KILIMANJARO EXPEDITION
The Ultimate Challenge Awaits
Standing at the top of Africa, 5,895 meters above sea level, is a moment you’ll never forget. Kilimanjaro isn’t just a mountain; it’s a symbol of perseverance, adventure, and personal triumph. Whether you’re an experienced trekker or taking on your first high-altitude challenge, this climb will test your limits while rewarding you with breathtaking landscapes and a sense of achievement like no other.
Join our 7-day Kilimanjaro trek and experience the diverse beauty of Tanzania. Hike through lush rainforests, cross rocky alpine terrains, and push through the icy summit zone on your way to Uhuru Peak. With expert guides leading the way, you’ll be supported every step of the journey—from training tips to summit success.
WHAT TO EXPECT
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Your Itinerary
Day 1 - Arrival in Tanzania
Upon arrival at the airport, a private driver will be waiting to greet you and transfer you to your lodge in Arusha, the gateway to Kilimanjaro.
This is where your adventure truly begins, with a warm welcome and a smooth start to your expedition.
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At the lodge, you’ll meet your expert Kilimanjaro guide for a detailed briefing about the climb. You’ll receive essential information on what to expect in the coming days, including daily trekking plans, altitude preparation, and safety guidelines.
Together with your guide, you’ll also go through a thorough gear check, ensuring you have all the necessary equipment.
If anything is missing, rental options will be arranged on-site.
This moment is also a great opportunity to ask any last-minute questions and make sure you feel fully prepared before setting foot on the mountain.
Afterward, you’ll have the rest of the day to relax and unwind at your own pace, soaking in the tranquil atmosphere of Arusha before the real challenge begins.
Day 2 - Machame gate (1.800m) - Machame Camp (2.835m)
Today marks the start of your incredible Kilimanjaro adventure! Early in the morning, you’ll be picked up from your lodge for the two-hour drive to Machame Gate, the official starting point of your trek. Excitement builds as you arrive at the entrance, where you’ll complete the registration process alongside your guides. This is also the perfect time to take some photos at the iconic Kilimanjaro trail sign—your adventure is officially about to begin.
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Before setting off, you’ll enjoy a hearty lunch, fueling up for the first leg of your climb. Then comes the moment you’ve been waiting for—after weeks or even months of preparation, it’s time to take your first steps toward the summit.
Starting at 1.800 meters, today’s trek covers 11 kilometers as you make your way to Machame Camp, sitting at 2.835 meters. The route leads through the lush rainforest, where misty canopies, exotic plant life, and the occasional glimpse of wildlife create an unforgettable introduction to the mountain.
Depending on the pace, the trek takes between 4 to 7 hours, with everyone moving at their own comfortable speed.
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Upon arrival at camp, you’ll check in at the ranger post, ensuring that all trekkers who started the day have safely reached the camp.
Thanks to the porters, your tents will already be set up, giving you time to freshen up and change into warm clothes as the temperature begins to drop.
Soon after, you’ll gather for a delicious evening meal, prepared by the expedition cook, before settling into your sleeping bag for a well-earned rest. Exhausted but exhilarated, you’ll drift off to sleep, ready to take on the next stage of your Kilimanjaro journey.
Day 3 - Machame Camp (3.000m) - Shira Camp (3.840m)
With the morning sun rising over Machame Camp, it’s time to continue the journey toward Shira Camp at 3.840 meters.
After breakfast, the trail leads into steeper, rockier terrain, leaving the dense rainforest behind. As the climb progresses, the views become even more spectacular—Kilimanjaro’s peaks rise in the distance, and the vast plains stretch endlessly below.
The altitude starts to make a difference, so the pace remains steady and deliberate, allowing the body to acclimatize.
Around midday, there’s a break in the open wilderness, offering a chance to rest and refuel.
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Though today’s trek covers just 5 kilometers, the steady climb takes between four to six hours, making every step count. Eventually, the landscape opens up to reveal the Shira Plateau, a vast and rugged expanse that signals the next phase of the climb.
Upon arrival at Shira Camp, the tents are already set up, providing a welcome place to rest.
If the skies are clear, Mount Meru appears in the distance, a breathtaking sight as the sun begins to set. After a warm meal and a briefing for the next day, there’s time to relax and take in the surroundings.
