You will be greeted on arrival by our friendly AFRICA GREATWALKS team who will transfer you to your hotel in either Moshi or Arusha. After meals or refreshments, mountain climbing briefing and climbing equipment inspection. Overnight at your Hotel on bed and breakfast basis.

After breakfast drive from Moshi or Arusha drive to the Machame route, From the Machame Park gate is a gentle climb up through the original montane forest, carpeted with unique busy lizzie flowers, begonias and ferns. First camp amongst the giant heather at 3,000m. Ascent of 1,200m and 5 -6 hours walking.

After breakfast, emerge from the giant heather zone and hike through fine open moorland to camp by the Shira Cave at 3,840m. Herds of eland up here (& occasional leopard!) and there are fascinating geological features in the old volcanic caldera which can be viewed during a half-hour optional walk in the afternoon. Ascent 840m and 4 – 5 hours walking.

After breakfast, start climbing from Shira Camp towards the main peak Kibo, with the western glaciers clearly visible across the rugged high-altitude desert of volcanic rocks and boulders. Skirting around its base and under the imposing western Breach, descend into the sheltered Barranco Valley for mid-way camp at 3,950m. 6 – 7 hours walking and only 110m total ascent. But having climbed much higher and dropped back down assists acclimatization.

Up the steep Barranco wall with some sections of very easy scrambling and drop down again to the Karanga Valley where you take a break for lunch. After lunch hike on to Barafu Hut 4600m, having hiked a total of 7 – 8 hours and ascended 650m. You have fantastic views across to Mawenzi peak from the camp after having completed a longer day of hiking which now requires you to adequately relax in preparation of the challenging summit hike early the following morning. We will trek up through the Karanga Valley, the trail turns steadily uphill, following the lava ridge to the Barafu camp. The temperature will grow colder and the landscape more sparse as we near Barafu Camp. Barafu Camp is set on a small, exposed flat area on a ridge, acting as a base camp from which you will make your summit attempt at midnight tonight. Barafu camp (15,200 feet, 6-7 hours of walking).

Just after midnight, we start of a challenging trek (12-17 hours of trekking). At the early hours of the fifth day, you will start for the summit. You will climb for the peak through Builder- strewn ridge and a gap between the Rebman and Ratzel glaciers to arrive rim near Stella point about midway between Gilman’s point and Uhuru Peak.
You will proceed to Uhuru peak, the highest point of Kilimanjaro where you will be given enough time at the top of the World taking some photographs and admiring the beautiful views, and not forgetting signing a special book kept at the top of the mountain for visitors. The temperatures range from just below freezing at midnight, to between 10 deg. F (-12 deg. C) to –10 F. (-23 deg. C) just before dawn at the summit.

As dawn nears, we’ll summit at Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa at 19,340 feet. Uhuru will be the culmination of – and the reward for 6-7 hours of strenuous hiking.

After breathtaking you will start to descend straight to Mweka Campsite (9,840 feet, 3-4 hours of walking on the descent) for dinner and where you will spend a night resting and memorizing.

From Rua campsite it is a 4 – 5 hours descent through the forest to Kidia gate (depending on individual fitness) to collect certificates and meet the vehicle. Return to Moshi or Arusha for night for a next day at leisure and evening transfer to Kilimanjaro International Airport OR Overnight and Extension for Wildlife Tours and Safari and Zanzibar Beach Holidays

END OF THE HIKE & TREK – SERVICES.