Day 1: Machame Gate to Machame Camp
Elevation: 5,380 ft to 9,350 ft, Distance: 11 km. Hiking Time: 5-7 hours. Habitat: Rain Forest
Pick up from your hotel in Arusha or Moshi at 8am after breakfast and with your climbing crew team drive for 2hrs to the Machame Gate. The journey passes through the village of Machame which is located on the lower slopes of the mountain. As you leave the park gate and walk through the dense rain forest on a winding trail up a ridge until you reach the Machame Camp.
Day 2: Machame Camp to Shira 2 Camp;
Elevation: 9,350 ft to 12,500 ft, Distance: 5 km. Hiking Time: 4-6 hours. Habitat: Heath
After breakfast at the camp. You will leave the glades of the rain forest and continue on an ascending path up to a steep rocky ridge. On the Shira Plateau, you will pass through heather and open moorlands as you cross a large river gorge to Shira 2 Camp.
Day 3: Shira Camp – Lava Tower to Baranco Camp;
Elevation: 12,500 ft to 15,190 ft 13,044ft. Distance: 9 km. Hiking Time: 6-7 hours. Habitat: Alpine Desert
Continue to the east up a ridge and then head southeast towards the Lava Tower – a 300 ft tall volcanic rock formation. Then descend down to Barranco Camp through the strange but beautiful sceneries forest to an altitude of 13,000 ft. Although you begin and end the day at the same elevation, the time spent at higher altitude is very beneficial for acclimatization.
Day 4: Barranco Camp to Barafu Camp.
Elevation: 13,044 ft to 15,331 ft. Distance: 9 km. Hiking Time: 7-8 hours. Habitat: Alpine Desert
After breakfast, begin the day by descending into a ravine to the base of the Great Barranco Wall. Then climb the non-technical but steep, nearly 900 ft cliff. From the top of the Barranco Wall you will cross a series of hills and valleys and descend sharply into Karanga Valley. One more steep climb up leads you to Karanga valley and hit the junction which connects with the Mweka Trail as you continue up to the rocky section to Barafu Hut. At this point, you have completed the Southern Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many different angles. Here make camp, rest and enjoy an early dinner to prepare for the summit day. The two peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo are viewable from this position.
Day 5: Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak down Mweka Camp .
Elevation: 15,331 ft to 19,341 ft. Distance: 5 km., Hiking Time: 7-8 hours. Habitat: Arctic
Uhuru Peak to Mweka Camp.
Elevation: 19,341 ft to 10,065 ft. Distance: 12 km., Hiking Time: 4-6 hours. Habitat: Rain Forest
Very early in the morning (around midnight). Begin your push to the summit. This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek. The wind and cold at this elevation and time of day can be extreme. You will ascend in the darkness for several hours while taking frequent, but short, breaks. Near Stella Point (18,900 ft), you will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see coming over Mawenzi Peak. Finally arrive at Uhuru Peak- the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa.
From the summit, after enjoying and congratulating yourself, now make your descent continuing straight down to the Mweka Hut camp site, stopping at Barafu for lunch. The trail is very rocky and can be quite hard on the knees; trekking poles are helpful. Mweka Camp is situated in the upper forest and mist or rain can be expected in the late afternoon. Later in the evening, you will enjoy your last dinner on the mountain and a well-earned sleep.
Day 6: Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate ;
Elevation: 10,065 ft to 5,380 ft. Distance: 10 km., Hiking Time: 3-4 hours. Habitat: Rain Forest
On your last day, continue the descent to Mweka Gate and collect the summit certificates. At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy. From the gate, continue another hour to Mweka Village. A vehicle will meet you at Mweka Village to drive back to Arusha town at your hotel. END OF THE TREK.
