DAY 1: Machame Gate to 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 for a short distance until we reach the Machame Camp.

• Elevation : 5,400 ft to 9,400 ft
• Distance : 11 km
• Hiking Time : 5–7 hours
• Habitat : Rain Forest

DAY 2: Machame Camp to Shira Camp

After breakfast, we leave the glades of the rain forest and continue on an ascending path, crossing a little valley and 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 : 9,400 ft to 12,500 ft
• Distance : 5 km
• Hiking Time : 4–6 hours
• Habitat : Moorland

DAY 3: Shira Camp to Lava Tower to Barranco Camp

From the Shira Plateau, we continue 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 16,000 ft. We now continue down to the Barranco Hut at an altitude of 13,000 ft. 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.

• Elevation : 12,500 ft to 13,000 ft
• Distance : 10 km
• Hiking Time : 6–8 hours
• Habitat : Semi Desert

DAY 4: Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp

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.

• Elevation : 13,000 ft to 15,000 ft
• Distance : 9 km
• Hiking Time : 8–10 hours
• Habitat : Alpine Desert

DAY 5: Barafu Camp to Summit to Mweka Hut

Very early in the morning (midnight to 2 am), 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. At Stella Point (18,600 ft), you will stop for a short rest and be rewarded with a magnificent sunrise. From Stella Point, you encounter snow all the way on your 1-hour ascent to Uhuru Peak (19,345 ft), the highest point in Africa.

From the summit, we 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.

• Elevation : 15,300 ft to 19,345 ft (and down to 10,000 ft)
• Distance : 5 km ascent / 12 km descent
• Hiking Time : 7–8 hours ascent / 4–6 hours descent
• Habitat : Arctic

DAY 6: Mweka Camp to 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. From the gate, you continue another hour to Mweka Village. A vehicle will meet you at Mweka Village to drive you back to the hotel in Moshi.

• Elevation : 10,000 ft to 5,400 ft
• Distance : 10 km
• Hiking Time : 3–4 hours
• Habitat : Rain Forest