6-Day Kilimanjaro Machame Route Climb with Uhuru Peak Summit

• 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, located on the lower slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro. From the park gate, the trek begins 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. The hike continues a short distance farther until reaching Machame Camp.

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

Stretch: 11 km

Hiking time: 5-7 hours

Climatic Habitat: Rain Forest

Shelter: Machame Camp

• 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.

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

Stretch: 9 km

Hiking time: 4-6 hours

Climatic Habitat: Moorland

Shelter: Full Board Shira Cave Camp

• 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, from the bottom of the Lava Tower at 4,600m, we descend to the bottom of the Great Barranco Valley at 3,950m.

Shira Camp to Barranco Camp (3,950m)
Hiking time: 5-7 hours walking
Rising: 12,600ft / 3,840m to 12,700ft / 3,860m
Stretch: 15 km

Climatic Habitat: Semi-desert

Shelter: Full Board Barranco Camp

• After breakfast, we leave Barranco and continue on a steep ridge up the Barranco Wall (elevation 4,250m / 13,900ft), through the Karanga Valley (elevation 4,050m / 13,250ft), to the junction that connects with the Mweka Trail. We then continue up to Barafu Campsite. By this stage, you will have completed the Southern Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many different angles. At Barafu campsite, the hikers and team make camp with views of the summit in the distance.

Barranco Camp to Barafu Camp (4600m)
Hiking time: 6-8 hours
Rising: 4000m / 13,000ft to 4700m / 15,350ft
Stretch: 9 km
Climatic habitat: Alpine Desert
Shelter: Full Board at Barafu Camp

• Very early in the morning, from midnight to 2:00 am, the hikers and team continue the hike toward the summit between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers. The route heads north and ascends through heavy scree toward 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 a magnificent sunrise. Faster hikers may view the sunrise from the summit. From Stella Point, you may encounter snow all the way during the 1-hour ascent to the summit. Once at Uhuru Peak, you have reached the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and on the continent of Africa. From the summit, we begin the descent by continuing straight down to Mweka Camp, stopping at Barafu for lunch. Gaiters and trekking poles may be helpful for the loose gravel on the way down. We arrive at Mweka Camp and enjoy our last evening on Mount Kilimanjaro.

Rising (ft): 4700m / 15,350ft to 5895m / 19,343ft, then down to 3090m / 10,150ft
Stretch: 6 km up / 13 km down
Hiking Time: 5-7 hours up / 5-6 hours down
Climatic habitat: Arctic

• After breakfast, we descend to Mweka Park Gate to receive your summit certificates. At lower elevations, the trail can be wet and muddy, so gaiters and trekking poles will help. Shorts and T-shirts will probably be enough to wear, but keep rain gear and warmer clothing handy. An Africa Natural Tours vehicle will be waiting at Mweka Gate to drive you back to your hotel in Moshi or Arusha.

Descend (ft): 3090m / 10,150ft to 1680m / 5,500ft
Stretch: 10 km
Hiking time: 3-4 hours
Climatic Habitat: Rain Forest
Meals: B L