6-Day Mount Kilimanjaro Trek via Machame Route to Uhuru Peak

• Drive from Moshi to the Mount Kilimanjaro National Park gate, a journey of about 50 minutes. The route passes through the village of Machame, located on the lower slopes of the mountain.
• Leave the park gate and 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 a good idea here.
• Continue a short distance until we reach Machame Camp.

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

Distance: 11 km.

Hiking Time: 5-7 hours.

Habitat: Montane Forest.

Camp: Machame Camp.

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

Elevation (ft): 10,200 ft / 3,100 m to 12,600 ft / 3,840 m.

Distance: 9 km.

Walking Time: 4-6 hours.

Habitat: Moorland.

Full Board at Shira Cave Camp.

• Take a walk on a gentle ascent with panoramic views.
• Traverse the southwest side of Kilimanjaro, passing beneath the Lava Tower and the final section of the Western Breach. After a hot lunch at the bottom of the Lava Tower (4,600 m), descend to the bottom of the Great Barranco Valley (3,950 m).

Shira Camp to Barranco Camp (3,950 m): 5-7 hours walking.

Elevation (ft): 12,600 ft / 3,840 m to 12,700 ft / 3,860 m.

Distance: 15 km.

Walking Time: 5-7 hours.

Habitat: Semi-desert.

Full Board at Barranco Camp.

• After breakfast, leave Barranco and continue on a steep ridge up the Barranco Wall (4,250 m / 13,900 ft), through the Karanga Valley (4,050 m / 13,250 ft), to the junction that connects with the Mweka Trail.
• Continue up to Barafu Camp. You will have completed the South Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many different angles. Here, we make camp with views of the summit in the distance.

Day 4: Barranco Camp to Barafu Camp.

Elevation: 4,000 m / 13,000 ft to 4,700 m / 15,350 ft.

Distance: 9 km.

Walking Time: 6-8 hours.

Habitat: Alpine Desert.

Full Board at Barafu Camp.

• Continue our way to the summit between the Rebmann and Reitzel glaciers.
• Head in a northwesterly direction and ascend through heavy scree towards Stella Point on the crater rim. This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek.
• Stop for a short rest at Stella Point and then be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see. Faster hikers may view the sunrise from the summit.
• Encounter snow on your 1-hour ascent to the summit from Stella Point. Once at Uhuru Peak, you have reached the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa.
• Begin the 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 arrive at Mweka Camp and enjoy our last evening on the mountain.

Elevation (ft): 4,700 m / 15,350 ft to 5,895 m / 19,343 ft, then down to 3,090 m / 10,150 ft.

Distance: 6 km up / 13 km down.

Hiking Time: 5-7 hours up / 5-6 hours down.

Habitat: Stone scree and ice-capped summit.

• Continue the descent down to the Mweka Park Gate to receive your summit certificates. It can be wet and muddy at lower elevations, and gaiters and trekking poles will help. Shorts and T-shirts will probably be enough to wear, but keep rain gear and warmer clothing handy.
• Drive back to your hotel in Arusha or Moshi.

Day of departure: Transfer to Kilimanjaro Airport.

Elevation (ft): 3,090 m / 10,150 ft to 1,680 m / 5,500 ft.

Distance: 10 km / 6 mi.

Hiking Time: 3-4 hours.

Habitat: Forest.

Meals: B.