7-Day Mount Kilimanjaro Machame Route Trek to Uhuru Peak

• One hour's drive from Moshi lies the gate to the Machame Route, where we complete park formalities, meet our crew of porters, and start the climb. The first section of the route ascends steadily through magnificent, dense rainforest. This path is less trodden, so it can be somewhat overgrown in places, and it is often wet and muddy underfoot.

Distance covered: 10.8 km / 6.7 miles

Approx. time taken: 6 hours

• Our route continues upward through the forest until we reach the steep ascent onto the Shira Plateau, where rewarding views of the mountain await.

• Looking back, you will be able to see Mt. Meru rising high above Arusha town in the distance.

Distance covered: 5.4 km / 3.4 miles

Approx. time taken: 5 hours

• Walking now on high moorland, the landscape changes the entire character of the trek.

• Traverse the southwest side of Kilimanjaro, passing underneath the Lava Tower and the final section of the Western Breach before finally reaching camp. The day is spent at a high altitude, up to 4600 m, but we follow the mountaineering code of 'walk high, sleep low' to aid your body's acclimatisation to altitude.

Distance covered: 10.8 km / 6.7 miles

Approx. time taken: 8 hours

• Our day starts by descending into the start of the Great Barranco, a huge ravine.

• We then climb steeply up the Great Barranco Wall, which divides us from the southeastern slopes of Kibo. It is a climb over rock - not technical, but long and tiring.

• Passing underneath the Heim and Kersten glaciers, we head towards the Karanga Valley.

• From here, we make a steep climb up from Karanga Valley to our night's camp at Karanga Camp, set at 3963 m.

• For those feeling strong, we will go for a mid-afternoon acclimatisation trek up to around 4200 m before descending back to camp for the night.

Distance covered: 5.5 km / 3.4 miles

Approx. time taken: 5 hours

• After a good night's rest and breakfast, we set off on our walk to Barafu Camp at 4640 m. The climb takes us across desolate scree slopes with no vegetation around us at all. It is a tough, steep walk made more difficult by the altitude.

• On arriving at camp, we eat and spend the afternoon resting as we prepare for a long night and day ahead. It is important to keep hydrated and warm.

• Have an early dinner and then try to get some sleep, as we have to wake up between 11 pm and 12 am to start the climb to the summit.

Distance covered: 3 km / 1.9 miles

Approx. time taken: 3 hours

• We start at around midnight and walk steeply upwards to the summit glaciers.

• We will be climbing scree for 4 to 5 hours, gaining incredible height over a short distance. The views are spectacular. We should reach the crater rim at Stella Point (5739 m) as the first rays of the sun hit us. Spectacular ice cliffs within the crater surround us, and the views to jagged Mawenzi Peak and beyond are breathtaking.

• Another hour's walk takes us to the summit, Uhuru Peak (5895 m).

• We begin the descent by returning to Stella Point and then descending on scree slope and track back to Barafu Camp for breakfast, before finally heading down to Mweka Camp for a long, well-earned rest.

Distance covered: 16.4 km / 9.6 miles

Approx. time taken: 13 - 15 hours

• A gentle trek takes us down through the rainforest to Mweka Gate, where we complete park formalities and receive certificates.

• We are then met by our vehicles and transferred to the hotel in Moshi. Treat yourself to a welcome shower, then celebrate with cold drinks.

Overnight at your arranged hotel.

Distance covered: 9.1 km / 7.5 miles

Approx. time taken: 3 hours