The day begins with a 50 minute drive to Machame Gate where registration formalities will be completed. We then transfer through villages and coffee and banana plantations to Umbwe Gate. The trail ascends sharply on a forestry track which winds up the dense rain forest. The path narrows and steepens as we climb the ridge between two rivers surrounded by huge trees. Umbwe Camp is perched between trees and thick undergrowth.

Change in Elevation: 5,249 ft to 9,514 ft
Hiking distance: 11 km
Zone: 5-7 hours
Hiking time: 4–5 hours

The second day of the trek follows rockier terrain with sparse undergrowth and straggly, moss-covered trees. As we gain elevation, glimpses of Kilimanjaro can be seen. The path flattens as we approach Barranco Valley. From Umbwe ridge, the route descends to Barranco Camp through the strange but beautiful Senecio Forest.

Change in Elevation: 9,514 ft to 13,044 ft
Hiking distance: 6 km
Hiking time: 4-5 hours

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 more steep climb up leads us to Karanga Camp. This is a shorter day meant for acclimatization.
Change in Elevation: 13,044 ft to 13,106 ft
Hiking distance: 5 km
Hiking time: 4-5 hours
Zone: 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.
Change in Elevation: 13,106 ft to 15,331 ft
Hiking distance: 4 km
Hiking time: 4-5 hours

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 (18,900 ft), 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.
Change in Elevation: 15,331 ft to 19,341 ft
Hiking distance: 5 km up
Hiking time: 7-8 hours
Habitat: Arctic

Uhuru Peak to Mweka Camp
From the summit, we now make our descent continuing straight down to 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. Change in Elevation: 19,341 ft to 10,065 ft
Hiking distance: 12 km up
Hiking time: 4-6 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 Village. A vehicle will meet us at Mweka Village to drive us back to the hotel in Moshi.
Elevation: 10,065 ft to 5,380 ft
Distance: 10 km
Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: Rain Forest

Rest in the hotel and transfer to the airport.
Note:
Hotel check-out is at 11:00 AM. In case you need a late check-out because of an evening flight, there is the option to extend your hotel stay for an extra fee.

INCLUDED IN TREKKING PACKAGE.
✓ Kilimanjaro trekking according to the itinerary
✓ Professional, English-speaking Wilderness First Responder & CPR certified Guide
✓ Proper Ration of Mountain crew (Cook & Porters)
✓ Pre and Post accommodations (2 nights Bed and Breakfast)
✓ Airport Transfers
✓ Meals according to the itinerary
✓ Drinking water and Full Board Meals
✓ All National Park & Hut Fees, Crew Permits and VAT
✓ Fair and Sustainable Salary Crew Wages
✓ Gate Transfers
✓ Complimentary Oxygen Cylinder
✓ Portable Private Toilet and Porter

EXCLUDED IN TREKKING PACKAGE.
<*> Flights
<*>Visa fees
<*>Travel or Medical Insurance is required and you should ask for Recommendation
<*>Gamow Bag
<*> Medication
<*> Tips for mountain crew ($20 for guide,$15 for cook, $10 for porter are Standard Recommended)
<*>Personal spending money for souvenirs etc.
<*>Energy food & beverages, alcoholic and soft drinks
<*> Personal hire gear such as trekking poles, sleeping bags, etc.
<*> Additional lodge nights if early descent

Your day starts early with a briefing, followed by breakfast and an hour drive from Moshi to Umbwe Village (1,490 m/4,890 ft) where your guides and porters pack your equipment and supplies, and give you a lunch pack. You start your ascent at the small Umbwe Gate just above the village and follow a gentle winding vehicle track for an hour to a signboard that announces the small steep Umbwe trail. The introduction is over, and you now climb up for several hours through a dense forest of rubber trees and giant fig trees. In places, you must scamper up steep sections of roots and rock. The Umbwe Camp is in the forest, and there are some caves nearby. You will be greeted here with a graciously served hot meal.
Change in Elevation: 1,800 m/5,905 ft To (2,800 m/9,190 ft)
Hiking distance: 8 km
Hiking time: 5–7 hours
Zone: Montane Forest

Your day starts early with a steaming cup of tea or coffee. After breakfast, you will climb steeply through thinning forest glades to Giant Erica, Heather, and drier air. You continue up a ridge that drops steeply on both sides, and hopefully, the clouds will part to reward you with a view of Uhuru Peak looming overhead. After lunch, you enter a zone of giant groundsels (Scenario Kilimanjaro) that seem to guard the heights, and this garden is one of Kilimanjaros special treasures.
Change in Elevation: (2,800 m/9,190 ft) To (3,900 m/12,800 ft)
Hiking distance: 8 km
Hiking time: 4-5 hours
Zone: Semi-Desert

Extra Day for Acclimatization. Adding this day will ease your effort, and amplify your acclimatization.

