Leave Nairobi for Arusha by shuttle bus, arriving in time for lunch. The afternoon will be spent at leisure and shopping for the provisions needed for the mountain. Dinner and overnight in an Arusha Hotel.

Hiking time: 5 hours
Habitat: Montane forest
After breakfast, you will be driven to the Umbwe Gate at 1800 m, passing through villages with coffee and banana plantations. On arrival at the Parks Gate, your guide and porters will meet you. Sign the register before you enter the park for your first step to accomplishing a life-long dream. The air is thick with moisture and the path is usually muddy. The route initially follows a forest track winding up through the natural rain forest. It then narrows and steepens to hike the ridge between the Lonzo and Umbwe rivers, with huge trees surrounding you. The path offers some spectacular views of deep gorges and, if you are lucky, glimpses of Kilimanjaro towering above you in the distance. The camp is perched between huge trees and thick undergrowth.

Hiking time: 6 hours
Habitat: Montane forest & Moorlands
Shortly after leaving the camp, the forest begins to thin and give way to rocky terrain, sparser undergrowth, and crooked, moss-covered trees. The path continues along a narrow but spectacular ridge. As you gain altitude, catch glimpses of Kilimanjaro rising majestically ahead of you, etched against the blue sky. The path flattens as you approach Barranco Valley. From the Umbwe ridge, the route descends slightly to the Barranco camp. The camp is situated in the valley below the Breach and Great Barranco Wall, which should provide you with a memorable sunset while your dinner is being prepared.

Habitat: Moorland/Semi desert
After breakfast, you will start your hike towards Lava Tower, a famous landmark on Kilimanjaro. The path is steep and rocky, with views of Mt. Meru, Kilimanjaro’s little sister, punching her peak through the clouds. From Lava Tower, you turn towards the Western Breach, a steep climb to Arrow Glacier camp (4800 m). This is taxing and symptoms of altitude sickness might become noticeable. The campsite is spectacular. Vegetation has now all but disappeared, leaving only rock and scree in varying shades of brown and black. The campsite is very cold and you need to be prepared.

Hiking time: 5 hours
Distance: About 15 km’s
Habitat: semi-desert/snowfields
From the Arrow Glacier camp, steep scree and rocky outcrops requiring a scramble lead up the Western Breach to the crater floor (5700 m). This day will be the toughest challenge by far. After snowfalls, the route can become icy and in these conditions, an ice axe or ski stick may be required. You will be astounded by the sight of snow and glaciers when you reach the crater rim. Visible to you left are the Northern Ice fields of Mt. Kilimanjaro, with the Furtwangler Glacier in front of you. Walk past this glacier to the Crater camp, situated at the crater rim. If time permits, you can climb to the Ash Pit (1 ½ hour). The Ash Pit is 340 m across, 120 m deep and one of the most perfect-formed examples in the world. The campsite is very cold, as snow might occur. Be one of the fortunate few to spend a night in the inner crater of Mt. Kilimanjaro.

Hiking time: 2 hours to reach Uhuru Peak
7/8 hours to descend to Mweka
Habitat: Stone scree and ice-capped summit

You will rise around 04:00, and after some tea and biscuits, you will shuffle off into the early morning darkness. From the crater floor, you will probably encounter snow all the way on your 2-hour ascent to Uhuru Peak. The time spent on the summit will depend on the weather conditions. Do not stop here for too long, as it will be extremely difficult to start again due to cold and fatigue. Enjoy your accomplishment and have a day to remember for the rest of your life. The walk to Barafu camp from the summit takes about 3 hours. Here you will have a well-earned but short rest before heading down to Millennium camp (3100 m). The route is not difficult and will take you down the rock and scree path into the moorland and eventually into the forest. The camp is situated in the upper forest and mist or rain can be expected in the late afternoon. Dinner and washing water will be provided, as well as drinking water.

Hiking time: 3 hours
Distance: About 15 km’s
Habitat: Forest
After an early and well-deserved breakfast, it is a 5-hour scenic hike back to the Park gate. It is strongly recommended to pay your porters any tips after you and all your gear have reached the gate safely. At Mweka Gate, you sign your name and details in a register. This is also where successful climbers receive their summit certificates. Those climbers who reached Stella Point (5685 m) are issued with green certificates and those who reached Uhuru Peak (5895 m) receive gold certificates. From the Mweka Gate, you will continue down into the Mweka village, which is normally a muddy 3 km (1 hour) hike. In the Mweka village, you will be served a delicious hot lunch!! You will then drive back to Moshi for a long-overdue hot shower and celebrations!! Overnight in a hotel.

After breakfast, leave for Nairobi by morning or afternoon shuttle bus. Transfer to a Nairobi Hotel or Jomo Kenyatta International Airport for your flight back home.

The itinerary may change at any time due to weather or safety conditions. Hiking times and distances are estimated only but have been calculated to give the hiker a comfortable pace throughout the hike.

The above Mt. Kilimanjaro hike itinerary is a guide only, and extra days can be added according to your preferences. With the above route, you can summit via Barafu camp or via Arrow Glacier.