Itinerary
- Day 1
Machame Gate to Machame Camp
Start with a 50 minute drive from Moshi to Machame Gate, then begin hiking through thick rainforest on winding trails that climb a ridge toward Machame Camp. You'll gain significant elevation during this 5 to 7 hour trek, moving from 5,380 ft up to 9,350 ft while covering 11 km. The path winds through lush vegetation and the terrain gets steeper as you climb higher.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided hike from Machame Gate through rainforest to Machame Camp
Landmarks Machame Gate Mount Kilimanjaro - Day 2
Machame Camp to Shira 2 Camp
Leave the rainforest behind and head up a steep, rocky ridge onto the Shira Plateau where the landscape opens up into heather and moorlands. You'll pass through a large river gorge during this 4 to 6 hour hike covering 5 km, reaching Shira 2 Camp at 12,500 ft. The elevation jump from 9,350 ft means you'll feel the altitude more noticeably today.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided hike from Machame Camp through heath and moorlands to Shira 2 Camp
Landmarks Shira Plateau - Day 3
Shira 2 Camp to Lava Tower to Barranco Camp
From Shira 2 Camp, head east and southeast toward the Lava Tower, a striking 300 ft tall volcanic rock at 15,190 ft. After checking out the tower, drop down through the Senecio Forest to reach Barranco Camp. This 6 to 8 hour day covers 10 km and keeps you around 13,000 ft elevation, which helps your body adjust to the altitude even though you're not climbing much higher.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided hike to Lava Tower (300 ft volcanic rock formation)
- Guided descent through Senecio Forest to Barranco Camp
Landmarks Lava Tower - Day 4
Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp
Start by descending into a ravine that leads to the Great Barranco Wall, then tackle a steep nearly 900 ft climb up the non-technical cliff face. After that you'll cross several hills and valleys before dropping into Karanga Valley and making a final steep push to Karanga Camp. This shorter 4 to 5 hour day covering 5 km is designed to let your body continue adjusting to altitude.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided hike including ascent of Great Barranco Wall
- Guided trek through hills and valleys to Karanga Camp
Landmarks Great Barranco Wall 
- Day 5
Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp
Leave Karanga Camp and walk toward the junction with the Mweka Trail, then continue climbing over rocky ground to reach Barafu Hut. This 4 to 5 hour hike covering 4 km completes the Southern Circuit route and offers views of the summit from different angles. From camp you can see both Mawenzi and Kibo peaks, and after an early dinner rest up for tomorrow's push.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Early dinner to prepare for summit day)
Included Activities
- Guided hike from Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp via Mweka Trail junction
Landmarks Mawenzi Peak Kibo Peak 
- Day 6
Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak to Mweka Camp
Begin your summit attempt around midnight from Barafu Camp, hiking in darkness with short breaks as you climb toward Uhuru Peak. Expect intense wind and extreme cold at this altitude, but the effort pays off when sunrise breaks over Mawenzi Peak near Stella Point at 18,900 ft. Reach Uhuru Peak at 19,341 ft, Africa's highest point, then descend the same day to Mweka Camp (with a lunch stop at Barafu), covering 17 km in 11 to 14 hours total. Bring trekking poles since the rocky terrain is tough on knees.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch at Barafu during descent), Dinner (Last dinner on the mountain)
Included Activities
- Guided summit ascent from Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak
- Sunrise viewing at Stella Point
- Guided descent from Uhuru Peak to Mweka Camp with lunch at Barafu
Landmarks Uhuru Peak Stella Point 
- Day 7
Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate to Moshi
On your final day, descend from Mweka Camp through rainforest to Mweka Gate where you'll get your summit certificate. The lower elevations mean wet and muddy conditions underfoot during this 3 to 4 hour hike covering 10 km. After reaching the gate, a vehicle picks you up in Mweka Village an hour later for the drive back to your hotel in Moshi.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided descent from Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate
- Summit certificate collection at Mweka Gate
Landmarks Mweka Gate
