Welcome to Kilimanjaro! After your plane lands at Kilimanjaro International Airport, you will be met by your local guide and transferred to your accommodations for the night. Take some time to rest and recover from your journey in preparation for the adventure ahead.

Today is your chance to relax and acclimatize before the climb begins. Spend the morning organizing your climbing gear, connecting with your fellow adventurers, and starting your journey journal. If you wish, you can explore Arusha, a vibrant town known for its bustling markets, coffee plantations, and scenic surroundings, or visit a nearby village or local school. In the early evening, gather for a pre-climb briefing to prepare for the adventure ahead.

Elevation: 5,900 to 10,000 feet
Approximate walking time: 5–6 hours

You begin your climb from Machame Gate at 5,900 feet around 11:00, trekking through lush rainforest filled with giant ferns and moss-covered trees. Over the course of 5 to 6 hours, you gradually ascend to Machame Hut at 10,000 feet. The campsite, like all on this route, is shared among registered climbers and offers basic facilities including pit toilets and pump water. Take in the fresh mountain air and the surrounding scenery as you settle in for your first night on the trail.

Elevation: 10,000 to 12,467 feet
Approximate walking time: 5 hours

After an early breakfast and tea, you set out along a steep, twisting path into increasingly open terrain. During the en-route lunch stop, enjoy sweeping views of the eroded peaks of Shira as the moorland ridges rise into the wispy cloud line. The highest point of the day is reached at the top of the Shira Ridge, around 12,500 feet, before a gentle descent brings you to Shira Hut. The campsite offers stunning views in every direction. As the soft light of sunset falls, take in Shira’s peaks and plateau, Mt. Meru in the distance floating above a golden sea of clouds, and the glimmering ice fields of Kibo.

Elevation: 12,467 to 12,975 feet
Approximate walking time: 6 hours

After breakfast at Shira Hut, you begin the day’s climb along a broad, rocky ridge leading directly toward Kibo. To your left, the barren Shira Plateau stretches out, while the snow-capped summit appears noticeably closer. Vegetation disappears as you ascend over 4,000 meters into the desert zone. The day’s highest point is reached at Lava Tower, a striking 50-meter mound of solidified lava rising from the rolling ridges around the summit cone. From there, you enjoy a gentle descent to Barranco Hut, your campsite for the night.

Elevation: 12,975 feet (highest point 13,720 feet)
Approximate walking time: 3 hours

The day begins with the imposing Barranco Wall, the main challenge of the morning. After a short walk across the valley floor, the craggy wall rises sharply above you. Following 30 minutes on steep but manageable slopes, you reach the top of the wall at 4,180 meters, your highest point of the day. From here, enjoy spectacular views of Kibo’s glaciers. To the left, the diamond glacier cascades over the cliff with enormous icicle tendrils reaching down to the Balletto Glacier below. To the right, the Heim, Kersten, and Decken glaciers stretch over their uneven rocky beds. After traversing a series of valleys, you arrive at Karanga Valley, a barren landscape with hardy plants sheltered among the rocks. Descend to a flat area near the head of a cascading stream where your camp awaits. After lunch, spend the afternoon resting, reading, or soaking in the dramatic scenery as your body continues to acclimate. Dinner and overnight are at Karanga Valley Campsite.

Elevation: 12,975 to 15,125 feet
Approximate walking time: 3 hours

This morning, you set out on a short but steep hike, climbing a boulder-strewn path from the valley to Barafu Ridge. After approximately three hours of walking, you arrive at Barafu Hut around noon. The remainder of the day is at leisure, giving you time to rest and acclimate before the final push to the summit. By mid-afternoon, clouds around Kibo and Mawenzi peaks often clear, revealing breathtaking panoramic views. An early dinner is served at 5:00 pm, after which you turn in for the night, preparing for your 11:00 pm wake-up call. Tea will be served to start your summit attempt.

Elevation: 15,125 to 19,340 feet, then descent to 10,170 feet
Approximate walking time: 12 hours

Your summit climb begins at midnight under a ceiling of stars. The first goal is Stella Point at 19,009 feet, roughly a six-hour hike. The pace is slow and measured, with short breaks about every hour to aid acclimatization and minimize exposure to the below-freezing cold. In the darkness, pass Rebman Glacier and Mawenzi Peak.

At Stella Point, take in a breathtaking view of the extinct volcano’s massive crater with the ash pit at its center. As the sun rises over an endless sea of clouds, its golden light spreads in every direction, broken only by the distant peak of Mt. Meru. From here, continue the final hour along the gently sloped crater rim toward Uhuru Peak, the highest point of Mt. Kilimanjaro at 19,340 feet, known as the “Roof of Africa.” Celebrate your achievement, sign the summit log, and capture the moment with photos before beginning your descent.

The descent to Barafu takes 2 to 3 hours, with the warming sun easing the effects of high altitude. Pause for a short rest and a hearty lunch before continuing the descent to Mweka Hut, arriving at 10,170 feet. This comfortable altitude along the cloudline provides a perfect spot to rest and recover after an extraordinary day.

Elevation: 10,170 to 5,905 feet
Approximate walking time: 4 hours

On your final morning, enjoy an early breakfast before beginning the descent from camp. As is customary, this is an appropriate time to tip your guide, cook, and porters for their support throughout the climb. You will descend through the lush rainforest, taking in the final moments of Kilimanjaro’s natural beauty. Upon reaching Mweka Gate, stop at the park office to sign out and receive your summit certificate, celebrating your incredible achievement. A car will be waiting to transfer you to your hotel, where you can relax and reflect on the unforgettable journey.

After breakfast, you will be transferred to the airport for your onward flight. Take a final look at the landscapes of Kilimanjaro as you depart, carrying memories of your incredible journey and the accomplishment of reaching the “Roof of Africa.”