7-Day Mount Kilimanjaro Machame Route Trek to Uhuru Peak

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

• After leaving the park gate, walk through dense rainforest on a winding trail up a ridge until you reach Machame Camp.

Elevation: 5,380 ft to 9,350 ft

Distance: 11 km/7 miles

Hiking Time: 5-7 hours

Habitat: Rain Forest

• Leave the glades of the rainforest and continue on an ascending path up to a steep, rocky ridge.

• On the Shira Plateau, pass through heather and open moorlands, then cross a large river gorge to reach Shira 2 Camp.

Elevation: 9,350 ft to 12,500 ft

Distance: 5 km/3 miles

Hiking Time: 4-6 hours

Habitat: Heath

• Continue east up a ridge, then head southeast towards Lava Tower, a 300 ft tall volcanic rock formation.

• Descend to Barranco Camp through the strange but beautiful Senecio Forest to an altitude of 13,000 ft. Although you begin and end the day at the same elevation, the time spent at a higher altitude is very beneficial for acclimatisation.

Shira 2 Camp to Lava Tower

Elevation: 12,500 ft to 15,190 ft

Distance: 7 km/4 miles

Hiking Time: 4-5 hours

Habitat: Alpine Desert

Lava Tower to Barranco Camp

Elevation: 15,190 ft to 13,044 ft

Distance: 3 km/2 miles

Hiking Time: 2-3 hours

Habitat: Alpine Desert

• Begin the day by descending into a ravine to the base of the Great Barranco Wall.

• Then climb the non-technical but steep, nearly 900 ft cliff.

• From the top of the Barranco Wall, cross a series of hills and valleys until you descend sharply into Karanga Valley.

• One more steep climb leads you to Karanga Camp. This is a shorter day meant for acclimatisation.

Elevation: 13,044 ft to 13,106 ft

Distance: 5 km/3 miles

Hiking Time: 4-5 hours

Habitat: Alpine Desert

• Leave Karanga and head to the junction that connects with the Mweka Trail.

• Continue up the rocky section to Barafu Hut. At this point, you have completed the Southern Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many different angles.

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

Elevation: 13,106 ft to 15,331 ft

Distance: 4 km/2 miles

Hiking Time: 4-5 hours

Habitat: Alpine Desert

• Very early in the morning, around midnight, begin your push to the summit. This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek. The wind and cold at this elevation and time of day can be extreme.

• Ascend in the darkness for several hours, taking frequent but short breaks.

• Near Stella Point (18,900 ft), you will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see coming over Mawenzi Peak.

• Finally, arrive at Uhuru Peak, the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa.

• From the summit, descend straight down to the Mweka Hut campsite, stopping at Barafu for lunch. The trail is very rocky and can be quite hard on the knees, so trekking poles are helpful. Mweka Camp is situated in the upper forest, and mist or rain can be expected in the late afternoon.

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

Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak

Elevation: 15,331 ft to 19,341 ft

Distance: 5 km/3 miles

Hiking Time: 7-8 hours

Habitat: Arctic

Uhuru Peak to Mweka Camp

Elevation: 19,341 ft to 10,065 ft

Distance: 12 km/7 miles

Hiking Time: 4-6 hours

Habitat: Rain Forest

• Continue the descent to Mweka Gate and collect your summit certificates.

• At lower elevations, conditions can be wet and muddy. From the gate, continue for another hour to Mweka Village.

• A vehicle will meet you at Mweka Village and drive you back to your hotel in Moshi.

Elevation: 10,065 ft to 5,380 ft

Distance: 10 km/6 miles

Hiking Time: 3-4 hours

Habitat: Rain Forest