• Duration: 04:40 h
• Distance: 10.3 km
• Ascent: 1200 m

You will be picked up by your guide and assistant guide. There’s a fair chance that the majority of the team will be joining you in the van. The others will be met at the gate. All the stuff that is carried by the porters needs to be weighed at the gate. To kill time and to get you properly fueled, the cook will already cook up a small meal for you. You won’t be alone here. There are likely a few dozen climbers waiting to start. The guide will ask you to fill out some paperwork and then you’re off.

Soon you will be hiking through the lush rainforest with its large ancient trees, primeval ferns, and endemic flowers, like the Impatiens Kilimanjaro. You might also spot black and white thumbless colobus monkeys peeking through the leaves. Reaching the campsite, you will have time to relax, stretch your legs, and enjoy a hearty meal before snuggling into your tent for the night.

• Duration: 02:50 h
• Distance: 4.75 km
• Ascent: 850 m
• Descent: 30 m

The cook’s assistant will wake you up and bring you your tea or coffee. He’ll ask you for your bottles, so he can fill them up for you. 15 minutes later there will be a complete breakfast ready for you. Climbing Kilimanjaro is perhaps hard, but the good care and food definitely make it a whole lot easier. Think eggs, pancakes, toast - whatever you want. Vegetarian? No problem. Gluten-Free? Coming right up.

Today you will ascend to Shira Camp. You will notice the dramatic change in the landscape as you get out of the rainforest and find dry moor and heathland. It may not look like it, but Shira Camp is at a whopping 3,845 metres or 12,616 feet. You can take the whole day for your trek, enjoying the views on the way, chatting to fellow climbers, and listening to the interesting stories from your guide(s). The easier you go, the better you will acclimatize.

Every night you can expect a scrumptious meal prepared with the freshest local ingredients. At Bookatrekking.com we’ve even enjoyed freshly caught fish from Lake Victoria. And are you could? Hang out with the porters in their tent when the cook is preparing food for everyone. Good conversations and warmth are guaranteed.

• Duration: 05:10 h
• Distance: 9.7 km
• Ascent: 770 m
• Descent: 650 m

Today is a beautiful day. After breakfast and the usual “wishy-washy”, which is the tub of warm water and soap you get given every morning, you head off in the direction of Lava Tower. You might already start feeling the effects of thinner air. It can for example fool with your maths skills. Try to do some subtractions and multiplications. It’s good fun.

Ascending will go a bit more gradual from here onwards. The views will blow your mind as the landscape is slowly but surely changing. Other routes, like the Lemosho Route and the Northern Circuit, will join you on this stretch. This day is not only beautiful, it’s also a crucial day for acclimatization. Lava Tower at 4,640 metres or 15000 feet is the highest point. Here you will have lunch before you will descend to Barranco Camp at 3,960 metres (12,992 ft.), pretty much the same altitude as Shira Camp. Having spent some time in Lava Tower will have helped your body to adapt to higher altitude later this week. In Barranco Camp you will get ready for the Barranco Wall. Get some good rest.

• Duration: 01:45 h
• Distance: 2.91 km
• Ascent: 360 m
• Descent: 30 m

Today you will climb the Barranco Wall, where you will need a firm grip. Luckily, the guides will be nearby to give you a hand and assist you whenever you need it. We leave Barranco, and at the top of the Barranco wall, wonderful views await us. Then we descend through the Karanga Valley, where we stop for lunch. After a 2-3 hour hike, we arrive at Barafu camp (4640 m). In the camp you will be able to rest, have dinner and go to bed early. You have earned it.

• Duration: 10:50 h
• Distance: 16.6 km
• Ascent: 1220 m
• Descent: 2790 m

Your guide will wake you up in the middle of the night. There will be a light breakfast and a warm beverage ready for you. How do you feel? Chances are, you are not feeling that great. The altitude does funny things but food and water will help you get ready. The moon and your headlamps will be your only source of light as you make your way up to Stella Point, reaching the crater rim in about 5 – 7 hours. From Stella Point, it’s another deceiving 1 to 2 hours to Uhuru Peak. Depending on how you feel, this is not easy. But you’ve made it. You are at the highest point. on one of the Seven Summits. Enjoy the sun rising over Africa.

After capturing this incredible view and achievement on film, you will start your descent along the same route back to Barafu Camp, where your team awaits you with some snacks and refreshments. Rested and relaxed you will make your way to Mweka Camp for your last night on the highest mountain in Africa. A massive day, but it all went so quickly. From camp you look up to Kibo and you start to realize that you were up there that same morning. Incredible. One more wishy washy, one last dinner on the mountain.

And, most likely, the tipping ceremony. This is the moment to thank your guides and porters for their share in successfully summiting Kilimanjaro. There’s no need to give cash now, but it is a good moment to let your guide know how much the staff can expect. Get in touch with our Kilimanjaro expert to learn more about tipping and receive a guideline for fair tipping.

• Duration: 03:40 h
• Distance: 8.7 km
• Descent: 1420 m

The more you descend, the better your oxygen intake. The better your oxygen intake, the better your body and mind work. It’s all sinking now. You’ve ascended Kilimanjaro. You will once more trek through the rainforest, giving you another opportunity to spot the cheeky colobus monkeys, finally reaching the Mweka gate in about 2 – 3 hours. In Mweka, after some paperwork, another meal awaits you. You may as well add a Kilimanjaro beer to that. While you’re at it, your guide will present you with your climbing certificate. Well done!

After some good food and a celebration, you will be taken back to your hotel. It’s time to rest those legs. Jump in the pool, eat, drink and sleep.