Tanzania is a beautiful country. Here stretch the plains of the Serengeti; here glint the snows of Kilimanjaro and here too lies the fantastic island of Zanzibar. Bordered on the south by Mozambique, Malawi and Zambia, on the west by Zaire, Burundi and Rwanda, to the north by Uganda and Kenya and on the east by the Indian Ocean, Tanzania is the largest of the East African nations and its geography is diverse and spectacular.

Mountain Village Lodge: the property is an imaginative recreation of a traditional African village. Nestled in the heart of a coffee estate, the lodge boasts views of Lake Duluti and Mount Meru.
Accommodation: Mountain Village Lodge

DAY 02: MOUNT KILIMANJARO: MACHAME GATE (5,950 ft / 1,815 m) / MACHAME CAMP (9,850 ft / 3,000 m)
Our departure from Arusha will be at around 8:00am for the Machame village (about 1.5 hr drive). Upon completion of the custom formalities, we will begin our walk through the mist on a 4 x 4 track for about an hour into the forest. The track ends but the trail continues up through the dripping and verdant forest. We will likely hear the many exotic birds in the canopy above, and see black & white colobus monkeys and sykes monkeys as they hike along the forest floor. It takes about 6 hours to reach the first camp. Machame Camp is just above the forest zone, in the heather zone. When it is clear, we can see views of the jagged Shira ridge and the summit itself.
Accommodation: Machame Camp (Meals: B,L,D)

DAY 03: MOUNT KILIMANJARO: SHIRA CAMP (12,600 ft / 3,840 m)
Today, we will wake up early (around 06:00am) with a steaming cup of tea or coffee served in our tent, and then after breakfast, we will begin the steep track through a savannah of tall grasses and trees of giant Heather and Erica. By then, the clouds should clear for a beautiful view of the Western Breach headwall and the glaciers atop which mark the summit, Uhuru Peak. Scramble around large boulders as you enter the Hagenia zone, marked by a savannah of tall grasses and bearded heather, ghostly landscapes of volcanic lava, caves and foamy streams framed by giant groundsels.

Today's hike will be about six hours in length with the Shira Plateau as your final destination. Your camp, set at 12,600 feet, boasts sweeping views across the Masai Steppe to the distant Mount Meru and the Shira Needles.
Accommodation: Shira Camp (Meals: B,L,D)

DAY 04: SHIRA CAMP / BARRANCO CAMP (12,950 ft / 3,950 m)
Today, we will walk upward over long ridgelines of high desert for about 4 hours, and break for lunch at about 14,500 feet (4,420 m). After lunch, we will head to Lava Tower, a 300 foot tall volcanic plug which marks an exposed pass at 15,000 feet. In the afternoon, we will descend the steep track into the Great Barranco Valley. Barranco Camp is set on a flat area enclosed on three sides with steep valley walls and the Kibo massif itself. Hanging glaciers glint in the sunshine above, amidst the eerie landscape of plants such as the giant groundsels (Senecio Kilimanjari), and the uniquely endemic Giant Lobelia. Our trekking time will take approximately 6 hours long.
Accommodation: Barranco Camp (Meals: B,L,D)

DAY 05: BARRANCO CAMP / KARANGA CAMP (13,100 ft / 3,995 m)
Today, we will climb up through the edge of the great Barranco Cliff. There will be no increase in elevation to allow you to acclimate and rest. The day begins with a scramble up the steep �Barranco Wall', then traversing up and down the slopes of valleys which have carved their way into the mountain's southern face. Kibo's glaciers loom above to your left and the jagged peaks of Mawenzi jut are just under 17,000 feet straight ahead. We will reach the Karanga Valley after 3 to 4 hours of trekking.
Accommodation: Karanga Camp (Meals: B,L,D)

DAY 06: KARANGA CAMP / BARAFU CAMP (15,200 ft / 4,630 m)
Barafu Camp is set on a small, exposed flat area on a ridge, acting a base camp from which you will make your summit attempt. Our trek today involves gaining more elevation, acclimatization and resting for the summit attempt on the next morning. The hike will be mostly on a moraine with views of Mawenzi Peak towering majestically to the right and Kibo Peak overhead, seemingly just out of reach. The alpine desert terrain encountered at this point is mostly a mineral environment with few lichens and mosses. You will be encouraged to sleep in early this evening, as tomorrow will be the longest day of your climb. Eat and drink as much as possible!
Accommodation: Barafu Camp (Meals: B,L,D)

DAY 07: BARAFU CAM / UHURU PEAK (19,340 ft / 5,895 m) / MWEKA CAMP (10,200 ft / 3,110 m)
The steaming hot drink will arrive very early this morning. A midnight wake-up call will mark the start of a juggernaut (over 12 hours of trekking). We will begin trekking at around 12:30-1:00am. The temperatures range from just below freezing at midnight, to between 10 deg f (-12 deg. C) to �10 F. (-23 deg. C) just before dawn at the summit. The winding path of endless switchbacks will take form and shape in the shadows of the Ratzel and Rebman glaciers at early dawn, and behind us the spires of Mawenzi will be silhouetted against the red glow of the sun from beneath the clouds. After about 6 hours of walking, we will come to the edge of the crater, at Stella Point, at 19,000 feet (5,790 m), which marks the end of the steep track. From here, there is a gentle slope upward about 1 hour to Uhuru Peak. The strength it takes to ascend this final 340 feet is often monumental. After a short time at the summit, we will descend the steep screen trail back to Barafu Camp for some rest. Then, get ready for our descent to Mweka Camp for the night.
Accommodation: Mweka Camp (Meals: B,L,D)

DAY 08: MWEKA CAMP / MWEKA GATE (6,000 ft / 1,830 m)
Your exciting Mount Kilimanjaro climb ends today as you continue your descent to the base of the mountain where you arrive exhausted, but exhilarated. Your driver/guide will be there to greet you and transport you to Mountain Village for lunch. Then, you will be transferred to JRO to catch your international flight. (Meals: B,L)