7-Day Kilimanjaro Trek via Machame Route to Uhuru Peak

• Drive from Moshi to Machame Gate, which takes about 50 minutes. The journey passes through the village of Machame, located on the lower slopes of the mountain.

• 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.

• Continue a short distance farther to Machame Camp.

Elevation (ft): 5,380 ft to 9,350 ft

Distance: 11 km

Hiking Time: 5-7 hours

Habitat: Rain Forest

• After breakfast, leave the glades of the rain forest and continue on an ascending path.

• Cross the little valley and walk along a steep rocky ridge covered with heather until the ridge ends. The route then turns west onto a river gorge.

• Rest, have dinner, and stay overnight at Shira Camp.

Elevation (ft): 9,350 ft to 12,500 ft

Distance: 5 km

Hiking Time: 4-6 hours

Habitat: Heath

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

• Shortly after, reach the second junction, which brings you near Arrow Glacier at an altitude of 16,000 ft.

• Continue down to Barranco Hut at an altitude of 13,044 ft.

• Although you end up at nearly the same elevation as where you started, this day is very important for acclimatisation and will help prepare you for summit day.

Elevation (ft): 12,500 ft to 15,190 ft to 13,044 ft

Distance: 10 km

Hiking Time: 6-8 hours

Habitat: Alpine Desert

• Your first challenge is a climb and scramble over the volcanic rock of the 1,200 ft Barranco Wall.

• On reaching the top, enjoy a well-earned lunch break and fantastic views of Barafu and Mount Meru.

• Continue across the ridges and valleys to the Karanga Valley campsite. This is a short day meant for acclimatisation.

Elevation (ft): 13,044 ft to 13,106 ft

Distance: 5 km

Hiking Time: 4-5 hours

Habitat: Alpine Desert

• After breakfast, leave Karanga and head to the junction that connects with the Mweka Trail.

• Continue up to Barafu Hut.

• At this point, you will have completed the Southern Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many different angles.

• Here, make camp, rest, enjoy an early dinner, and prepare for summit day. The two peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo are visible from this site.

Elevation (ft): 13,106 ft to 15,331 ft

Distance: 4 km

Hiking Time: 4-5 hours

Habitat: Alpine Desert

• Very early in the morning, around midnight, put on many layers of clothing and begin the climb to the summit.

• 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), stop for a short rest and be rewarded with one of the most magnificent sunrises you are ever likely to see.

• From Stella Point, you have just one more hour before reaching the summit.

• At Uhuru Peak, you will 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, descend straight down to the Mweka Hut campsite, stopping at Barafu for lunch. Mweka Camp is situated in the upper forest.

• Later in the evening, enjoy your last dinner on the mountain and a well-earned sleep.

Elevation (ft): 15,331 ft to 19,341 ft to 10,065 ft

Distance: 17 km

Hiking Time: 11-14 hours

Habitat: Arctic

• After breakfast, continue the descent to Mweka Park Gate to receive your summit certificates.

• At lower elevations, the trail can be wet and muddy.

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

Elevation (ft): 10,065 ft to 5,380 ft

Distance: 10 km

Hiking Time: 3-4 hours

Habitat: Rain Forest