7-Day Mount Kilimanjaro Hike via the Machame Route from Moshi

• Begin your drive from Moshi to Machame Gate; the journey takes about 50 minutes. The route passes through the beautiful village of Machame, located on the lower slopes of the mountain.
• After arriving at the gate, proceed into the rainforest on a winding trail up a ridge. The path may be muddy and slippery, so it is advised to use gaiters and trekking poles.

Distance covered: 10.6 km

Hiking time: 6 hours

Meals: Lunch and Dinner

Elevation: 5,380 ft - 9,350 ft

• Depart from the glades of the rainforest and continue on an ascending path, crossing a small valley and trekking along a steep rocky ridge covered with heather until the ridge ends. The route then diverges west into a river gorge.

You will have dinner and an overnight rest at Shira Campsite.

Elevation (ft): 9,400 ft to 12,500 ft

Distance covered: 5.4 km

Time to be used: 4-6 hours

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

• After breakfast, leave the Shira Plateau and proceed eastwards up a ridge, passing the intersection toward the peak of Kibo. As you continue, the direction changes to the southeast toward Lava Tower.
• Immediately after the tower, reach the second intersection, which leads to Arrow Glacier at an altitude of 16,000 ft. Then head down to Barranco Hut at an altitude of 13,000 ft.
• Retire here for the night. The day ends at almost the same elevation as when it began, which is ideal for acclimatisation.

Elevation (ft): 12,500 ft to 13,000 ft

Distance covered: 10.8 km

Time to be used: 8-10 hours

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

• Start the day by descending to the base of the intimidating Barranco Wall.
• Afterwards, hike the non-technical yet steep cliff. From the top of Barranco, continue across a sequence of hills and valleys until descending into Karanga Valley. This is a short day designed to improve acclimatisation.

Elevation: 13,044 ft - 13,106 ft

Distance: 5 km

Hiking time: 4-5 hours

Habitat: Alpine desert

• Depart from Karanga and reach the intersection that connects with the Mweka Trail.
• Then proceed to Barafu Hut. This completes the southern route, which offers spectacular views of the summit from different angles.
• Here, rest and enjoy a tasty early dinner as you prepare for the summit the next day. The two peaks of Kibo and Mawenzi are clearly visible from here.

Elevation: 13,106 ft - 15,331 ft

Distance: 4 km

Hiking time: 4-5 hours

Habitat: Alpine desert

• On this day, push for the summit; the trek begins around midnight. This section can be more physically and mentally challenging than the other parts of the hike.
• After reaching Stella Point (18,600 ft), take a short rest and, weather permitting, enjoy one of the most magnificent sunrises you are ever likely to see. From Stella Point, snow may be encountered all the way during the 1-hour ascent to the summit. Your time at Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa, will be brief. Take as many pictures as you want, enjoy your accomplishment, and then begin heading back to Stella Point.
• From the summit, immediately begin the descent straight down to Mweka Hut campsite, stopping at Barafu for lunch. The trail is 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, enjoy your last dinner on the mountain and take a well-earned rest.

Distance: 5 km

Hiking time: 7-8 hours

Habitat: Arctic

• Following a well-earned breakfast, celebrate with the team and afterwards take a three-hour walk to Mweka Gate.
• Upon arrival at the gate, receive your gold certificate for reaching the summit.
• After that, head to Mweka Village, where you will meet your driver for the transfer back to your hotel for a long rest.

Distance covered: 9.1 km

Time to be used: 3 hours