Hiking time: 7h

Distance Covered: Approximately 9kms

Vegetation Type: Rain forest

Today wake up early for a briefing, followed by breakfast and a 2-hours’ drive from Arusha to the Machame Gate (1490m). At the gate the guides and porters will weigh and pack the luggage and all your Kilimanjaro equipment. You will be given a lunch pack and mineral water. After registering at the gate office, you start your ascent and disappear in the rain forest. There is a possibility of rain in the forest, which will transform the trail into a very soggy, muddy and slippery experience. You will have a welcome lunch stop about half way and will reach the Machame camping area in the late afternoon. Night temperatures can already drop to freezing point at this campsite

Overnight: Machame Camp.

Hiking time: 6h

Distance Covered: Approximately 7kms Vegetation Type: Moorland

After breakfast you climb approximately an hour to the top of the forest and then for 2 hours at a gentler gradient through the moorland zone. After a short lunch and rest, you continue up a rocky ridge onto the Shira plateau. By now you will be able to see in an easterly direction, the Western Breach with its stunning glaciers. You are now due west of Kibo and after a short hike you will reach the Shira plateau where you campsite will be set at 3 840m. The porters will boil drinking and washing water, before serving dinner. The night at this exposed camp will even be colder than the previous night, with temperatures dropping to well below freezing

Overnight: Shira Camp

Hiking time: 7h

Distance Covered: Approximately 10kms Vegetation Type: Semi-desert

After breakfast continue ascending, and today you turn east into a semi desert and rocky landscape surrounding Lava Tower, where you reach an altitude of 4630m after about a 5 hours walk. Lunch is served in a designated area at the Lava Tower (4630m). This is definitely the toughest day so far. It is normally around this point, where for the first time, some climbers will start to feel symptoms of breathlessness, irritability and headaches. After lunch you continue descent by almost 680m to the Barranco camping area after reaching the altitude of 4600m at Lava Tower, the true acclimatization benefit of this day becomes clear. The descent to Barranco camp takes about 2 hours and offers great views to take some photographs of the Western Breach and Breach Wall. The camp is situated in a valley below the Breach and Great Barranco Wall, which should provide you with a memorable sunset while you wait for the preparation of your dinner.

Overnight: Baranco Camp.

Hiking time: 7h

Distance Covered: Approximately 08kms Vegetation Type: Alpine desert

After breakfast, you make your way up the awesome looking obstacle of Baranco wall, which in the end normally turns out easier than what you anticipated. The route then heads down through the Karanga Valley over intervening ridges and valleys, and then joins up with the Mweka route. This is the preferred route down from the summit, so remember it. Turn left up the ridge and after approximately one hour, you reach Barafu Hut. The last water stop on the route is the Karranga Valley, as there is no water at Barafu camp. Make sure that you familiarize yourself with the terrain around Barranco camp before dark to avoid any accidents. Prepare your equipment, ski stick and thermal clothing for your summit attempt. This should include the replacement of your headlamp and camera batteries and make sure you have a spare set available as well. To prevent freezing it will be wise to carry your water in a thermal flask. Go to bed at round 19h00 and try to get some precious rest and sleep.

Overnight: Barafu Camp.

Hiking time: 8h to reach Uhuru Peak, 7 - 8h to descend to Mweka Distance Covered: Approximately 7kms ascent - 19kms descent Vegetation Type: Stone scree and ice-capped summit.

Wake up at 23h30, and after some tea and biscuits you shuffle off into the night. You will head in a north-westerly direction and ascend through heavy scree towards Stella Point on the crater rim. For many climbers, this 6-hour walk to Stella point is mentally and physically the most challenging on the route. At Stella Point (5685m) you will stop for a short rest and will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see (weather permitting). From Stella Point you will normally encounter snow all the way on your 2-hour ascent to Uhuru Peak. The time you will spend on the summit will depend on the weather conditions. Do not stop here for too long, as it will be extremely difficult to start again due to cold and fatigue. Enjoy your accomplishment and a day to remember for the rest of your live. The walk back to Barafu from the summit, takes about 3 hours. Here you will have a well-earned but short rest and collect the rest of your gear. The route is not difficult and will take you down the rock and scree path into the moorland and eventually into the forest. The camp is situated in the upper forest and mist or rain can be expected in the late afternoon. Dinner and washing water will be prepared.

Overnight: Mweka Camp.

Hiking time: 3h

Distance Covered: Approximately 10kms Vegetation Type: Rain Forest

After breakfast, it is a descend 3-hour hike to the out Park gate. We strongly recommended not to pay your porters any tips until you and all your stuffs have reached the gate safely. At Mweka gate you sign your name and details in a register. This is also where successful climbers receive their summit certificates. The climbers who reached Stella Point (5685m) are issued with green certificates and those who reached Uhuru Peak (5895m) receive gold certificates. You now drive back to Arusha for a long overdue hot shower, dinner and celebrations!!

Dinner and Overnight at the selected hotel

After breakfast you will be transferred to the Airport for your return flight or to Arusha to start your safari.

End of trek!