7-Day Mount Kilimanjaro Trek via Machame Route to Uhuru Peak

• Drive from Moshi to the Mount Kilimanjaro National Park 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, so gaiters and trekking poles are a good idea here.

• Continue a short distance until you reach Machame Camp.

Elevation (ft): 5,400ft to 9,400ft

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, 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 overnight at the Shira campsite.

Elevation (ft): 9,400ft to 12,500ft

Distance: 5 km

Hiking Time: 4-6 hours

Habitat: Moorland

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

• As you continue, your direction changes to the southeast toward the Lava Tower, called the "Shark's Tooth."

• Shortly after the tower, come to the second junction, which brings you up to the Arrow Glacier at an altitude of 16,000 ft.

• Continue down to Barranco Hut at an altitude of 13,000 ft.

• Here, rest, enjoy dinner, and stay overnight. Although you end the day at the same elevation as when you started, this day is very important for acclimatisation and will help your body prepare for the summit day.

Elevation (ft): 12,500ft to 13,000ft

Distance: 10 km

Hiking Time: 6-8 hours

Habitat: Semi Desert

• After breakfast, leave Barranco and continue on a steep ridge, passing the Barranco Wall to the Karanga Valley campsite. This is a short day meant for acclimatisation.

Elevation (ft): 13,000ft to 13,100ft

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 have completed the South Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many different angles.

• Here, make camp, rest, enjoy dinner, and prepare for the summit day. The two peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo can be seen from this position.

Elevation (ft): 13,100ft to 15,300ft

Distance: 4 km

Hiking Time: 4-5 hours

Habitat: Alpine Desert

• Very early in the morning, between midnight and 2 am, continue your 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 be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see, weather permitting. 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, begin your descent by continuing straight down to the Mweka Hut campsite, stopping at Barafu for lunch. You will want gaiters and trekking poles for the loose gravel on the way down.

• Later in the evening, enjoy your last dinner on the mountain and a well-earned sleep. Mweka Camp is situated in the upper forest, and mist or rain can be expected in the late afternoon.

Elevation (ft): 15,300ft to 1345ft (and down to 10,000ft)

Distance: 5 km ascent / 12 km descent

Hiking Time: 7-8 hours ascent / 4-6 hours descent

• After breakfast, 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, continue another hour to Mweka Village. A vehicle will meet you there and drive you back to the hotel in Moshi.

Elevation (ft): 10,000ft to 5,400ft

Distance: 10 km

Hiking Time: 3-4 hours

Habitat: Rain Forest