7-Day Machame Route Kilimanjaro Trek to Uhuru Peak

• Take a 45-minute drive from Moshi to the gate of Mount Kilimanjaro National Park.

• After completing the paperwork, begin the journey by passing through the village of Machame, located on the mountain's lower slopes.

• Depart from the park gate and walk through the rainforest on a winding trail up a ridge. At lower elevations, the trail can be muddy and slippery, so using gaiters and trekking poles is a good idea.

• Continue trekking for a short distance until arrival at Machame Camp.

Elevation: 1830m/6000ft to 3050m/9950ft

Distance: 11km/7mi

Climbing Time: 5-6 hours

Habitat: Montane Forest

• After breakfast, leave the glades of the rainforest and continue on an ascending path, crossing the valley along a steep rocky ridge.

• The route then turns west into a river gorge until arrival at Shira Camp.

Elevation: 3050m/9950ft to 3850m/12,600ft

Distance: 5km/3mi

Walking Time: 4-5 hours

Habitat: Moorland

• From the Shira Plateau, continue east up a ridge, passing the junction toward the peak of Kibo.

• On the way, the direction changes to the south-east toward Lava Tower, also called the "Shark's Tooth" (elevation 4650m/15,250ft).

• Shortly after the tower, reach the second junction that leads toward Arrow Glacier, then continue down to Barranco Camp.

• Although the day ends at around the same elevation as the beginning of the trek, it is very important for acclimatization and will help the body prepare for summit day.

Elevation: 3850m/12,600ft to 4000m/13,000ft

Distance: 10km/6mi

Walking Time: 5-6 hours

Habitat: Semi-desert

• After breakfast, leave Barranco and continue on a steep ridge up the Barranco Wall to the Karanga Valley and the junction that connects to the Mweka Trail.

Elevation: 4000m/13,000ft to 4050m/13,250ft

Distance: 5km/3mi

Climbing Time: 3-4 hours

Habitat: Alpine Desert

• Continue up to Barafu Camp and eventually complete the South Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many different angles.

• Here, set camp, rest, enjoy dinner, and prepare for summit day.

Elevation: 4050m/13,250ft to 4700m/15,350ft

Distance: 4km/2mi

Climbing Time: 3-4 hours

Habitat: Alpine Desert

• Very early in the morning, between midnight and 2 am, continue toward the summit between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers.

• 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, stop for a short rest and be rewarded with a magnificent sunrise. Faster hikers may view the sunrise from the summit.

• From Stella Point, there may be a chance of encountering snow during the final 1-hour ascent to the summit.

• Reach Uhuru Peak, the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa.

• From the summit, begin descending by continuing straight down to Mweka Camp, stopping at Barafu for lunch. Gaiters and trekking poles may be required to navigate the loose gravel on the way down.

• Arrive at Mweka Camp and enjoy your last evening on the mountain.

Elevation: 4700m/15,350ft to 5895m/19,340ft

Down to 3090m/10,150ft

Distance: 5km/3mi up / 13km/8mi down

Climbing Time: 5-7 hours up / 5-6 hours down

Habitat: Stone scree and ice-capped summit

• After breakfast, continue descending toward Mweka Park Gate to receive summit certificates.

• A vehicle will be waiting at Mweka Gate for the drive back to your hotel in Moshi, which takes about 30 minutes.

• End of the 7-day Machame Route climb.

Elevation: 3090m/10,150ft to 1680m/5500ft

Distance: 10km/6mi

Climbing Time: 3-4 hours

Habitat: Forest