Later on, you will be met by your guide and the Climbs Manager from Summits Africa who will brief you thoroughly on what to expect while on the mountain and will also conduct a kit check to make sure you have everything you need for the trip.

Overnight (River trees Country Inn)

START – 5,906FT / 1800M

END – 9,302FT / 2835M

DISTANCE – 7 MILES / 11KM

TIME – 5-7 HRS

CLIMATE ZONE – AFROMONTANE FOREST

After breakfast you depart by vehicle to Kilimanjaro National Park. At the gate your crew finalize packing and after finishing with formalities you start hiking from Machame Gate. Today's hiking is through verdant Afromontane forest and is steep in places. A picnic lunch is taken on trail during the hike before reaching Machame Camp for the night. (Breakfast, Picnic Lunch, Dinner)

START – 9,302FT / 2835M

END – 12,304FT / 3750M

DISTANCE – 3 MILES / 5KM

TIME – 4-6 HRS

CLIMATE ZONES – AFROMONTANE FOREST / HEATH

From Machame Camp you hike to Shira Camp. The first section is relatively steep and altitude is gained rapidly but you will still make it to your next camp in time for a hot lunch. The zone you pass into today is known as the heath zone where attractive helichrysum and lobelia plants become apparent. Various geologic features can be seen today from lava tubes to glacial valleys. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

START – 12,304FT / 3750M

END – 12,796FT / 3900M

DISTANCE – 6 MILES / 10KM

TIME – 6-8 HRS

CLIMATE ZONE – ALPINE DESERT

Today is a “walk high sleep low” day. You ascend into alpine desert to Lava Tower (Alt: 15,092ft, 4600m) where lunch is taken before descending to Barranco Camp. This is a long day but note that the next time you head to this altitude is in two days’ time at base camp – a great acclimatisation day! (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

START – 12,796FT / 3900M

END – 13,108FT / 3995M

DISTANCE – 3 MILES / 5KM

TIME – 4-5 HRS

CLIMATE ZONE – ALPINE DESERT

From Barranco Camp, famous for its giant groundsels (Senecio species), you ascend the Barranco Wall and hike glacial valleys to Karanga Camp. Today is a relatively short day’s hike and lunch is taken at Karanga camp. The afternoon is spent relaxing and acclimatizing. In the evening a practice walk for the summit is taken to make sure you are completely comfortable with the kit you are going to summit in. (Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner)

START – 13,108 / 3,995M

END – 15,332FT / 4673M

DISTANCE – 2.5 MILES / 4KM

TIME – 4-5 HRS

CLIMATE ZONE – ALPINE DESERT

Today is another half day ascending to Barafu Camp. Once again lunch is taken in camp allowing plenty of time to relax before the summit bid. Desolate alpine desert and, at times, strong winds rip over this camp; yet in the evening splendid views of Mawenzi are the norm. A relatively early dinner is taken before heading to rest for the rest of the evening. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

START – 15,332FT / 4673M

END – 10,171FT / 3100M

DISTANCE – 11 MILES / 18KM

TIME – 14-16 HRS

CLIMATE ZONES – ALPINE DESERT, ARCTIC, HEATH

Most people depart just before midnight for the final summit bid. Patience and persistence are the name of game to reach the summit (Uhuru Peak: 19341 ft, 5895m) and by dawn as the first rays of light start to appear, most arrive near the rim. Ascending via Stella Point (Alt: 18,865ft, 5750m) affords a relatively short final section to Uhuru Peak, the Roof of Africa! What goes up must come down however. The first stage is to get back to our base camp for a quick change of clothes and refuel before the long hike downhill to Mweka Camp. The downhill is hard on the knees and walking poles at this stage are highly recommended. You should reach Mweka Camp before dusk for your final night on the mountain. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)