7-Day Mount Kilimanjaro Machame Route Climb to Uhuru Peak

Hiking Time: 11 km, taking 5-7 hours
Terrain: Mountain forest, heather, and moorland zone
Meals: Lunch and Dinner

Your trek to the peak of Mount Kilimanjaro starts at the Mount Kilimanjaro National Park gates. Here, you will meet your guide and porters, who will be your family for the next week.

Once you are registered, packed, and ready to go, your guide will lead you along a winding trail through the rainforest to your first camp, Machame Camp, where you will have dinner and spend the night.

Hiking Time: 6 km, taking 5 hours
Terrain: Heather and moorland
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

In the morning, you will leave the glades of the rainforest and make your way past a valley along a rocky ridge to the end of the ridge. From here, your path leads to a river gorge where you will make camp for the night.

At Shira Camp, some groups stay an extra night to acclimatize. You, however, will press on in the morning to the next camp.

Hiking Time: 10 km, taking 6-8 hours
Terrain: Heather and moorland zone
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Today is an important acclimatization day and one full of breathtaking views. From the Shira Plateau, you will make your way toward Kibo Peak.

Along the way, you will pass the Lava Tower, followed by the Arrow Glacier at an altitude of 4,876 m. You will then descend to Barranco Camp, where you will have dinner and camp for the night.

Even though you camp at a similar elevation to the previous night, you will have reached a great height today, which is important for acclimatization.

Distance: 6 km, taking 4-5 hours

Today is a day full of breathtaking views. In the morning, you will ascend the Barranco Wall before trekking across rock and ridges to the Karanga Valley. Here, you will be met with breathtaking views of the Western Breach and southern glacier.

You will reach your camp for lunch and spend the day relaxing or going on walks to further acclimatize.

Hiking Time: 4 km, taking 3 hours
Terrain: Heather, moorland, and alpine desert

Today, you will head to Barafu Camp at an elevation of 4,640 m. The ascent begins on a narrow, rocky path with a slight uphill slope. A relatively easy climb, today will prepare you for your summit climb tomorrow.

The evening will be spent preparing for your summit. So, get to bed early because you will be up at midnight for the final leg to Uhuru Peak.

Hiking Time: 19 km, taking 13-15 hours
Terrain: Alpine desert, snow, heather, and moorland

Today is the day! You will awake before midnight to start your 6-hour ascent. The climb will take you past the final waypoint, Hans Meyer Point (5,888 m/19,318 ft), after which you will reach the summit of Uhuru Peak.

You have finally done it. You have reached the highest point in Africa at 5,895 m/19,341 ft. This achievement will be tough to top, that's for sure.

After a moment of basking in your triumph, you will start your descent down past Barafu Camp to Mweka Camp. Here, you will enjoy your last dinner on the mountain and some well-earned sleep.

Hiking Time: 10 km, taking 3-4 hours
Terrain: Mountain forest

In the morning, you will head to the road, an easy journey after the adventure you have just had. Now it is time to say kwaheri to your guides and porters.

You will then be taken to your hotel for dinner and for what will probably feel like the best shower you have ever had.