DAY 1: Arrival Kilimanjaro

On arrival at the Kilimanjaro Airport you will be met by our Agent and transferred to Moshi. Moshi serves as the base-camp for most Kili treks and you stay in the Keys Hotel on a B&B Basis.

DAY 2: Moshi - Pre-trekking day

Today you ensure all your gear is packed, you have the chance to hire or purchase any additional items needed for your trek. The remainder of your day is spent at leisure around the Hotel pool or catching up on some last minute rest. Overnight in the Keys Hotel on a B&B Basis.

DAY 3: Machame Gate to Machame Camp

Machame Gate (1490m) - Machame Camp (2980m). Hiking time: 7 hours. Distance: About 18km. Habitat: Montane forest.

Your day starts early with a briefing, followed by breakfast and a drive to the Machame village (1490m). The guides and porters prepare and pack the supplies and your equipment in the village. You will receive a lunch pack and you can also buy mineral water in the village. Depending on the condition of the road, it is possible to drive from the village to the Machame gate, but if not, the muddy 3 km walk will take about 1 hour to complete. After registering at the gate office, you start your ascent and enter the rain forest almost immediately. There is a strong possibility of rain in the forest, which will transform the trail into a very soggy, muddy and slippery experience. You will have a welcome lunch stop about half way and will reach the Machame camping area in the late afternoon. Your porters (arriving at the camp site long before you) will erect your tent on your arrival. In the evening the porters will boil drinking and washing water and the cook will prepare dinner, before you retire to your tent for the night. Night temperatures can already drop to freezing point at this campsite.

DAY 4: Machame Camp to Shira Camp

From Machame Camp (2980m) - Shira Camp (3840m). Hiking time: 6 hours. Distance: About 9km. Habitat: Moorland.

You rise early at Machame camp and after breakfast you climb an hour or so to the top of the forest and then for 2 hours at a gentler gradient through the moorland zone. After a short lunch and rest, you continue up a rocky ridge onto the Shira plateau. By now you will be able to see in an easterly direction, the Western Breach with its stunning glaciers. You are now due west of Kibo and after a short hike you will reach the Shira campsite at 3 840m. The porters will boil drinking and washing water, before serving dinner. The night at this exposed camp will even be colder than the previous night, with temperatures dropping to well below freezing.

DAY 5: Baranco Camp to Barafu Camp

From Barranco Camp (3950m) - Barafu Camp (4550m).  Hiking time: 7 hours. Distance: About 13km. Habitat: Alpine desert.

After spending a night at the Great Barranco Wall (a very imposing sight at first), you make your way up this awesome looking obstacle, which in the end normally turns out easier than what you anticipated. Topping out just below the Heim Glacier, you now appreciate just how beautiful Kilimanjaro really is. The route then heads down through the Karanga Valley over intervening ridges and valleys, and then joins up with the Mweka route. This is the preferred route down from the summit, so remember it. Turn left up the ridge and after another hour or so, you reach Barafu Hut.  The last water stop on the route is the Karranga Valley, as there is no water at Barafu camp. Barafu is the Swahili word for "ice" and it is a bleak and inhospitable camping area to spend the night. Totally exposed to the ever-present gales the tents are pitched on a narrow, stony, and dangerous ridge. Make sure that you familiarize yourself with the terrain before dark to avoid any accidents. The summit is now a further 1345m up and you will make the final ascent the same night. Prepare your equipment, ski stick and thermal clothing for your summit attempt. This should include the replacement of your headlamp and camera batteries and make sure you have a spare set available as well. To prevent freezing it will be wise to carry your water in a thermal flask. Go to bed at round about 19h00 and try to get some precious rest and sleep.

DAY 6: SUMMIT ATTEMPT - Barafu to Mweka

SUMMIT ATTEMPT: Barafu Camp (4550m) - Uhuru Peak (5895m )- Mweka (3100m). Hiking time: 8 hours to reach Uhuru Peak 7/8 hours to descend to Mweka. Distance: About 7km ascent - 23km descent. Habitat: Stone scree and ice-capped summit.

You will rise around 23h30, and after some tea and biscuits you shuffle off into the night. You will head in a northwesterly direction and ascend through heavy scree towards Stella Point on the crater rim. This 6-hour walk to Stella point is for many climbers, mentally and physically the most challenging on the route. At Stella Point (5685m) you will stop for a short rest and will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see (weather permitting). From Stella Point you will normally encounter snow all the way on your 2-hour ascent to Uhuru Peak. The time you will spend on the summit will depend on the weather conditions. Do not stop here for too long, as it will be extremely difficult to start again due to cold and fatigue. Enjoy your accomplishment and a day to remember for the rest of your live. The walk back to Barafu from the summit, takes about 3 hours. Here you will have a well earned but short rest and collect the rest of your gear, before heading down to Mweka hut (3100m). The route is not difficult and will take you down the rock and scree path into the moorland and eventually into the forest. The camp is situated in the upper forest and mist or rain can be expected in the late afternoon. Dinner, and washing water will be prepared.

DAY 7: SUMMIT ATTEMPT: Barafu camp to Uhuru Peak

SUMMIT ATTEMPT: Barafu Camp (4550m) - Uhuru Peak (5895m) - Mweka (3100m). Hiking time: 8 hours to reach Uhuru Peak 7/8 hours to descend to Mweka. Distance: About 7 km ascent - 23 km descent. Habitat: Stone scree and ice-capped summit.

You will rise around 23h30, and after some tea and biscuits you shuffle off into the night. You will head in a northwesterly direction and ascend through heavy scree towards Stella Point on the crater rim. This 6-hour walk to Stella point is for many climbers, mentally and physically the most challenging on the route. At Stella Point (5685m) you will stop for a short rest and will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see (weather permitting). From Stella Point you will normally encounter snow all the way on your 2-hour ascent to Uhuru Peak. The time you will spend on the summit will depend on the weather conditions. Do not stop here for too long, as it will be extremely difficult to start again due to cold and fatigue. Enjoy your accomplishment and a day to remember for the rest of your live. The walk back to Barafu from the summit, takes about 3 hours. Here you will have a well earned but short rest and collect the rest of your gear, before heading down to Mweka hut (3100m). The route is not difficult and will take you down the rock and scree path into the moorland and eventually into the forest. The camp is situated in the upper forest and mist or rain can be expected in the late afternoon. Dinner, and washing water will be prepared.

DAY 8: Mekwa Camp to Mekwa Gate

From Mweka Camp (3100m) - Mweka Gate (1980m).  Hiking time: 3 hours. Distance: About 15km. Habitat: Forest.

After an early and well-deserved breakfast, it is a short 3-hour and scenic hike back to the Park gate. It is strongly recommended not to pay your porters any tips until you and all your gear have reached the gate safely.  At Mweka gate you sign your name and details in a register. This is also where successful climbers receive their summit certificates. Those climbers who reached Stella Point (5685m) are issued with green certificates and those who reached Uhuru Peak (5895m) receive gold certificates. From the Mweka Gate you will continue down into the Mweka village, normally a muddy 3 km (1 hour) hike. In the Mweka village you will be served a delicious hot lunch!! You now drive back to Arusha for a well deserved hot shower, dinner and celebrations!! Overnight in the Keys Hotel on a B&B Basis.

DAY 9: Day in Moshi

Enjoy a well earned rest at the Keys Hotel or explore the surrounding Kili area on your own accord.

DAY 10: Depart Kili

Sadly this is your last day in Moshi. Enjoy your day until the transfer to the Kilimanjaro Airport in time for the return flight.

PLEASE NOTE: If you would like to add on a safari or a beach stay in Zanzibar, just ask !!!