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)

Today’s hike will be a gradual ascent. After 3-4 hours, we will arrive at Lava Tower Camp. We will eat lunch at the camp and also stay here overnight. If the weather is nice, we may take an optional evening hike up Lava Tower itself to practice scrambling and acclimatize.

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Day 4: Lava Tower - Arrow Glacier (15,981 ft/4871 m)

On this day, we will sleep in a little bit and have a later breakfast. Then, we will hike to Arrow Glacier Camp, where we will stay.  We will have lunch after arriving at camp and afterward you will be able to explore and enjoy the view, if the weather is clear. Today will be a short hike (2-3 hours) which will allow us to rest and acclimatize before the long day tackling the western breach tomorrow.

 

Day 5: Arrow Glacier - Crater Camp (18,802 ft/5731 m)

Today, we will wake up very early (around 4 am) in order to start our hike before the sun comes up to avoid rock falls. On the western breach, there will be many parts that require us to scramble and use our hands. Depending on our pace, we may have a picnic lunch along the way or eat lunch after arriving at camp. Tonight, we will sleep at Crater Camp.

 

Depending on your level of energy and the weather conditions, you may choose to explore the ash pit and glaciers.

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Day 6: Crater Camp - Uhuru Peak (19,341 ft/5895 m) - Mweka Camp (10,066 ft/3068 m)

Summit Day! We will wake up and have breakfast at Crater Camp before starting our short ascent to the summit. It will take us about 2 hours to reach the summit. After celebrating and taking photographs at Uhuru Peak, we will descend to Barafu Camp (about 3 hours) where we will eat lunch. We will continue our long descent (4-5 hours) via the Mweka descent route to Mweka Camp where we will sleep tonight.

 

Day 7: Mweka 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 (3-4 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!