Trekking Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania

Your global travel adventure has taken flight. As you descend into Arusha, enjoy breathtaking views of Africa’s vast and diverse terrain. You’ll be met at the airport by a local guide who will take you to a hotel in Arusha near Mount Kilimanjaro. 

Take the rest of the afternoon to relax, unpack, and explore. Take a dip in the infinity pool, enjoy a nature walk, or go to the observation deck to try and spot wildlife. In the evening, you’ll join your guides for dinner cooked up with local ingredients, providing not only a great meal, but also an excellent opportunity to review your schedule for the upcoming week.

Today your trek begins, so be sure to enjoy a hearty breakfast. From Machame village, you will ascend into the Montane rainforest. Gear up for some rain, fog, and mud. Keep an eye on the treetops as you will likely see colobus monkeys! Enjoy lunch by a gorge at your halfway point, and by evening, you will reach Machame Camp. Tents will be set up, and snacks will be waiting for your arrival! Enjoy a hot dinner prepared by a chef by the fire. 

Enjoy an early breakfast before departing the rainforest region and into moorland vegetation. Over the 9-kilometer hike, you’ll walk along rocky ridges and cross several streams. Get excited, adventurers! Finally, you will arrive at Shira Camp, which has awe-inspiring views of glaciers and the Western Breach. Enjoy dinner, and bundle up for a good night sleep under the stars. 

Today, you will trek across a semi-desert and rocky landscape. Enjoy the tranquility of your surroundings during your 5-hour hike east. Then, you will reach the Lava Tower on Mount Kilimanjaro. After enjoying a picnic lunch, enjoy climbing up this massive chunk of earth. At high altitudes of 4630 meters above sea level, you may experience shortness of breath, so take it easy! Next, you’ll head to Barranco Campsite which is located in a valley. Watch the sunset over the mountain after another adventurous day!

Following breakfast, you head into the alpine desert until you reach Barafu Hut for a much-needed water stop. Continue across rocky terrain and against the wind to reach Barafu Camp situated on an exposed ridge. You’ll arrive at camp earlier than the previous days so you can get lots of rest and food before a challenging trek tomorrow. Enjoy an early dinner before your guide briefs you as to how to prepare for ascending the summit. 

It’s the day you have been anticipating, because today you will trek to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro! Trekking the summit will likely be the most mentally and physically straining task of your trip. You’ll wake up before the sun has risen to accomplish this. After 6 hours of climbing, you will reach Stella Point on the crater’s rim where you can watch the sunrise over your surrounding landscape. Continue climbing until you reach Uhuru Peak, which is the highest point of the mountain you can reach. Congratulations! Trekking to Mount Kilimanjaro’s summit is an achievement that will last a lifetime. Spend plenty of time taking pictures and enjoying lunch before the descent begins. As the sun sets, you will arrive at Barafu Camp.

You have overcome many obstacles and experienced an incredible adventure during your trip. It’s hard to believe that the last day has finally arrived. Enjoy a celebratory breakfast with your group and guides, after which you’ll hike one hour to reach the park’s gates. A bus will transfer you to the local airport for your departure home.