Day 1-9 | Tanzania

Arrival – Kilimanjaro Airport – Moshi town - 55 min (42.2 km) drive

Upon your arrival at Kilimanjaro Airport, you will be welcomed by our transfer driver and taken to the lodge / hotel on the outskirts of Moshi town. The rest of the day will be at leisure and you can either relax at the hotel or explore the town of Moshi (taxi required). In the evening you will attend a briefing which will be carried out by your tour guide in preparation of the upcoming trek. Dinner and overnight at the lodge / hotel on Half Board meal plan base.

Moshi--Machame Gate (1,790m) - Machame Camp (3,010m)

After breakfast you will be transferred to the Machame Gate at Kilimanjaro National Park from where your hike starts. Today, walk through the beautiful rainforest with dense vegetation, often on a muddy trail, with short sections of steep climbs. The trekking pace is slow and very comfortable, ensuring you have enough time to enjoy the natural surroundings, take a photo and nibble on your packed lunch that we provide. The first campsite, Machame Camp, is on the edge of the dense rainforest, offering your first peek of the mountain in the distance.

Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner Start: Machame Gate (1,790 m) Finish: Machame Camp (3,010 m) Walking time: 5-7h

Machame Camp (3,010m) - New Shira Camp (3,845m)

After an early morning start, the path steepens. The landscape changes into heath and moorland and the open landscape allows you to see the impressive mountain range. Today’s stage is shorter than the previous day and you will arrive at the New Shira Camp by mid-afternoon. The camp has a breath-taking view of the mountain and during sunset, the evening sun lights the rock face and glacier of Kibo.

Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner Start: Machame Camp (3,010 m) Finish: New Shira Camp (3,845 m) Walking time: 4-6h

New Shira Camp (3,845m) - Lava Tower (4,640m) - Barranco Camp (3,960 m):

Today you will climb about 800 m but you will be camping at an elevation only slightly higher than the previous night. This will allow your body to acclimatize as a height of over 4,500 m will be reached over the next two days. The trek begins with a long ascent above the Shira Plateau in the direction of the Lava Tower. The vegetation becomes sparser as the landscape changes to an afro-alpine desert. The route passes through the sweeping Barranco Valley with its lobelia and giant senecio plants. After 6 to 7 hours, you will arrive at the most beautiful camp on the mountain – the Barranco Camp.

Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner Start: New Shira Camp (3,845 m) Finish: Barranco Camp (3,960 m) Walking time: 6-7h

Barranco Camp (3,960m) - Karanga Camp (4,040m)

After breakfast you cross the Great Barranco Wall, topping out at about 4,420m before dropping to the camp at the Karanga River at about 4040m. The hike up the Barranco Wall is steep. You pass below the famous Breach Wall, the largest ice and rock face in Africa. The Breach Wall climbing route, known as "The Icicle", was first climbed in the early 1970's by Reinhold Messner. Daytime temperatures can reach up to 26C, while evening temperatures often drop below freezing.

Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner Start: Barranco Camp (3,960 m) Finish: Karanga Camp (4,040 m) Walking time: 5-6h

Karanga Camp (4,040m) - Barafu Camp (4,550m)

Today's path takes you up and across a rocky zone where very little vegetation can be found on the inhospitable terrain. A field of sedimentary rocks litter the ground. You leave Karanga and hit the junction which connects with the Mweka Trail. Continue up to the Barafu Camp. At this point, you have completed the South Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many different angles. Amazing views of Kilimanjaro's two peaks, Mawenzi and Kibo, are to be seen from Barafu Camp. An early dinner will be served in order for you to get the maximum rest before the final ascent starting at around midnight.

Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner Start: Karanga Camp (4,040 m) Finish: Barafu Camp (4,550 m) Walking time: 5-6h

Barafu Camp (4,640m) - Summit via Stella Point (5,752m) to Uhuru Peak (5,895m) and descent to Millennium Camp (3,820m) or to Mweka Camp (3,080m)

Wake up very early to have a quick bite to eat and something warm to drink before setting out in darkness. The hike to Stella Point is a very slow steep walk on volcanic scree for about 5-6 hours. The headlamps on the trail towards the summit almost look like fireflies flying in a long row. As you approach the crater rim you will enjoy the most memorable sunrise you may ever experience - the sunrise over Africa! Often you see the curving of the earth at this high altitude and the sunrise on the horizon just accentuates it. Keep your camera ready at all times as there are plenty of photo opportunities along the summit. Once you reach Stella Point on top of the crater rim Uhuru Peak is in sight. Hike along fairly flat terrain for about 40-45 min to reach Uhuru Peak. Spend a few minutes at the top and get that photo of you next to the sign marking the summit - definitely one for your collection. Descend from Uhuru Peak in high spirits as you have just achieved your goal. The trail down from Stella Point on the Mweka route is often enjoyed by hikers sliding down the scree slope, which entails skidding down the loose gravel with big steps and some sideways moves. Try it, it is fun! With every step going down your body enjoys having more oxygen to breathe in. Depending on how you feel, you may enjoy a short rest at Barafu Camp before descending down to Millennium Camp or Mweka Camp. Most of our expeditions overnight at Mweka Camp this evening.

Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner Start: Barafu Camp (4,640 m) Finish: Mweka Camp (3,080 m) Walking time: 10-13h

Mweka Camp (3,100 m) – Mweka Gate (1,630 m) – Moshi

The final leg of your amazing adventure begins after breakfast with a traditional farewell ceremony from the mountain crew. Then a gentle 2 to 3 hours’ descent through the rainforest continues to Mweka Gate, where you will have to sign out and your driver will be waiting for you. He will drive you straight to the office where you will have lunch and drink beer together with the crew and then afterwards celebrate with the crew your achievement by singing the Kilimanjaro traditional songs and be awarded a Kilimanjaro certificate for your accomplishment. Afterwards He will take you back to the lodge/hotel and after a warm shower, the rest of the day is free to rest or to celebrate your achievement.

Day 9 Moshi – Kilimanjaro Airport

On this day after breakfast, you will be transferred to Kilimanjaro Airport (Departure depends on your flight times on your tickets). Alternatively you can extend your trip in Tanzania and go on Wild safari tour or a Day excursion tour or take a flight to go and relax at the beautiful island of Zanzibar, Mafia, or Fanjove.

Meal ; Breakfast