KILIMANJARO - SUMMER 2026

About

Join Mark Barneche and Brad East as they lead a Study Abroad alumni trip to hike Mount Kilimanjaro in Summer 2026! Build lasting memories with fellow Abilene Christian University alumni and challenge yourself as you scale Africa’s highest peak together over the course of a week. This unique journey combines breathtaking landscapes, intentional faith conversations, and the thrill of standing on the Roof of Africa. Continue reading to learn more about the route, preparation details, and how you can be part of this meaningful, once-in-a-lifetime experience!

Training

Training is another important step in your Kilimanjaro preparation. How you train is a significant factor in how you will fare on your Kilimanjaro climb. Many that hike Kilimanjaro have never hiked for so many consecutive days at such high elevations. Therefore we urge you to be in the best shape of your life. Obviously, it is not easy to climb the tallest mountain in Africa. Although the trekking is at a slow pace and most hiking days end in the mid-afternoon, the combination of physical activity, poor sleep, diminished appetite, dehydration, weather, and altitude are working against you. As you make the push to the summit, your endurance will be tested.

It is recommend that you complete 8-12 weeks of training to attain a solid fitness level before the trek. You may require more or less depending on your current fitness and your hiking acumen. View our sample training program.  Note that hiking should be the foundation of your training and is far more important than other types of activity such as running or weightlifting.

  • Set a routine for training. Focus on discipline. Make a training schedule and stick to it.

    • Day 1: Hike/StairMaster for at least one hour

    • Day 2: Light leg workout with weights, or cycling, or jogging

    • Day 3: Hike/StairMaster for at least one hour

    • Day 4: Rest

    • Day 5: Open day to do any exercise you like

    • Day 6: Hike/StairMaster for at least one hour

    • Day 7: Rest

    Notes: For your hikes and StairMaster sessions, you can begin with carrying a little weight in your daypack.

  • Build your foundation of endurance and strength. Keep workouts challenging and fun.

    • Day 1: Hike/StairMaster for at least one hour

    • Day 2: Moderate leg workout with weights

    • Day 3: Hike/StairMaster for at least one hour

    • Day 4: Rest

    • Day 5: Open day to do any exercise you like

    • Day 6: Hike at least three hours with a weighted pack

    • Day 7: Rest

    Notes: Increase the weight of your pack to about 20 lbs. Weekly, do one long hike that takes a full day of 6-8 hours of hiking. Also, plan at least one overnight backpack trip where you can test out your sleeping gear.

  • Your hardest workouts should be at the four-week point. Increase the weight of your pack to 25-30 lbs. Do everything at a faster pace. Really challenge yourself this month to gain mental toughness.

    • Day 1: Hike/StairMaster for at least one hour

    • Day 2: Hard leg workout with weights

    • Day 3: Hike/StairMaster for at least one hour

    • Day 4: Light leg workout with weights, or cycling, or jogging

    • Day 5: Open day to do any exercise you like

    • Day 6: Hike at least four hours with a weighted pack

    • Day 7: Rest

  • Wind down your training to prevent injury. Maintain your strength and endurance with easy to moderate workouts. Be sure to get enough sleep before embarking on your travels.

    • Day 1: Hike/StairMaster for at least one hour

    • Day 2: Light leg workout with weights, or cycling, or jogging

    • Day 3: Hike/StairMaster for at least one hour

    • Day 4: Rest

    • Day 5: Open day to do any exercise you like

    • Day 6: Hike/StairMaster for at least one hour

    • Day 7: Rest

Training Plan:

Packing

When preparing to hike Kilimanjaro, please ensure you have:

  • Good waterproof and breathable hiking boots and plenty of thick socks. These should be tried and tested before the hike begins as finding out they are unsuitable and uncomfortable two days in is the last thing you want.

  • A good waterproof backpack and hydration sack – one big enough to hold your personal items (camera, head torch, clothes and the food you are given for the day).

  • Thermals for the cold nights (and some days) hiking.

  • Waterproof/windproof pants and shell, even if you are hiking in the dryer seasons – the weather can become cold very quickly.

  • Quick-dry hiking clothes and trousers. Zip-off trousers are great for the first and last days of the treks.

  • Fleece/down jackets are needed for when the temperature drops. It’s easy to forget these items whilst sweating at the base of the mountain in a tropical country. The summit can be as cold as -30 degrees Celsius.

  • Beanie and gloves.

  • Sunscreen and sunglasses is one most people forget. You can be very exposed some days and you don’t want to be burnt for your time on the mountain.

  • A warm change of clothes for the nights is a great idea. They help you stay cosy and break up the amount of time you need to spend in your trekking clothes.

  • As with any trek, bring basic toiletries like toothbrush and toothpaste, but not so much that you struggle to carry the weight you’ve packed.

  • A head torch for the evenings and summit night.

  • Hiking snacks – and lots of them! Energy bars are a lightweight, high-calorie option.

  • A small medical kit with essentials like plasters and second skin can be very handy. Blisters are the last thing you need!

Purpose

The Kilimanjaro expedition invites ACU alumni to step into a journey of challenge, connection, and spiritual renewal. More than just a hike, this experience is an opportunity to reconnect with the heart of Study Abroad—adventure, reflection, and community. As participants ascend the mountain together, they’ll be encouraged to engage in intentional conversations about faith, life, and purpose. Surrounded by the stunning landscapes of Tanzania, alumni will build lasting friendships and rediscover the value of shared experience. This expedition is a call to step away from the routine, embrace the unknown, and return changed.

The Route

DAY 1 – Machame Gate to Machame Camp

  • Elevation: 5,380 ft to 9,350 ft
    Hiking Time: 5-7 hours
    Distance: 11 km | 7 miles
    Habitat: Rain Forest

DAY 2 – Machame Camp to Shira 2 Camp

  • Elevation: 9,350 ft to 12,500 ft
    Hiking Time: 4-6 hours
    Distance: 5 km | 3 miles
    Habitat: Heath

DAY 3 – Shira 2 Camp to Lava Tower to Barranco Camp

  1. Shira 2 Camp to Lava Tower:
    Elevation: 12,500 ft to 15,190 ft
    Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
    Distance: 7 km | 4 miles
    Habitat: Alpine Desert

  2. Lava Tower to Barranco Camp:
    Elevation: 15,190 ft to 13,044 ft
    Hiking Time: 2-3 hours
    Distance: 3 km | 2 miles
    Habitat: Alpine Desert

DAY 4 – Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp

  • Elevation: 13,044 ft to 13,106 ft
    Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
    Distance: 5 km | 3 miles
    Habitat: Alpine Desert

DAY 5 – Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp

  • Elevation: 13,106 ft to 15,331 ft
    Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
    Distance: 4 km | 2 miles
    Habitat: Alpine Desert

DAY 6 – Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak to Mweka Camp

  1. Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak:
    Elevation: 15,331 ft to 19,341 ft
    Hiking Time: 6-8 hours
    Distance: 5 km | 3 miles
    Habitat: Arctic

  2. Uhuru Peak to Mweka Camp:
    Elevation: 19,341 ft to 10,065 ft
    Hiking Time: 4-6 hours
    Distance: 12 km | 7 miles
    Habitat: Rain Forest

DAY 7 – Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate

  • Elevation: 10,065 ft to 5,380 ft
    Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
    Distance: 10 km | 6 miles
    Habitat: Rain Forest

OVERVIEW OF ROUTE:

  • Elevation: 16,000 to 17,000 feet
    Hiking Time: 7 Days
    Distance: 62 km | 37 miles
    Habitats: Rain Forest, Heath, Alpine Desert, Arctic