On arrival at Kilimanjaro Airport, you will be greeted by your transfer driver and taken to the Green Hills of Africa. The rest of the day will be at leisure and you may choose to relax at the hotel or perhaps explore the town of Arusha (taxi required). In the evening, you will attend a briefing in preparation of your upcoming trek. Dinner and overnight at the Green Hills of Africa. (D)

Machame gate (1,790m) – Machame Camp (3,010m)
Hiking time: 5-7 hours

After breakfast you will be picked up at Green Hills of Africa and taken to the Kilimanjaro National Park gate. After completion of all the necessary paper work, your adventure commences. Your destination for today is the Machame Camp, a 5 – 6 hour hike. Soon you will be hiking through the lush rainforest with its large ancient trees, primeval ferns and endemic flowers, like the Impatiens Kilimanjaro. You might also spot black and white thumbless colobus monkeys, peeking through the leaves. Reaching the campsite you will have time to relax, stretch your legs and enjoy a hearty meal, before snuggling into your tent for the night. (BLD)

Machame Camp (3,010m) – Shira Camp (3,845m)
Hiking time: 4 – 6 hours

Today’s early start is not due to a long stretch, but rather to allow you to reach Shira Camp at around mid-afternoon. As you walk you will notice the dramatic change in the landscape – from lush and green rainforest to dry moor and heath land. Arriving at your campsite a beautiful view of the mountain range opens up before you. The glaciers of Kibo glistens in the golden hue of the setting sun as you enjoy another lovingly cooked meal before climbing into your tent. (BLD)

Shira Camp 2 (3,845m) – Lava Tower Hut (4,640m) – Barranco Camp (3,960m)
Hiking time: 6 – 7 hours

Acclimatization is on today’s menu, where you will climb roughly 700 m, but sleep on a level not much higher than the previous night. Starting at Shira Plateau, you will make your way up to Lava Tower (4,640m), where you will rest a while, before continuing through the Barranco Valley to the beautiful Barranco Camp. The trek will take approximately 6 – 7 hours, but the various distractions of the alpine desert as well as the Barranco Valley with its small lobelia plants and giant senecio’s, will keep your mind off the stretch still ahead. A well-deserved dinner and overnight awaits you at Barranco Camp. (BLD)

Barranco Camp (3,960m) – Karanga Camp (4,035m)
Hiking time: 3 – 4 hours

Today the Barranco Wall stands before you to conquer. Some stages will require you to use your hands for a better grip, but no actual climbing is necessary and your guide will be with you every step of the way to lend a helping hand. The route with its numerous ascents and descents allow for further acclimatization, before reaching the mountain ridge. Walking along the ridge you can take in the beautiful landscape with its stunning contrasts of desert and vegetation, before finally reaching the cloudy Karanga Camp. You trek will take between 3 – 4 hours, leaving more than enough time to rest and play a game of rummy. Evening meal and overnight at Karanga Camp. (BLD)

Karanga Camp (4,035m) – Barafu Camp (4,640m)
Hiking time: 3 – 4 hours

Awakening to the sunlight dancing off the Kibo Summit, you will enjoy a hearty breakfast before setting out to today’s destination – Barafu Camp. Most of the day will be spent walking through very dry desertic terrain, with Kibo ever present on your left side. After 3-4 hours you will reach Barafu Camp, where you will have an early dinner and overnight as the highlight of your trip is only a few short hours away. (BLD)

Barafu Camp (4,640) – Uhuru Peak (5,895m) – Mweka Camp (3,080m)
Hiking time: 10 – 14 hours

At around midnight you will be awoken by your guide with a warm cup of tea and biscuits to get you ready for your final ascent. The moon and your headlamps will be your only source of light as you make your way up to Stella Point, reaching the crater rim in about 5 – 7 hours. Another 1 – 2 hours will take you to Uhuru Peak (5,895 m), where you can enjoy the sun rising over the African landscape, casting a pink hue over the snowy peak and making the glaciers sparkle like diamonds around you. After capturing this incredible view and achievement on film, you will start your descent along the same route back to Barafu Camp, where your team awaits you with some snacks and refreshments. Rested and relaxed you will make your way to Mweka Camp for your last night on the highest mountain in Africa. (BLD)

Mweka Camp (3,080m) – Mweka Gate (1,630m) – Arusha
Hiking time: 2 – 3 hours

The final leg of your amazing adventure begins after breakfast with a traditional farewell ceremony from the mountain crew. Then a gentle 2 to 3 hours’ descent through the rainforest continues to Mweka Gate, where your driver will be waiting for you. He will take you back to the Green Hills of Africa and after a warm shower, the rest of the day is free to rest or to celebrate your achievement. (BD)

After breakfast, you will be transferred to Kilimanjaro Airport for your onward flight. (B)