After breakfast, we continue up a steep ridge to the great Barranco Wall, and then you climb this imposing obstacle, which turns out to be easier than it looks. Topping out just below the Heim Glacier, you can now appreciate just how beautiful Kilimanjaro really is. With Kibo's glaciers soaring overhead, you descend into the lush Karanga Valley to the Karanga Valley campsite. From the camp, you can look east and see the jagged peaks of Mawenzi jutting into the African sky. After a hot lunch in camp, your afternoon is at leisure for resting or exploring. This short day is very important for your acclimatization, since your summit push is about to start. Scramble easily to the top of the Great Barranco and then a traverse over screes and ridges to the Karanga Valley campsite (3h, 4000m.), beneath the icefalls of the Southern Glaciers.
Change in Elevation: (3,900 m/12,800 ft) To (4,200 m/13,780 ft)
Hiking distance: 7km
Hiking time: 4 hours
Zone: Alpine Desert

In the morning, you hike east over intervening ridges and valleys to join the Mweka Route, which will be your descent route. Turn left toward the mountain and hike up the ridge through a sparse landscape for another hour to the Barafu Hut where you will receive a hot lunch. The last water on the route is in the Karanga Valley; there is no water at Barafu Camp, even though Barafu is the Swahili word for ice. The famous snows of Kilimanjaro are far above Barafu Camp near the summit of the mountain. Your tent will be pitched on a narrow, stony, wind-swept ridge, so make sure that you familiarize yourself with the terrain before dark to avoid any accidents. Prepare your equipment and warm clothing for your summit climb, and drink a lot of fluids. After an early dinner, go to bed for a few hours of precious sleep
Change in Elevation: (4,200 m/13,780 ft) to (4,550 m/14,930 ft)
Hiking distance: 13km
Hiking time: 8 hours

You will rise around 11:30 PM, and after some steaming tea and biscuits, you shuffle off into the night. Your 6-hour climb northwest up through heavy scree between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers to Stella Point on the crater rim is the most challenging part of the route for most climbers. At Stella Point (5,685 m/18,650 ft) you stop for a short rest and a chance to see a supremely sanguine sunrise. At Stella Point you join the top part of the Marangu Route, but do not stop here too long, as it will be extremely difficult to start again due to cold and fatigue. Depending on the season and recent storms, you may encounter snow on your remaining hike along the rim to Uhuru Peak. On the summit, you can enjoy your accomplishment and know that you are creating a day that you will remember for the rest of your life. After your 3-hour descent from the summit back to Barafu Camp, you will have a well-earned but short rest, collect your gear, and hike down a rock and scree path into the moorland and eventually into the forest to Mweka Camp (3,100 m/10,170 ft). This camp is in the upper forest, so you can expect mist or rain in the late afternoon. Dinner, and washing water will be prepared, and the camp office sells drinking water, soft drinks, chocolates, and beer!
Change in Elevation: Barafu Camp (4,550 m/14,930 ft) to Uhuru Peak (5,895 m/19,340 ft) to Mweka Camp (3,100 m/10,170 ft)
Hiking distance: 7 km up , 23 down

After a well-deserved breakfast, it is a short, scenic, 3-hour hike back to the park gate. Don't give your porters any tips until you and all your gear have reached the gate safely, but do remember to tip your staff at the gate. At Mweka Gate, you can sign your name and add details in a register. This is also where successful climbers receive their summit certificates. Climbers who reached Stella Point are issued green certificates and those who reached Uhuru Peak receive gold certificates. From the Mweka Gate, you will continue down to the Mweka Village, possibly a muddy, 3 km, 1 hour hike if the road is too muddy for vehicles. In the Mweka Village you will be served a delicious hot lunch after which you are driven back to Moshi for an overdue hot shower and comfortable night at your hotel in Moshi.
Change in Elevation: (3,100 m/10,170 ft) to (890 m/2,920 ft)
Hiking distance: 15 km
Hiking time: 3 hrs

Rest in the hotel and transfer to the airport.
Note:
Hotel check-out is at 11:00 AM. In case you need a late check-out because of an evening flight, there is the option to extend your hotel stay for an extra fee.

INCLUDED IN TREKKING PACKAGE.
✓ Kilimanjaro trekking according to the itinerary
✓ Professional, English-speaking Wilderness First Responder & CPR certified Guide
✓ Proper Ration of Mountain crew (Cook & Porters)
✓ Pre and Post accommodations (2 nights Bed and Breakfast)
✓ Airport Transfers
✓ Meals according to the itinerary
✓ Drinking water and Full Board Meals
✓ All National Park & Hut Fees, Crew Permits and VAT
✓ Fair and Sustainable Salary Crew Wages
✓ Gate Transfers
✓ Complimentary Oxygen Cylinder
✓ Portable Private Toilet and Porter

EXCLUDED IN TREKKING PACKAGE.
<*> Flights
<*>Visa fees
<*>Travel or Medical Insurance is required and you should ask for Recommendation
<*>Gamow Bag
<*> Medication
<*> Tips for mountain crew ($20 for guide,$15 for cook, $10 for porter are Standard Recommended)
<*>Personal spending money for souvenirs etc.
<*>Energy food & beverages, alcoholic and soft drinks
<*> Personal hire gear such as trekking poles, sleeping bags, etc.
<*> Additional lodge nights if early descent