Day 1: Arusha - Machame Gate - Machame Camp (9,951 ft/3033 m)

Drive from hotel in Arusha to Machame Gate (about 2 hours). Here we will check in and weigh all of the bags carried by the porters. Today, we will start our hike through the forest, gradually gaining altitude. After 6-7 hours we will arrive at our first camp, Machame Camp.

 

Day 2: Machame Camp - Shira Camp (12,589 ft/3837 m)

After breakfast today, we will have a shorter hike (about 5 hours total). The first half will be fairly steep, then the incline will become more gradual leading to camp. Today, we will have lunch after arriving at our second camp, Shira Camp. Depending on weather, we may choose to do an evening acclimatization hike.

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Day 3: Shira - Lava Tower (15,213 ft/4637 m) - Barranco (13,045 ft/3976 m)

Today’s hike will be a gradual ascent and will join the Lemosho route near Lava Tower. After 3-4 hours, we will stop for lunch at Lava Tower Camp. After lunch we will descend (2-3 hours) to Barranco valley where we will sleep.

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Day 4: Barranco - Karanga (13,232 ft/4033 m) - Barafu (15,331 ft/4673 m)

Just after breakfast, we will start by climbing Barranco wall.  The wall will require some scrambling and use of hands.  After the wall, we will descend to Karanga Camp  (13,231′) for lunch.  After lunch, we will continue with a gradual ascent to Barafu Camp (15,331′).  Today’s hike will be about 6-7 hours total.  After an early dinner, we will go to sleep very early in order to prepare our bodies and minds for the midnight ascent.

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Day 5: Barafu - Uhuru Peak (19,341 ft/5895 m) - High Camp (12,500 ft/3810 m)

Summit Day! Wake up around midnight for breakfast. After breakfast, we will start the long ascent to Uhuru Peak (summit). The first leg of the ascent uses switchbacks to minimize the steepness of the trail. We will continue on this path until reaching Stella’s Point (about 6 hours). After this point, the trail to the summit becomes much more gradual and about one hour later we will reach the summit at Uhuru Peak. After celebrating and taking photographs at the peak, we will head back down to Barafu (about 3 hours) where we will eat lunch. From there we will continue our descent along the Mweka route to High Camp where we will sleep tonight.

 

Day 6: High Camp - Mweka Gate - Arusha

We will wake up in the morning for breakfast and a celebration of our summit success with our team. After our celebration, we will descend to Mweka Gate through the forest (5-7 hours). There we will have a final lunch together and you will receive a certificate for a successful summit. After lunch, we will get back into a vehicle and return you to your hotel in Arusha, where a hot shower will be waiting for you!