7-Day Machame Route Kilimanjaro Trek with Extra Acclimatization

The drive from Moshi to the Mount Kilimanjaro National Park Gate takes about 50 minutes. The journey passes through the village of Machame, which is located on the lower slopes of the mountain.

We leave the park gate and walk through the rain forest on a winding trail up a ridge. Lower down, the trail can be muddy and slippery, so gaiters and trekking poles are a good idea here. We continue a short distance until we reach Machame Camp.

After breakfast, we leave the glades of the rain forest and continue on an ascending path, crossing the little valley and walking along a steep rocky ridge covered with heather until the ridge ends.

The route then turns west onto a river gorge. Time for rest, dinner, and an overnight stay at Shira Camp.

From the Shira Plateau, we continue east up a ridge, passing the junction toward the peak of Kibo. As we continue, our direction changes to the southeast toward the Lava Tower, called the "Shark's Tooth."

Shortly after the tower, we come to the second junction, which leads up to the Arrow Glacier at an altitude of 16,000 ft. We then continue down to Barranco Hut at an altitude of 13,000 ft, where we rest, enjoy dinner, and stay overnight.

Although you end the day at nearly the same elevation as when you started, this day is very important for acclimatization and will help your body prepare for summit day.

After breakfast, we leave Barranco and continue on a steep ridge, passing the Barranco Wall to the Karanga Valley campsite.

This is a short day meant for acclimatization.

Elevation: 13,000 ft to 13,100 ft. Hiking time: 4-5 hours. Distance: 3 miles. Habitat: Alpine Desert.

After breakfast, we leave Karanga and head to the junction that connects with the Mweka Trail. We continue up to Barafu Hut.

At this point, you have completed the South Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many different angles. Here we make camp, rest, enjoy dinner, and prepare for summit day. The two peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo can be seen from this position.

Very early in the morning, between midnight and 2 am, we continue our way to the summit between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers. You head in a northwesterly direction and ascend through heavy scree toward Stella Point on the crater rim. This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek.

At Stella Point (18,600 ft), you will stop for a short rest and, weather permitting, be rewarded with one of the most magnificent sunrises you are ever likely to see. From Stella Point, you may encounter snow all the way on your 1-hour ascent to the summit.

At Uhuru Peak, you have reached the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa. Faster hikers will see the sunrise from the summit.

From the summit, we begin our descent, continuing straight down to the Mweka Hut campsite and stopping at Barafu for lunch. You will want gaiters and trekking poles for the loose gravel on the way down. Mweka Camp is situated in the upper forest, and mist or rain can be expected in the late afternoon. Later in the evening, we enjoy our last dinner on the mountain and a well-earned sleep.

After breakfast, we continue the descent down to the Mweka Park Gate to receive your summit certificates. At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy, so gaiters and trekking poles will help. Shorts and T-shirts will probably be plenty to wear, but keep rain gear and warmer clothing handy.

From the gate, you continue another hour to Mweka Village. A vehicle will meet you there and drive you back to your hotel in Moshi.