22 October-01 November 2026
£2,950 (£2,450 if booked before 31 July 2025)
£450 required to reserve your place
At 5,895m, The peak of Kilimanjaro is the highest point on the Africa continent and is the highest free-standing volcano in the world.
The variety of landscapes encountered each day, the knowledge of the guides and the great company of the porter crew all make for an experience that is truly unforgettable.
There are many different routes used to reach the summit and we have chosen one that provides the group with the greatest chance of successfully summiting this wonderful lump of rock.
In association with The Altitude Centre, the route chosen is The Machame Route. This is a hiking route and not a technical climbing route - hiking is easy and on defined trails.
The beautiful and challenging Machame route approaches the mountain from the west and ascends through lush, fertile rainforest, before climbing up onto the moorlands of the Shira Plateau - one of the three calderas that make up the mountain. From there we pass the great lava tower and circumnavigate part of the southern aspect of Kibo crater, before ascending to the crater rim and then on to the summit.
The Machame trail sees relatively little human traffic, managing to retain a sense of untouched wilderness that can be lost on the more popular trails.
Reserve your place now with a £450 deposit and we'll be in contact with final payment arrangements (installments available).
Thursday 22 October - Departure - Fly from home to Kilimanjaro International Airport, Tanzania
When your flight has been booked, please send the confirmation details, including flight numbers, departure times and arrival times so we can co-ordinate the rendez-vous
Friday 23 October - Arrival
We will be collected from the airport at midday and transported to our hotel, in Moshi. We will meet our local guides for a trip briefing and kit check before retiring for the night in order to rest for the week ahead.
HIKE: DAY 1 - Machame Gate to Machame Camp
Elevation: 1,650m to 2,830m
Distance: 11 km
Hiking Time: 5-7 hours
Habitat: Rain ForestThe drive from Moshi to the Mount Kilimanjaro National Park Gate takes about 50 minutes. The journey passes through the village of Machame which is located on the lower slopes of the mountain. We now leave the park gate and walk through the rain forest on a winding trail up a ridge. Lower down, the trail can be muddy and slippery. Gaiters and trekking poles are a good idea here. We continue a short distance until we reach the Machame Camp.
HIKE: DAY 2 - Machame Camp to Shira Camp
Elevation: 2,,830m to 3,800m
Distance: 5 km
Hiking Time: 4-6 hours
Habitat: MoorlandAfter breakfast, we leave the glades of the rain forest and continue on an ascending path, crossing the little valley walking along a steep rocky ridge, covered with heather, until the ridge ends. The route now turns west onto a river gorge. Time for rest, dinner, and overnight at the Shira campsite.
HIKE: DAY 3 - Shira Camp to Lava Tower to Barranco Camp
Elevation: 3,800m to 4,600m then to 3,900m
Distance: 10 km
Hiking Time: 6-8 hours
Habitat: Semi DesertFrom the Shira Plateau, we continue to the east up a ridge, passing the junction towards the peak of Kibo. As we continue, our direction changes to the South East towards the Lava Tower, called the “Shark’s Tooth.” You will spend an hour or so at The Lava tower enjoying a cooked lunch and seemingly being able to touch the summit of kilimanjaro. After lunch you will continue down to the Barranco Hut at an altitude of 3,900m. Here we rest, enjoy dinner, and overnight. Although you end the day at the same elevation as when you started, this day is very important for acclimatization and will help your body prepare for summit day.
HIKE: DAY 4 - Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp
Elevation: 3,900m to 3,950m
Distance: 5 km
Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
Habitat: AlpineDesert After breakfast, we leave Barranco and continue on a steep ridge passing the Barranco Wall, to the Karanga Valley campsite. This is a short day meant for acclimatization.
HIKE: DAY 5 - Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp
Elevation: 3,950m to 4,670m
Distance: 4 km
Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
Habitat: Alpine DesertAfter breakfast, we leave Karanga and hit the junction which connects with the Mweka Trail. We continue up to the Barafu Hut. At this point, you have completed the South Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many different angles. Here we make camp, rest, enjoy dinner, and prepare for the summit day. The two peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo are to be seen from this position.
HIKE: DAY 6 - Barafu Camp to Summit to Millenium Camp
Elevation: 4,670m to 5,895m then to 3,800m
Distance: 5 km ascent / 12 km descent
Hiking Time: 7-8 hours ascent / 4-6 hours descent
Habitat: ArcticVery early in the morning (between midnight and 1am), we continue our way to the summit between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers. You head in a northwesterly direction and ascend through heavy scree towards Stella Point on the crater rim. This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek. At Stella Point (5,750m), you will stop for a short rest and will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see (weather permitting). From Stella Point, you may encounter snow all they way on your 1-hour ascent to the summit. At Uhuru Peak, you have reached the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa. Faster hikers will see the sunrise from the summit. From the summit, we now make our descent continuing straight down to the Millenium camp site, stopping at Barafu for lunch. You will want gaiters and trekking poles for the loose gravel going down. Millenium Camp is situated in the upper forest and mist or rain can be expected in the late afternoon. Later in the evening, we enjoy our last dinner on the mountain and a well-earned sleep.
HIKE: DAY 7 - Millenium Camp to Mweka Gate then transfer to Moshi
Elevation: 3,800m to 1,650m
Distance: 10 km
Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: Rain ForestAfter breakfast, we continue the descent down to the Mweka Park Gate to receive your summit certificates. At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy. Gaiters and trekking poles will help. Shorts and t-shirts will probably be plenty to wear (keep rain gear and warmer clothing handy). From the gate, you will be driven back to the hotel in Moshi for a well needed shower before heading out for a celebratory meal and a well. earned night in a comfy bed.
Saturday 31st October - Departure - Fly from Kilimanjaro International Airport, Tanzania back home
You will be transferred to Kilimanjaro airport for your return flight back home, or any other arrangements that you may have
