7-Day Kilimanjaro Machame Route Trek to Uhuru Peak

• Full board at Machame Camp. The climb starts from Machame Gate (1830m), and we walk through the lush lower slopes of Mt. Kilimanjaro. Slowly gaining altitude while enjoying the diverse flora and fauna of the rainforest, you will arrive at the first Machame Camp, situated at 3000m above sea level. If it is a clear day, we may get our first closer look at the glaciated dome of Kibo, if the evening clouds permit.

Rise (ft): 1,800m to 2835m
Stretch: 11 km
Hiking time: 5-6 hours
Climatic habitat: Montane Forest/ Rain Forest

• Full board at Shira Cave Camp. This shorter day climbs up a steep ridge to reach a small semicircular cliff known as Picnic Site, then continues on a gentler ascent through the lower alpine moorland, which is known for beautiful wild alpine flowers. The most spectacular views of Kibo Peak can be seen from Shira Camp.

Rise (ft): 2835m to 3,750m
Stretch: 5 km
Hiking time: 5-6 hours
Climatic habitat: Moorland

• On day three, hikers walk on a gentle ascent with panoramic views. We traverse the southwest side of 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 (4,600m), we descend to the bottom of the Great Barranco Valley (3,950m).

Rise (ft): Shira Cave Camp 3,750m to Barranco Camp 3,900m
Stretch: 10 km
Hiking time: 5 to 6 hours
Climatic habitat: Moorland
Shelter: Barranco Camp

• A steep climb up the eastern wall leads hikers just below the Heim Glacier, where we may have some spectacular views of Kilimanjaro. We then take a steep exit up the Great Barranco Wall, which divides us from the southeastern slopes of Kibo. The trail continues down into the alpine desert of the Karanga Valley, and finally we make a steep climb up to Karanga Camp.

Rise (ft): Barranco Camp 3,900m to Karanga Camp 3995m
Stretch: 6 km
Hiking time: 3.5 to 4 hours
Climatic habitat: Moorland
Shelter: Karanga Camp

• A steep climb out of Karanga leads to an easy path on compacted scree, with wide views through this empty and dry landscape up to Barafu Camp. The two awesome peaks of Kibo and Mawenzi can be seen from Barafu Camp. After a hot lunch at the camp, the remainder of the day is spent resting as we prepare for the final ascent before an early night summit walk.

Rise (ft): Karanga Camp 3995m to Barafu Camp 4,673m
Stretch: 4 km
Hiking time: 3-4 hours
Climatic habitat: Alpine Desert
Shelter: Barafu Hut Camp

• Hikers wake up before midnight under the cover of darkness. The climb begins steeply over loose volcanic scree, with some well-graded zig-zags, and a slow but steady pace takes us to the rim of the main crater, Stella Point, at 5,735m. Hikers will rest there for a few minutes to enjoy the sunrise over Mawenzi.
• Those who are still feeling good can continue slowly to make the two-hour round trip from here along the crater rim to the main peak at 5,895m, the highest point in Africa. After a few minutes to appreciate your accomplishment, hikers descend to Barafu. The descent is amazingly fast, and we stop at Barafu Camp for some refreshment before continuing down to reach Mweka Camp.

Rise (ft): Barafu Camp 4,673m to Uhuru Peak 5,895m (via Stella Point 5756m)
Stretch: 4.3 km ascent to Stella Point
Stretch: 5 km Barafu to Uhuru Peak ascent
Hiking time: 6-7 hours ascent / 7-8 hours descent
Climatic Habitat: Alpine Desert
Shelter: Mweka Camp

Half board. A gentle walk takes us through the rainforest to Mweka Gate. Successful climbers will receive their summit certificates. After lunch, hikers drive back to Moshi to your hotel, and this will be the end of the Kilimanjaro 7-day hike via the Machame Route.

Rise (ft): Mweka Camp 3,100m to Mweka Gate 1,640m
Stretch: 10 km
Hiking time: 4-5 hours
Climatic Habitat: Montane Forest