Ascent of Kilimanjaro via the Machame route

From Machame Gate (1,800 m) to Machame Camp (3,000 m) Elevation gain: 1,200 meters. Your guide will meet you for the drive from Moshi to Machame Gate (approximately 45 minutes). After check-in, you will begin climbing along a winding trail through a beautiful, lush forest. As this is the wettest area on the mountain, be prepared for afternoon showers. These can make the trail slippery at times! The climb will be steady and will gradually ease as you approach Machame Hut Camp (3,000 m). The camp is located at the edge of the forest and areas of giant heather. Allow approximately 6 to 7 hours for the hike.

From Machame Camp (3,000 m) to Shira Camp (3,840 m)

Today's hike will be a bit shorter. We'll start by climbing a steep ridge to reach a small, semi-circular cliff known as Picnic Rock. The view is excellent, encompassing Mount Kibo, the ice cap atop Kilimanjaro, and the jagged edge of the Shira Plateau. Shira is Kilimanjaro's third volcano. It's filled with lava flows from Kibo, and its rim has been eroded by time and volcanic activity. Once on the plateau, the trail becomes gentler, and you'll continue your ascent to Shira Camp. On a clear day, the views from here are spectacular. Allow approximately 5 to 6 hours for the hike.

From Shira camp (3840 m) to Barranco camp (3850 m) via the lava tower (4550 m)

Today's ascent will take you steadily uphill, traversing the vast ridgelines of the high desert to Lava Tower. The trek to the base of Lava Tower takes approximately 4 hours. This tower is a volcanic plug nearly 100 meters high. If time and energy permit, you can climb to the top of Lava Tower for a fabulous panoramic view. From Lava Tower, we will begin our steep descent into the Barranco Valley. This is good training for your descent from the summit in a few days and will take 1 to 2 hours. Although you will finish the day at the same altitude as you started, this day will be very important for acclimatization and will help your body prepare for summit day. Barranco Camp is located in a beautiful, sheltered valley below the imposing Barranco Wall.

From the Barranco camp (3,850 m) to the Karanga camp (3,950 m) via the Barranco Wall (4,200 m).

After breakfast, we'll leave Barranco Camp and begin our ascent of the Barranco Wall. This is an impressive climb, and you'll be rewarded with fantastic views of the camp. From the summit, at 4,200 meters, you'll follow a winding path around the mountainside. On a clear day, you'll have spectacular views of Kibo to your left and Mount Meru to your right. After descending into the Karanga Valley, you'll ascend a short, steep trail back to Karanga Camp. The hike takes approximately 3 to 4 hours.

From Karanga camp (3950 m) to Barafu camp (4600 m)

Today, you'll spend the morning steadily climbing to Barafu, which means "ice" in Swahili (the local language of Tanzania). This camp is located on the ridge below the summit. You will have now completed the southern circuit, which offers views of the summit from many different angles. This walk will take approximately 3 hours, meaning you'll arrive at Barafu in time to spend the afternoon resting and enjoying an early dinner to prepare for the summit ascent. From your vantage point, you'll be able to see both Mawenzi and Kibo peaks.

From Barafu camp (4,600 m) to Uhuru peak (5,895 m), then descent to Mweka camp (3,110 m).

Around midnight, you'll begin your final ascent to the summit of Uhuru Peak. This part of the climb will take approximately 6 to 8 hours. It can get very cold at night at these altitudes, but it will be quite warm by the end of the day, so you should pack clothing for both extremes. Just when you think you've had enough of climbing in the dark, the sun will rise, and you'll be rewarded with a rich red sky framing the Mawenzi volcano. At Stella Point (5,750 m), you'll reach the crater rim. From there, you'll climb gently to Uhuru Peak, the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the African continent. From the summit, the descent will take you directly to Mweka Hut, with lunch served along the way. This part of the descent takes approximately 6 hours. Later that evening, enjoy your last dinner on the mountain and a well-deserved sleep.

From Mweka Camp (3110 m) to Mweka Gate (1830 m) to Moshi

You'll descend directly to the Mweka Gate through a lush forest, looking for monkeys along the way. Trekking time: 2-3 hours. Return to Moshi from Mweka village. Afterward, enjoy a massage at the La La Salama Spa with Planeterra. Nestled in Moshi, Tanzania, at the foot of Kilimanjaro, the La La Salama Spa offers a haven of relaxation for weary travelers. Renowned for its deep-tissue massages, perfect for after a Kilimanjaro trek, the spa also offers facials, manicures, and pedicures. By fostering confidence and personal growth, the spa helps break the cycles of poverty and inequality.

Today you will be transferred to Kilimanjaro International Airport for your return flight.