7-Day Mount Kilimanjaro Machame Route Trek to Uhuru Peak

• Start with a fairly gentle introduction to climbing Kilimanjaro, passing through some of the finest forest scenery that encircles the mountain. Then ascend steadily on a straightforward path through lush cloud forest to arrive at the Machame Huts.

• Following an energetic start to the day and a steep ascent up an aggressive volcanic fin jutting out from the mountainside, the terrain gradually levels out and the path eases onto the Shira Plateau, an atmospheric and ancient part of Kilimanjaro.

• Enjoy a rewarding day that showcases some of Kilimanjaro's finest features. The path climbs across the Shira Plateau to a high point by Lava Tower before dropping into the Barranco Valley to arrive at Barranco Hut, 110 m higher than the day's starting point.

This climb-high, sleep-low approach to scaling Kilimanjaro maximizes your ability to acclimatize and improves your chances of successfully reaching the summit. The views of the Shira Plateau, Lava Tower, and the western face of Kibo are sumptuous, and the final campsite offers some of Kilimanjaro's classic viewpoints.

• Start by climbing the Barranco Wall (4200 m) and acclimatize for a few minutes.
• Continue along the trail to reach Karanga Hut (3995 m). Rest and have refreshments while you wait for dinner.

• Trek out of Karanga Camp to reach Mweka Junction (4500 m). Proceed with the hike to join the Mweka Trail, which finally leads to Barafu Hut. Take some rest and drink water upon arrival to prepare your body for the final target.

Dinner and overnight stay at the campsite. It is recommended to sleep early by 7:00 pm.

• Wake up around 23:00 hrs to put on more warm clothes and a headlamp. Leave the campsite and start summiting by midnight into the glacial zone. The path leads to Stella Point (5756 m).
• Take time for sunrise pictures and a short rest of 5 to 10 minutes while having water or hot tea at Stella Point. After that, climbers who have experienced AMS are advised to start descending. Those who are interested can continue with a round trip along the crater rim to reach Uhuru Peak (5895 m).
• Proceed by descending from the summit and rest at the base camp again for 2 hours. Then have some lunch, repack your gear, and descend to Mweka Hut (3100 m) "pole pole" through the Mweka Route.

• Make a swift descent over the remaining distance through the forest to Mweka Gate. The forest section is lush and extremely picturesque. Take note that the track is very narrow and, after rainfall, it rapidly deteriorates into a slippery trench.