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and in all of Africa. Temperatures swing from bitterly cold at night to warm by day's end, so pack layers that work both ways. Faster climbers might catch sunrise from the peak. After summiting, you'll descend to Mweka Hut with a lunch stop at Barafu Camp. The descent through loose gravel typically takes 7 to 8 hours, so gaiters and trekking poles help significantly. Mweka Camp sits at 3,100 meters/10,171 feet in the upper forest where afternoon mist or rain often appears. Your last mountain dinner happens here.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch stop at Barafu Camp during descent), Dinner
Included Activities
- Summit push to Uhuru Peak (5,895m)
- Descent to Mweka Camp (3,100m)
Landmarks Uhuru Peak Mweka Camp - Day 7
Mweka Camp to Arusha
You'll have breakfast then continue down to Mweka Park Gate. Lower elevations mean wet, muddy conditions, so gaiters and trekking poles remain helpful for navigating the terrain. A vehicle meets you at Mweka village to drive you back to your hotel in Arusha, completing the trek.
- End point
- Arusha, Tanzania (Hotel)
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Final descent to Mweka Park Gate
- Transfer from Mweka village to hotel in Arusha
Landmarks Mweka Park Gate
