Day 1 — Arrival (Moshi)

• Arrive at your lodge in Moshi, Tanzania

• Airport pickup/private transfers can be arranged from Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), or you can take a taxi

• Evening pre-climb briefing + equipment check; insurance/medical coverage confirmation

• Drive (JRO → Moshi): about 45 minutes

Day 2 — Machame Gate → Machame Camp

• Complete registration at Machame National Park Gate (5,400 ft)

• Trek through lush rainforest; picnic lunch on the way

• Overnight: Machame Camp (9,800 ft)

• Trek: 5–6 hours, 6.7 miles, +4,400 ft

Day 3 — Machame Camp → Shira Hut

• Leave the forest behind and enter giant heather/moorland

• Steady climb through rocky hills with wide views toward the Shira Plateau (about 11,000 ft)

• Overnight: Shira Hut (12,600 ft)

• Trek: 4–5 hours, 3.3 miles, +2,800 ft

Day 4 — Shira Hut → Lava Tower → Barranco Camp

• Sustained ascent with panoramic views to higher altitude (via Lava Tower)

• Then descend to sleep lower in the dramatic Barranco Valley for acclimatization

• Overnight: Barranco Camp (12,800 ft)

• Trek: 7–9 hours, 7.5 miles, +200 ft

Day 5 — Barranco Camp → Karanga Camp

• Climb the Barranco Wall, with big views of the Southern Icefields

• Terrain becomes scree with pockets of vegetation; continue to Karanga

• Overnight: Karanga Camp (13,100 ft) (noted as the last water point on the way to the summit)

• Trek: 4–6 hours, 3.2 miles, +300 ft

Day 6 — Karanga Camp → Barafu Hut

• Follow an easier path on compacted scree toward high camp

• Arrive at Barafu Hut (14,800 ft) for lunch; short acclimatization walk; rest for summit night

• Overnight: Barafu Hut (14,800 ft)

• Trek: 3–5 hours, 3.4 miles, +1,700 ft

Day 7 — Summit day: Barafu → Stella Point → Uhuru Peak → Millenium Camp

• Start around 1:00 a.m. by headlamp

• Slow, steady switchbacks on loose volcanic scree to Stella Point (18,800 ft) around sunrise

• If feeling strong, continue to Uhuru Peak (19,345 ft)

• Descend back past Barafu and continue down to a much lower camp

• Overnight: Millenium Camp (12,500 ft)

• Trek: 11–15 hours, 8.2 miles, +4,545 ft gain / -6,845 ft loss

Day 8 — Millenium Camp → Mweka Gate → Lodge (Moshi)

• Sustained descent on a well-constructed path through forest (rich undergrowth and plant life)

• Reach Mweka Gate (5,400 ft), then continue through coffee/banana farms to Mweka village

• Transfer back to your lodge in Moshi

• Trek: 4–6 hours, 7.6 miles, -7,100 ft

Day 9 — Departure (JRO)

• After breakfast, private transfer or taxi to Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO)

• Drive: about 45 minutes