Arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), where you will meet our company representative (Manager), and transfer to the hotel under the rate. The hotel will provide all the essentials for a comfortable stay: restful rooms, hot water, and Internet access. In the evening, there will be a briefing with our managers, who will also make sure you are ready to begin the climb.

A guide and a mountain support crew will arrive at the hotel in the morning in order to meet you and hold a quick briefing, after which you will travel by vehicle to Kilimanjaro National Park’s entrance: Machame Gate (1,800 m). After the quick formality of acquiring climbing permits and registering with the search and rescue service, the group will start trekking up to Machame Camp (3,010 m). The trekking route includes passage through the rainforest (where tropical showers are highly probable), so we recommend you take not only spare clothes, but also your rain coats.

This will be your first day at this altitude, so it is strongly recommended you heed the following instructions from this point on:

• Abstain from consuming alcohol and caffeine
• Drink over 4 litres of bottled water daily (little by little, frequently)
• Take a Diamox pill to help alleviate symptoms of altitude sickness. Most mountain climbers take Diamox in the morning, before they start their ascent, in order to reduce discomfort associated with altitude sickness. We recommend you consult your doctor prior to the trip in case of potential allergies.

At night, you may experience discomfort associated with acclimatization to the high altitude: because of a reduction in your waking breathing pattern, your body gets less oxygen than during the day. Taking altitude into account, you may therefore start feeling sick and have a headache. Pay attention to your own body and tell your guide if you start feeling any symptoms of altitude sickness.

Elevation Change: Machame Gate (1,800 m) – Machame Camp (3,010 m)

Distance: 5 Km

Hiking Time: 5-6 hours

After breakfast, you will start trekking up to the second high-altitude station, Shira Camp (3,845 m). On this day, you will emerge from the rainforest and for the first time be able to see stunning views of the Shira Plateau laid out in front of you. Physically speaking, the trekking is not very difficult, but you may feel the changes in altitude, so pay attention to your body and remember that choosing the proper pace is extremely important for good trekking. When you reach the camp, you will have lunch and some rest, after which the group will go on an acclimatization hike towards Lava Tower Camp with a 300-meter gain in altitude. Back down at Shira Camp you will be served a hot dinner.

Note: The acclimatization hike is an easy trek with a slight gain in altitude done in order to speed up the acclimatization process. You should take the acclimatization hikes very seriously. They help increase your chances of successfully summiting Kilimanjaro and save you from the consequences of altitude sickness.

Elevation Change: Machame Camp (3,010 m) – Shira Camp (3,845 m)

Distance: 5 Km

Hiking Time 4-5 hours

Acclimatization Hike:

Elevation Change: Shira Camp (3,845 m) – Destination point en route to Lava Tower (4,120 m)

Distance: 2 Km

Hiking Time: 1-2 hours

After breakfast, you will leave Shira Camp (3,845 m) and start your trek towards Lava Tower (4,630 m). This section of the route has a lot of ascents and descents that end in a camp at over 4,600 meters. It might be difficult, and you may feel some discomfort, but in order to successfully acclimate to the altitude you have to spend at least 1–2 hours here, so this is where lunch will be.

Then you will descend to Barranco Camp (3,960 m). Here you can see the famous Barranco Wall, impressive in both its massive size and steepness! Next day you will be climbing it, but don’t worry: it features a very simple hiking trail.

Note: If one or more participants feel sick, the group may refrain from passing the Lava Tower and adjust the route, following instead the road for porters. In this case you will not reach an altitude of 4,630 meters, getting up only to a maximum of 4,400 meters

Elevation Change: Shira Camp (3,845m) – Lava Tower (4,630m) – Barranco Camp (3,960m)

Distance: 11 Km

Hiking Time: 6-8 hours

On this day, it is best to make an early start to avoid crowding on the way up Barranco Wall. Despite the Wall’s seemingly daunting height and steepness the actual climb is rather merciful at a mere hour or so. The top provides a great photo opportunity with Kibo Peak as the backdrop. The next part of the day is rife with ups and downs where your guides will choose the best place for individual climbers. A lunch break at Karanga Camp shall be followed by an acclimatization Hike towards Barafu with the highest point read 4,270 m. The group then drops back to Karanga Camp for the overnight.

Elevation Change: Barranco Camp (3,960 m) – Karanga Camp (4,035 m)

Distance: 5 Km

Hiking Time: 4-5 hours

Acclimatization Hike:

Altitude Change: Karanga Camp (4,035 m) – Highest point reached (4,270 m)

Distance: 2.5 Km

Hiking Time: 1-2 hours

After breakfast, you begin your way to Barafu Summit Camp (4,640 m). Our team will set up a camp for you ahead of time, including tents and sleeping bags, so you can relax. After regaining strength, you have to complete an acclimatization climb towards the intermediate Kosovo Summit Camp with its highest point being 4,800 m and then back to Barafu Camp, where you will be served a hot dinner. It is better to spend the remainder of the day resting and sleeping before night summiting.

Elevation Change: Karanga Camp (4,035 m) – Barafu Camp (4,640 m)

Distance: 6 Km

Hiking Time: 4-5 hours

Acclimatization Hike:

Altitude change: Barafu Camp (4,640 m) – Kosovo (4,800 m)

Distance 6 Km

Hiking Time: 1-2 hours

Departure from Barafu Camp (4,640 m) at night and the summit trek starts to Uhuru Peak (5,895 m). Technically the climb is relatively simple; however, the most challenging part is the high altitude. Each pair of climbers will get a personal guide for the entire ascent to monitor your physical and mental conditions. After your successful ascent to Uhuru Peak, you can descend to the nearest glacier if desired. Then you will return to Barafu Camp and after a 2-hour rest continue your descent to Millennium Camp (3,820 m).

Note: Don’t forget that 90% of all accidents occur during the descent, including all broken arms and legs. Please pay attention to your feet, as there is a high risk of damaging your toenails.

Elevation Change: Barafu Camp (4,640 m) – Uhuru Peak (5,895 m) – Millenium Camp (3,820 m)

Distance: 15 Km

Hiking Time: 8-12 hours

The camp is situated in a tropical rainforest. When you wake up, you will feel relief from the reduction of the height and the satisfaction of reaching the summit. After a warm breakfast, you will head for the park’s exit: Mweka Gate (1,640 m). After your descent, the whole group will gather to congratulate you, followed by offering you a chance to share your opinions on the climb in the guestbook. Lastly, we will present you with your commemorative certificates in our office and provide you a transfer back to the hotel.

Elevation Change: Millenium Camp (3,820 m) – Mweka Gate (1, 640)

Distance: 12 Km

Hiking time: 4-5 hours

Rest in the hotel and transfer to the airport.

Note: Hotel check-out is at 11:00 AM. In case you need a late check-out because of an evening flight, there is the option to extend your hotel stay for an extra fee.