Itinerary
- Day 1
Machame Gate to Machame Camp
You'll start at Machame Gate where the trek begins. From there, the trail takes you through thick rainforest with vegetation closing in around you. The path stays relatively gentle on this first day, and you're mostly getting used to the rhythm of hiking. By afternoon, you'll reach Machame Camp at around 9,400 feet, where you'll spend your first night. It's a good chance to settle in, have dinner, and start acclimating to the altitude (45°F/7°C at night).
- Start point
- Moshi, Kilimanjaro, Tanzania (Main Enterance, 00:00 - 00:00)
- Meals
- Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek from Machame Gate to Machame Camp
Landmarks Machame Gate Machame Camp Mount Kilimanjaro 
- Day 2
Machame Camp to Shira Camp
After breakfast, you'll head out from Machame Camp and start climbing toward Shira Camp. The forest gradually opens up as you gain elevation, and you'll notice the trees getting smaller and more spread out. By midday, you're walking through montane forest mixed with alpine meadows, and the views start opening up. The camp sits around 12,600 feet, so you're feeling the altitude more now. Temperatures drop to around 50°F/10°C by evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek from Machame Camp to Shira Camp
Landmarks Machame Camp Shira Camp - Day 3
Shira Camp to Lava Tower to Barranco Camp
This is your acclimatization day, which means a shorter distance but important elevation work. You'll trek from Shira Camp past the Lava Tower, a striking volcanic formation that juts up from the landscape. After that, the route descends to Barranco Camp at 13,100 feet. The descent actually helps your body adjust better than climbing straight up would. Spend the afternoon resting at camp, and temperatures here hover around 45°F/7°C.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek from Shira Camp to Lava Tower
- Trek from Lava Tower to Barranco Camp
Landmarks Shira Camp Lava Tower Barranco Camp 
- Day 4
Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp
You'll wake up for a big day ahead. The trek from Barranco Camp starts with the Barranco Wall, a steep rocky section that looks more dramatic than it actually is. Chains and fixed ropes help you up the steeper sections. After clearing the wall, the trail continues climbing toward Karanga Camp at 13,100 feet. The terrain becomes more barren as you continue your acclimatization. By evening, you're feeling the thinner air noticeably.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek from Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp
- Scale Barranco Wall
Landmarks Barranco Camp Barranco Wall Karanga Camp 
- Day 5
Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp
Leaving Karanga Camp, you'll trek higher into the alpine desert zone around 14,100 feet. The landscape here is sparse with almost no vegetation, just volcanic rocks and sandy terrain. You're moving slower now because the altitude affects how your body processes oxygen. Barafu Camp sits at 15,100 feet and that's where you'll spend the night before the final push. Temperatures drop to around 35°F/2°C, so you'll want your warmest layers.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek from Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp
Landmarks Karanga Camp Barafu Camp - Day 6
Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak to Mweka Camp
Start this day around midnight or 1 AM for the summit push to Uhuru Peak at 19,341 feet. You'll climb in darkness using headlamps, moving slowly because of the altitude. The route zigzags up volcanic scree, and the going is steep and exhausting. Sunrise comes around 6 AM and you might reach the summit by 7 or 8 AM. After time at the top, you'll descend all the way to Mweka Camp at 10,100 feet, a long day but you've made it to the roof of Africa.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek from Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak (summit)
- Trek from Uhuru Peak to Mweka Camp
Landmarks Barafu Camp Uhuru Peak Mweka Camp 
- Day 7
Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate
Your final morning starts with a descent from Mweka Camp down to Mweka Gate. The trail switchbacks through rainforest as you lose elevation quickly. By afternoon, you'll reach the gate around 5,150 feet and the trek is complete. The lush vegetation feels almost shocking after days in the alpine zone. You'll finish around midday, and that's when your Kilimanjaro climb officially ends.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Trek from Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate
Landmarks Mweka Camp Mweka Gate
