Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival/Mbahe Village Farm Cottages
Your trip leader will pick you up upon arrival at the Kilimanjaro International Airport and bring you to Mbahe Village, located in the
foothills of Mount Kilimanjaro, approximately 2 hours from the airport. Accommodations are in SENE’s private cottages at Simon
Mtuy’s Mbahe Village Farm.

Day 2: Mbahe Village Farm Cottages (6,000’)
You have the morning to rest and relax. Enjoy delicious “homebrew” coffee, grown and roasted on the farm, and meals made with
fruits and vegetables from the garden. Your trip leader will provide a climb orientation and equipment check. This is also a day to
take a guided tour around Mbahe Village, the Mtuy family farm, and to swim in the river and waterfall running through Simon’s land.
We all gather together for dinner to discuss final details and anticipate the start of the climb tomorrow. B.L.D.

Day 3: Machame Gate (6,000’) to Machame Camp (9,950’), 6.6 miles
After breakfast we will drive to the Machame Gate, where you will meet your other guides and mountain crew and enter the
Kilimanjaro National Park. We begin our climb at 6,000 feet, walking for a few hours through thick and undisturbed tropical forest.
Admire the magnificent bird life and the many unique flower and plant species, about which your guide will tell you, and with luck,
we may observe the blue or colobus monkeys that populate the forest zone. B.L.D.

Day 4: Machame Camp (9,950’) to Shira Camp (12,620’), 3.5 miles
Today is an easy paced acclimatization day. We will hike over streams, a river gorge, and moorlands. Camp is located on the Shira
Plateau, providing expansive views of Kilimanjaro. There is a conditioning hike in the afternoon where you can enjoy the clusters of
giant lobelias and senecios that grow at this elevation. B.L.D.

Day 5: Shira Camp (12,620’) to Lava Tower Camp (15,230’), 4.4 miles
Today is another important day for acclimatization as we hike for 5 hours to an elevation above 15,000 feet. We will pass through
the alpine moorland zone where plants are extremely hardy and consist of lichens, grasses, and heather, to reach Kilimanjaro’s
alpine desert zone. You will have a spectacular view of the steep Western Breach (which we will not be doing on this route). After
an early afternoon rest we have a special 2 hour SENE adventure climb up the Lava Tower. This rock scramble will prepare you for
the climb tomorrow. B.L.D.

Day 6: Lava Tower Camp (15,230’) to Karanga Valley Camp (13,250’), 5.9 miles
After an initial descent from Lava Tower camp we climb the Great Barranco Wall ‐ not too steep but still an exhilarating challenge –
which our guides make safe and accessible for everyone by ascending pole pole (meaning “slowly” in Kiswahili). You will be able to
see the breathtaking Heim Glacier from the top of the Wall. Descend into the Karanga Valley and then climb again to our camp on a
ridge above the Valley, where you will enjoy a well‐deserved rest and your daily afternoon tea and snacks. B.L.D.

Day 7: Karanga Valley Camp (13,250’) to Barafu Camp (15,360’), 2.4 miles
As we begin hiking today the trail turns steadily uphill. Temperatures are noticeably colder and the landscape more sparse as we
work our way to Barafu camp. Barafu means “ice” in Kiswahili. Hiking time is 4 to 5 hours. The camp is set on an exposed ridge and
is the staging point for our push to the summit. After an early dinner we have a summit briefing and prepare our equipment before
resting. At midnight, ideally under the stars and a brightly shining moon, we begin the final ascent to Uhuru Peak. B.L.D.

Day 8: Barafu Camp (15,360’) to Uhuru Peak (19,340’) to Millennium Camp (12,530’), 8.3 miles
We ascend pole pole on the steep switchback trail, drinking plenty of water and tea, refueling with small snacks, and enjoying this
trek to Uhuru, the summit of Kilimanjaro, which we will reach around 8 a.m. At this early hour, before the clouds close in, you will
have spectacular views of Africa in all directions. After a stay of 20 to 30 minutes with tea, snacks, and plenty of photos, we descend
2 to 3 hours to Barafu Camp for lunch, rest, and to pick up belongings. Continuing downhill 3 to 4 hours to the edge of the Mweka
Forest, we reach the final night’s camp ‐ 7,000 feet below the summit! Eat, share your experiences of the climb, and sleep soundly.
Congratulations, you touched the Roof of Africa! B.L.D.

Day 9: Millennium Camp (12,530’) to Mweka Gate (5,380’), 8.5 miles; Mbahe Village Farm Cottages
Our last day is another descent of 7,000 feet with 4 to 5 hours of hiking to the trailhead at Mweka Gate. The trail is steep in places
and within the forest may be slippery if wet. At the gate we will temporarily say goodbye to our mountain crew and enjoy a hearty
picnic lunch. The trip leaders will take you back to SENE’s Mbahe Village Farm for a hot shower and a celebration dinner with the
whole team. B.L.D.

Day 10: Mbahe Village Farm Cottages/Departure
Rest and relaxation day at the farm. Optional activities include light hiking, swimming, exploring the village and local school, visiting
with the neighbors, drumming, tasting homemade banana beer, or shopping in Moshi Town. For those returning home you will be
transferred to the Kilimanjaro International Airport to catch your flight. Those heading out on safari or to Zanzibar will continue your
exciting African adventure. B.L.

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