Machame Gate to Machame Camp:

•Elevation: 5,400 to 9,400ft

•Distance: 11km

•Hiking time: 5-7 hours

•Habitat: Rainforest

Meet your experienced English-speaking mountain guide at your hotel in Arusha at 08:00 am. You will then drive from Arusha to the Mount Kilimanjaro National Park gate which takes about 1.30 hours. The journey passes through the village of Machame which is located on the lower slopes of the mountain.

We leave the park gate and walk through the rainforest 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 for dinner and overnight.

Machame Camp to Shira Camp:

•Elevation: 9,400 to 12,500ft

•Distance: 5km

•Hiking time: 4-6 hours

•Habitat: Moorland

After breakfast, we leave the glades of the rainforest and continue on an ascending path, crossing the little valley. We walk along a steep, rocky ridge covered with heather until the ridge ends. The route then turns west onto a river gorge. It is now time for rest, dinner, and an overnight stay at the Shira campsite.

Shira Camp to Lava Tower to Barranco Camp:

•Elevation: 12,500 to 13,000ft

•Distance: 10km

•Hiking time: 6-8 hours

•Habitat: Semi-desert

From the Shira Plateau, we continue to the east up a ridge, passing the junction toward the peak of Kibo. As we continue, our direction changes to the southeast toward the Lava Tower, also 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.

Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp:

•Elevation: 13,000 to 13,100ft

•Distance: 5km

•Hiking time: 4-5 hours

•Habitat: Alpine desert

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.

Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp:

•Elevation: 13,100 to 15,300ft

•Distance: 4km

•Hiking time: 4-5 hours

•Habitat: Alpine desert

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 summit day. The 2 peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo can be seen from this position.

Barafu Camp to Summit to Mweka Hut:

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

•Distance: 5km ascent,12km descent

•Hiking time: 7-8 hours ascent, 4-6 hours descent

•Habitat: Arctic

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 toward Stella Point on the crater rim. This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek.

At Stella Point (18,600ft), 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 the 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.

You will then descend straight down to Barafu camp for lunch, and then to the Mweka camp.

Mweka Camp to Arusha:

•Elevation: 10,000 to 5,400ft

•Distance: 10km

•Hiking time: 3-4 hours

•Habitat: Rainforest

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 enough to wear (keep rain gear and warmer clothing handy). From the gate, you continue another hour to Mweka village where a vehicle will meet you to drive you back to Arusha.