Day 1: Arrival in Tanzania – Transfer to Moshi

Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), our professional driver will meet you and transfer you to your hotel in Moshi. Along the way, you’ll get your first glimpse of Mount Kilimanjaro, standing majestically over the African landscape.

Once at the hotel, you will have time to rest after your journey. In the evening, you will meet with your experienced mountain guide for a detailed pre-climb briefing. This will include a final equipment check to ensure you have everything you need for the trek. If you need to rent gear, your guide will assist you in arranging it.

Accommodation:
• Hotel in Moshi (Bed & Breakfast)

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Day 2: Moshi to Umbwe Gate – Hike to Umbwe Cave Camp

Elevation Gain: 1,650m to 2,850m
Distance: 10 km
Hiking Time: 5–7 hours
Vegetation Zone: Rainforest

After an early breakfast at your hotel, you will be picked up and driven to Umbwe Gate (1,650m), where you will complete park registration and meet your porters and trekking crew. The trek begins through dense rainforest, with towering trees covered in moss and hanging lianas.

The path is steep and narrow, winding sharply uphill as it follows a ridge between two deep gorges. This first day is one of the toughest, but the lush scenery and cool forest air make it a spectacular experience. Keep an eye out for black and white colobus monkeys, blue monkeys, and a variety of bird species along the way.

After several hours of climbing, you will reach Umbwe Cave Camp (2,850m), nestled within the forest. Here, your porters will set up camp, and you will enjoy a hot meal before resting for the night.

Accommodation:
• Umbwe Cave Camp (Tented Camp)

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Day 3: Umbwe Cave Camp to Barranco Camp

Elevation Gain: 2,850m to 3,900m
Distance: 6 km
Hiking Time: 4–6 hours
Vegetation Zone: Heath/Moorland

After a warm breakfast, the trail continues steeply uphill, moving away from the dense rainforest and into the heath and moorland zone. As you climb higher, the vegetation becomes more sparse, and you will start seeing giant senecio trees, which are unique to this altitude on Kilimanjaro.

The climb remains challenging as the trail ascends along a narrow ridge, offering spectacular views of deep valleys and distant peaks. Eventually, you will join the Machame Route at the Barranco Camp (3,900m), one of the most beautiful campsites on the mountain.

From here, you will have panoramic views of the Barranco Valley and the massive southern face of Kibo, Kilimanjaro’s summit crater. After a hearty dinner, you will settle into your tent for the night.

Accommodation:
• Barranco Camp (Tented Camp)

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Day 4: Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp

Elevation Gain: 3,900m to 4,035m
Distance: 5 km
Hiking Time: 4–5 hours
Vegetation Zone: Alpine Desert

The morning begins with one of the most exhilarating parts of the trek: the Barranco Wall. This 300-meter-high wall requires some scrambling (using hands for balance) but does not require technical climbing skills. Once at the top, you will be rewarded with incredible views over the Karanga Valley.

The trail then continues with gentle ascents and descents through the alpine desert, a landscape dominated by rocky terrain and sparse vegetation. You will reach Karanga Camp (4,035m) in the afternoon, where you can rest, acclimatize, and enjoy the breathtaking scenery.

Accommodation:
• Karanga Camp (Tented Camp)

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Day 5: Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp (Summit Base Camp)

Elevation Gain: 4,035m to 4,640m
Distance: 4 km
Hiking Time: 3–5 hours
Vegetation Zone: Alpine Desert

Today’s trek is short but demanding, as you climb higher into the alpine desert zone. The trail is mostly rocky and barren, with increasingly thinner air. The ascent is steady but manageable, allowing for gradual acclimatization before the final summit push.

You will reach Barafu Camp (4,640m) in the early afternoon, giving you time to rest and prepare for the toughest part of the journey: the summit ascent. Your guide will provide a final briefing and ensure you have everything you need for the midnight climb.

After an early dinner, you will go to sleep early, as you will be waking up before midnight for the summit attempt.

Accommodation:
• Barafu Camp (Tented Camp)

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Day 6: Summit Attempt – Uhuru Peak – Descend to Mweka Camp

Elevation Gain: 4,640m to 5,895m (Summit)
Elevation Loss: 5,895m to 3,100m
Distance: 17 km
Hiking Time: 12–15 hours
Vegetation Zone: Arctic to Rainforest

At midnight, you will wake up for the final push to the summit of Kilimanjaro. The ascent to Uhuru Peak follows a zigzagging path up steep volcanic scree, with headlamps lighting the way. This is the coldest and most challenging part of the trek, both mentally and physically.

After about 6–7 hours of hiking, you will reach Stella Point (5,756m), where the first rays of sunrise will start illuminating the sky. From here, it’s another 1-hour trek along the crater rim to Uhuru Peak (5,895m), the highest point in Africa!

After celebrating your achievement and taking photos, you will begin the descent back to Barafu Camp for a short rest. Then, you will continue down to Mweka Camp (3,100m) for your final night on the mountain.

Accommodation:
• Mweka Camp (Tented Camp)

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Day 7: Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate – Return to Moshi

Elevation Loss: 3,100m to 1,640m
Distance: 10 km
Hiking Time: 3–4 hours
Vegetation Zone: Rainforest

After breakfast, you will make a gentle descent through the rainforest, enjoying the fresh air and spotting wildlife along the way. Upon arrival at Mweka Gate (1,640m), you will receive your Kilimanjaro summit certificate.

You will then be transferred back to Moshi, where a hot shower and a comfortable bed await you.

Accommodation:
• Hotel in Moshi (Bed & Breakfast)

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