Mt Kilimanjaro

Day 1

We collect or pick you from the Airport to the hotel in Moshi for dinner and
overnight.

Day 2

• Machame Gate to Machame Camp
• Distance: 11 km
• Hiking Time: 5-7 hours
• Habitat: Rain Forest

The drive from Moshi to the Mount Kilimanjaro National Park Gate takes about 50
minutes. The journey passes through the village of Machame which is located on
the lower slopes of the mountain.
We now leave the park gate and walk through the rain forest on a winding trail up
a ridge. Lower down, the trail can be muddy and slippery. Gaiters and trekking
poles are a good idea here. We continue a short distance until we reach the
Machame Camp.
Elevation (ft): 5,400ft to 9,400ft
Mt Kilimanjaro

Day 3

• Machame Gate to Machame Camp
• Distance: 5 km
• Hiking Time: 4-6 hours
• Habitat: Moorland

After breakfast, we leave the glades of the rain forest and continue on an ascending
path, crossing the little valley walking along a steep rocky ridge, covered with
heather, until the ridge ends. The route now turns west onto a river gorge. Time for
rest, dinner, and overnight at the Shira campsite.

Day 4

• Shira Camp to Lava Tower to Barranco Camp
• Elevation (ft): 12,500ft to 13,000ft
• Distance: 10 km
• Hiking Time: 6-8 hours
• Habitat: Semi Desert

From the Shira Plateau, we continue to the east up a ridge, passing the junction
towards the peak of Kibo. As we continue, our direction changes to the South East
towards the Lava Tower, called the “Shark’s Tooth.” Shortly after the tower, we
come to the second junction which brings us up to the Arrow Glacier at an altitude
of 16,000ft. We now continue down to the Barranco Hut at an altitude of 13,000ft.
Here we rest, enjoy dinner, and overnight. Although you end the day at the same
elevation as when you started, this day is very important for acclimatization and
will help your body prepare for summit day.
Mt Kilimanjaro

Day 5

Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp

• Elevation (ft): 13,000ft to 15,000ft
• Distance: 9km
• Hiking Time: 8-10 hours
• Distance: 9km

After breakfast, we leave Barranco and continue on a steep ridge passing the
Barranco Wall, to the Karanga Valley campsite. Then, we leave Karanga and hit
the junction which connects with the Mweka Trail. We continue up to the Barafu
Hut. At this point, you have completed the South Circuit, which offers views of the
summit from many different angles. Here we make camp, rest, enjoy dinner, and
prepare for the summit day. The two peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo are to be seen
from this position.
Mt Kilimanjaro

Day 6

• Barafu Camp to Summit to Mweka Hut
• Elevation (ft): 15,300ft to 19,345ft (and down to 10,000ft)
• Hiking Time: 7-8 hours ascent / 4-6 hours descent
• Habitat: Arctic

Very early in the morning (midnight to 2am), we continue our way to the summit
between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers. You head in a northwesterly direction
and ascend through heavy scree towards Stella Point on the crater rim. This is the
most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek.
At Stella Point (18,600 ft), you will stop for a short rest and will be rewarded with
the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see (weather permitting). From
Stella Point, you may encounter snow all they way on your 1-hour ascent to the
summit. At Uhuru Peak, you have reached the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro
and the continent of Africa. Faster hikers will see the sunrise from the summit.
From the summit, we now make our descent continuing straight down to the
Mweka Hut camp site, stopping at Barafu for lunch. You will want gaiters and
trekking poles for the loose gravel going down. Mweka Camp is situated in the
upper forest and mist or rain can be expected in the late afternoon. Later in the
evening, we enjoy our last dinner on the mountain and a well-earned sleep.
Mt Kilimanjaro

Day 7

• Mweka Camp to Moshi
• Elevation (ft): 10,000ft to 5,400ft
• Distance: 10 km
• Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
• Habitat: Rain Forest

After breakfast, we continue the descent down to the Mweka Park Gate to receive
your summit certificates. At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy. Gaiters
and trekking poles will help. Shorts and t-shirts will probably be plenty to wear
(keep rain gear and warmer clothing handy).
From the gate, you continue another hour to Mweka Village. A vehicle will meet
you at Mweka village to drive you back to hotel in Moshi overnight and dinner in
the hotel.

Day 8

Breakfast at hotel in Moshi. After having breakfast, we take you back to the
Kilimanjaro Airport or your point of destination.