7-Day Kilimanjaro Machame Route Trek to Uhuru Peak via Stella Point

• The drive from Moshi to the Mount Kilimanjaro National Park Gate takes about 50 minutes. The journey passes through the village of Machame, located on the mountain's lower slopes.

• Leave the park gate and walk through the rainforest 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 reaching Machame Camp.

Meals: Lunch & Dinner

Distance Covered: 10.8 kms (6 hours)

Accommodation: Machame Camp

• After breakfast, leave the rainforest glades 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 an overnight stay at the Shira campsite.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Distance Covered: 5.4 km (4-6 hours)

Accommodation: Shira Camp

• From the Shira Plateau, continue 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.

• Now continue down to Barranco Camp at an altitude of 13,000 ft. Here, rest, enjoy dinner, and stay overnight. Although you end the day at nearly the same elevation as when you started, this day is significant for acclimatization and will help your body prepare for summit day.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Distance Covered: 10.8 km (8-10 hours)

Accommodation: Barranco Camp

• 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 acclimatization.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Distance Covered: 5.5 km (5 hours)

Accommodation: Karanga Camp

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

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Distance Covered: 3 km (3 hours)

Accommodation: Barafu Camp

• Very early, between midnight and 2 am, continue to the summit between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers. You head northwesterly 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. You may encounter snow from Stella Point 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.

• Now descend from the summit, continuing 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, 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.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Distance Covered: 16.4 km (13-15 hours)

Accommodation: Mweka Camp

• After breakfast, 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 enough to wear, but keep rain gear and warmer clothing handy.

• From the gate, continue another hour to Mweka Gate.

• Meet a vehicle at Mweka Gate for the drive back to your hotel in Moshi.

Meals: Lunch & Dinner

Distance Covered: 9.1 km (3 hours)