Itinerary
- Day 1
Arusha to Machame Camp
You'll have breakfast at Arusha Coffee Lodge before a pickup takes you to Kilimanjaro National Park's entrance. After registration, the trek starts through rainforest thick with ancient trees, ferns, and moss covering everything. Black and white colobus monkeys might appear in the canopy if you're lucky. The hike takes 5-6 hours to reach Machame Camp, positioned just above the tree line where you'll sleep in tents and have your first dinner on the mountain.
- Start point
- Kilimanjaro, Tanzania (Kilimanjaro International Airport)
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek through Kilimanjaro rainforest
- Watch mountain team preparation at park entrance
- Hike to Machame Camp (5-6 hours)
Landmarks Kilimanjaro National Park Mount Kilimanjaro Machame Camp - Day 2
Machame Camp to New Shira Camp
An early start means you're heading out while it's still cool. The path becomes steeper as the rainforest gives way to heath and moorland with much more open views. The mountain range spreads out before you across the landscape. By mid-afternoon you'll reach New Shira Camp, and as the sun sets, light hits the rock face and glacier of Kibo in that golden way that makes evening on the mountain special.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek from Machame Camp to New Shira Camp
- Experience landscape transition to heath and moorland
Landmarks New Shira Camp Kibo - Day 3
New Shira Camp to Barranco Camp
Today gains about 800 meters but you're camping only slightly higher to help your body adjust before the bigger altitude push ahead. The trek climbs above the Shira Plateau toward Lava Tower where vegetation becomes thinner and more sparse, showing the afro-alpine desert plants. You'll walk through the Barranco Valley where lobelia and giant senecio plants grow in the rocky soil. After 6-7 hours of hiking, Barranco Camp appears, and many consider it the prettiest spot on the whole mountain.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek above Shira Plateau toward Lava Tower
- Trek through Barranco Valley
- Hike to Barranco Camp (6-7 hours)
Landmarks Shira Plateau Lava Tower Barranco Valley Barranco Camp 
- Day 4
Barranco Camp to Barafu Camp
The Barranco Wall climb starts the day, with guides helping you navigate where needed for safety. From there the route follows the ridge up and down with splendid views of Kibo's south glacier off to the side. Lunch happens in the Karanga Valley, then another 2-3 hours of climbing gets you to Barafu Camp. You'll have time to eat dinner, rest a bit, and get to bed early since tomorrow's start happens when most people are still sleeping.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch in Karanga Valley), Dinner
Included Activities
- Climb Barranco Wall
- Trek along ridge with glacier views
- Hike to Barafu Camp (2-3 hours)
Landmarks Barranco Wall Karanga Valley Barafu Camp 
- Day 5
Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak and descent to Mweka Camp
Around midnight after hot tea and a light snack, the summit push begins. Using torchlight on the dark scree, you'll climb for 5-7 hours until Stella Point at 5,730 m appears at the crater rim just as dawn comes. From there, another 1-2 hours along the crater ridge gets you to Uhuru Peak where you can see 360 degrees in all directions as the sun rises. The descent retraces the route back to Barafu Camp by midday, followed by a warm meal and rest, then 1-2 more hours of hiking down to Mweka Camp for supper.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Light snack and hot tea before midnight summit attempt), Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Summit attempt: midnight climb to Uhuru Peak
- Reach Stella Point (5,730 m)
- Reach Uhuru Peak summit
- Descent to Barafu Camp
- Descent to Mweka Camp
Landmarks Uhuru Peak Stella Point Kibo crater Mweka Camp - Day 6
Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate
After breakfast the mountain crew gathers for a traditional farewell ceremony honoring what you've done. Then a gentle 2-3 hour walk takes you through rainforest back down to Mweka Gate, where your driver will be waiting to meet you.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Traditional farewell ceremony with mountain crew
- Gentle descent through rainforest to Mweka Gate (2-3 hours)
Landmarks Mweka Gate - Day 7
Meru View Lodge
Your driver takes you to Meru View Lodge for a warm shower and a chance to clean up properly. The rest of the day is yours to spend however you want, whether that's relaxing by the pool or just reflecting on summiting Mount Kilimanjaro.
- End point
- Arusha, Tanzania (Hotels)
Optional Activities
- Relax at the pool
- Rest and recovery time
Landmarks Meru View Lodge
