Day 1: Arrival in Arusha

Upon arrival in Arusha, you’ll be welcomed by your Classic Guides Expeditions representative, who will brief you on the trek. You will have the opportunity to ask any questions about the upcoming journey. After the briefing, you’ll rest and stay overnight in a comfortable hotel to prepare for the trek ahead.

Day 2: Drive to Machame Gate and Trek to Machame Camp

After breakfast, you’ll drive from Arusha to Machame Gate (1,800 meters), where you’ll begin your trek. The first day’s hike takes you through the lush rainforest, with rich vegetation and the possibility of spotting wildlife like monkeys and exotic birds. The trek to Machame Camp (3,000 meters) takes about 5-6 hours. After reaching the camp, you’ll relax, have dinner, and rest for the night.

• Distance: 11 km
• Elevation Gain: 1,200 meters

Day 3: Machame Camp to Shira Camp

Today, the trek takes you from Machame Camp to Shira Camp (3,840 meters). The route follows a ridge through the heathland, with magnificent views of the surrounding mountains and valleys. You’ll pass through various landscapes, including rock formations and volcanic plains. The day’s hike lasts about 5-6 hours. Upon reaching Shira Camp, you’ll have time to relax and acclimatize.

• Distance: 5 km
• Elevation Gain: 840 meters

Day 4: Shira Camp to Barranco Camp

On this day, you’ll trek from Shira Camp to Barranco Camp (3,950 meters). The day’s hike takes you through alpine desert terrain, where you’ll encounter fewer trees but more expansive views of the mountain and its glaciers. The trail is a bit steeper but not too challenging, lasting around 6-7 hours. Once you reach Barranco Camp, you’ll be greeted with stunning views of the Barranco Wall, which you’ll climb the next day.

• Distance: 10 km
• Elevation Gain: 110 meters

Day 5: Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp

Today, you’ll tackle the Barranco Wall, a steep but rewarding climb. After reaching the top, the trail continues to Karanga Camp (4,000 meters), which is located in a valley beneath the towering summit. The day’s hike will take about 4-5 hours, offering amazing views of the surrounding landscape and glaciers. Once you reach Karanga Camp, you’ll rest and prepare for the final push toward the summit.

• Distance: 5 km
• Elevation Gain: 500 meters

Day 6: Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp

From Karanga Camp, you’ll continue to Barafu Camp (4,600 meters), the final campsite before the summit. The route takes you through alpine desert terrain, and the hike lasts about 4-5 hours. At Barafu Camp, you’ll have dinner early and rest for a few hours before starting the summit trek at midnight.

• Distance: 4 km
• Elevation Gain: 600 meters

Day 7: Summit Day – Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak and Descend to Mweka Camp

Summit day begins in the early hours of the morning with a challenging ascent from Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak (5,895 meters). The climb will take around 6-8 hours, crossing Gilman’s Point (5,681 meters) before reaching the summit. The altitude is very high, and the climb is strenuous, but the reward is breathtaking views from the top of Africa. After celebrating at the summit, you’ll begin the descent back to Mweka Camp (3,100 meters), which will take approximately 5-6 hours.

• Distance: 6 km (to Gilman’s Point) + 2 km (to Uhuru Peak)
• Elevation Gain: 1,295 meters
• Descent: 5-6 hours

Day 8: Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate

After a restful night at Mweka Camp, you’ll make the final descent to Mweka Gate (1,640 meters). The trail is easier and takes you through a rainforest, offering the chance to enjoy the scenery one last time. The descent takes about 3-4 hours, and upon reaching the gate, you’ll be transferred back to Arusha for a celebration and rest after the successful trek.

• Distance: 10 km
• Elevation Loss: 1,460 meters