6-Day Mount Kilimanjaro Machame Route Trek to Uhuru Peak

• Drive from Moshi to the gate of Mount Kilimanjaro National Park. The journey passes through the village of Machame, which is located on the lower slopes of the mountain.
• Leave the park gate and walk through the rainforest on a winding trail up a ridge.
• Continue a short distance to reach Machame Camp.

Elevation (m): 1,830 m to 3,100 m
Elevation (ft): 6,000 ft to 10,200 ft

Distance: 18 km

Hiking Time: 5-7 hours

Habitat: Montane Forest

• Leave the glades of the rainforest and continue on an ascending path.
• Cross the little valley, walking along a steep rocky ridge covered with heather until the ridge ends. The route then turns west onto a river gorge.
• Interact with the locals on the way.
• Take time to rest, have dinner, and stay overnight at Shira Camp.

Elevation (m): 3,100 m to 3,840 m

Elevation (ft): 10,200 ft to 12,600 ft

Distance: 9 km

Walking Time: 4-6 hours

Habitat: Moorland

• Continue east up a ridge from the Shira Plateau, passing the junction toward the peak of Kibo.
• Proceed to the southeast toward the Lava Tower, called the "Shark's Tooth."
• Come to the second junction, which leads up to the Arrow Glacier at an altitude of 4,876 metres.
• Continue down to Barranco Hut at an altitude of 3,860 metres.
• Take some rest, have dinner, and stay overnight.

Elevation (m): 3,840 m to 4, 630 m to 3,860 m

Elevation (ft): 12,600 ft to 12,700 ft

Distance: 15 km

Walking Time: 5-7 hours

Habitat: Semi-desert

• Leave Barranco and continue on a steep ridge to the Barranco Wall through the Karanga Valley and the junction connecting with the Mweka Trail.
• Have lunch at 4,200 m.
• Continue up to Barafu Hut.
• Enjoy the views of the summit from many different angles.
• Camp, rest, enjoy dinner, and prepare for summit day. The two peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo can be seen from this area.

Elevation (m): 3,860 m to 4,600 m

Elevation (ft): 12,700 ft to 15,100 ft

Distance: 13 km

Hiking Time: 8 hours

Habitat: Alpine Desert

• Continue on your way to the summit between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers.
• Head in a northwesterly direction and ascend through heavy scree toward Stella Point on the crater rim.
• Stop for a short rest and be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise.
• Encounter snow all the way on your 40 minute-1 hour ascent to the summit.
• Reach Uhuru Peak, the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and on the continent of Africa.
• Begin your descent, continuing straight down to the Mweka Hut campsite.
• Stop at Barafu for lunch.
• Enjoy your last dinner on the mountain and a well-earned sleep at Mweka Hut.

Elevation (m): 4,600 m to 5,895 m and down to 3,100 m

Elevation (ft): 15,100 ft to 19,300 ft and down to 10,200 ft

Distance: 7 km ascent / 23 km descent

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

Habitat: Stone scree and ice-capped summit

• Continue the descent down to the Mweka Park Gate to receive your summit certificates.
• A vehicle will meet you at the gate and drive you to your hotel in Moshi for dinner and an overnight stay.

Elevation (m): 3,100 m to 1,830 m

Elevation (ft): 10,200 ft to 6000 ft

Distance: 15 km

Hiking Time: 3-4 hours

Habitat: Forest