Day 1:Machame Gate - Machame Camp (10,000 ft)

Today in the morning we collect you from your Arusha hotel/guest house and drive to Kilimanjaro National Park and the Machame Gate. Here you commence your climb through dense forest and tropical vegetation to alpine meadows of tall grasses and giant heather. Take your time on this first day; a slow ascent is recommended, even at this early stage, for gradual acclimatization. You should reach Machame Camp around 5 p.m.

Day 2: Machame Camp – Shira Plateau (12,500 ft)

Awake to a magnificent view of Uhuru Peak and set of on a steep track through bearded heather, volcanic rock and, further up, foaming streams and giant groundsels. Hiking from Machame Camp to Shira Plateau campsite takes approximately 6 hours.

Day 3: Shira Plateau – Barranco Camp (13,000 ft)

This morning you will find the whole Shira Plateau at your feet and more tremendous views - this time of Mt Meru and the Shira Needles. Your hike will take you up to the pass at Lava Tower (15,000 ft), past foaming waterfalls and the immense canyon of Grand Barranco. It should take approximately 6 hours to reach Barranco Camp (which is set at almost the same altitude as on the previous night).

Day 4: Barranco Camp – Karanga Camp (13,000 ft)

Karanga Camp is at the same altitude as Barranco Camp, so you should be well acclimatized to this elevation by now. This section of the trail takes approximately 4 hours and consists mostly of trekking up and down the slopes of the mountain with a bit of a climb at Barranco Cliff.

An afternoon hike in Karanga Valley is possible, but do rest as much as possible today to prepare yourself for the climb ahead.

Day 5 : Karanga Camp – Barafu Camp (15,200 ft)

The scenic climb to Barafu Camp is mostly on alpine desert terrain with just a few lichens and mosses. Kibo Peak seems just a stone’s throw away and Mawenzi Peak towers imperially to your right. You should arrive at Barafu Camp around 3 p.m., and are advised to retire early in preparation for your attempt on the summit.

Day 6: Barafu Camp – SUMMIT (19,340 ft) – Mweka Camp (10,200 ft)

Wake to a midnight start for Uhuru Peak. The climb becomes much more difficult at this stage and you should carry as little as possible and wear all your summit gear (temperatures range from minus 4 to 5 degrees Fahrenheit). A steady 6 hours climb should bring you to the edge of the crater, between Stella and Hans Meyer Points. Follow your guide very closely for the next hour of climbing and concentrate on your feet – the track around the edge of the crater is icy and rocky.

Look up as you reach your goal of Uhuru Peak at sunrise – you are now standing at the highest point on the African continent! Enjoy your descent of the scree-clad peak and continue down to Kibo Hut for refreshment and relaxation, before carrying on to Mweka Camp for the night. Arriving into camp at around 5 p.m. you will look back and realize that, today, you have trekked a total of thirteen hours!

Day 7:Mweka Camp – Machame Gate

Take your final, admiring look at the mountain scenery and hold fast your memories on this final DAYof your climb, as you descend from Mweka camp to the base of mythical Kilimanjaro.

The descent to Machame Gate takes approximately five hours and climbers usually arrive before noon. Upon arrival at the gate, you will be rewarded with a certificate proving your success at conquering Mount Kilimanjaro, before meeting up with your vehicle for the drive back to Arusha.