After jetting into Kilimanjaro International Airport, you will be met and driven to Meru View Lodge, a charming collection of cottages amid manicured gardens on the outskirts of Arusha and foothills of Mount Meru.

Its laid-back atmosphere is perfect to unwind from your journey and to prepare for tackling Africa’s highest peak. Depending on your schedule, you could spend the afternoon exploring Arusha, known for its aromatic coffee plantations, take a game drive in the nearby Arusha National Park and Ngurdoto Crater, or head to Chekma Hot Spring, a beautiful geothermal spring and popular playground for locals and international visitors alike. If you don’t feel up to a day out walking or driving, there is always the option of just relaxing at the lodge pool with a well-stocked bar nearby.

In the evening, attend a briefing to prepare for your upcoming trek before a wholesome dinner. Remember to stretch out those muscles and get a good rest, as tomorrow you begin your trek!

The day you have been eagerly anticipating and training for has finally arrived. You will be driven to Arusha to meet your guides and logistics team and set out to your starting point, Lemosha Gate (2,385 m / 7,825 ft).

Look out for black-and-white colobus monkeys as a moderately steep track leads you through dense rainforest until you reach your camp for the night, Big Tree Camp (2,780 m / 9,121 ft), which you should reach in the mid-afternoon. The crew will quickly assemble camp, including your tents, and begin dinner. Take the time to freshen up, enjoy the views and absorb the privilege of being in such a pristine setting.

After breakfast, the day’s trek begins along a small trail, continuing through the rain forests of Lemosho. The scenery changes dramatically as the trees are left behind and heath and moorland open out before you on the Shira Plateau. Four to five hours of trekking takes you across the Shira Ridge to Shira Camp 1, where you’ll stop off for a rest and a picnic lunch.

Take a breather and admire the views of Mount Meru and the Rift Valley before tackling the last stretch for the day. Approximately 3 hours climbing a significant 250 m (820 ft) in altitude brings you to your camp for the night, Shira Camp 2 (3,900 m / 12,795 ft) at around mid-afternoon. Rest up as you acclimatise to the reduced oxygen levels. Enjoy a hearty dinner and, hopefully, a beautiful view of a Kibo summit sunset.

Today sees you climbing approximately 700 m (2,296 ft) in altitude but spending the night at an elevation only slightly higher than the last night. Ascending to a point higher than camp helps you acclimatise as well as test how your body will react to such an altitude.

A long ascent takes you above the Shira Plateau toward the Lava Tower (4,640 m / 15,223 ft). The landscape transforms from heath to alpine desert which, unlike conventional deserts, has little rain, fauna or flora, but can be very cold during the day so it may be time to haul out your warmer gear. Six to seven hours trekking brings you through the wide Barranco Valley with its lobelia and giant senecio to Barranco Camp (3,960 m / 12,992 ft). Arguably the most beautiful of Kilimanjaro’s camps.

Today’s trek introduces you to the steepest ascent of the trek – the Barranco Wall. This part becomes more technical, but with the expert assistance from your guide where necessary, you’ll be on the mountain ridge in good time. From the ridge you can admire the stunning views of the southern glacial valleys and ice fields that loom majestically more than a thousand metres (about 3,000 ft) above you all the way to your next stop. You should reach your camp for the night, Karanga Camp (4,035 m / 13,238 ft) in time for a scenic picnic lunch.

After breakfast, the trail passes through an alpine desert area until you reach the destination of today. You are now nearing the summit and may encounter strong winds. Today is a half-day hike to ensure maximum acclimatisation time at Barafu Camp (4,640 m /15,223 ft), from where you can enjoy astounding evening views of the craggy and jagged Mount Mawenzi.

Spend the afternoon resting up and stretching out the legs. After an early dinner, get some sleep to prepare for the summit hike, which begins at midnight!

Today is the day you tackle your bid for the summit! The team will have a light snack and steaming hot beverage ready for you to kick off your summit trek. By torchlight, head out on a path of still frozen lava ash. The thin air makes for slow going but your experienced team will monitor your progress and ensure that you are keeping pace. Five to seven hours of steady trekking brings you to Stella Point (5,730 m / 18,799 ft), the crater rim of Kilimanjaro.

Another hour or two hiking along the crater ridge sees you arriving at ‘Africa’s Roof’, Uhuru Peak (5,895 m / 19,340 ft). From this significant milestone, you can experience the euphoric views of the rising sun. Take in the moment, pat yourself on the back because you have made it to the summit of the highest mountain in Africa! Snap a few photos and have a quick rest, as you need to make the descent to your camp for the night.

The descent trail takes you back through Barafu Camp, where the team will await with a warm lunch for you to refuel and rest for an hour or two before a three-hour trek down to Mweka Camp (3,080 m / 10,105 ft), your camp for the night.

Enjoy your final ‘mountain breakfast’ and then pick your way through the verdant afromontane forest to Mweka Gate. Farewells to the crew can be very emotional and are also a good time to dole out tips and special thanks. Then it is back aboard your transfer vehicle to the very welcome soft bed and warm showers at Meru View Lodge for a blissful overnight stay. You truly have accomplished something great, so savour and celebrate your incredible achievement!

After drinking your fill of delectable Tanzanian coffee at breakfast, bid the staff and fellow trekkers at Meru View Lodge farewell before a road transfer takes you back to Kilimanjaro International Airport. Many hikers now head to the island paradise of Zanzibar to rest after the rigours of a week spent hiking. Some sun, sand and sea can be the perfect antidote to Killi’s much chillier weather!