Day 1: Hotel to Machame Camp
Elevation: 1830m/6000ft to 3050m/9950ft
Distance: 11km/7mi
Hiking Time: 5-6 hours
Habitat: Montane Forest
Meals: Lunch and Dinner
Itinerary:
Drive from Moshi to Machame Gate (45 minutes), passing through the village of Machame.
Begin trek through the rainforest on a winding trail up a ridge.Trail can be muddy and slippery; gaiters and trekking poles recommended.
Arrive at Machame Camp for overnight stay.
Day 2: Machame Camp to Shira Camp
Elevation: 3050m/9950ft to 3850m/12,600ft
Distance: 5km/3mi
Walking Time: 4-5 hours
Habitat: Moorland
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Itinerary:
Ascend through the glades of the rainforest, crossing a steep rocky ridge.Turn west onto a river gorge and continue to Shira Camp.
Overnight at Shira Camp.
Day 3: Shira Camp to Lava Tower to Barranco Camp
Elevation: 3850m/12,600ft to 4000m/13,000ft
Distance: 10km/6mi
Walking Time: 5-6 hours
Habitat: Semi-desert
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Itinerary:
Continue east up a ridge from Shira Plateau.
Pass the junction towards Kibo and head southeast towards Lava Tower (4650m/15,250ft).Descend to Barranco Camp. This day is crucial for acclimatization.
Overnight at Barranco Camp.
Â
Day 4: Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp
Elevation: 4000m/13,000ft to 4050m/13,250ft
Distance: 5km/3mi
Climbing Time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Itinerary:
Climb the steep Barranco Wall.Continue through the Karanga Valley to the junction with Mweka Trail.
Overnight at Karanga Camp.
Day 5: Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp
Elevation: 4050m/13,250ft to 4700m/15,350ft
Distance: 4km/2mi
Climbing Time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Itinerary:
Ascend to Barafu Camp, completing the South Circuit with diverse summit views.Prepare for the summit attempt and rest at Barafu Camp.
Overnight at Barafu Camp.
Â
Day 6: Barafu Camp to Summit to Mweka Camp
Elevation: 4700m/15,350ft to 5895m/19,340ft (Uhuru Peak), then down to 3090m/10,150ft
Distance: 5km/3mi up, 13km/8mi down
Hiking Time: 5-7 hours up, 5-6 hours down
Habitat: Stone scree and ice-capped summit
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Itinerary:
Early morning summit attempt between midnight and 2 a.m.Ascend through scree to Stella Point, then to Uhuru Peak.Enjoy the summit sunrise and breathtaking views.Descend to Mweka Camp, with a lunch stop at Barafu Camp.
Overnight at Mweka Camp.
Day 7: Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate to Hotel
Elevation: 3090m/10,150ft to 1680m/5500ft
Distance: 10km/6mi
Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: Forest
Meals: Breakfast
Itinerary:
Descend through the forest to Mweka Gate.Collect summit certificates at the gate.
Transfer back to your hotel in Moshi (60-minute drive) or the airport