DAY BY DAY ITINERARY
Arrival at Kilimanjaro Airport and Transfer to Moshi
Welcome to Tanzania! Upon your arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport, you will be greeted and transferred to your hotel in Moshi for rest and final preparations for your adventure. Get a good night’s sleep before your climb.
Accommodation: Hotel in Moshi
Meals: None included
Day 1 - Umbwe Gate to Umbwe Cave Camp
After breakfast, you will be driven to Umbwe Gate (1,640m/5,380ft) for registration and meet the trekking crew. The hike begins through a dense rainforest with steep and narrow trails, making this one of the most challenging Kilimanjaro routes. Expect muddy and slippery paths as you ascend continuously until reaching Umbwe Cave Camp (2,850m/9,350ft) in the moorland zone.
Elevation: 1,640m/5,380ft to 2,850m/9,350ft
Distance: 11km/7mi
Hiking Time: 5-6 hours
Habitat: Rainforest
Accommodation: Umbwe Cave Camp
Meals: Lunch and Dinner included
Day 2 - Umbwe Cave Camp to Barranco Camp
Today, you will leave the rainforest and enter the moorland zone. The trail becomes steeper as you hike along a rocky ridge with breathtaking views of Kibo Peak. This day is physically demanding, but the landscape makes it rewarding. You will reach Barranco Camp (3,960m/13,000ft), famous for its stunning view of the Barranco Wall and towering glaciers above.
Elevation: 2,850m/9,350ft to 3,960m/13,000ft
Distance: 6km/3.7mi
Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
Habitat: Moorland
Accommodation: Barranco Camp
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included
Day 3 - Acclimatization at Barranco Camp
Acclimatization is crucial for altitude adjustment. Today, you will take a short hike towards Lava Tower (4,600m/15,092ft) and then descend back to Barranco Camp. This climb high, sleep low approach helps your body adapt to the altitude. The day is relatively relaxed, giving you time to explore the surroundings and prepare for the challenging climb ahead.
Elevation: 3,960m/13,000ft to Lava Tower and back
Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert
Accommodation: Barranco Camp
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included
Day 4 - Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp
Start the day by tackling the Barranco Wall, a steep but enjoyable rock scramble that offers breathtaking views. After conquering the wall, follow a series of up-and-down trails through valleys and ridges before reaching Karanga Camp (4,035m/13,200ft). This is a shorter hiking day, allowing you to recover for the final ascent.
Elevation: 3,960m/13,000ft to 4,035m/13,200ft
Distance: 5km/3mi
Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert
Accommodation: Karanga Camp
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included
Day 5 - Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp
Today’s hike is relatively short but steep as you make your way to Barafu Camp (4,673m/15,331ft), the base camp for the summit. You will pass through barren, rocky terrain with strong winds and extreme temperatures. Upon arrival, have an early dinner and rest as the final push to Uhuru Peak begins at midnight.
Elevation: 4,035m/13,200ft to 4,673m/15,331ft
Distance: 4km/2.5mi
Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert
Accommodation: Barafu Camp
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included
Day 6 - Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak to Mweka Camp
This is the most challenging and rewarding day of the climb. You will wake up at midnight for a hot drink and a light snack before starting the summit push. The ascent is steep, passing through Stella Point (5,756m/18,885ft) before reaching Uhuru Peak (5,895m/19,341ft), the highest point in Africa! Enjoy the stunning sunrise and take photos before descending back to Barafu Camp for a short rest. Later, continue descending to Mweka Camp (3,100m/10,170ft) for the night.
Elevation: 4,673m/15,331ft to 5,895m/19,341ft (Uhuru Peak), then down to 3,100m/10,170ft
Distance: 17km/10.5mi (total ascent and descent)
Hiking Time: 10-14 hours
Habitat: Arctic at the summit, then rainforests
Accommodation: Mweka Camp
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included
Day 7 - Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate and Transfer to Moshi
After breakfast, descend through the rainforest to Mweka Gate (1,640m/5,380ft), where you will sign out. A vehicle will be waiting to transfer you back to Moshi for a celebratory meal and your well-deserved rest. Congratulations on your successful climb!
Elevation: 3,100m/10,170ft to 1,640m/5,380ft
Distance: 10km/6.2mi
Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: Rainforest
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch included