Arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport, pick up, and transfer to your hotel for overnight bed and breakfast.

Elevation: 5,380 ft to 9,350 ft

Hiking Time: 5-7 hours

Hiking Distance: 11 km/7 miles

Habitat: Rain Forest

The drive from Moshi to the Machame Gate takes about 50 minutes. We’ll pass through the village of Machame, located on the lower slopes of the mountain. As we leave the park gate, we walk through the dense rainforest on a winding trail, up a ridge, until we reach the Machame Camp.

Elevation: 9,350 ft to 12,500 ft

Hiking Time: 4-6 hours

Hiking Distance: 5 km/3 miles

Habitat: Heath

We leave the glades of the rain forest and continue on an ascending path up to a steep, rocky ridge. On the Shira Plateau, we will pass through heather and open moorlands, then cross a large river gorge to Shira 2 Camp.

Hike from Shira 2 Camp to Lava Tower

Elevation: 12,500 ft to 15,190 ft

Distance: 7 km/4 miles

Hiking Time: 4-5 hours

Habitat: Alpine Desert

Hike from Lava Tower to Barranco Camp

Elevation: 15,190 ft to 13,044 ft

Distance: 3 km/2 miles

Hiking Time: 2-3 hours

Habitat: Alpine Desert

Total Distance: 10 km/ 6 miles

We will continue to the east up a ridge and then trek southeast towards the Lava Tower – a 300 ft tall volcanic rock formation. Then, we will descend down to Barranco Camp through the strange but beautiful Senecio Forest to an altitude of 13,000 ft. Although you begin and end the day at the same elevation, the time spent at a higher altitude is very beneficial for acclimatization.

Elevation: 13,044 ft to 13,106 ft

Hiking Time: 4-5 hours

Hiking Distance: 5 km/3 miles

Habitat: Alpine Desert

We begin the day by descending into a ravine, to the base of the Great Barranco Wall. Then we climb a non-technical but steep, nearly 900 ft cliff. From the top of the Barranco Wall, we will cross a series of hills and valleys until we descend sharply into Karanga Valley. One more steep climb up leads us to Karanga Camp. This is a shorter day meant for acclimatization.

Elevation: 13,106 ft to 15,331 ft

Hiking Time: 4-5 hours

Hiking Distance: 4 km/2 miles

Habitat: Alpine Desert

We will leave Karanga and go to the junction, which connects with the Mweka Trail. Then, we will continue up to the rocky section of Barafu Hut. At this point, you have completed the Southern Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many different angles. Here we will make camp, rest and enjoy an early dinner to prepare for the summit day. The two peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo are viewable from this position.

Hike from Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak

Elevation: 15,331 ft to 19,341 ft Summit!

Distance: 5 km/3 miles

Hiking Time: 7-8 hours

Uhuru Peak to Mweka Camp

Elevation: 19,341 ft to 10,065 ft

Distance: 12 km/7 miles

Hiking Time: 4-6 hours

Habitat: Rain Forest

Total Distance: 17 km/10 miles

Very early in the morning (around midnight), we will begin our push to the summit. This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek, but possibly the most rewarding. The wind and cold at this elevation and time of day can be extreme. We ascend in the darkness for several hours while taking frequent, but short, breaks. Near Stella Point (18,900 ft), you will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you will likely ever see, over Mawenzi Peak. Finally, we will arrive at Uhuru Peak- the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa. From the summit, we will then make our descent continuing straight down to the Mweka Hut camp site, stopping at Barafu for lunch. The trail is very rocky and can be quite hard on the knees; trekking poles are helpful. Mweka Camp is situated in the upper forest and mist or rain can be expected in the late afternoon. Later in the evening, we will enjoy our last dinner on the mountain and a well-earned sleep.

Elevation: 10,065 ft to 5,380 ft

Hiking Time: 3-4 hours

Hiking Distance: 10 km/6 miles

Habitat: Rain Forest

On our last day, we will descend to Mweka Gate and collect our summit certificates. At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy. From the gate, we will continue another hour to Mweka Village. A vehicle will meet us at Mweka Village to drive us back to the hotel in Moshi.

Note on Itinerary:

Although we do our very best to adhere to the schedule listed above, this itinerary is subject to change, for numerous reasons beyond our control, including weather and trail conditions.