This itinerary is suitable for most amateur hikers and with the extra day spent at Karanga it allows for added acclimatization.
Day 1: MACHAME CAMP (9,500') Pick up in Arusha and drive about one hour to the Park Gate. From the Machame Park Gate you start the hike through the Montane Forest; it will take about 4 hours to reach camp at the upper edge of the montane forest just in the giant heather forest.
Day 2: ABOVE EAST SHIRA PLATEAU (12,900'). The hike today will be about five hours. You ascend the Machame route climbing to the Shira Cave area, which is in the upper heath zone.
Day 3: BARRANCO CAMP (13,000') Today you will hike to camp 3. The route will take you up to 14,000 feet just below Lava Tower and then back down to your camp in the Great Barranco Valley. The views of the Great Breach Wall are better from this camp than anywhere on the mountain.
Day 4: KARANGA CAMP (13,400') Climbing out of the Barranco Valley we enjoy a short day hike to the Karanga Valley directly below the southern face of Kibo. After a warm lunch at camp we can explore the glacial moraines of the upper Karanga Valley or just rest up in camp.
Day 5: BARAFU CAMP (15,500')Your route today climbs up from the Karanga Valley and ascends to over 14,000 feet. You then traverse under the glaciers of the southern slopes of Kilimanjaro. As you traverse you will have close-up views of all of the mountain's Southern Glaciers. You then make the final 1000ft ascent to Barafu Hut.
Day 6: MWEKA CAMP (10,000') Summit day. You will start the ascent to the summit (19,340') very early in the morning. This will allow you to be near the crater rim as the morning sun is rising. After taking in the view from Uhuru Peak you will begin the long descent back to Barafu Hut and, after a short rest and brunch, continue on down to Mweka Hut.
Day 7: MWEKA PARK GATE. It takes about 2 to 2 and a half hours to make the 3,500 foot descent to the roadhead. Here you will have your lunch and say goodbye to the mountain staff and get into the vehicles for the drive back to Arusha.