7 Days
Kilimanjaro’s most scenic trail, approaching the summit from the southwest and descending via Mweka — five climatic zones, an optional Lava Tower scramble, and the Great Barranco wall along the way.
This route is great for acclimatization thanks to the “walk high, sleep low” pattern on Day 3. Want an extra buffer? Ask about adding an acclimatization night at Karanga
We pick you up from Kilimanjaro or Arusha airport and transfer you to your hotel in Moshi. Plan to arrive at least a day before the trek starts — we’ll use this time for a full briefing and to check and rent any last equipment you need.
We drive from Moshi to Machame Gate, passing through Machame village on the mountain’s lower slopes. After registration, you walk with your guides and porters through rainforest on a winding, occasionally muddy trail up to Machame Camp.
Leaving the rainforest behind, the trail climbs a steep rocky ridge covered in heather before turning west along a river gorge. You’ll stop for a hot lunch and siesta at Shira before a short walk to Shira Camp.
The trail climbs northeast then southeast toward Lava Tower (4,630m), where you’ll stop for a picnic lunch, before descending to Barranco Camp. You end the day at the same elevation you started — an important acclimatization day.
A short day that starts with the Barranco Wall — intimidating to look at, easier than it looks. From the top you get superb views of the Southern Ice Fields before the trail winds down to Karanga Camp.
A shorter climbing day into the bleak high desert of Kilimanjaro. Arrive at Barafu — base camp for the summit — in time for lunch, an afternoon rest, an early dinner and a full summit-night briefing.
Wake around 11:30pm for tea and biscuits before the steep night climb to Stella Point and on to Uhuru Peak — Africa’s highest point — around sunrise. After a short stay at the summit, retrace your steps to Barafu, then continue down to Millennium Camp for your last night on the mountain.
A final, knee-testing descent through the rainforest to Mweka Gate, where your certificate is issued. We transfer you back to your hotel in Moshi for a hot shower and a well-earned rest.
