Day 1: Machame Gate – Machame Camp
You will be picked up after breakfast and make your way to the Kilimanjaro National Park gate for the start of your climb. Once you have arrived your guide will get started with the formalities (entrance forms), As soon as everything is prepared your adventure will begin. The destination for today will be the Machame Camp which you should reach in about 5 – 6 hours. On route, you will experience a wonderful rainforest with ancient trees, primeval ferns, liana & lichen to mention but a few.
Day 2: Machame Camp – Shira Camp
Although today is a shorter stretch than yesterday you will still have an early start which will allow you to reach today’s destination around mid-afternoon. The landscape changes dramatically from the green mountain rainforest to moor and heathland. You will have a beautiful view of the mountain range from your campsite which is situated at the Shira Plateau. The glacier of Kibo also lights up as the sun sets for the evening.
Day 3: Shira Camp –Lava Tower Hut –Barranco Camp
Today is a good day for the body to acclimatise for the days to follow. You will climb roughly 700 m but will sleep on a level not much higher than the night before. We will start at Shira Plateau and make our way up to Lava Tower at around 4640 m, after a rest, we will continue through the Barranco Valley until we reach our destination for the day the beautiful Barranco Camp. Today’s trek will be approximately 6 – 7 hours.
Day 4: Barranco Camp – Karanga Camp
Just after breakfast, we concur the famous Barranco Wall. You might need your hands once in a while for better grip, but with that being said, there are no climbing passages, and as safety is very important please listen to our guides who will ensure you get to the top safely. There will be a lot of ascents and descents today followed by a walk along the mountain ridge.
Day 5: Karanga Camp -Barafu Camp
Barafu Camp is our destination for today and will be reached after 3-4 hours. Most of this time you will be walking through the moon-like alpine desert. After a satisfying dinner, you will have an early night and a good rest. The highlight of your trip is now only some hours away.
Day 6: Barafu Camp – Uhuru Peak – Mweka Camp
The climb will start at midnight. You will be woken up just before that to have some tea and biscuits. Around 5 – 7 hours later you will reach Stella Point which is the crater rim of Kilimanjaro. After another 1 – 2 hours you will reach Uhuru Peak at a height of 5895 m. You will rest for an hour or two before making your way to Mweka Camp where you will spend your last night on the mountain.
Day 7: Mweka Camp – Mweka Gate
After breakfast, you will have a traditional farewell ceremony from all your mountain crew. After a short 2 – 3 hours walk through the rainforest our driver will be waiting for you at the Mweka gate.
