Itinerary
- Day 1
Moshi to Machame Camp
You'll drive about 50 minutes from Moshi through Machame village to reach Mount Kilimanjaro National Park Gate. From there, the hike begins through rainforest on a winding trail that climbs up a ridge toward Machame Camp. The lower sections tend to be muddy and slippery, so bring gaiters and trekking poles along. This first day sets the pace for acclimatization as you gain elevation gradually.
- Start point
- Moshi, Kilimanjaro, Tanzania (Airport)
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Camping (Machame Camp)
Included Activities
- Drive from Moshi to Mount Kilimanjaro National Park Gate
- Hike through rainforest to Machame Camp
Landmarks Mount Kilimanjaro National Park Machame Camp - Day 2
Machame Camp to Shira Campsite
After breakfast, you'll move up from the rainforest into moorland terrain. The route crosses a small valley and follows a steep rocky ridge covered with heather. Later, it turns west into a river gorge area. You'll reach Shira campsite by evening where dinner and overnight stay await, giving your body time to adjust to the higher altitude.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Camping (Shira Camp)
Included Activities
- Hike from Machame Camp to Shira Campsite through moorland
Landmarks Shira Plateau - Day 3
Shira Plateau to Barranco Hut
Starting from Shira Plateau, you'll hike east up a ridge that passes the Kibo peak junction, then head southeast toward Lava Tower (called the 'Shark's Tooth'). After that, you'll continue to Arrow Glacier at 16,000 feet before descending to Barranco Hut at 13,000 feet. This day helps with acclimatization since you finish at the same elevation you began, allowing your body to prepare for the summit push ahead.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Camping (Barranco Camp)
Included Activities
- Hike from Shira Plateau to Lava Tower
- Visit Arrow Glacier
- Descend to Barranco Hut
Landmarks Kibo Peak Lava Tower (Shark's Tooth) Arrow Glacier Barranco Hut - Day 4
Barranco Hut to Karanga Valley Campsite
After breakfast, you'll leave Barranco and traverse a steep ridge passing the Barranco Wall to reach Karanga Valley campsite. This is intentionally a shorter day focused on letting your body continue adjusting to the altitude. The distance is manageable, which means plenty of time to rest and hydrate before the final push.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Camping (Karanga Camp),
Included Activities
- Hike from Barranco Hut to Karanga Valley Campsite
- Cross Barranco Wall
Landmarks Barranco Wall Karanga Valley - Day 5
Karanga Valley to Barafu Hut
After breakfast, you'll head out from Karanga and reach the junction where the Mweka Trail connects. From there, you'll continue ascending to Barafu Hut, completing the South Circuit trek. At this location, you can see both Mawenzi and Kibo peaks from various angles. Spend the evening resting and mentally preparing for tomorrow's early summit attempt.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Camping (Barafu camp)
Included Activities
- Hike from Karanga Valley to Barafu Hut
- Complete South Circuit trail
Landmarks Mawenzi Peak Kibo Peak Barafu Hut - Day 6
Barafu Hut to Uhuru Peak to Mweka Camp
Your alarm goes off between midnight and 2am for the summit push. You'll climb between Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers heading northwest through heavy scree until reaching Stella Point on the crater rim. There's a short break here, and if weather cooperates, you'll catch the sunrise. From Stella Point, it takes about an hour more through possible snow to reach Uhuru Peak, Africa's highest point. You'll then descend to Mweka Hut with a lunch stop at Barafu, finishing the day with your last mountain dinner at Mweka Camp.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hut (Mweka Camp)
Included Activities
- Summit Mount Kilimanjaro to Uhuru Peak (19,345ft)
- Cross Stella Point
- Descend to Mweka Camp
Landmarks Uhuru Peak Stella Point Rebmann Glacier Ratzel Glacier Mweka Camp - Day 7
Mweka Camp to Moshi
After breakfast, you'll descend through rainforest to Mweka Park Gate where you'll receive your summit certificate. The lower elevations are wet and muddy, so those gaiters and poles are useful here too. Then it's approximately one more hour to Mweka Village where a vehicle picks you up for the drive back to your hotel in Moshi, marking the end of your climbing adventure.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Parkview inn hotel)
Included Activities
- Descent to Mweka Park Gate
- Receive summit certificates
- Drive from Mweka Village to Moshi
Landmarks Mweka Park Gate Mweka Village - Day 8
Moshi to Lake Manyara National Park
You'll meet your professional guide and driver in Moshi for a safari briefing before heading out. The 130 km drive to Lake Manyara National Park takes several hours, and you'll arrive in time for lunch at the lodge. In the afternoon, you'll do a game drive in this park, which sits dramatically at the foot of the Great Rift Valley's escarpment. Watch for Africa's largest elephant concentrations, tree-climbing lions, and massive flamingo flocks across the shallow soda lake.
- Meals
- Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Camping (Fanaka Campsite)
Included Activities
- Safari information briefing
- Game drive in Lake Manyara National Park
Landmarks Lake Manyara National Park Great Rift Valley - Day 9
Lake Manyara to Tarangire National Park
After breakfast, you'll descend 600 meters into Ngorongoro Crater for a morning game drive. This densely packed wildlife area holds roughly 30,000 animals including Tanzania's remaining black rhinos, wildebeest, zebra, buffalo, eland, warthog, hippo, elephants, lions, hyenas, jackals, cheetahs, and leopards. You'll have a picnic lunch in the crater, then drive 155 km to Tarangire National Park for dinner and overnight accommodation.
- Meals
- Lunch (Picnic lunch in Ngorongoro Crater), Dinner
- Accommodation
- Camping ( Simba Campsite)
Included Activities
- Morning game drive in Ngorongoro Crater
- Picnic lunch in crater
- Travel to Tarangire National Park
Landmarks Ngorongoro Crater Tarangire National Park - Day 10
Tarangire National Park to Moshi
After breakfast, you'll enter Tarangire National Park for a morning game drive along the Tarangire River, which runs through low-lying hills on the Great Rift Valley floor. The landscape features Acacia woodland, giant African Baobab trees, and extensive swamps. You'll see some of Africa's largest elephant herds, Greater Kudu, Fringed-eared Oryx, and Ashy Starlings. Late afternoon brings the drive back to Moshi for your final overnight stay at Parkview Inn Hotel.
- End point
- Moshi, Kilimanjaro, Tanzania (Airport)
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Morning game drive in Tarangire National Park
Landmarks Tarangire River Tarangire National Park Parkview Inn Hotel
