DAY 1 : MOSHI – MACHAME CAMP

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

Distance: 11 km

Hiking Time: 5-7 hours

Habitat: Rain Forest

DAY 2 : MACHAME CAMP – SHIRA CAMP

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.

Elevation (ft): 9,400ft to 12,500ft

Distance: 5 km

Hiking Time: 4-6 hours

Habitat: Moorland

DAY 3 : SHIRA CAMP – LAVA TOWER – BARRANCO CAMP

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.

Elevation (ft): 12,500ft to 13,000ft

Distance: 15 km

Hiking Time: 5-7 hours

Habitat: Semi Desert

DAY 4 : BARRANCO CAMP – KARANGA CAMP

After breakfast, we leave Barranco and continue on a steep ridge passing the Barranco Wall, to the Karanga Valley campsite. This is a short day meant for acclimatization.

Elevation (ft): 13,000ft to 13,100ft

Distance: 5 km

Hiking Time: 4-5 hours

Habitat: Alpine Desert

DAY 5 : KARANGA CAMP – BARAFU CAMP

After breakfast, 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.

Elevation (ft): 13,100ft to 15,300ft

Distance: 4 km

Hiking Time: 4-5 hours

Habitat: Alpine Desert

DAY 6 : BARAFU CAMP – STELLA POINT – MWEKA HUT

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.

Elevation (ft): 15,300ft to 19,345ft (and down to 10,000ft)

Distance: 5 km ascent / 12 km descent

Hiking Time: 7-8 hours ascent / 4-6 hours descent

Habitat: Arctic

DAY 7 : Mweka Camp – Moshi

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.

Elevation (ft): 10,000ft to 5,400ft

Distance: 10 km

Hiking Time: 3-4 hours

Habitat: Rain Forest

DAY 1: MOSHI

Arrival at the Spring lands hotel where you will stay on bed and breakfast.

DAY 2: MOSHI – MANDARA HUT

After breakfast you will be driven to Marangu gate and after park formalities begin the ascend. Walk through the rain forest to Mandara hut (2743m), about 3 hours.

DAY 3: MANDARA HUT – HOROMBO HUT

After breakfast begin the day’s hike through the forest and cross open moorland to Horombo hut (3760m). Lunch will be served en route.

DAY 4: HOROMBO HUT

We will spend the day acclimatizing. Most of the day you will just be resting; a short walk to Zebra Rocks or to Mawenzi Hut. You can opt out of this day making it a 7 days adventure.

DAY 5: HOROMBO HUT – KIBO HUT

Walk through the moorland then the alpine desert to “The Saddle” between the peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo. From here you will walk for about an hour to reach Kibo hut (4730m). Lunch will be served en route.

DAY 6: KIBO HUT – UHURU PEAK – HOROMBO HUT

Very early start for the summit on steep scree up to Gillman’s Point (5681m) which is on the crater rim. Continue around the rim (which will take about two hours if you are fit) to Uhuru Peak (5895m) the highest point in Africa. Descend to Kibo Hut for tea and biscuits or soup and then down to the thicker air an relative warmth of Horombo hut.

DAY 7: HOROMBO HUT – MARANGU GATE – MOSHI

After breakfast descend to Marangu gate and after checking out you will be driven to a hotel in Moshi for much-needed rest.

DAY 8: MOSHI – NEXT DESTINATION

Depart after breakfast to your next destination.