Day 1. Arrival in Tanzania
When you arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport, you will meet your Sensation of Africa guide who will take you to Arusha or Moshi to your accommodation for dinner and rest. Accommodation in Moshi: WeruWeru lodge or similar; accommodation in Arusha: Vijiji Center lodge, Mountmeru hotel, or similar.
Day 2. Activities in Arusha / Moshi and preparation for the crossing
During the morning we have the option of doing some activity in Arusha or Moshi, such as a short walk to the falls, a city tour or, after the long flight of hours, you can start your vacation by relaxing in comfortable accommodation with a pool. We recommend using this day also to double-check the mountain backpack with your luggage because in case you have forgotten or are missing something, it is possible to find it during the day in the city of Arusha or Moshi. If you bring more suitcases with unnecessary things for the mountain trip, you will be provided a safe place to store them in the accommodation. Your mountain guide will meet you at your accommodation in the late afternoon (before dinner) for a full route briefing including essential information.
Day 3. First day of the crossing: transit to the Machame gate – Trekking to the Machame camp (2,970 m)
Transfer from the accommodation to the Machame Gate (1-2 h approx.), Here we will meet our team: the guides, the leaders and the porters who will help us with the luggage. You will carry your backpack with basic necessities and 3 liters of bottled water that we will provide you there. Our first day will begin with a hike through the dense mountain rainforest to the Machame camp (2970m), located just above the forest zone, in the heather zone, with views of the summit. The distance is approximately 11 km, which will take us between 5-7 hours approx. When we arrive, the trekking team will set up the tents and serve our first dinner on the mountain.
Day 4. The second day of the crossing: from Machame to Shira2 camp (3802 m)
We will wake up early in the morning, pack our equipment and prepare for the departure from the Machame camp (3802 meters). We will ascend a steep trail that leads into arid moorlands, passing grasslands, rocks, and bearded heather. We will continue through the area of lava rocks, caves, and sparkling streams framed by exotic plants until we reach the Shira plateau, where we will camp enjoying a beautiful view of Mount Meru in the east. Today’s walking time will be about 5-6 hours. and a distance of 5 kilometers. We will have dinner and spend the night at Shira camp.
Day 5. The third day of the crossing: Shira2 – lava tower – Barranco (3946 m)
We will start walking early in the morning, this day could be a bit difficult as we pass through the area of Shira Plateau «Garden of Senecios», known for its rare plants such as giant planets, and the beautiful giant lobelia; We will continue upwards over vast platforms to the lava tower at the volcanic plug (300 feet) and the shark tooth rock formation at (4600 meters), where we will stop for lunch. Then we will continue descending the steep path towards the Gran Valle de Barranco until the Barranco camp (3943 meters). We will walk for about 5-7 hours with a journey of 11 kilometers approx. Although we will camp at a very similar height to that of the starting point, walking at a high altitude and sleeping lower are key factors in the acclimatization process.
Day 6. The fourth day of the crossing: Barranco- Karanga (4024 m) – Kosovo camp (4557 m)
The fourth day of trekking will be a bit more difficult as we make our way through the ravine wall, which has a 126m rock side that requires basic mountain climbing skills to reach the top of the Karanga Valley, though the hike does not require any special skills. Here the use of walking sticks is helpful.
On the 7-day journey, a stop is made at the Karanga camp (4024 m) one night before continuing to Barafu, the night in Karanga is a benefit in terms of acclimatization
For the 6-day trek, we will stop in Karanga for lunch after (3-4 hours) of hiking and then continue; The tour will join the Marangu route (coca-cola route) in the direction of Barafu. The temperature will drop and the landscape will become scarcer as we get closer to Barafu camp (14,950), the walk will take approximately 4-6 hours, which will be a total day walk of 7-9 hours, with a distance of (9 kilometers). Barafu camp is located in a flat and small area and on the ridge, from here we will make the summit attempt at midnight.
It is essential to eat and drink as much as possible before retiring to your tent to rest and sleep. Most people lose their appetite on this day, but one of the most important things for positive results in trying to reach the top is to eat and drink well, our guides will always remind us. We will have an early dinner and sleep for a few hours, before attempting the summit.
Day 7. The fifth day of the crossing: Barafu camp – the top of Africa «Uhuru Peak» (5895 m) – descent to Mweka camp (3169 m)
This morning we will drink a cup of hot drink around 11 pm, the temperature generally ranges from just below freezing to midnight and can reach between -10 ° C to -22 ° C at the summit just before sunrise.
Most people cannot sleep those few hours, it is very normal, but make sure to warm up well with thermal clothing, have all your kit ready for departure at 24:00 (including headlight or flashlight and water reserves). The ascent is steep and slow, it will take about 6-8 hours to reach the top of the crater rim at Stella Point (5,789 meters); the trick is to keep moving forward, one step after another. When we get to the point of Stella, a cup of a hot tea or hot chocolate is always a good idea.
From Stella Point, we will climb a gentle incline for an hour to the ‘Top of Africa’ sign, Uhuru Peak (5895 meters). After a short time and some good photos on the sign, we will begin to descend. The trail descends a steep incline back to Barafu Camp for a rest, before descending to Mweka camp (3,169 meters) at a distance of 11 kilometers and a time of approximately 5-8 hours.
Day 8. The sixth day of the crossing: from Mweka Camp to the Mweka Gate (1638 m) and transfer to Moshi or Arusha
The last day of trekking on Kilimanjaro will be an easy descent of about 2-4 hours to the Mweka Gate through the rainforest with a 9-kilometer journey. When we get to the gate we will get an official certificate if we successfully reach Stella point or Uhuru peak. After we will say goodbye to our teammates and then we will go to the city of Moshi for lunch, if the accommodation is in Arusha the transfer will be 2 hours leaving enough time for a long shower in the comfortable accommodation.
The guide will give you information about the next program.
Important Note: Although Trekking to Kilimanjaro is easy and does not need any special skills, it is not recommended for travelers with back problems, it is not recommended for pregnant or travelers, with heart problems or other serious medical conditions. Hikers must have prior physical preparation.