Before heading to bed, don’t forget to look up—the night sky over Kilimanjaro is unlike anything you’ve seen before, filled with thousands of stars.
Day 4 - Shira Camp (3.840m) - Lava Tower (4.600m) - Baranco Camp (3.900m)
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Today is an essential stage of the climb, helping the body adjust to the increasing altitude. The route takes you from Shira Camp up to Lava Tower at 4.600 meters, before descending to Baranco Camp at 3.950 meters.
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As the trek begins, the landscape shifts once again—lush vegetation fades into rugged, rocky terrain, and the air becomes noticeably thinner with each step.
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The steady incline is a reminder of the challenge ahead, but the changing views make every effort worthwhile.
As Lava Tower comes into view, it rises dramatically from the surrounding landscape, marking the highest point of the day.
This is where the group takes a break for lunch, allowing the body time to adjust to the altitude before continuing the journey. Though reaching this height is tough, the gradual descent afterward provides relief.
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The trail leads down toward Baranco Camp, a route that opens up to stunning views of the valley below. As the altitude drops, energy returns, making the final stretch more enjoyable.
By the time the camp is in sight, the massive Baranco Wall stands tall in the distance—a breathtaking sight and tomorrow’s next challenge.
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Today’s trek covers around 10 kilometers and takes between six to eight hours.
After arriving at camp, there’s time to settle in, enjoy a hot meal, and reflect on another incredible day before resting for the next stage of the climb.
Day 5 - Baranco Camp (3.900m) - Karanga Camp (3.995m)
The day starts with one of the most iconic sections of the Kilimanjaro trek: the Baranco Wall. This steep rock face may look intimidating at first, but with the right approach, it’s a rewarding challenge.
Step by step or Pole Pole, meaning “slowly, slowly” in Swahili—you make your way up, guided carefully to ensure a safe and steady ascent.
The climb requires focus and determination, but no technical skills—just patience and confidence.
Once at the top, the reward is immediate: a stunning panoramic view stretching across the valleys and peaks below.
From here, the trail leads through a landscape that feels almost unreal, with rocky ridges, plateaus, and deep ravinescreating a dramatic setting. The route alternates between gentle inclines and descents, making it a manageable and more relaxed hiking day compared to previous stages.
Along the way, there’s plenty of time to pause, take in the views, and capture the moment.
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By midday, after approximately five kilometers and four to five hours of hiking, you arrive at Karanga Camp, set at 4.000 meters. From this vantage point, the view is spectacular—the towering southern glaciers of Kilimanjaro on one side and the vast African plains on the other.
As the day comes to an end, the warm glow of the setting sun transforms the mountain, a breathtaking sight before settling in for the night.
Day 6 - Karanga Camp (3.995m) - Barafu Camp (4.673m)
The journey is reaching its most critical stage. Today’s trek may be shorter in distance, but it’s a steep and demanding climb to Barafu Camp at 4,673 meters—the final resting point before the summit attempt. The landscape changes dramatically as you leave behind the gentler slopes of the lower camps. Now, the surroundings feel almost otherworldly, with nothing but barren rock, loose gravel, and endless views stretching below.
The towering peak of Kilimanjaro stands within reach, a constant reminder of what lies ahead.
Although the hike covers just four kilometers, the altitude makes every step more challenging. Moving pole pole—slowly, slowly—is essential, allowing the body time to adjust. Frequent breaks offer a chance to take in the views, from the glaciers high above to the vast African plains disappearing into the horizon. The guides provide constant encouragement, reminding everyone to stay hydrated and eat well, ensuring the best possible preparation for the summit push.
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After four to five hours, Barafu Camp comes into sight, perched on a rocky ridge with breathtaking views of Mawenzi Peak and the deep valleys below. The camp feels remote and exposed, a true high-altitude outpost. A hot meal awaits, followed by a detailed briefing on the final ascent. The rest of the afternoon is dedicated to rest and mental preparation, as the most demanding part of the journey is just hours away.
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With nightfall, you retreat to your tent, knowing that at midnight, the true test begins—the climb to Uhuru Peak, the Roof of Africa.
