Itinerary
- Day 1
Moshi to Machame Gate
Start early driving from Moshi to Machame Gate, which takes about 50 minutes and passes through the village of Machame on the lower slopes. Once you enter the park, you'll hike through thick rainforest on a winding trail that climbs up a ridge toward Machame Camp. The terrain is muddy and lush, with roots and rocks underfoot throughout. You're gaining significant elevation today, climbing from 5,380 ft to 9,350 ft over 11 km/7 miles, so take your time and focus on settling into a steady pace rather than speed.
- Start point
- Moshi, Kilimanjaro, Tanzania (at the hotel in moshi, 09:00 - 09:30)
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast in the hotel before the hike), Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Drive to Machame Gate
- Hike through rainforest to Machame Camp
Landmarks Machame Gate Machame Camp Mount Kilimanjaro - Day 2
Machame Camp to Shira 2 Camp
After leaving the rainforest, the landscape changes dramatically as you ascend a steep, rocky ridge and move into more open terrain. You'll cross through the Shira Plateau where heather and moorland replace the dense vegetation from yesterday. There's a large river gorge to navigate through before reaching Shira 2 Camp. This day covers only 5 km/3 miles but you're climbing from 9,350 ft to 12,500 ft, so it feels more intense than the distance suggests. The air gets noticeably thinner up here.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Hike through heath and moorlands to Shira 2 Camp
Landmarks Shira Plateau Shira 2 Camp - Day 3
Shira 2 Camp to Barranco Camp
Head southeast on a ridge trail toward Lava Tower, a striking 300 ft volcanic rock formation standing at 15,190 ft. The climb to this point is the main challenge of the day, then you'll descend through the Senecio Forest down to Barranco Camp at 13,044 ft. You're beginning and finishing at similar elevations, but the time spent higher up helps your body acclimatize for the push ahead. The total elevation change covers 12,500 ft to 15,190 ft and back down over 10 km/6 miles. This day requires patience and steady breathing.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Hike to Lava Tower
- Descend through Senecio Forest to Barranco Camp
Landmarks Lava Tower Senecio Forest Barranco Camp - Day 4
Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp
The day starts by dropping into a ravine at the base of the Great Barranco Wall, then climbing the steep 900 ft cliff face (don't worry, it's non-technical and scrambling skills are more important than climbing experience). After that effort, you'll cross a series of rolling hills and valleys before descending into Karanga Valley and finishing at Karanga Camp. This shorter day of only 5 km/3 miles is intentional for acclimatization, so don't rush through it. Elevation stays relatively stable around 13,044 ft to 13,106 ft.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Climb Great Barranco Wall
- Hike through hills and valleys to Karanga Camp
Landmarks Great Barranco Wall Karanga Valley Karanga Camp - Day 5
Karanga Camp to Barafu Hut
From Karanga Camp, continue toward the junction with the Mweka Trail, then hike through rocky terrain up to Barafu Hut. You'll notice both Mawenzi and Kibo peaks are visible from this elevation, which gives you perspective on the mountain's scale. The Southern Circuit is complete by this point, and you're now positioned for your summit attempt. Climb from 13,106 ft to 15,331 ft over 4 km/2 miles, then grab an early dinner and rest as much as possible before the midnight start tomorrow.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Early dinner to prepare for summit day)
Included Activities
- Hike to Barafu Hut
- View Mawenzi and Kibo peaks
Landmarks Mawenzi Peak Kibo Peak Barafu Hut 
- Day 6
Barafu Hut to Uhuru Peak to Mweka Camp
Set your alarm for around midnight and begin the final push to the summit in darkness. The climb to Uhuru Peak (19,341 ft) at the top of Africa takes several hours with short breaks built in for recovery. Expect extreme wind and cold temperatures, so dress in layers and keep moving. As you approach Stella Point at 18,900 ft, the sun rises over Mawenzi Peak in one of those moments you'll remember for years. After reaching Uhuru Peak, you'll descend to Mweka Camp with a lunch break at Barafu. The rocky descent can be tough on your knees, and trekking poles really help here. Watch for mist or rain in the late afternoon around the upper forest camp. Total elevation change: 15,331 ft to 19,341 ft then down to 10,065 ft over 17 km/10 miles.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch at Barafu during descent), Dinner (Final dinner on the mountain)
Included Activities
- Summit attempt to Uhuru Peak
- Sunrise viewing near Stella Point
- Descent to Mweka Camp
Landmarks Stella Point Uhuru Peak Mawenzi Peak Mweka Camp - Day 7
Mweka Camp to Mweka Village
Finish the descent to Mweka Gate where you'll collect your summit certificate and officially complete the climb. Lower sections of the trail are often wet and muddy, so watch your footing. From the gate, it's another hour's hike to Mweka Village where a vehicle will pick you up for the drive back to your hotel in Moshi. The final descent covers 10 km/6 miles from 10,065 ft down to 5,380 ft, and you'll feel the temperature warming as you drop in elevation.
- End point
- Moshi, Kilimanjaro, Tanzania (at the hotel in moshi, 11:00 - 13:00)
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast in the hotel after the hike)
Included Activities
- Descent to Mweka Gate
- Collect summit certificate
- Hike to Mweka Village
Landmarks Mweka Gate Mweka Village
