Itinerary
- Day 1
Kilimanjaro
You'll arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport and get driven to Springlands Hotel for your first night. Take time to settle in, rest, and mentally prepare for the climb that starts tomorrow.
- Start point
- Moshi, Kilimanjaro, Tanzania (Kilimanjaro International Airport)
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Springlands Hotel)
Landmarks Kilimanjaro International Airport - Day 2
Machame Gate to Machame Camp
Start early from Moshi with a briefing and breakfast, then drive 45 minutes to Machame Park Gate. The rainforest section can be muddy and wet, so pack accordingly. You'll grab your packed lunch at the gate and bring bottled water for the hike. By evening, the cook prepares dinner at Machame camp, and expect temperatures to drop close to freezing/32°F/0°C.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Packed lunch box), Dinner
Included Activities
- Briefing at Springlands Hotel
- Entry to Machame Park Gate
- Guided hike through rainforest zone (11 km, approximately 6 hours)
- Packed lunch
- Dinner at Machame camp
- Boiled drinking and washing water service
Optional Activities
- Purchase bottled water at Springlands Hotel in Moshi
Landmarks Machame Park Gate Machame Camp - Day 3
Machame Camp to Shira Camp
After breakfast at camp, hike through forest for about an hour, then transition into moorland. Two more hours of hiking and a lunch break follow, after which you'll climb a rocky ridge onto the Shira plateau at 3,840m. Glaciers on the Western Breach come into view here. Dinner happens at Shira camp, and it gets even colder than the previous night.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Breakfast at Machame camp
- Guided hike through forest zone (approximately 1 hour)
- Guided hike through moorland zone (approximately 2 hours)
- Guided ascent of rocky ridge to Shira plateau (5 km, approximately 4-5 hours total)
- Lunch and rest
- Dinner at Shira camp
- Boiled drinking and washing water service
Landmarks Shira Plateau Western Breach Shira Camp 
- Day 4
Shira Camp to Barranco Camp
Head eastward through semi-desert and rocky terrain toward Lava Tower. After roughly 5 hours of walking to reach 4,630m altitude, you'll have lunch in a designated spot. The rocky scree path to Lava Tower (4,600m) is the toughest section so far, and some climbers feel breathless or irritable at this altitude. Then descend about 680m over 2 hours to Barranco camp. The sunset views and photo opportunities here are worth the effort.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided ascent through semi-desert landscape (11 km, approximately 7-8 hours total)
- Ascent to Lava Tower (4,600m)
- Lunch in designated area
- Descent to Barranco camp (approximately 680m descent, approximately 2 hours)
- Dinner at Barranco camp
- Boiled drinking and washing water service
Landmarks Lava Tower Barranco Camp Breach Wall Great Barranco Wall - Day 5
Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp
Climb Barranco Wall after breakfast, which takes about an hour, then continue to Karanga camp (sometimes called 'Peanut camp'). The route has mixed ascents and descents that help you acclimatize to the higher altitude without gaining too much elevation too fast.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Breakfast at Barranco camp
- Guided ascent of Barranco Wall (approximately 1 hour)
- Guided hike to Karanga camp (6 km, approximately 4-5 hours total)
- Dinner at Karanga camp
- Boiled drinking and washing water service
Landmarks Barranco Wall Karanga Camp - Day 6
Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp
Reach Barafu camp, situated on a narrow, stony, exposed ridge where winds blow constantly. Walk around and learn the terrain before dark so you don't stumble later. The summit sits 1,345m higher, and you'll go for it tonight. Check your equipment, ski sticks, and thermal gear now. Swap out headlamp and camera batteries, bringing spares. Fill a thermal flask with water to keep it from freezing. Try to sleep around 7:00 PM, though you'll probably get only about 5 hours before the midnight push.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided ascent to Barafu camp (4 km, approximately 3-4 hours)
- Dinner at Barafu camp
- Boiled drinking and washing water service
Landmarks Barafu Camp - Day 7
Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak to Mweka Camp
Around 11:30 PM, get up for tea and biscuits, then head out into the dark ascending northwest through heavy scree. This 6-hour push to Stella Point on the crater rim tests both body and mind. At Stella Point (5,685m/18,652 ft), pause briefly and catch the sunrise if weather cooperates. Continue another 2 hours with snow underfoot to Uhuru Peak (5,895m/19,341 ft). Time at the summit is short due to extreme cold and exhaustion. Descend about 3 hours back to Barafu, gather your remaining gear, then trek down to Mweka camp for dinner and rest.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Tea and biscuits), Dinner
Included Activities
- Tea and biscuits at Barafu camp around 23:30
- Guided summit ascent through heavy scree to Stella Point (approximately 6 hours)
- Guided ascent from Stella Point to Uhuru Peak (approximately 2 hours)
- Guided descent from Uhuru Peak to Barafu (approximately 3 hours)
- Guided descent from Barafu to Mweka camp (17 km total, approximately 15+ hours)
- Dinner at Mweka camp
- Boiled drinking and washing water service
Landmarks Stella Point Uhuru Peak Mweka Camp - Day 8
Mweka Camp to Springlands Hotel
After breakfast, descend from Mweka Gate through Mweka village, usually a muddy hour-long walk, then get driven back to Springlands Hotel. Have lunch and take a hot shower, which feels incredible after the climb. Stay overnight at the hotel, and remember that tipping the guide is customary here. Successful climbers pick up their summit certificates, green for Stella Point and gold for Uhuru Peak.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Hot lunch)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Springlands Hotel)
Included Activities
- Breakfast at Mweka camp
- Guided descent from Mweka Gate to Mweka village (10 km, approximately 4-5 hours, normally muddy terrain)
- Transfer to Springlands Hotel
- Hot lunch at Springlands Hotel
- Summit certificate issuance (green certificate for Stella Point reach; gold certificate for Uhuru Peak reach)
Optional Activities
- Provide tips to guide or local representatives
Landmarks Mweka Gate Mweka Village - Day 9
Departure
Have an early breakfast at Springlands Hotel, then transfer to Kilimanjaro International Airport for your flight home.
- End point
- Moshi, Kilimanjaro, Tanzania (Kilimanjaro International Airport)
- Meals
- Breakfast
Landmarks Kilimanjaro International Airport
