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

Elevation (ft.): 5,400 ft to 9,400 ft • Distance: 11 km • Hiking Time: 5-7 hours • Habitat: Rain Forest

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.

Elevation (ft.): 9,400 ft to 12,500 ft • Distance: 5 km • Hiking Time: 4-6 hours • Habitat: Moorland

After breakfast, we leave the glades of the rainforest and continue on an ascending path, crossing a 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.

Elevation (ft.): 12,500 ft to 13,000 ft • Distance: 10 km • Hiking Time: 6-8 hours • Habitat: Semi Desert

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 that 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. Here 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.

Distance: 7 km • Hiking Time: 7 hours • Habitat: High Alpine Zone

After breakfast, we begin the hike with a steep traverse up the Barranco Wall, a 257-meter rock face that requires basic scrambling skills, to the top of the Karanga Valley. The path then follows a series of inclines and declines to Karanga Camp (3,960 meters).

You will spend the night at Karanga Camp before continuing to Barafu Camp the following day.

Elevation: 13,000 ft to 15,300 ft • Hiking Time: 4-5 hours • Distance: 2.5 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.

Elevation (ft.): 15,300 ft to 19,345 ft, then down to 10,000 ft • Distance: 5 km ascent / 12 km descent • Hiking Time: 7-8 hours ascent / 4-6 hours descent • Habitat: Arctic

Very early in the morning, between midnight and 2:00 am, we continue our way to the summit between the Rebmann and Ratzel Glaciers. 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.

We then 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. Later in the evening, we enjoy our last dinner on the mountain and a well-earned sleep.

Elevation: 10,000 ft to 5,400 ft • Hiking Time: 3-4 hours • Distance: 6 miles • Habitat: Rain Forest

After breakfast, we continue the descent 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.