6-Day Kilimanjaro Trek via Machame Route to Uhuru Peak

• The drive from Moshi to the Mount Kilimanjaro National Park gate takes about 50 minutes. The journey passes through the village of Machame, which is located on the lower slopes of the mountain.
• We will 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.
• We will continue a short distance until we reach Machame Camp.

• After breakfast, we will leave the glades of the rainforest 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 Camp.

• Today, we will walk on a gentle ascent with panoramic views.
• We will 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), we descend to the bottom of the Great Barranco Valley (3,950 m).

• After breakfast, we will leave Barranco and continue on a steep ridge up the Barranco Wall (elev. 4,250 m/13,900 ft), through the Karanga Valley (elev. 4,050 m/13,250 ft) to the junction that connects with the Mweka Trail.
• We will continue up to Barafu Camp. You 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.

• Very early in the morning, between midnight and 2 am, we continue our way to the summit between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers. You head in a northwesterly direction and ascend 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 one of the most magnificent sunrises you are ever likely to see. 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 the mountain.

• After breakfast, we will continue the descent down to 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.

A vehicle will be waiting for you at Mweka Gate to drive you back to your hotel in Arusha or Moshi.