1 day Machame Gate to
Machame Camp
Elevation (ft): 5,400ft to 9,400ft ,
Distance: 11 km , Hiking Time: 5-7 hours , Habitat: Rain Forest
The
drive from Moshi to the Mount Kilimanjaro National Park Gate takes about 50
minutes. The journey passes through the village of Machame which is located on
the lower slopes of the mountain. We now leave the park gate and walk through
the rain forest on a winding trail up a ridge. Lower down, the trail can be
muddy and slippery. Gaiters and trekking poles are a good idea here. We
continue a short distance until we reach the Machame camp
2 day Machame Camp to Shira Camp
Elevation (ft): 9,400ft to 12,500ft ,
Distance: 5 km , Hiking Time: 4-6 hours , Habitat: Moorland
After
breakfast, we leave the glades of the rain forest and continue on an ascending
path, crossing the little valley walking along a steep rocky ridge, covered
with heather, until the ridge ends. The route now turns west onto a river
gorge. Time for rest, dinner, and overnight at the Shira campsite.
3 days Shira Camp to Lava
Tower to Barranco Camp
Elevation (ft): 12,500ft to 13,000ft
,Distance: 10 km ,Hiking Time: 6-8 hours , Habitat: Semi Desert
From
the Shira Plateau, we continue to the east up a ridge, passing the junction
towards the peak of Kibo. As we continue, our direction changes to the South
East towards the Lava Tower, called the “Shark’s Tooth.” Shortly
after the tower, we come to the second junction which brings us up to the Arrow
Glacier at an altitude of 16,000ft. We now continue down to the Barranco Hut at
an altitude of 13,000ft. Here we rest, enjoy dinner, and overnight. Although
you end the day at the same elevation as when you started, this day is very
important for acclimatization and will help your body prepare for summit day.
4 days Barranco Camp to
Karanga Camp
Elevation (ft): 13,000ft to 13,100ft
, Distance: 5 km , Hiking Time: 4-5 hours ,Habitat: Alpine Desert
After
breakfast, we leave Barranco and continue on a steep ridge passing the Barranco
Wall, to the Karanga Valley campsite. This is a short day meant for
acclimatization.
5 days Karanga Camp to Barafu
Camp
Elevation (ft): 13,100ft to 15,300ft
,Distance: 4 km,Hiking Time: 4-5
hours ,Habitat: Alpine Desert
After
breakfast, we leave Karanga and hit the junction which connects with the Mweka
Trail. We continue up to the Barafu Hut. At this point, you have completed the
South Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many different angles.
Here we make camp, rest, enjoy dinner, and prepare for the summit day. The two
peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo are to be seen from this position.
6 days Barafu Camp to Summit to Mweka Hut
Elevation (ft): 15,300ft to 1345ft
(and down to 10,000ft) ,Distance: 5 km… ascent / 12 km descent ,Hiking
Time: 7-8 hours ascent / 4-6 hours descent ,Habitat:
Very
early in the morning (midnight to 2am), we continue our way to the summit
between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers. You head in a northwesterly direction
and ascend through heavy scree towards Stella Point on the crater rim. This is
the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek.At Stella
Point (18,600 ft), 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 may encounter snow all they way on your 1-hour ascent to the
summit. At Uhuru Peak, you have reached the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro
and the continent of Africa. Faster hikers will see the sunrise from the
summit.From the summit, we now make our descent continuing straight down to the
Mweka Hut camp site, stopping at Barafu for lunch. You will want gaiters and
trekking poles for the loose gravel going down. 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.