8-Day Mount Kilimanjaro Machame Route Trek to Uhuru Peak at Sunrise

• Arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport and transfer to Walk With Us Africa Hotel, or a similar property, for an overnight stay on a bed and breakfast basis.

• Begin the day early with a briefing, followed by breakfast in Moshi.
• Drive for approximately 45 minutes from Moshi at 910 metres to Machame Park Gate.
• Receive a packed lunch at the gate and prepare bottled water for the trek.
• Complete registration formalities before starting the ascent through the rainforest.
• Trek through lush forest terrain, where rain may make the trail muddy and slippery.
• Arrive at Machame Camp at an altitude ranging from 1,800 metres to 3,100 metres after approximately 11 kilometres of trekking over 6 hours.
• Relax as porters provide boiled drinking and washing water at the camp.
• Enjoy a freshly prepared dinner by the cook before retiring to your tent.
• Experience cold night temperatures, which may drop to freezing point.
• Meals included are breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Overnight stay at Machame Camp or similar.

• Begin the day early at Machame Camp with breakfast before starting the trek.
• Ascend for about an hour to reach the top of the rainforest zone.
• Continue through the moorland zone with gentler gradients for approximately two hours.
• Take a short break for lunch and rest along the trail.
• Proceed along a rocky ridge leading onto the Shira Plateau.
• Enjoy views of the Western Breach and its glaciers in the distance.
• Trek west of Kibo Peak and continue towards Shira Camp.
• Arrive at Shira Camp at an altitude ranging from 3,100 metres to 3,840 metres after approximately 5 kilometres of trekking over 4 to 5 hours.
• Relax as porters provide boiled drinking and washing water at the camp.
• Enjoy dinner before resting at the exposed camp, where temperatures drop well below freezing.
• Meals included are breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Overnight stay at Shira Camp.

• Begin the day after breakfast and head east into a semi-desert and rocky landscape.
• Trek towards Lava Tower, reaching an altitude of approximately 4,600 metres after about 5 hours.
• Enjoy lunch at a designated area before continuing the ascent on a rocky scree path.
• Experience one of the most challenging days, with possible altitude symptoms such as breathlessness, irritability, and headaches.
• Descend approximately 680 metres from Lava Tower towards Barranco Camp for acclimatisation.
• Continue the descent for about 2 hours with scenic views of the Western Breach and Breach Wall.
• Arrive at Barranco Camp, located in a valley below the Great Barranco Wall.
• Enjoy opportunities for photography and a memorable sunset at the camp.
• Relax as the team prepares dinner before your overnight stay.
• Cover a distance of approximately 11 kilometres over 7 to 8 hours at altitudes ranging from 3,840 metres to 3,940 metres.
• Meals included are breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Overnight stay at Barranco Camp or similar.

• Begin the trek after breakfast and proceed towards higher altitudes under exposed and windy conditions.
• Trek across rugged terrain towards Barafu Camp, covering approximately 13 kilometres in about 7 hours.
• Arrive at Barafu Camp, located between 3,960 metres and 4,550 metres on a narrow and stony ridge.
• Take time to familiarise yourself with the camp surroundings to ensure safety.
• Prepare all essential equipment, including walking sticks, thermal clothing, and summit gear.
• Check and replace headlamp and camera batteries, and carry spare sets for the summit climb.
• Store water in a thermal flask to prevent freezing during the ascent.
• Rest early in the evening and attempt to sleep for a few hours before the night summit climb.
• Meals included are breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Overnight stay at Barafu Camp.

• Begin the summit attempt around midnight after tea and light snacks.
• Trek in a northwesterly direction through steep scree towards Stella Point on the crater rim.
• Continue the challenging ascent for approximately 6 hours to reach Stella Point at 5,685 metres.
• Take a short rest and enjoy a spectacular sunrise, depending on weather conditions.
• Proceed with a further 2-hour ascent through snowy terrain to Uhuru Peak at 5,895 metres.
• Spend limited time at the summit due to extreme cold and fatigue while enjoying the achievement.
• Descend to Barafu Camp in approximately 3 hours for a short rest and to collect gear.
• Continue descending to Mweka Camp at 3,100 metres for dinner and an overnight stay.
• Cover approximately 17 kilometres over 15 or more hours across varying altitudes.
• Meals included are breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Overnight stay at Mweka Camp or similar.

• Begin the day with breakfast before descending from Mweka Camp.
• Trek down through forest trails towards Mweka Gate, covering approximately 10 kilometres in 4 to 5 hours.
• Continue walking to Mweka Village, which may include a muddy section of about 1 hour.
• Transfer by vehicle to Springlands Hotel after reaching the village.
• Enjoy a hot lunch and take a refreshing shower after completing the trek.
• Receive summit certificates based on your achievement, with green certificates for Stella Point and gold certificates for Uhuru Peak.
• Provide tips to guides and crew at your discretion as a gesture of appreciation.
• Continue to Walk With Us Africa Hotel for an overnight stay.
• Descend from an altitude of 3,100 metres to 1,800 metres during the day.
• Meals included are breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Overnight stay at Walk With Us Africa Hotel.

• Enjoy an early breakfast at the hotel before departure.
• Transfer to Kilimanjaro Airport for your onward flight back home.
• Meals included are breakfast.
• No accommodation is provided as the tour concludes.