Day 7 - Barafu Camp (4.673m) - Uhuru Peak (5.895m) - Mweka Camp (3.100m)
Are you ready for one of the most unforgettable experiences of your life? Summit night on Kilimanjaro begins just before midnight, the moment you have been preparing for. The air is crisp, the mountain is silent, and the stars shine brightly above as you wake up for the ultimate challenge—the final climb to Uhuru Peak. After a quick cup of tea and a light snack, you step into the darkness, guided by your headlamp and our guides by your side every step of the way.
The path ahead is steep and demanding, each step taking you higher into the thin, icy air. The cold bites and every movement requires extra effort, making this the toughest part of the entire expedition. Yet, this is also what makes it so special. The encouragement from our guides, the shared determination of those around you, and the dream of reaching the top keep you going. Slowly, step by step, you push forward.
After six to eight hours of climbing, you reach Stella Point at 5.739 meters, where you take a well-earned break. As you pause to catch your breath, the first light of dawn begins to illuminate the horizon, turning the snow-capped peaks and the vast African landscape below into shades of gold and orange. From here, it’s just one final push—a gentler but steady climb of about an hour—to Uhuru Peak, 5,895 meters above sea level, the highest point in Africa.
The moment you reach the summit is indescribable. Relief, pride, exhaustion, and sheer joy all blend together as you stand on the roof of the continent. The view is breathtaking—a sea of clouds below, the ancient glaciers glistening in the morning sun, and the realization that you have conquered one of the world’s greatest challenges. You take time to soak it all in, capturing the moment with photos and simply letting the experience sink in.
After taking in the incredible views from the summit, it’s time to start your journey back down. The descent offers a completely new perspective of the mountain, with the morning light revealing the vast landscapes that were hidden during the night’s climb. As you make your way down, the air gradually becomes warmer and richer in oxygen, making each step feel lighter.
Back at Barafu, you take a well-earned break and enjoy a hot meal before continuing the descent.
The descent takes you to Mweka Camp at 3.100 meters, where the landscape transforms once again. The air is richer, the temperature is milder, and the exhaustion from the summit push starts to settle in. But more than anything, there is a deep sense of accomplishment.
As you lay in your tent that night, the sounds of the African forest surrounding you, the realization sets in—you made it. You reached Uhuru Peak.
Day 8 - Mweka Camp (3.100m) - Arusha
​The last stage of your Kilimanjaro expedition has arrived. After breakfast, you begin your final descent, making your way through the lush rainforest towards Mweka Gate at 1640 meters. This part of the journey offers a final opportunity to soak in the mountain’s beauty—from the vibrant tropical plants to the chance of spotting playful monkeys moving through the trees. As the altitude drops, the air grows warmer and richer, making the walk feel lighter with each step.
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After a few hours of hiking, you arrive at Mweka Gate, where the moment of recognition awaits. Here, you register your successful climb and receive your official summit certificate—a lasting reminder of the incredible achievement of reaching Uhuru Peak.
The celebration continues at a nearby restaurant, where a well-deserved lunch is served. Over a delicious meal, you raise a glass with your team, reliving the highlights of the past days, sharing stories, and taking in the deep sense of accomplishment. It’s a moment of pride, joy, and reflection, marking the end of an unforgettable adventure.
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Before departing, there is also time to thank the guides and porters who made this journey possible. A moment is set aside for the customary gratuity, showing appreciation for their unwavering support, expertise, and encouragementthroughout the climb.
After the celebrations, you head back to Arusha, where you return to your lodge. With the rest of the day to relax and reflect, you can fully take in what you’ve accomplished—standing on the Roof of Africa, pushing past your limits, and creating memories that will last a lifetime.
Day 9 - Return home (or continue travel in Tanzania)
Depending on your return flight schedule, a private transfer will take you to the airport at the right time, ensuring a smooth and stress-free journey home.
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If you’re not ready to say goodbye to Tanzania just yet, there are plenty of ways to extend your adventure.
Whether it’s a wildlife safari or a few relaxing days on the pristine beaches of Zanzibar, we’re happy to help you plan the perfect continuation of your trip.
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Interested in exploring more of Tanzania? Contact us to discuss the possibilities!