Itinerary
- Day 1
Machame Gate to Machame Camp
After breakfast, you'll head to Machame Gate where the trek starts. The initial section takes you through fertile foothills and into dense rainforest with increasing elevation. By the end of the day you'll reach Machame Camp for your first night.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Transport to Machame Gate
- Trek through cultivated foothills to Machame Camp through rainforest
Landmarks/POIs Mount Kilimanjaro Machame Gate - Day 2
Machame Camp to Shira Plateau
Today the path continues through bush forests and moorland, passing some impressive lava bridges along the way. As the elevation increases, you'll notice the vegetation shifting and you'll spot Seneca and lobelia plants. Expect fog to move in around midday as you climb toward the higher camp.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek through bush forests and moorland past lava bridges
- Alpine vegetation observation
Landmarks/POIs Mount Kilimanjaro - Day 3
Shira Plateau to Barranco Valley
You'll trek through a sparse lava rock desert with little vegetation. If weather cooperates, you'll get your first real look at Kilimanjaro's summit up close. The route takes you to just below Lava Tower at around 4,450 m, then drops into Barranco Valley with its striking alpine vegetation and dramatic scenery.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek through lava rock desert to Lava Tower
- Descent to Barranco Valley
Landmarks/POIs Lava Tower Barranco Valley Mount Kilimanjaro - Day 4
Barranco Valley to Karanga Valley
After breakfast you'll leave Barranco and tackle the steep ridge, including the dramatic Barranco Wall. From there the trek heads to Karanga Valley campsite. This shorter day gives your body a chance to adjust to the altitude.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek through Barranco Wall
- Hike to Karanga Valley campsite
Landmarks/POIs Barranco Wall Karanga Valley - Day 5
Karanga Valley to Barafu Hut
Leaving Karanga Valley after breakfast, you'll reach the junction with the Mweka Trail and continue climbing to Barafu Hut, completing the South Circuit. From this spot you can see both Mawenzi and Kibo peaks. You'll have time to rest, eat dinner, and mentally prepare for tomorrow's summit attempt.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek to Barafu Hut completing South Circuit
Landmarks/POIs Barafu Hut Mawenzi Kibo - Day 6
Barafu Hut to Summit (Uhuru Peak) to Mweka Camp
The summit push starts between midnight and 2am. You'll trek northwest through heavy scree between glaciers toward Stella Point on the crater rim, the hardest part of the entire climb. At Stella Point (18,600 ft) you'll rest and catch the sunrise if weather allows. Snow might appear during the roughly 1-hour push to Uhuru Peak, Africa's highest point. After celebrating at the summit, you'll descend to Mweka Camp, stopping at Barafu for lunch. Expect mist and rain once you reach Mweka Camp in the forest. Your last mountain dinner happens tonight.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Summit attempt to Uhuru Peak via Stella Point
- Descent to Mweka Camp
Landmarks/POIs Stella Point Uhuru Peak Rebmann Glacier Ratzel Glacier Mweka Camp - Day 7
Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate
The final day takes you down through dense cloud forest on a steep, wet path to Mweka Gate. From there you'll get transported back to your hotel to celebrate completing the trek.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Final descent through cloud forest to Mweka Gate
- Transport back to hotel or lodge
Landmarks/POIs Mweka Gate
