DAY 1: MACHAME GATE TO MACHAME CAMP

• Distance: 11 km
• Hiking Time: 5-7 hours
• Habitat: Rain Forest

Depart from your hotel in Arusha or Moshi and drive to the Mount Kilimanjaro National Park Gate, passing through the village of Machame. Once we enter the park, our trek begins through the lush rainforest, following a winding trail up the ridge.

Some sections of the trail may be muddy and slippery, so it’s recommended to use gaiters and trekking poles. Our first day concludes at Machame Camp, where we will spend the night.

DAY 2: MACHAME CAMP TO SHIRA CAMP

• Distance: 5 km
• Hiking Time: 4-6 hours
• Habitat: Moorland

The second day takes us through gradually sparser trees and bushes into the moorlands.

We reach Shira Camp, situated on a small plateau in the high moorlands, offering views of Kibo to the northeast and Mount Meru to the west. Keep an eye out for white-necked ravens throughout the day, and you can also explore the nearby Shira Caves.

DAY 3: SHIRA CAMP TO LAVA TOWER TO BARRANCO CAMP

• Distance: 10 km
• Hiking Time: 6-8 hours
• Habitat: Semi Desert

Our route today leads east through a semi-desert and rocky landscape, passing by Lava Tower. We’ll have lunch in a designated area before ascending the rocky path to Lava Tower. Afterward, we descend to the Barranco camping area, where the altitude of 4600m offers the benefits of acclimatization. The descent to Barranco camp takes approximately 2 hours and provides excellent photo opportunities of the Western Breach and Breach Wall.

DAY 4: BARRANCO CAMP TO KARANGA CAMP TO BARAFU CAMP

• Distance: 9 km
• Hiking Time: 8 hours
• Habitat: Alpine Desert

After breakfast, we scramble to the top of the Great Barranco and traverse over scree and ridges to the Karanga Valley, beneath the icefalls of the Heim, Kersten, and Decken Glaciers.

After a short break, we continue from Karanga, crossing the junction that connects with the Mweka Trail used for descent. Our path leads us to Barafu Camp, where we rest, have dinner, and prepare for the summit day. Take in the breathtaking view of Mawenzi and Kibo peaks from Barafu.

DAY 5: BARAFU CAMP TO SUMMIT TO MWEKA HUT

• Distance: 5 km ascent / 12 km descent
• Hiking Time: 7-8 hours ascent / 4-6 hours descent
• Habitat: Arctic

Start early for the ascent to the rim of the Kibo Crater, situated between the Rebmann and Ratzel Glaciers. The last section before the rim may be snow-covered, and an ice-axe or ski stick can provide balance. Upon reaching Stella Point on the rim, there is an additional hour to Uhuru Peak.

After a brief stop for photos, we descend to Barafu Hut for rest and lunch before continuing past Millennium Camp towards Mweka Hut, located in the giant heather zone at the forest edge. For those with energy remaining, a descent to the Reutsh Crater to visit the ice pinnacles of the Eastern Icefields is an option. In the evening, enjoy a final dinner on the mountain and a well-deserved sleep.

DAY 6: BARAFU CAMP TO SUMMIT TO MWEKA HUT

• Distance: 5 km ascent / 12 km descent
• Hiking Time:7-8 hours ascent / 4-6 hours descent
• Habitat:Arctic

We start early to ascend to the rim of the Kibo Crater, positioned between the Rebmann and Ratzel Glaciers.