Itinerary
- Day 1
Arrival at Kilimanjaro
You'll touch down at Kilimanjaro International Airport where someone from the company meets you at arrivals. They'll help you through immigration, get your bags, and clear customs. From there, transfer to Adventure Nest Hotel for the night. In the evening, you'll gather with your group for a pre-climb briefing where they'll go over what to expect and check your gear to make sure everything's in order.
- Day 2
Umbwe Park Gate to Umbwe Cave Camp
Head out at 7:30 a.m. for the drive to Umbwe Park Gate, which sits at 2,100m (6,890 feet). The trek starts on a narrow ridge between two rivers, moving through thick forest. You'll have steady climbing mixed with some steep sections as you make your way up. After 5 to 6 hours on the trail, you'll reach Umbwe Cave camp at 2,940m (9,646 feet) and settle in for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek from Umbwe Park Gate to Umbwe Cave Camp (5-6 hours)
- Park entrance fees
Landmarks Umbwe Park Gate Mount Kilimanjaro - Day 3
Umbwe Cave Camp to Barranco Camp
After eating breakfast, the day involves trekking through steep terrain and scrambling over rock while moving through rainforest that gradually opens into moorland. The path keeps climbing steeply toward the Southern Glacier Branches. You'll hike for 6 to 7 hours total before arriving at Barranco Camp, positioned at 4,000m (13,123 feet).
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek from Umbwe Cave Camp to Barranco Camp (6-7 hours)
- Rainforest to moorland terrain crossing
Landmarks Mount Kilimanjaro - Day 4
Barranco Camp to Karanga Valley Camp
This morning begins with a descent into the Gorge, then you'll tackle the climb up its eastern wall where views of Kilimanjaro's ice fields come into focus. Continue trekking through the day across the landscape. After 4 to 5 hours of walking, you'll reach Karanga Valley campsite at 13,900 feet (4,237m).
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek from Barranco Camp to Karanga Valley Camp (4-5 hours)
- Views of Mount Kilimanjaro's ice fields
Landmarks Mount Kilimanjaro - Day 5
Karanga Valley to Barafu Camp
Following breakfast, climb steadily uphill through Karanga Valley, staying on the lava ridge as it heads toward Barafu Camp. The air gets noticeably colder and the landscape becomes more barren as you move higher. You'll walk for 6 to 7 hours before reaching Barafu Campsite at 15,200 feet (4,633m). This is where you'll rest before the midnight summit push.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek from Karanga Valley to Barafu Camp (6-7 hours)
- Acclimatization at base camp
Landmarks Mount Kilimanjaro - Day 6
Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak and Descent to Mweka Camp
After midnight, you'll start the tough 12 to 17 hour push to the summit. Departure happens around 12:30 to 1:00 a.m., and you'll trek between the Rebmann and Tarzel glaciers heading toward Stella Point on the rim. Temperatures will hover just below freezing, dropping to -12°C to -23°C (10°F to -10°F). As daylight arrives, you'll reach Uhuru Peak at 19,340 feet (5,895m), the top of Africa. After around 6 to 7 hours of hard hiking to get there, you'll turn around and head back down to Barafu to rest briefly, then continue descending to Mweka Campsite at 9,840 feet (3,000m), which takes another 3 to 4 hours.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Summit trek to Uhuru Peak (12-17 hours total)
- Descent from Uhuru Peak to Mweka Camp (3-4 hours)
Landmarks Uhuru Peak Stella Point Mount Kilimanjaro - Day 7
Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate and Return to Arusha
Following breakfast, descend steeply through forest on a narrow path to Mweka National Park Gate at 1,400 meters (4,593 feet). The walk down takes 3 to 4 hours. Your driver will be waiting there to take you to Arusha town, where you'll stay at Moshi Hotel for the night on a bed and breakfast arrangement.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Trek from Mweka Camp to Mweka National Park Gate (3-4 hours)
- Park exit completion
Landmarks Mweka National Park Gate - Day 8
Departure from Kilimanjaro
After breakfast at the hotel, the company arranges your airport transfer to Kilimanjaro International Airport for your flight home. Your trek is complete.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Landmarks Kilimanjaro International Airport
