• Day 1

  Moshi

  Youll be met on arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport [JRO] and transferred to Keys Hotel, an ideal base from which to start your climb. A climb briefing is scheduled for today so that you can meet your guides who will discuss the expedition with you in person. The Keys Hotel has views of Kilimanjaro and is a popular destination for climbers. The restaurant offers a buffet breakfast, an a la Carte menu service and occasional barbecues. The bar includes all basic international types of wines, local beers and wines, as well as soft drinks.

• Day 2

  Umbwe Gate – Umbwe Camp

  Today is the day you have prepared for and dreamt about for months, if not years. Time to tick conquering AfricaÂ’s highest free standing mountain off your Bucket list. After breakfast you will be transferred to the Umbwe Gate at Kilimanjaro National Park from where your hike Start. TodayÂ’s trekking pace is slow and very comfortable, ensuring you have enough time to enjoy the natural surroundings as you walk through beautiful rainforest with dense vegetation, often on a muddy trail with steep climbs. Take time for a photo and nibble on your packed lunch that we provide. The first campsite, Umbwe Camp, is positioned in a steep valley with rock overhangs between the Lonzo and Umbwe rivers.

• Day 3

  Umbwe Camp – Barranco Camp

  From Umbwe Camp the trail continues over steep terrain. The vegetation changes to increasingly sparse trees and from bushes to moorland. Views of Kibo and Uhuru peak with itÂ’s snow-capped summit become a regular sight as you near Barranco Camp. The sun paints the rocks in front of camp a dreamy red-yellow colour with the white ice of the high peaks shining bright. Looking towards the south you may see the little town of Moshi far below. You often sleep above the clouds at Barranco Camp.

• Day 4

  Barranco Camp - Karanga Camp

  After breakfast you cross the Great Barranco Wall, topping out at about 4 420 m before dropping to the camp at the Karanga River at about 4040 m. The hike up the Barranco Wall is steep. You pass below the famous Breach Wall, the largest ice and rock face in Africa. The Breach Wall climbing route, known as ‘The Icicle’, was first climbed in the early 1970’s by Reinhold Messner. Daytime temperatures can reach up to 26C, while evening temperatures often drop below freezing.

• Day 5

  Barranco Camp – Lava Tower – Barranco Camp

  Walk to Lava Tower today through the "Garden of the Senecios", which features many of the huge senecio plants as well as lobelia plants. Return to Barranco Camp.

• Day 6

  Karanga Camp - Barafu Camp - Summit via Stella Point to Uhuru Peak

  Today’s path takes you up and across a rocky zone where very little vegetation can be found on the inhospitable terrain. A field of sedimentary rocks litter the ground. You leave Karanga and hit the junction which connects with the Mweka Trail. Continue up to the Barafu Camp. At this point, you have completed the South Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many different angles. Amazing views of Kilimanjaro’s two peaks, Mawenzi and Kibo, are to be seen from Barafu Camp. Early dinner then rest before the final ascent starting at around midnight. The hike to Stella Point is a very slow steep walk on volcanic scree for about 5-6 hours. The headlamps on the trail towards the summit almost look like fireflies flying in a long row. As you approach the crater rim you will enjoy the most memorable sunrise you may ever experience – the sunrise over Africa! Begin the descent.

• Day 7

  Mweka Camp - Mweka Gate

  Enjoy a slow hike through the rainforest to Mweka Gate. It is not a rare sight to spot Black and White Colobus Monkeys in the trees as well as Blue Monkeys. Take time to enjoy the lush vegetation with the Old ManÂ’s Beard (tree moss) growing on the giant trees as well as some Giant Ferns towering high over the forest bed. The path has many steps leading you down to Mweka Gate where you may find a cold beer or soft-drink to start celebrating your assault of Kilimanjaro. You will be transferred back to Moshi, Keys Hotel, to overnight and celebrate (breakfast included). This evening your guides will meet you to hand out your Kilimanjaro Certificates.

• Day 8

  Depart

  Road transfer from the Keys hotel to Kilimanjaro International airport for your onward travel arrangements, please ask your Zambezi consultant if you would like us to help with your travel arrangements or perhaps add on a safari.

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