This 7 day/6 night mountain trek takes participants through the environmental diversity surrounding Africa's highest point of elevation – mighty Mount Kilimanjaro. Winding through rainforests and across cactus-lined desert regions, this memorable excursion offers a multitude of mountain-dominating vantage points at various times during the day – even treating adventure-seekers to a prismatic sunrise view of snow-capped Kilimanjaro.
Proposed Itinerary
Day One: Machame Gate to Machame
Awake for an early morning briefing. Embark on a short drive from Moshi to the village of Machame hike through the lush lower slopes of Mt. Kilimanjaro . Slowly gaining altitude while admiring the diverse flora and fauna of the rain forest, upon arrival at the Machame Camp, a set up campsite will await you where you can relax and unwind for the evening
Height: 3000 meter, Hiking time: 5-7 hrs
Overnight Accommodations: Machame Camp (shared Camping)
Meals Included: Lunch, Dinner
Day two Machame Camp to Shira 2 Camp
From Machame Camp, set out an early morning climb to the top of the rainforest, Once out of the rainforest, ascend for a few hours before reaching the Shira Plateau. From this vantage point, the Western Breach is viewable revealing the mountain's glaciers. A short ascent later, end your day at the Shira Camp where accommodations will be set up upon your arrival. NOTE: at this elevation, you will begin feeling the colder temperatures which may dip below freezing.
Height: 3840m, Hiking time: 5-7 hrs
Overnight Accommodations: Shira Camp (shared Camping)
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day three: Shira 2 Camp to Barranco Camp
Ascend to an altitude of 4630 meters "pole pole" (slowly, slowly) . At this elevation, the symptoms often associated with such a high altitude may begin taking effect and often consist of difficulty breathing and constant headaches. Around midday, descend to Barranco Camp, viewing the Western Breach and the Breach Wall en route. Weather permitting, a beautiful sunset can be seen from the vantage point available from the day's final campsite.
Camp Site : 3950m, Hiking time: 7-8 hrs
Overnight Accommodations: Barranco Camp (shared Camping)
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Day four Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp
Today we tackle the Great Barranco Wall - an imposing face above your camp. A steady climb up the eastern wall takes us just below the Heim Glacier, where we may have some awesome views of Mt. Kilimanjaro . Our trail continues down into the alpine desert of the Karanga Valley , where we finish this acclimatization day at Karanga Camp
Camp site: 3900m, Hiking: 4-5 hours
Overnight Accommodations: Karanga Camp (shared Camping)
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day five Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp
We begin the day trekking through the alpine desert of the Karanga Valley . Here the temperature will grow colder as we follow the trail climbing through this empty and dry landscape up to the Barafu Camp. The two peaks Kibo and Mawenzi can been seen from our camp, at 4550m. Here you'll be able to familiarize yourself with the terrain before dark, and prepare you equipment and thermal clothing for the midnight start of the summit attempt.
Camp Site : 4550, Hiking time: 4-5 hrs
Overnight Accommodations: Barufa Camp (shared Camping)
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day six Barafu Camp to Summit to Mweka Camp
Today you will wake up before midnight. In the cover of darkness, you begin the most difficult though most rewarding day of the trek - your hike up to the top of Mt. Kilimanjaro . After several hours of slow but strenuous hiking, you will reach the rim of the main crater, Stella Point, at 5685m. Continue on the scree and snow-covered trail to Uhuru peak, which is the highest point in Africa , at 5895m. Take a few minutes to appreciate your accomplishment, and start back down the same trail. Head down the rock and scree path into the Heather zone, reaching the forest, and eventually arriving at Mweka hut in the late afternoon.
Hiking time: 14-17 hrs
Overnight Accommodations: Mweka Camp (shared Camping)
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day seven Descent - Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate to
Awake