Itinerary
- Day 1
Arusha/Moshi to Machame Camp
Your driver picks you up from your hotel in Arusha or Moshi and takes you toward Mount Kilimanjaro National Park Gate, driving through Machame village along the way. The trek itself starts through rainforest on a winding ridge trail where you'll encounter some muddy and slippery sections. By evening you'll reach Machame Camp for your first night on the mountain.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided trek through rainforest to Machame Camp (11 km, 5-7 hours)
- Transfer from hotel to Mount Kilimanjaro National Park Gate
Landmarks Mount Kilimanjaro National Park Machame Village - Day 2
Machame Camp to Shira Camp
Trees and bushes become more spread out as you trek into moorlands, and the landscape opens up significantly. You'll see Kibo to the northeast and Mount Meru to the west, with white-necked ravens appearing throughout the day. If you're interested, Shira Caves are just a short walk from where you'll camp tonight.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided trek through moorland to Shira Camp (5 km, 4-6 hours)
- Optional visit to Shira Caves (short walk from camp)
Optional Activities
- Visit Shira Caves
Landmarks Shira Camp Kibo Peak Mount Meru Shira Caves - Day 3
Shira Camp to Barranco Camp
The route heads east into semi-desert terrain with rocky landscape around Lava Tower. After lunch at a designated spot, you'll tackle the rocky path up to Lava Tower at 4,600m, then descend over the next 2 hours to Barranco camping area. The descent offers excellent views of the Western Breach and Breach Wall if you want to stop for photos.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch at designated area before ascending Lava Tower), Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided trek through semi-desert landscape to Lava Tower and Barranco Camp (10 km, 6-8 hours)
- Lunch at designated area
Landmarks Lava Tower Barranco Camp Western Breach - Day 4
Barranco Camp to Barafu Camp
Following breakfast, you'll scramble to the top of Great Barranco and then traverse scree and ridges into Karanga Valley, passing beneath the icefall of Heim, Kersten, and Decken Glaciers. From Barafu Camp where you'll spend the night, you get spectacular views of the volcanic cones Mawenzi and Kibo peaks. This is where you'll rest and prepare for the summit attempt tomorrow.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided trek over Great Barranco, Karanga Valley to Barafu Camp (9 km, 8 hours)
Landmarks Great Barranco Karanga Valley Heim Glacier Kersten Glacier Decken Glacier Barafu Camp Mawenzi Peak Kibo Peak - Day 5
Summit Attempt and Descent to Mweka Hut
An early start gets you climbing toward Kibo Crater rim, passing between Rebmann and Ratzel Glaciers. You'll reach Stella Point on the rim, then continue another hour to Uhuru Peak, the summit. After taking photos and celebrating, you'll descend back to Barafu Hut for rest and lunch, then keep going past Millennium Camp down to Mweka Hut in the forest. Those with energy left can optionally explore Reusch Crater and the Eastern Icefields.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch at Barafu Hut during descent), Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided ascent to Uhuru Peak (5 km ascent / 7-8 hours)
- Descent via Stella Point to Mweka Hut (12 km descent / 4-6 hours)
- Lunch at Barafu Hut during descent
Optional Activities
- Visit Reusch Crater and Eastern Icefields ice pinnacles (for those with remaining strength)
Landmarks Kibo Crater Rebmann Glacier Ratzel Glacier Stella Point Uhuru Peak Millennium Camp Mweka Hut Reusch Crater Eastern Icefields - Day 6
Mweka Hut to Moshi/Arusha
After breakfast, the final descent takes you down to Mweka Park Gate where you'll receive your summit certificate. From there, it's another hour to Mweka Village where your vehicle will be waiting to drive you back to your hotel in Moshi or Arusha.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided descent to Mweka Park Gate and summit certificate (10 km, 3-4 hours)
- Transfer from Mweka Village to hotel in Moshi or Arusha
Landmarks Mweka Park Gate Mweka Village
