13 Day Kilimanjaro Trekking Adventure With Safari in Tanzania

Trekking Pals is an adventure travel community with a mission to empower women to get out, get confident, and explore the world. Please note that this particular adventure is a co-ed group adventure. Mount Kilimanjaro is a long, strenuous trek at high elevation. You must check with your physician to ensure this adventure is right for you. By signing up for this adventure, you assume all risks that come with traveling and hiking at high altitude.

Daily itinerary

Day 1: Arriving at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO)

Welcome to Arusha! After you land at Kilimanjaro International Airport, the team will pick you up and drive you to your hotel to relax before meeting the rest of the team for a welcome dinner.

• Meals included: Welcome dinner

Day 2: Machame Gate - Machame Camp

Today is the start of your adventure on the Machame route. This is one of the most incredible routes to get to the top of Mount Kilimanjaro.

• Elevation: 5,380 - 9,350 feet
• Distance: 11 kilometers / 7 miles
• Hiking time: 5 - 7 hours
• Habitat: Rain forest
• Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner

Day 3: Machame Camp - Shira Camp

Today, you walk through the clearings of the rainforest and start climbing up a steep, rocky ridge. As you reach the Shira Plateau, the landscape changes to open moorlands with heather. You then cross a wide river gorge before arriving at Shira Camp.

• Elevation: 9,950 - 12,600 feet
• Distance: 5.3 kilometers / 3 miles
• Hiking time: 4 - 5 hours
• Habitat: Heath and Moorland
• Meals included: breakfast, lunch, and dinner

Day 4: Shira Camp - Lava Tower - Barranco Camp

Today, you hike east up a ridge and head southeast toward the Lava Tower, a towering 300-foot volcanic rock. From there, you descend to Barranco Camp, passing through the unique and beautiful Senecio Forest until you reach an altitude of 13,000 feet. Even though you start and end the day at the same elevation, the time spent at higher altitudes helps your body adjust to the thinner air.

1. Shira Cave Camp - Lava Tower

• Elevation: 12,600 - 15,190 feet
• Distance: 7 kilometers / 4 miles
• Hiking time: 4 - 5 hours
• Habitat: Semi-desert

2. Lava Tower - Barranco Camp

• Elevation: 15,190 - 13,044 feet
• Distance: 3 kilometers / 2 miles
• Hiking time: 2 - 3 hours
• Habitat: Semi-desert
• Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner

Day 5: Barranco Camp - Karanga Camp

You start the day by heading down into a ravine at the base of the Great Barranco Wall. Then, you climb the steep but manageable 900-foot wall. Once at the top, you cross rolling hills and valleys before making a steep descent into Karanga Valley. A final uphill climb takes you to Karanga Camp. This is a shorter day designed to help with acclimatization.

• Elevation: 13,044 - 13,106 feet
• Distance: 5 kilometers / 3 miles
• Hiking time: 4 - 5 hours
• Habitat: Alpine desert
• Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner

Day 6: Karanga Camp - Barafu Camp

You leave Karanga and follow the trail to the junction connecting with the Mweka Trail. From there, you hike up a rocky path to Barafu Hut. This marks the end of the Southern Circuit, giving you stunning views of the summit from different angles. At Barafu, you set up camp, rest, and have an early dinner to prepare for the summit climb. From here, you can see the two peaks, Mawenzi and Kibo.

• Elevation: 13,106 - 15,331 feet
• Distance: 4 kilometers / 2 miles
• Hiking time: 4 - 5 hours
• Habitat: Alpine desert
• Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner

Day 7: Barafu Camp - Uhuru Peak - Mweka Camp

Around midnight, you begin your final push to the summit, the toughest part of the trek. The wind and cold can be extreme as you climb in the dark, taking short breaks. Near Stella Point (18,900 feet), you witness a breathtaking sunrise over Mawenzi Peak. Finally, you reach Uhuru Peak - the highest point on Kilimanjaro and in Africa. After celebrating at the summit, you descend straight to Mweka Camp, stopping at Barafu for lunch. The rocky trail can be tough on the knees, so trekking poles help. Mweka Camp sits in the upper forest, where mist or rain is common in the evening.

1. Barafu Camp - Uhuru Peak

• Elevation: 15,331 - 19,341 feet
• Distance: 5 kilometers / 3 miles
• Hiking time: 7 - 8 hours
• Habitat: Arctic

2. Uhuru Peak - Mweka Camp

• Elevation: 19,341 - 10,065 ft
• Distance: 12 kilometers / 7 miles
• Hiking time: 4 - 6 hours
• Habitat: Rain forest
• Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner

Day 8: Mweka Camp - Mweka Gate - Arusha

On your final day, you hike down to Mweka Gate, where you receive your summit certificate. The trail may be wet and muddy at lower elevations. From there, a vehicle will take you back to your hotel in Arusha.

• Elevation: 10,065 - 5,380 feet
• Distance: 10 kilometers / 6 miles
• Hiking time: 3 - 4 hours
• Habitat: Rain forest
• Meals included: Breakfast

Day 9: Free day

Today is your free day to unwind and celebrate your big accomplishment before you dive into the rest of your journey in the wild plains of Tanzania.

Day 10: Tarangire National Park

In the morning, Travel With Trekking pals will pick you up from your hotel in Arusha and drive to Tarangire National Park. Upon arrival, your driver will prepare the open-roof jeep for an extensive wildlife viewing experience. You will explore the park’s vast tree savanna and seasonal marshes, home to the largest elephant herds in North Tanzania. A picnic lunch will be provided at a scenic spot within the park. Later in the evening, you will head to your lodge for an overnight stay, allowing you to relax after an exciting day in the wild.

• Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner

Day 11: Ngorongoro Crater

Start your day with an early breakfast before being picked up from your lodge at 7:00 a.m. for Ngorongoro Crater. Spend the day enjoying the breathtaking views of the crater while listening to the songs of various bird species. You may also spot big cats along with other wildlife, including lions, elephants, buffalo, wildebeests, Thomson’s gazelles, zebras, and reedbucks. In the evening, return to your lodge for dinner and an overnight stay while admiring the stunning African sunset.

• Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner

Day 12: Lake Manyara National Park and Maasai tour

Start your day with breakfast before heading to Lake Manyara National Park for a game drive at the base of the Great Rift Valley. The park is home to a variety of wildlife, including lions, hippos, elephants, zebras, buffalos, giraffes, baboons, monkeys, and warthogs. It also has five distinct vegetation zones and is a haven for bird lovers, with over 350 recorded species. After lunch, visit a Maasai village to experience their unique culture and learn about their daily life as a pastoral community. In the evening, return to your hotel in Arusha for a restful night.

• Meals included: Breakfast

Day 13: Goodbye Tanzania

It is time to say goodbye to Tanzania after an adventure of a lifetime. You will bid farewell to your team and get transferred to the airport.