This is the second most popular route, and it is considered the most beautiful route up Kilimanjaro of the beaten track. With a gradual ascend through the forest you emerge to see wide views of the moorland on Shira plateau, Kibo and Western Breach. The different kinds of vegetation found along the route make it the most sceneric route.

For a slightly more technical climb on Kilimanjaro, one can conquer Uhuru peak from Arrow Glacier camp, but a less challenging route can be taken from Barranco hut.

Day by Day Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Arusha Kilimanjaro Airport.
We'll meet for an introductory briefing upon our arrival in Arusha, before transferring to the Oasis Lodge for the evening.

Day 2: Kilimanjaro Climb - Arusha to Machame Camp. At 7:30 a.m., we'll transfer to the Machame Park Gate. After registering with the park authority, we'll begin our climb through the lush forest. We'll continue on to some heath land before reaching our overnight camp at Machame Camp (10,000 feet, 6-7 hours of walking).

Day 3: Kilimanjaro Climb - Machame Camp to Shira Camp.
Today's segment of the ascent will continue across beautiful heath land and alpine moorland with magnificent views of Kilimanjaro Peak. We'll overnight at Shira Camp (12,500 feet, 6-7 hours of walking).

Day 4: Kilimanjaro Climb - Shira Camp to Barranco Camp We'll draw nearer the peak as we pass the Lava Tower. The trek becomes a bit more strenuous as the trail steepens on the approach to our overnight stop at Barranco Camp (13,800 feet, 5-6 hours of walking).

Day 5: Kilimanjaro Climb - Barranco Camp to Karanga Valley Camp
The day will begin with a descent into the Gorge, before we climb its eastern wall where we will enjoy views of Kilimanjaro's ice fields, an equatorial anomaly. We will continue trekking until we reach our camp in Karanga Valley (13,900 feet, 4-5 hours of walking).

Day 6: Kilimanjaro Climb - Karanga Valley Camp to Barafu Camp
We'll trek up through the Karanga Valley, following the lava ridge to the Barafu camp (15,500 feet, 6-7 hours of walking), where we will overnight.

Day 7: Kilimanjaro Climb - Barafu Camp to Summit to Mweka Camp Just after midnight, we'll begin our summit attempt, passing between the Rebmann and Tarzel glaciers to the rim at Stella Point. As dawn nears, we'll summit at Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa at 19,340 feet. Uhuru will be the culmination of - and the reward for -- 6-7 hours of strenuous hiking. We'll then descend back to Barafu Camp, resting for a while before continuing our descent to Mweka Camp (9,840 feet, 3-4 hours of walking on the descent).

Day 8: Kilimanjaro Climb - Mweka Camp to Park Gate, transfer to Arusha
We'll make our final descent to the park gate, a walk of about 3 or 4 hours. After bidding our farewells to our guide and porters, we'll drive to Arusha.

Alternatively
One may choose 7days/6nights on Kilimanjaro, with an extra day for acclimatization at Barranco Camp, which will increase his/her chance to reach the top.