Arrival & Briefing

Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport you will be transferred to your accommodation where your guide will meet you for a full briefing and equipment check.

Overnight Ameg Lodge (Classic) or Kaliwa Lodge (Premium)

Trek Day 1

Machame Gate (1,800m/5,900ft) to Machame Camp (3,000m/9,840ft)

Elevation Gain: 1,200m/3,940ft

Drive to the Machame Gate for registration before beginning your climb along a winding trail through lush forest. Since this is the climate zone which experiences the most rainfall be prepared for afternoon showers, making the trail slippery at times! The climb is steady, gradually easing as you approach camp, located on the edge of the forest and giant heather zones. Approximately 6-7 hours of walking today.

Overnight Machame Camp

Trek Day 3

Shira Camp (3,840m/12,600ft) to Barranco Camp (3,900m/12,800ft)

Elevation Gain: 760m/2,500ft

Elevation Loss: 700m/2,300ft

Your climb today will take you steadily up and over the expansive ridge lines of high desert to Lava Tower at 4,600m. The trek to the base of the tower, a 300-foot-high volcanic plug, takes around 4-5 hours. From here begin a steep descent into the Barranco Valley, passing exotic large flowering plants, Senecio Kilimanjaro. This descent will take 1-2 hours. Although you end your day at almost the same elevation as you started, today is important for acclimatisation. Camp is in a beautiful, sheltered valley below the imposing Barranco Wall.

Overnight Barranco Camp

Trek Day 4

Barranco Camp (3,900m/12,800ft) to Karanga Camp (3,950m/12,960ft)

Elevation Gain: 300m/1,000ft

Elevation Loss: 250m/820ft

Begin the day climbing the Barranco Wall, an impressive scramble that will reward you with fantastic views back towards camp. From the top, at 4,200m, follow an undulating path around the mountain side. On a clear day there are spectacular views of Kibo to your left and Mount Meru to your right. After descending into the Karanga Valley your climb takes you up a short steep path to camp. Walking time approximately 3-4 hours.

Overnight Karanga Camp

Trek Day 5

Karanga Camp (3,950m/12,960ft) to Barafu Camp (4,600m/15,090ft)

Elevation Gain: 650m/2,130ft

Spend  the morning climbing steadily up to Barafu, which is Swahili for ice! This camp is located on the ridge below the summit cone. You have now completed the South Circuit, which offers views of Kibo from many different angles. This walk will take around 3-4 hours, meaning you’ll arrive at Barafu in time for lunch and a full summit briefing, before spending the afternoon resting. The two peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo can be seen from this position.

Overnight Barafu Camp

Trek Day 6

Barafu Camp (4,600m/15,090ft) to Uhuru Peak (5,895m/19,340ft) then descending to Mweka Camp (3,110m/10,200ft)

Elevation Gain:  1,295 m/4,250ft

Elevation Loss:  2,785m/9,140ft

In the early hours begin your final ascent to the summit of Kilimanjaro, taking approximately 6-8 hours. It can be very cold at night at these elevations, but it will be warm by the end of the hiking day and you need clothing for both extremes. Just when you think you’ve reached your limit, the sun will rise and you’ll be rewarded with a rich red sky framing Mawenzi. At Stella Point (5,750m) join the crater rim. From here, climb less steeply to Uhuru Peak, the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and in Africa. From the summit descend to Mweka Hut, with lunch served on the way, taking around 6 hours. Enjoy your last dinner on the mountain and a well-earned sleep.

Overnight Mweka Hut Camp

Trek Day 7

Mweka Camp (3,110m/10,200ft) to Mweka Gate (1,830m/6,000ft)

Elevation Loss: 1,280m/4,200ft

Descend to the gate through lush forest (2-3 hours), looking for monkeys along the way. You will be collected from Mweka Village and taken to your hotel in Moshi.

Overnight Ameg Lodge (Classic) or Pink Flamingo Boutique Hotel (Premium)

Departure or Onwards Travel

Today you will be transferred to Kilimanjaro Airport in time for your flight, or if you’ve decided to extend your Tanzanian adventure, begin the next part of your journey!

Start Planning your Journey