Moshi to Machame Gate - Machame Camp

Elevation: 5,380 ft to 9,350 ft

Distance: 11 km/7 miles

Hiking Time: 5-7 hours

Habitat: Rain Forest

The drive from Moshi or Arusha to the Machame Gate takes about 50 minutes. The journey passes through the village of Machame which is located on the lower slopes of the mountain. As we leave the park gate, we walk through the dense rain forest on a winding trail up a ridge until we reach the Machame Camp.

• Machame Camp
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Machame Camp - Shira 2 Camp

Elevation: 9,350 ft to 12,500 ft

Distance: 5 km/3 miles

Hiking Time: 4-6 hours

Habitat: Heath

We leave the glades of the rain forest and continue on an ascending path up to a steep, rocky ridge. On the Shira Plateau, we pass through heather and open moorlands, then cross a large river gorge to Shira 2 Camp.

• Shira 2 Camp
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Shira 2 Camp - Lava Tower - Barranco Camp

Elevation: 12,500 ft to 15,190 ft

Distance: 7 km/4 miles

Hiking Time: 4-5 hours

Habitat: Alpine Desert

Lava Tower to Barranco Camp

Elevation: 15,190 ft to 13,044 ft

Distance: 3 km/2 miles

Hiking Time: 2-3 hours

Habitat: Alpine Desert

We continue to the east up a ridge and then head southeast towards the Lava Tower – a 300 ft tall volcanic rock formation. We descend down to Barranco Camp through the strange but beautiful Senecio Forest to an altitude of 13,000 ft. Although you begin and end the day at the same elevation, the time spent at higher altitude is very beneficial for acclimatization.

• Barranco Camp
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Barranco Camp - Karanga Camp

Elevation: 13,044 ft to 13,106 ft

Distance: 5 km/3 miles

Hiking Time: 4-5 hours

Habitat: Alpine Desert

We begin the day by descending into a ravine to the base of the Great Barranco Wall. Then we climb the non-technical but steep, nearly 900 ft cliff. From the top of the Barranco Wall we cross a series of hills and valleys until we descend sharply into Karanga Valley. One more steep climb up leads us to Karanga Camp. This is a shorter day meant for acclimatization.

• Karanga Camp
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Karanga Camp - Barafu Camp

Elevation: 13,106 ft to 15,331 ft

Distance: 4 km/2 miles

Hiking Time: 4-5 hours

Habitat: Alpine Desert

We leave Karanga and hit the junction which connects with the Mweka Trail. We continue up to the rocky section to Barafu Hut. At this point, you have completed the Southern Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many different angles. Here we make camp, rest and enjoy an early dinner to prepare for the summit day. The two peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo are viewable from this position.

• Barafu Camp
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Barafu Camp - Uhuru Peak - Mweka Camp

Elevation: 15,331 ft to 19,341 ft

Distance: 5 km/3 miles

Hiking Time: 7-8 hours

Habitat: Arctic

Very early in the morning (around midnight), we begin our push to the summit. This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek. The wind and cold at this elevation and time of day can be extreme. We ascend in the darkness for several hours while taking frequent, but short, breaks. Near Stella Point (18,900 ft), you will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see coming over Mawenzi Peak. Finally, we arrive at Uhuru Peak- the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa.

Uhuru Peak to Mweka Camp

Elevation: 19,341 ft to 10,065 ft

Distance: 12 km/7 miles

Hiking Time: 4-6 hours

Habitat: Rain Forest

From the summit, we now make our descent continuing straight down to the Mweka Hut camp site, stopping at Barafu for lunch. The trail is very rocky and can be quite hard on the knees; trekking poles are helpful. Mweka Camp is situated in the upper forest and mist or rain can be expected in the late afternoon. Later in the evening, we enjoy our last dinner on the mountain and a well-earned sleep

• Mweka Camp
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Back to Arusha

Elevation: 10,065 ft to 5,380 ft

Distance: 10 km/6 miles

Hiking Time: 3-4 hours

Habitat: Rain Forest

On our last day, we continue the descent to Mweka Gate and collect the summit certificates. At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy. From the gate, we continue another hour to Mweka Village. A vehicle will meet us at Mweka Village to drive us back to the hotel in Arusha

• Grand Melia Hotel
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Arusha - Tarangire National Park

The Park is an endless pageant of wildlife with the richest Elephant population in Africa with surprisingly large herds. After breakfast, we will continue to Tarangire National Park. It has an extensive collection of exotic birds, antelopes, lions, leopards, giraffes, buffaloes and tree climbing pythons around the swamps. The most important feature is the Tarangire River. This is a well-established viewpoint, where game can be viewed ambling to and from the River throughout the day. Thousands of animals migrate from Maasai steppe to the Tarangire River, looking for water. Baobab trees, the World's biggest trees and can be seen thriving all along the river-banks and all over the park too. This African National Park is also home to three rare species of animals, the Greater Kudu, the Fringe-eared Oryx and Ashy Starlings. Thereafter, we will drive to Marera Valley Lodge or Dinner and overnight.

• Lake Manyara Kilimamoja Lodge
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Ngorongoro Crater

After breakfast, we will descend over 600 meters into the crater to view wildlife for a half day’s safari tour. Supported by a year-round water supply and fodder, the Ngorongoro supports a vast variety of animals, which include herds of wildebeest, zebra, buffalo, eland, warthog, hippo, and giant African elephants. Another big draw card to this picturesque national park is its dense population of predators, which include lions, hyenas, jackals, cheetahs and the ever-elusive leopard, which sometimes requires a trained eye to spot. We will visit Lake Magadi, a large but shallow alkaline lake in the southwestern corner, which is one of the main features of the crater. A large number of flamingos, hippos and other water birds can usually be seen here. Overnight at our planned accommodation on the crater rim.

• Lake Manyara Kilimamoja Lodge
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Lake Manyara National Park - Arusha or Airport

In the morning you will travel from Karatu to the small Lake Manyara National Park. Not only is this park a bird-lover’s paradise with over 400 species of birds, but is also home to primates such as baboons and blue monkeys and many herbivores, such as elephants, hippos, wildebeest, impalas and giraffes. You might even catch a glimpse of the more carnivorous inhabitants, such as leopards and lions. Through the pop-up roof of your safari vehicle you will see the landscape changing from lush acacia woodlands to grassy floodplains, where colonies of flamingos and other water fowls can be found on the alkaline Lake Manyara’s shoreline. After extensive game viewing you will leave the park and drive back to Arusha to your hotel or drive straight to airport.

• None/On Request
• Meals: Breakfast & Lunch