This is the second most popular route, 26 km long, and it is considered the most beautiful route up Kilimanjaro. With a gradual ascend through the forest you emerge to see wide views of the moorland on Shira plateau, Kibo and Western Breach. The different kinds of vegetation found along the route make it the most sceneric route. We are approaching the summit with an acclimatisation day by walking in the same heights (Barafu Camp to Karranga Valley Camp), and another day by stopping at Karranga Valley camp (we are one of few tour operators offering this). There are no mountain huts on this route; the accommodation is in mountain tents.

The route done in six days is physically challenging for most people. The last two days (the trek from Barranco to Barafu and then the overnight trek to the summit) require mental and physical toughness, due to the high altitude and short amount of time to rest before the overnight summit attempt.

Please note that we only organise private treks, there will be only you and your travel partner(s) on that tour!

This itinerary starts at Kilimanjaro Airport, JRO, and ends at a hotel in Arusha or Moshi. Please see here for international flights for this tour.

Day by Day Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Arusha Kilimanjaro Airport.
We'll meet for an introductory briefing upon our arrival in Arusha, before transferring to the Oasis Lodge for the evening.

Day 2: Kilimanjaro Climb - Arusha to Machame Camp. At 7:30 a.m., we'll transfer to the Machame Park Gate (5,950 ft./ 1,815 mt.). After registering with the park authority, we'll begin our climb through the lush forest. Trekkers will likely hear the many exotic birds in the canopy above, and many even see black & white colobus monkeys and sykes monkeys as they hike along the knotted roots and mud on the forest floor.

We'll continue on to some heath land before reaching our overnight camp at Machame Camp (9,850 feet, 6-7 hours of walking), just above the forest zone. The trek is quite long, thus not steep.

Day 3: Kilimanjaro Climb - Machame Camp to Shira Camp.
Today's segment of the ascent will continue across beautiful heath land and alpine moorland with magnificent views of Kilimanjaro Peak. We begin up the steep track through a savannah of tall grasses, and trees of Giant Heather and Erica. Scramble around large boulders as you enter the moorland zone, marked by lobelia and senecio plants, and volcanic rocks draped with lichen beards, which protect wild alpine flowers growing at their bases. We'll overnight at Shira Camp (12,600 feet, 5-6 hours of walking).

Day 4: Kilimanjaro Climb - Shira Camp to Barranco Camp We'll draw nearer the peak as we get closer to the Lava Tower. The trek becomes a bit more strenuous as the trail steepens on the approach to the lava Tower, a 300 foot tall volcanic plug which marks an exposed pass at 15,000 feet.

In the afternoon, descend the steep track into the Great Barranco Valley. Barranco Camp is set on a col (flat area) enclosed on three sides with steep valley walls and the Kibo massif itself. Hanging glaciers glint in the sunshine above, amidst the eerie landscape of plants such as the giant groundsels (Senecio Kilimanjari), and the uniquely endemic Giant Lobelia.Then we slowly ascent to our overnight stop at Barranco Camp (12,950 feet, 5-6 hours of walking). This day and the following day will be your acclimatisation day.

Day 5: Kilimanjaro Climb - Barranco Camp to Karanga Valley Camp
The day will begin with a descent into the Gorge, before we climb its eastern wall where we will enjoy views of Kilimanjaro's ice fields, an equatorial anomaly. We will continue trekking until we reach our camp in Karanga Valley (13,900 feet, 4-5 hours of walking).

Day 6: Kilimanjaro Climb - Karanga Valley Camp to Barafu Camp We'll 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).

Day 7: Kilimanjaro Climb - Barafu Camp to Summit to Mweka Camp
Just after midnight we start of a challenging trek(12-17 hours of trekking). You begin trekking at 12:30 to 1am, passing between the Rebmann and Tarzel glaciers to the rim at Stella Point. 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. We'll then descend back to Barafu Camp, resting for a while before continuing our descent to Mweka Camp (9,840 feet, 3-4 hours of walking on the descent).

Day 8: Kilimanjaro Climb - Mweka Camp to Park Gate, transfer to Arusha
We'll make our final descent to the park gate, a walk of about 3 or 4 hours. After bidding our farewells to our guide and porters, we'll drive to Arusha.

Alternatively
One may choose 6days/5nights on Kilimanjaro, without an extra day for acclimatization at Karranga Valley.

Kilimanjaro Tanzania - best time to climb, precautions, checklist, medicine, tips

See trip report from Nelson Chenkin

find here a list of equipment that we can rent:

equipment Kilimanjaro

We use state-of-the-art North Face Tents, VE25