After breakfast, you'll depart by vehicle to Kilimanjaro, the average drive is 45 minutes. At the gate, your crew finalizes packing, and after finishing with formalities, you'll start from Machame gate. Today's hiking is through the verdant afro-montane forest to Machame camp, and on the way, you will have a picnic lunch. You'll look out for pretty endemic flora and a gradation of forest zones. Your overnight stay will be at Machame Camp (breakfast, lunch, dinner).

Elevation: 5,380 Ft To 9,350 Ft

Hiking Time: 5-7 Hours

Distance: 11 Km | 7 Miles

Habitat: Rainforest

You'll leave the glades of the rain forest and continue on an ascending path up to a steep, rocky ridge. On the Shira Plateau, you pass through heather and open moorlands, then cross a large river gorge to Shira 2 Camp.

Elevation: 9,350 Ft To 12,500 Ft

Hiking Time: 4-6 Hours

Distance: 5 Km | 3 Miles

Habitat: Health

You continue to the east up a ridge and then head southeast towards the Lava Tower —a 300 ft tall volcanic rock formation. You'll descend to Barranco Camp through the strange but beautiful senecio forest to an altitude of 13,000 ft. Although you begin and end the day at the same elevation, the time spent at a higher altitude is very beneficial for acclimatization.

Shira 2 Camp To Lava Tower

Elevation: 12,500 Ft To 15,190 Ft

Hiking Time: 4-5 Hours

Distance: 7 Km | 4 Miles

Habitat: Alpine Desert

Lava Tower To Barranco Camp

Elevation: 15,190 Ft To 13,044 Ft

Hiking Time: 2-3 Hours

Distance: 3 Km | 2 Miles

Habitat: Alpine Desert

You begin the day by descending into a ravine to the base of the great Barranco Wall. Then you climb the non-technical but steep, nearly 900 ft cliff. From the top of the Barranco Wall, you cross a series of hills and valleys until you descend sharply into Karanga Valley. One more steep climb up leads you to Karanga Camp. This is a shorter day meant for acclimatization.

Elevation: 13,044 Ft To 13,106 Ft

Hiking Time: 4-5 Hours

Distance: 5 Km | 3 Miles

Habitat: Alpine Desert

You leave Karanga and hit the junction that connects with the Mweka Trail. You continue up to the rocky section to Barafu Hut. At this point, you have completed the southern circuit, which offers views of the summit from many different angles. Here, you make camp, rest, and enjoy an early dinner to prepare for the summit day. The two peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo are viewable from this position.

Elevation: 13,106 Ft To 15,331 Ft

Hiking Time: 4-5 Hours

Distance: 4 Km | 2 Miles

Habitat: Alpine Desert

Very early in the morning (around midnight), you'll begin your push to the summit. This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek. The wind and cold at this elevation and time of day can be extreme. You ascend in the darkness for several hours while taking frequent, but short, breaks. Near Stella Point (18,900 ft), you will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see coming over Mawenzi Peak. Finally, you arrive at Uhuru Peak —the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa.

Barafu Camp To Uhuru Peak

Elevation: 15,331 Ft To 19,341 Ft

Hiking Time: 7-8 Hours

Distance: 5 Km | 3 Miles

Habitat: Arctic

Uhuru Peak To Mweka Camp

Elevation: 19,341 Ft To 10,065 Ft

Hiking Time: 4-6 Hours

Distance: 12 Km | 7 Miles

Habitat: Health

On your last day, you continue the descent to Mweka Gate and collect the summit certificates. At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy. From the gate, you continue for another hour to Mweka Village. A vehicle will meet you at Mweka Village to drive you back to the hotel in Moshi.

Elevation: 10,065 Ft To 5,380 Ft

Hiking Time: 3-4 Hours

Distance: 10 Km | 6 Miles

Habitat: Rainforest