Day 1: Machame Gate to Machame Camp
- Elevation: 1,640 metres to 3,000 metres
- Hike through the rainforest
- Approximate trekking time: 6-7 hours
Day 2: Machame Camp to Shira Camp
- Elevation: 3,000 metres to 3,840 metres
- Leave the rainforest and enter the heath/moorland zone
- Approximate trekking time: 4-6 hours
Day 3: Shira Camp to Lava Tower to Barranco Camp
- Elevation: 3,840 metres to 4,600 metres (Lava Tower) to 3,950 metres (Barranco)
- Acclimatisation day with an ascent to Lava Tower
- Descend to Barranco Camp for overnight
- Approximate trekking time: 6-7 hours
Day 4: Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp
- Elevation: 3,950 metres to 4,035 metres
- Traverse the famous Barranco Wall
- Scenic views of glaciers and the summit
- Approximate trekking time: 4-5 hours
Day 5: Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp
- Elevation: 4,035 metres to 4,600 metres
- Ascend to Barafu Camp, the base for the summit push
- Rest and prepare for the summit attempt
- Approximate trekking time: 4-5 hours
Day 6: Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak to Mweka Camp
- Elevation: 4,600 metres to 5,895 metres (Uhuru Peak) to 3,100 metres (Mweka)
- Summit attempt starts at midnight
- Reach Uhuru Peak at sunrise
- Descend to Mweka Camp for overnight
- Approximate trekking time: 11-15 hours