Day by Day  Itinerary

Day 1: Lemosho Glades (2,385m) to Big Tree Camp (2,780m)

After breakfast, you will be picked up from your hotel and driven to Lemosho Gate on Kilimanjaro’s western side. Following registration and park formalities, your adventure begins with a gentle trek through lush rainforest. The trail is rich with flora and fauna, offering a good chance of spotting colobus monkeys and colorful birdlife before reaching Big Tree Camp for the night.

• Distance covered: 7km / 4.3mi

• Approx. time taken: 4 hours

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 2: Big Tree Camp (2,780m) to Shira 2 Camp (3,900m)

Today’s trek takes you through the lush forest and out onto a vast plateau of moorland and volcanic rock. Passing Shira 1 Camp, you’ll enjoy stunning views of Mount Meru floating above the clouds and of Kibo’s western face. The climb is steady but gains significant altitude, helping your body acclimatize. Panoramic views of Kilimanjaro’s northern icefields open up as you reach Shira 2 Camp.

• Distance covered: 16.5km / 10.3mi

• Approx. time taken: 9–11 hours

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 3: Shira 2 Camp (3,900m) to Barranco Camp (3,960m)

The day begins with an ascent into Kilimanjaro’s alpine desert zone, offering wide, dramatic views. You’ll trek towards the Lava Tower (4,640m), a distinctive volcanic formation where you stop for lunch. After this high point, the trail descends steeply into the Great Barranco Valley, where you’ll camp beneath towering cliffs and enjoy views stretching across the plains below.

• Distance covered: 10km / 6.2mi

• Approx. time taken: 7 hours

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 4: Barranco Camp (3,960m) to Karanga Camp (3,963m)

Your day begins with the iconic climb up the Barranco Wall — a non-technical but steep and exciting scramble with rewarding views at the top. The trail then winds beneath the glaciers, across valleys and ridges, before descending into the Karanga Valley. A final steep climb brings you to Karanga Camp, where you can rest or take a short acclimatization hike to higher elevations.

• Distance covered: 5.5km / 3.4mi

• Approx. time taken: 5 hours

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 5: Karanga Camp (3,963m) to Barafu Camp (4,640m)

After breakfast, the trek continues across barren, windswept slopes of scree and rock. The altitude makes today’s short trek challenging, but Barafu Camp is reached by early afternoon. From here, you can see both the summit of Kibo and Mawenzi rising in the distance. The afternoon is spent resting, hydrating, and preparing for the midnight summit attempt.

• Distance covered: 3km / 1.9mi

• Approx. time taken: 3 hours

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 6: Barafu Camp (4,640m) to Uhuru Peak (5,895m) & down to Millennium Camp (3,790m)

Summit night begins around midnight. You’ll ascend slowly but steadily up steep scree slopes towards Stella Point (5,739m), where you’ll witness a breathtaking sunrise over Africa. From there, it’s a final push along the crater rim to Uhuru Peak (5,895m) — the highest point in Africa. After celebrating your achievement, you’ll descend back to Barafu Camp for a short rest before continuing down to Millennium Camp.

• Distance covered: 13.4km / 8.3mi

• Approx. time taken: 12–15 hours

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 7: Millennium Camp (3,790m) to Mweka Gate (1,630m)

A gentle descent takes you through lush montane forest filled with birdsong, winding streams, and towering trees. At Mweka Gate, you’ll complete park formalities and receive your well-earned summit certificate. From here, you’ll be transferred back to your hotel for a hot shower and celebration.

• Distance covered: 12.1km / 7.5mi

• Approx. time taken: 6 hours

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner