Day 1: Machame Gate (1,490 meters/4,890 feet) to Machame Camp (2,980 meters/9,780 feet)

• Altitude Gain: 1,490 meters/4,890 feet
• Walking Hours: 5-7 hours The trek starts at Machame Gate, where you’ll register and meet your guide and porters. The trail passes through lush rainforest, with a gradual ascent. You’ll set up camp at Machame Camp located in the moorland zone.

Day 2: Machame Camp (2,980 meters/9,780 feet) to Shira Camp (3,840 meters/12,600 feet)

• Altitude Gain: 860 meters/2,820 feet
• Walking Hours: 4-6 hours The trail continues through the heather and moorland zone, with steeper sections as you climb towards the Shira Plateau. You’ll have fantastic views of Mt. Meru and the Shira Ridge along the way.

Day 3: Shira Camp (3,840 meters/12,600 feet) to Barranco Camp (3,950 meters/12,960 feet) via Lava Tower (4,630 meters/15,190 feet)

• Altitude Gain/Loss: Ascend to Lava Tower then descend to Barranco Camp
• Walking Hours: 6-7 hours Today involves a challenging ascent to Lava Tower, which stands as a prominent landmark. This is a great opportunity for acclimatization. Afterward, you’ll descend to Barranco Camp, passing through the scenic Barranco Wall, which requires some scrambling.

Day 4: Barranco Camp (3,950 meters/12,960 feet) to Karanga Camp (3,995 meters/13,106 feet)

• Altitude Gain: 45 meters/146 feet
• Walking Hours: 4-5 hours The trail today involves traversing several valleys and ridges as you make your way to Karanga Camp. Although it’s a relatively short day, it helps with acclimatization before the summit push.

Day 5: Karanga Camp (3,995 meters/13,106 feet) to Barafu Camp (4,673 meters/15,331 feet)

• Altitude Gain: 678 meters/2,225 feet
• Walking Hours: 3-4 hours You’ll ascend to Barafu Camp, the base camp for the summit attempt. The landscape becomes more barren and rocky as you gain altitude. Take the afternoon to rest and prepare for the summit push.

Day 6: Barafu Camp (4,673 meters/15,331 feet) to Uhuru Peak (5,895 meters/19,341 feet) and descent to Mweka Camp (3,100 meters/10,170 feet)

• Altitude Gain: 1,222 meters/4,010 feet (to Uhuru Peak)
• Altitude Loss: 2,795 meters/9,171 feet (to Mweka Camp)
• Walking Hours: 7-8 hours to Uhuru Peak, 4-6 hours descent to Mweka Camp You’ll start the summit attempt around midnight, climbing steeply through the scree slopes of the crater rim. Reach Stella Point (5,685 meters/18,651 feet) before dawn and then continue to Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa. Afterward, descend back to Barafu Camp for a short rest before continuing down to Mweka Camp for the night.

Day 7: Mweka Camp (3,100 meters/10,170 feet) to Mweka Gate (1,640 meters/5,380 feet)

• Altitude Loss: 1,460 meters/4,790 feet
• Walking Hours: 3-4 hours The final descent through the rainforest takes you back to Mweka Gate. Here, you’ll receive your summit certificates before transferring back to your hotel in Moshi or Arusha.