We recommend that you book flights on arrival and departure from the following airport:
Airport of arrival and departure: Kilimanjaro International Airport (airport code: JRO)
We will help you with the logistics of flight bookings with our flight partner.
Day 1 / Arrival in Arusha / Transfer
Welcome on arrival of your international flight at Kilimanjaro airport and transfer to your hotel in Arusha. Dinner and overnight at Moyoni Airport Lodge (or equivalent).
Day 2 / Arusha – Machame – Machame Hut
Depart Arusha in the morning for the Chagga village of Machame, the starting point of this trekking route, a 4 to 6 hour walk through a dense and inextricable forest of rubber trees, giant ferns, begonias and ficus. Gradually, as you gain altitude, the vegetation changes. The tropical forest gives way to tall grasses and giant heather. We will camp near the Machame Hut (3050 m).
Day 3 / Machame Hut – Shira
Leaving the camp, from where, if the weather is clear, there is a wonderful view of Uhuru, the trail winds through a savannah of tall grasses, volcanic rocks and lichen-covered heather…. Then the first giant sagebrush trees appear, like sentinels guarding an inviolate territory. The path becomes steeper and passes through a ghostly landscape of volcanic lava, caves and streams, until you reach the plateau. After a 5-6 hour walk, you will reach Shira camp (3700m).
Day 4 / Shira – Barranco
Leaving the bivouac at Shira, the route heads towards Kibo. There is a steady climb up to the Lawa Tower pass at 4570m. The descent to Barranco Camp leads to the edge of a gigantic canyon. This is the Grand Barranco, where ragwort bushes, watered by countless small waterfalls, grow in abundance. After a 6-hour walk and a pass at 4600m, we set up camp at Barranco Hut (3950m).
Day 5 / Barranco – Karanga
You will cross the great wall of the Barranco. It’s not difficult, but the cliff is impressive. After a long crossing, all uphill and downhill on the slopes of Kilimanjaro, you arrive at your camp for the night. Dinner and overnight in camp in Karanga.
Day 6 / Karanga – Barafu
We continue with our logic of short stages to facilitate perfect acclimatisation. We climb up a large moraine to the Barafu camp (4550m). Allow 3 hours’ walking for this day. Dinner and overnight at Barafu camp, the last night before the final ascent.
Day 7 / Barafu – Uhuru Peak – Mweka
Departure around midnight, with temperatures of between -10°C and -15°C. The trail winds up to the foot of the Ratzel and Rebman glaciers, between which the track runs. The slope is steep, the atmosphere unreal in the middle of these hanging glaciers. After a 6-hour walk, at first light, you’ll reach the rim of the crater, between Stella and Hans Meyer. Another hour of effort on the snow-covered crest of the volcano to reach the summit, Uhuru Peak (5895m). Here, you can regain your strength before beginning the descent to Mweka Hut, reached in the afternoon after a 3-4 hour walk.
Day 8 / Mweka Gate – Arusha
A direct descent to the park gates. Allow 6-7 hours to reach Mweka Gate. Return to Arusha and check into the lodge. Dinner and overnight at Moyoni Airport Lodge.
Day 9 / Arusha – Departure
Breakfast at the lodge, morning at leisure and transfer to Kilimanjaro airport according to your flight schedule. Lunch not included.