Itinerary
- Day 1
Moshi to Mount Kilimanjaro
You'll drive from Moshi to Mount Kilimanjaro National Park Gate, which takes about 50 minutes and passes through Machame village. Once at the gate, your trek begins through rainforest on a winding trail that goes up a ridge toward Machame Camp. The path gets muddy and slippery in sections, so you'll need to watch your footing carefully as you gain elevation through the dense forest.
Included Activities
- Guided hike through rainforest from park gate to Machame Camp (11 km, 5-7 hours)
Landmarks/POIs Mount Kilimanjaro National Park Gate Machame Camp - Day 2
Machame Camp to Shira Camp
The rainforest fades behind you as you move into moorland terrain. You'll climb a steep rocky ridge covered with heather, then cross a small valley before continuing along another ridge. Later in the day, you turn west and head toward a river gorge before reaching Shira campsite where you'll rest and spend the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided hike from Machame Camp to Shira Camp through moorland (5 km, 4-6 hours)
Landmarks/POIs Shira Camp - Day 3
Shira Plateau to Barranco Hut
Starting from Shira Plateau, you trek east up a ridge with Kibo peak ahead. Then you turn southeast toward the distinctive Lava Tower, which locals call the 'Shark's Tooth'. You'll pass Arrow Glacier at 16,000ft/4,876m before descending to Barranco Hut. Though you end at roughly the same elevation, this day is crucial for acclimatization and helps your body prepare for the summit push.
- Meals
- Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided hike from Shira Plateau through semi-desert to Barranco Hut (10 km, 6-8 hours)
Landmarks/POIs Kibo Peak Lava Tower (Shark's Tooth) Arrow Glacier Barranco Hut - Day 4
Barranco Hut to Karanga Valley
Today is a short acclimatization day designed to give your body more time adjusting to altitude. You leave Barranco and tackle the steep Barranco Wall, climbing through a dramatic section of rock and scree. After that you descend into Karanga Valley campsite, keeping the hike brief and deliberate.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided hike from Barranco Hut to Karanga Valley campsite via Barranco Wall (3 miles, 4-5 hours)
Landmarks/POIs Barranco Wall Karanga Valley - Day 5
Karanga Valley to Barafu Hut
From Karanga, you trek toward the junction with the Mweka Trail and then continue climbing to Barafu Hut. By now you've completed the South Circuit, which means you've seen Kibo from many angles along the way. Both Mawenzi and Kibo peaks are visible from camp, so you'll spend the afternoon and evening resting, eating well, and mentally preparing for the summit day ahead.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided hike from Karanga Valley to Barafu Hut (2.5 miles, 4-5 hours)
Landmarks/POIs Mawenzi Peak Kibo Peak Barafu Hut - Day 6
Barafu Hut to Uhuru Peak and Mweka Camp
This is the mountain's toughest day. You'll depart between midnight and 2am and begin ascending through heavy scree toward Stella Point on the crater rim. If weather cooperates, you'll see sunrise from Stella Point at 18,600ft/5,669m or from the summit itself. After reaching Uhuru Peak, Africa's highest point, you descend all the way to Mweka Camp with a lunch stop at Barafu. Expect loose gravel underfoot on the way down and possibly mist or rain when you drop into the forest at lower elevations.
- Meals
- Lunch (Lunch at Barafu during descent), Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided summit push from Barafu Hut to Uhuru Peak via Stella Point (3 miles, 12-15 hours)
- Guided descent from Uhuru Peak to Mweka Camp (7 miles)
Landmarks/POIs Rebmann Glacier Ratzel Glacier Stella Point Uhuru Peak Mweka Camp - Day 7
Mweka Camp to Moshi
You make the final descent from Mweka Camp through rainforest to Mweka Park Gate, a 6 mile hike taking 3 to 4 hours. At the gate, you'll receive your summit certificate. After that, continue another hour to Mweka Village where your vehicle waits for the drive back to your hotel in Moshi. Watch your step on the wet, muddy terrain and wear lighter clothing since lower elevations are much warmer.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided final descent from Mweka Camp to Mweka Park Gate (6 miles, 3-4 hours)
- Summit certificate presentation at Mweka Park Gate
Landmarks/POIs Mweka Park Gate Mweka Village
