Day 1 / ARUSHA
Upon arrival into Kilimanjaro International Airport you are met and transferred to your lodge in Arusha. You are given a full briefing and equipment check with the Climbs Manager and your guide.
Overnight Ilboru Safari Lodge (Dinner)
Day 2 / KILIMANJARO / MACHAME
After breakfast you depart by vehicle to Kilimanjaro. At the gate your crew finalize packing and after finishing with formalities you start off from Machame gate. Today’s hiking is through verdant afromontane forest to Machame camp and on route you have a picnic lunch. Look out for pretty endemic flora and a gradation of forest zones!
Overnight Machame Camp (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 3 / KILIMANJARO / SHIRA
From Machame camp you hike to Shira Camp. The first section is relatively steep and altitude is gained rapidly. A picnic lunch is taken on trail today. The zone you pass through today is known as the heath zone where attractive Helichrysum and lobelia plants become apparent. Various geologic features can be seen today from lava tubes to glacial valleys.
Overnight Shira Camp (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 4 / KILIMANJARO / BARRANCO
Today is a walk high sleep low day. You ascend into alpine desert and for those that are feeling strong you can even head up to Lava Tower before descending to Barranco camp. Lunch is taken as a picnic lunch on route. This is a long day but note that the next time you head to this altitude is in two days time – great acclimatisation day!
Overnight Barranco Camp (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 5 / KILIMANJARO / KARANGA
You now have a relatively short day to Karanga Camp, after conquering the Barranco Wall. The selection of Karanga Camp is strategic – significant time at altitude is essential for safe acclimatization and in the late afternoon you arrive in camp. Sunsets here are particularly spectacular with views of the southern glacial valleys and ice fields towering 1000 meters (over 3000 feet) above you.
Overnight Karanga Camp (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 6 / KILIMANJARO / BARAFU
Today is another half day ascending to Barafu camp. Once again lunch is taken in camp allowing plenty of time to relax before the summit bid. Desolate alpine desert and at times strong winds rip over this camp and yet in the evening splendid views of Mawenzi peak are the norm. A relatively early dinner is taken before heading to rest for the evening.
Overnight Barafu Camp (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 7 / KILIMANJARO / SUMMIT / MWEKA
Most people depart just before midnight for the final summit bid. Patience and persistence is the name of game to reach the summit and by dawn as the first rays of light start to appear, most arrive near the rim. Ascending via Stella Point affords a relatively short final section to Uhuru peak, the Roof of Africa! What goes up must come down and your goal today is to reach Mweka camp before dusk.
Overnight Mweka Camp (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 8 / KILIMANJARO / OUT / ARUSHA
After breakfast you descend once again through montane forest and around mid day after saying farewell to your crew, you are picked up and transferred back to your hotel for a well-deserved shower and celebratory dinner!
Overnight Ilboru Safari Lodge (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 9 / DEPART
Today you are transferred to Kilimanjaro International Airport for departures.
(Breakfast)
More info and downloadable itinerary: Kilimanjaro Machame 7 days