OVERVIEWS

Day 1: Drive to Kilimanjaro National Park Machame Gate, Hike to Machame Camp.

Drive from Moshi to Machame Gate takes about 45 minutes. The journey passes through the village of Machame, which is located on the lower slopes of the mountain. We depart the park gate and walk through the rain forest on a winding trail up a ridge.

At lower elevations 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.

Elevation: 1830m/6000ft to 3050m/9950ft

Distance: 11km/7miles

Hiking Time: 5-6 hours

Habitat; Montane Forest

Meals; LD

After breakfast we leave the glades of the rain forest and continue on an ascending path, crossing the valley along a steep rocky.

Day 2: Machame Camp to Shira Camp

After breakfast we leave the glades of the rain forest and continue on ascending path, crossing the valley path, crossing the valley along a steep rocky ridge. The route now turns west onto a river gorge until we arrive at the Shira campsite.

Elevation; 3050m/9950ft to 3850m/12600ft

Distance; 5km/3miles

Walking time; 4-5 hours

Habitat; moorland

Meals; BLD

Day 4: Barranco Camp to Barafu Camp

After breakfast, we leave Barranco and continue on a steep up the Barranco Wall, through the Karanga Valley to the junction, which connects, with the Mweka Trail. We continue up to the Barafu Camp. You have completed the South Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many different angles. Here we make camp with views of the summit in the distance.

Elevation; 4000m/13000ft to 4700m/15350ft

Distance; 9km/6miles

Walking time; 6-8hours

Habitat; Alpine desert

Meals; BLD

Day 5: Barafu Camp to Summit, down to Mweka Camp

Very early in the morning, we continue our way to the summit between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers. You head in a northwesterly direction and ascend through heavy stone scree towards Stella point on the crater rim. This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek. At Stella Point you will stop for a short rest and will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise ever seen. From Stella Point, you may encounter snow all the way on your 1-hour ascent to the summit. Once at Uhuru Peak you have reached the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro.

From the summit we will descend down to Mweka Camp, stopping at Barafu for lunch. You may want gaiters and trekking poles for the loose gravel going down. We arrive at Mweka Camp and enjoy our last evening on the mountain.

Elevation; 4700m/15350ft to 5895 to 19340ft

Down to 3090m/10150ft

Distance; km/3miles up to 13km/8miles down

Hiking time; 5-7hours up/5-6 hours down

Habitat; Stone scree and ice –capped summit

Meals; BLD

Day 6: Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate, drive to Moshi

After breakfast we continue to descend 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 plenty to wear (keep rain gear and warmer clothing handy).

Our vehicles will be waiting for you at Mweka gate to drive you back to your hotel in Moshi (about 30 minutes).

Elevation; 3090m/10150ft to 1680m/5500ft

Distance; 10km/6miles

Hiking time; 3-4 hours

Habitat; forest

Meals; B