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Day 1
Arrival
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Arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport, where a driver will be waiting for you. The group will go to the hotel, which has everything you need for a comfortable stay: cozy rooms, hot water, doting staff, swimming pool, and reliable Wi-Fi connection. You'll have a briefing with the mountaineering experts in the evening and the managers will answer your final questions and check the equipment. You'll also have the opportunity to rent any necessary equipment that you could not bring with you.
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Day 2
Trek from Machame Gate to Machame Camp
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The guides and climbing crew will arrive at the hotel early in the morning. Once the guides are introduced to the team, you'll make your way to the Machame Gate (5,900 ft). Upon arrival, the guides will handle the small entrance formalities, and the group will enter the park. Along the trail from the gate to Machame Camp (9,875 ft) you'll pass through the tropical forest, where rain is frequent.
Because this is the first night at high altitude, taking the following measures is highly advisable:
• Do not drink alcohol or caffeine
• Try to drink at least 4 liters of water daily
• Take Diamox pills to help alleviate altitude sickness symptoms. The pills are taken in the morning and reduce altitude discomfort. However, it is strongly advised that you consult with your GP to check possible allergic reactions.
At night you may experience discomfort associated with acclimatization to the high altitude. Due to a reduction in your breathing pattern, your body gets less oxygen than during the day and you may therefore start feeling sick and have a headache. Pay attention to your body and tell your guide if you start feeling any symptoms of altitude sickness.
Machame Gate (5,900 ft) — Machame Camp (9,875 ft)
Hiking distance: 6.5 miles
Hiking time: 5–6 hours
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Day 3
Trek from Machame Camp to Shira Camp
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After breakfast, the group will start trekking up to the second high-altitude camp – Shira Camp (12,615 ft). The rainforest zone ends on this day, and the group will be able to see the stunning views on the Shira Plateau. This leg of your journey is not especially challenging physically, however, high altitude may pose certain complications. Thus, choosing an appropriate trekking pace is very important.
After reaching the camp and having lunch, the group will make a small acclimatization hike to the Lava Tower, gaining 985 feet in altitude, and then return to the Shira Camp, where a hot lunch will be served.
Note: The acclimatization hike is a short trek with a slight gain in altitude. It helps to speed up the process of acclimatization. The importance of these hikes should not be underestimated.
Machame Camp (9,875 ft) — Shira Camp (12,615 ft)
Hiking distance: 3 miles
Hiking time: 4-5 hours
Shira Camp (12,615 ft) — Lava Tower Zone (13,517 ft)
Hiking distance: 1 mile
Hiking time: 1–2 hours
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Day 4
Trek from Shira Camp through Lava Tower to Barranco Camp
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After breakfast, the group will start the trek from Shira Camp (12,615 ft) to Lava Tower (15,190 ft). This leg of the journey has many highs and lows. The group will reach a point just over 15,000 feet, getting good acclimatization. Then the group will trek to the Barranco Camp (12,992 ft). From this camp, you'll see the formidable Barranco Wall.
Note: If one or more members of the crew are unwell, instead of going through Lava Tower, the group may go the porters' route instead. Under this option, the maximum altitude on the 4th day is only 13,200 feet.
Shira Camp (12,615 ft) — Lava Tower (15,190 ft) — Barranco Camp (12,992 ft)
Hiking distance: 6.5 miles
Hiking time: 6–8 hours
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Day 5
Trek from Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp
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Wake up early this morning, have breakfast and then begin conquering the Barranco Wall. It is recommended to leave the camp as early as possible to avoid crowding with the other groups. Although it may seem intimidating, hiking up through the Barranco Wall is not in fact physically challenging and the top of the wall is a good place for taking panoramic photos. You'll then make your way to Karanga Camp, followed by a small acclimatization hike on the way to Barafu Camp (some 700 ft increase).
Barranco Camp (12,992 ft) — Karanga Camp (13,239 ft)
Hiking distance: 3 miles
Hiking time: 4–5 hours
Karanga Camp (13,239 ft) — Acclimatization checkpoint on the way to Barafu Camp (14,009 ft)
Hiking distance: 1 mile
Hiking time: 1–2 hours
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Day 6
Trek from Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp
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Today you'll start trekking to the Barafu Summit Camp (15,223 ft) early in the morning. This camp is a starting point for summiting. The crew will have arrived at the camp before you, making the necessary camp arrangements, preparing sleeping bags, and cooking dinner. After a small rest, the group will make an acclimatization hike to the Kosovo Summit Camp (15,748 ft) and then return to the Barafu Camp. A hot lunch will be awaiting there. It is highly recommended to spend the rest of the day resting. Tonight the group will be summiting.
Karanga Camp (13,239 ft) — Barafu Camp (15,223 ft)
Hiking distance: 3.5 miles
Hiking time: 4–5 hours
Barafu Camp (15,223 ft) — Kosovo Camp (15,748 ft)
Hiking distance: 1 mile
Hiking time: 1–2 hours
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Day 7
Summit and trek to Millennium Camp
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The group will leave Barafu Camp (15,223 ft) at midnight and start trekking to Uhuru Peak (19,341 ft). Trekking there is not demanding physically, but high altitude should be taken into account. For each couple of climbers, a personal guide will be assigned. After the group reaches Uhuru, it will be possible to visit the glacier. After that, the group will return to the Barafu Camp. After a 2-hour rest you'll start trekking down to Millennium Camp (12,533 ft), located in the tropical rainforest.
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.
Barafu Camp (15,223 ft) — Uhuru Peak (19,341 ft) — Millennium Camp (12,533 ft)
Hiking distance: 10 miles
Hiking time: 8–12 hours
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Day 8
Trek from Millenium Camp to Mweka Gate
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After a warm breakfast, the group will start heading for the exit of Kilimanjaro National Park – Mweka Gate (5,413 ft). A car will be waiting for you there and you'll be transferred to Aishi Machame Hotel or Altezza Lodge, where the guides and the tour managers will congratulate you and give you an official certificate from Kilimanjaro National Park.
Millennium Camp (12,533 ft) — Mweka Gate (5,413 ft)
Hiking distance: 7 miles
Hiking time: 4–5 hours
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Day 9
Departure
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Enjoy some well deserved rest and relaxation in the hotel before transferring to the airport for your flight departure home.
