6-Day Kilimanjaro Machame Route Hike with Uhuru Peak Sunrise

The drive from Moshi to the Mount Kilimanjaro National Park gate takes about 50 minutes. Along the way to Machame Gate, hikers will pass through the village of Machame, which is located on the lower slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro.

After leaving the park gate, hikers will 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 recommended and are an excellent idea here. The hike then continues a short distance until reaching the Machame encampment.

After breakfast, we leave the rainforest glades and continue on an ascending path, crossing the valley along a steep rocky ridge. The route then turns west into a river gorge until we arrive at Shira campsite.

On the third day of hiking the Machame Route, the hikers and the team walk on a gentle ascent with panoramic views. We traverse the southwest side of Mount Kilimanjaro, passing underneath the Lava Tower and the final section of the Western Breach.

After a hot lunch at the bottom of the Lava Tower at 4,600 m, we descend to the bottom of the Great Barranco Valley at 3,950 m.

After breakfast, we leave Barranco and continue on a steep ridge up the Barranco Wall (elevation 4250 m/13,900 ft), through the Karanga Valley (elevation 4050 m/13,250 ft) to the junction that connects with the Mweka Trail.

We then continue up to the Barafu Campsite. By this stage, you will have completed the Southern Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many different angles. Here at Barafu campsite, the hikers and the team make camp with views of the summit in the distance.

Very early in the morning, from midnight to 2 am, the hikers and the team continue the hike towards the summit between the Rebmann and Reitzel glaciers. The route heads north and ascends through heavy scree towards Stella Point on the crater rim. This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek.

At Stella Point, you will stop for a short rest and be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you have ever seen. Faster hikers may view the sunrise from the summit. From Stella Point, you may encounter snow all the way during your 1-hour ascent to the summit.

Once at Uhuru Peak, you have reached the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa. From the summit, we begin our descent by continuing straight down to Mweka Camp, stopping at Barafu for lunch. You may want gaiters and trekking poles for the loose gravel on the way down. We will arrive at Mweka Camp and enjoy our last evening on Mount Kilimanjaro.

After breakfast, we continue the descent down 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 plenty to wear, but keep rain gear and warmer clothing handy. The driver will be waiting for you at Mweka Gate to drive you back to your hotel in Moshi or Arusha.