Day 1: Drive to Kilimanjaro National Park Machame Gate, Hike to Machame Camp Drive from Moshi to the Mount Kilimanjaro National Park 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.
Day 2: Hike Machame Camp to Shira Camp After breakfast we leave the glades of the rain forest and continue on an ascending 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.
Day 3: Hike Shira Camp to Lava Tower to Barranco Camp From the Shira Plateau we continue to the east up a ridge, passing the junction towards the peak of Kibo. As we continue, our direction changes to the South East towards the Lava Tower, called the “Shark’s Tooth” (elev 4650m/15,250ft). Shortly after the tower we come to the second junction which goes to the Arrow Glacier. We now continue down to the Barranco Camp. Although you end the day around the same elevation as when you began, this day is very important for acclimatization and will help your body prepare for summit day.
Day 4: Hike Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp After breakfast, we leave Barranco and continue on a steep ridge up the Barranco Wall to the Karanga Valley and the junction which connects with the Mweka Trail.
Day 5: Hike Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp 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, rest, enjoy dinner, and prepare for the summit day.
Day 6: Hike Barafu Camp to Summit, down to Mweka Camp 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 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 you are ever likely to see. Faster hikers may view the sunrise from the summit. 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 and the continent of Africa! From the summit we begin our descent by continuing straight down to the 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/15,350ft to 5895m/19,340ft
Down to 3090m/10,150ft
Distance: 5km/3mi up / 13km/8mi down
Hiking Time: 5-7 hours up / 5-6 hours down
Habitat: Stone scree and ice-capped summit
Day 7: Hike Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate, drive to Moshi 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 plenty to wear (keep rain gear and warmer clothing handy). Twende Africa Tours vehicle will meet you at Mweka gate to drive you back to your hotel in Moshi (about 30 minutes).
Our Package includes:
Fair and ethical treatment of porters
Medical evacuation with AMREF flying Doctors
2 night and accommodations-one before and after the trek in good hotels.
All Park entrance fee.
Rescue fees in mountain
Transfers from Airport and return.
All meals while on the Mountain
Salaries to the guides, cooks and porters
Highly experienced English speaking – Professional & experienced mountain guides
Government Tax
Camping gear
Hot water for washing every day
Clean, purified drinking water
Management and safety procedures
Fair and ethical treatment of porters
Water proof tents tent on climb, Mess tent and crew tents
Guides, Porters, cook salaries and park fees
Large portions of fresh, healthy, nutritious food
Arrival and Departure transfers
Not include
Tips for guides, cook and porters
Track your trek by satellite device services
ALTOX Personal oxygen System
Tanzania Visa on arrival
Personal Expenses (e.g. laundry, telephone, beverages, etc.)
Optional Tours (short safari after your climb etc)