DAY 1:  UMBWE GATE TO UMBWE CAVE CAMP 

We will register at Umbwe Park Gate before starting our trek. The small winding path leads us up through the rainforest and along the Umbwe River. The first night’s camp is at Umbwe Cave Camp, at about 2,900m altitude.

Elevation (m): 1600m to 2900m |  Distance: 11km | Time: 6 hours | Habitat: Montane Forest.

DAY 2:  UMBWE CAMP TO BARRANCO CAMP 

We leave camp and shortly afterward the end of the forest. We can see the sheer wall of the Western Breach appearing and disappearing as the afternoon mists roll up the Great Barranco. We will camp at Barranco camp tonight.

Elevation (m): 2940m to 3970m | Distance: 6km | Time: 4-5 hours | Habitat: Montane Forest.

DAY 3: BARRANCO CAMP TO KARANGA CAMP 

Today starts with a short, but fun, scramble, to the top of the Great Barranco Wall. We then traverse over scree to the Karanga Valley (3930m) beneath the icefalls of the Heim, Kersten and Decken Glaciers.  We will stay overnight at Karanga campsite.

Elevation (m): 3950m to 3930m | Distance: 7 km | Hiking Time: 4 hours | Habitat: Alpine Desert.

DAY 4:  KARANGA CAMP TO BARAFU CAMP 

We leave Karanga campsite behind to meet the junction connecting with the Mweka descent Trail. From here we continue up to the Barafu Hut. You have now completed the Southern Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many different angles. At camp, we can rest, enjoy dinner, and prepare for the summit day. The two peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo are to be clearly seen from this position.

Elevation (m): 3930m to 4600m | Distance: 6kms | Hiking Time: 3 hours | Habitat: Alpine Desert.

DAY 5: BARAFU CAMP TO SUMMIT TO MWEKA HUT 

You will be woken at 23:30 with some quick tea and biscuits. We start our trek to the summit between the Rebman and Ratzel glaciers. We will head in a north-westerly direction and ascend through heavy scree towards Stella Point on the crater rim. This is the most mentally and physically challenging part of the trek. At Stella Point (5732m).

we will stop for a short rest and will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see (weather permitting). At Uhuru Peak (5895m), we will have reached the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa. It can be very cold at night at these elevations, but it will be quite warm by the end of the hiking day. From the summit, we descend down to the Mweka Hut camp site, via Barafu for lunch.

Trekking poles will be needed for the loose gravel going down to Mweka Camp (3100m). Later in the evening, we will enjoy our last dinner on the mountain and a well-earned sleep.

Elevation (m): 4600m to 5895m (and down to 3100m) | Distance: 7km ascent / 23km descent | Time:6- 8 hours ascent / 7-8 hours descent | Habitat: Stone scree and ice-capped summit.

DAY 6:  MWEKA CAMP TO HOTEL

We depart after breakfast descending 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 be suitable (keep rain gear and warmer clothing handy).