Day 1: Machame Gate → Machame Camp

• Elevation: 1,800m → 3,000m

• Hiking time: 5–7 hours

• Habitat: Rainforest

After registration at Machame Gate, you trek through dense rainforest with towering trees, moss, and possible monkey sightings. The trail can be muddy but is beautifully lush.

🛏 Overnight at Machame Camp

Day 2: Machame Camp → Shira Camp

• Elevation: 3,000m → 3,840m

• Hiking time: 4–6 hours

• Habitat: Moorland

You leave the forest behind and enter heath and moorland. The landscape opens up with dramatic views of Kibo Peak and the Shira Plateau.

🛏 Overnight at Shira Camp

Day 3: Shira Camp → Lava Tower → Barranco Camp

• Elevation: 3,840m → 4,630m (Lava Tower) → 3,960m

• Hiking time: 6–8 hours

• Habitat: Alpine desert

This is a key acclimatization day. You hike up to Lava Tower (4,630m), then descend to Barranco Camp.
💡 This “climb high, sleep low” strategy helps your body adapt to altitude.

🛏 Overnight at Barranco Camp

Day 4: Barranco Camp → Karanga Camp

• Elevation: 3,960m → 4,035m

• Hiking time: 4–5 hours

The day begins with the famous Barranco Wall scramble (non-technical but steep). Once at the top, enjoy spectacular views before descending and traversing to Karanga Camp.

🛏 Overnight at Karanga Camp

Day 5: Karanga Camp → Barafu Camp

• Elevation: 4,035m → 4,640m

• Hiking time: 3–4 hours

• Habitat: Alpine desert

A shorter hike to Barafu Camp, your base camp for the summit attempt. Rest, hydrate, eat early, and sleep before the midnight start.

🛏 Overnight at Barafu Camp

Day 6: Barafu Camp → Uhuru Peak → Mweka Camp

• Elevation: 4,640m → 5,895m → 3,100m

• Hiking time: 10–14 hours

Around midnight, begin the summit push. You’ll reach Stella Point at sunrise, then continue to Uhuru Peak (5,895m) — the highest point in Africa on Mount Kilimanjaro.

After celebrating, descend back to Barafu, rest briefly, then continue down to Mweka Camp.

🛏 Overnight at Mweka Camp

Day 7: Mweka Camp → Mweka Gate

• Elevation: 3,100m → 1,640m

• Hiking time: 3–4 hours

Descend through lush rainforest to Mweka Gate, receive your summit certificate, and transfer back to your hotel.

🎉 Celebration time!