6-Day Mount Kilimanjaro Machame Route Trek to Uhuru Peak

• Depart from Moshi; a 45-minute drive will take you through the village of Machame to the Kilimanjaro National Park Gate.
• Wait for the permits to be issued while watching the hustle and bustle of operations as many crews prepare for the journey ahead.
• Enjoy the beautiful rainforest scenery and winding trails while your guide tells you about the local flora, fauna, and natural wildlife. At these lower elevations, the trail can be muddy and quite slippery. We highly recommend gaiters and trekking poles here.

• After a good night's sleep and a hearty breakfast, emerge from the rainforest and continue on an ascending path, crossing the valley along a steep rocky ridge. The route turns west onto a river gorge until you arrive at the Shira campsite. Temperatures begin to drop.

Although you end the day around the same elevation as when you began, this day is significant for acclimatization.

• Continue east up a ridge, passing the junction towards the Kibo peak before continuing southeast towards the Lava Tower, called the "Shark's Tooth" (elev. 4650m/15,250ft).
• Reach a second junction, which leads to the Arrow Glacier.
• Continue to descend overnight at Barranco Camp.

• After breakfast, continue on a steep ridge up to the adventurous Barranco Wall, then on to the Karanga Valley and the junction connecting with the Mweka Trail. This is one of the most memorable days to see your crew's power, agility, and strength zip over this wall easily.
• Continue up toward Barafu Camp, and once reached, you have now completed the South Circuit, which offers a variety of breathtaking views of the summit from many different angles.
• Enjoy an early dinner and rest as you prepare for summit night.

Overnight at Barafu Camp.

Excitement builds as morning comes with an early start between midnight and 2 a.m. This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek.

• Continue your way to the summit between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers, trying to stay warm and focused on the amazing sense of accomplishment that lies ahead. With a switchback motion in a northwesterly direction, ascend through heavy scree towards Stella Point on the crater rim. You will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise during your short rest here. Faster hikers may view the sunrise from the summit. From here, on your remaining 1-hour ascent to Uhuru Peak, you are likely to encounter snow all the way. Congratulations - one step at a time, you have now reached Uhuru Peak, the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the entire continent of Africa! After photos, celebrations, and maybe a few tears of joy, take a few moments to enjoy this incredible accomplishment.
• Begin the steep descent down to Mweka Camp, stopping at Barafu for lunch and a brief rest. We strongly recommend gaiters and trekking poles for the uncooperative loose gravel and volcanic ash terrain. Well-deserved rest awaits you to enjoy your last evening on the mountain.

Overnight at Mweka Camp.

• Transfer back to Moshi to conclude the tour.