7-Day Mount Kilimanjaro Trekking

Day 1: Machame Gate to Machame Camp

1. Machame
   7h
   Elevation (m): 1,800 m.a.s.l to 3,000 m.a.s.l
   Distance: 11 km
   Hiking Time: 6-7 hours
   Habitat: Rain Forest
   
   Hotel Breakfast and departure to the Machame Gate takes about 50 minutes. The journey passes through the village of Machame which is located on the lower slopes of the mountain.As we leave the park gate, we walk through the dense rain forest on a winding trail up a ridge until we reach the Machame Camp.

Day 2: Machame Camp to Shira Cave Camp

1. Mount Kilimanjaro
   6h · Admission ticket included
   Elevation (m): 3,000 m.a.s.lto 3,800 m.a.s.l
   Distance: 5 km
   Hiking Time: 4-6 hours
   Habitat: Heath
   
   We leave the glades of the rain forest and continue on an ascending path up to a steep, rocky ridge. We then pass through heather and open moorlands to Shiracave Camp.

Day 3: Shiracave Camp to Lava Tower

1. Mount Kilimanjaro
   8h · Admission ticket included
   Shiracave Camp to Lava Tower
   Elevation (m): 3,800 m.a.s.lto 4,600 m.a.s.l
   Distance: 7 km
   Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
   Habitat: Alpine Desert
   Lava Tower to Barranco Camp
   Elevation (m): 4,600 m.a.s.lto 3,950 m.a.s.l
   Distance: 3 km
   Hiking Time: 2-3 hours
   Habitat: Alpine Desert
   
   We continue to the east up a ridge and then head southwest towards the Lava Tower 4,600m.a.s.l tall volcanic rock formation. We descend down to Barranco Camp through the strange but beautiful Senecio garden to an altitude of 3,950 m.a.s.l. Although you begin and end the day at the same elevation, the time spent at higher altitude is very beneficial for
   acclimatization.

Day 4: Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp

1. Mount Kilimanjaro
   5h · Admission ticket included
   Elevation (m): 3,950m.a.s.l to 4,000 m.a.s.l
   Distance: 5 km
   Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
   Habitat: Alpine Desert
   
   We begin the day by descending into a ravine to the base of the Great Barranco Wall. Then we climb the non-technical but steep, nearly 900 ft cliff. From the top of the Barranco Wall we cross a series of hills and valleys until we descend sharply into Karanga Valley. One steeper climb up leads us to Karanga Camp. This is a shorter day meant for acclimatization.

Day 5: Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp

1. Mount Kilimanjaro
   5h · Admission ticket included
   Elevation (m): 4,000 m.a.s.l to 4,600 m.a.s.l
   Distance: 4 km
   Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
   Habitat: Alpine Desert
   
   We leave Karanga and hit the junction which connects with the Mweka Trail. We 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 we 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.

Day 6: Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak to Mweka Camp

1. Mount Kilimanjaro
   8h · Admission ticket included
   Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak
   Elevation (m): 4,600 m.a.s.l to 5,895m.a.s.l
   Distance: 5 km
   Hiking Time: 7-8 hours
   Habitat: Arctic
   
   Very early in the morning (around midnight), we begin our 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. We ascend in the darkness for several hours while taking frequent,but short, breaks. Near Stella Point (5,750m), you will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see coming over Mawenzi Peak. Finally, we arrive at Uhuru Peak the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa.
2. Mount Kilimanjaro
   6h · Admission ticket included
   Uhuru Peak to High Camp / Mweka Camp
   Elevation (m): 5,895 m.a.s.lto 3,950 m.a.s.l / 3,100 m.a.s.l
   Distance: 9 km / 12 km
   Hiking Time: 2 hours / 4-6 hours
   Habitat: Rain Forest
   
   From the summit, we now make our descent continuing straight down to either the High Camp or the Mweka Hut camp site, stopping at Barafu for lunch. The trail is very rocky and can be quite hard on the knees; trekking poles are helpful. Mweka Camp is situated in the upper forest and mist or rain can be expected in the late afternoon. Later in the evening, we enjoy our last dinner on the mountain and a well-earned sleep.

Day 7: Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate

1. Mount Kilimanjaro
   3h · Admission ticket included
   Elevation (m): 3,100 m.a.s.lto 1,700 m.a.s.l
   Distance: 10 km
   Hiking Time: 3 hours
   Habitat: Rain Forest
   
   On our last day, we continue the descent to Mweka Gate and collect the summit certificates. At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy. From the gate, we continue another hour to Mweka Gate. A vehicle will meet us here and drive us back to the Hotel. We will have a get together party, dinner and drinks and rest.

• Wheelchair accessible
• Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
• Service animals allowed
• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
• All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
• Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
• Not recommended for pregnant travelers
• Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
• Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness