7-Day Mount Kilimanjaro Machame Route Trek to Uhuru Peak

Drive from Arusha to the Mount Kilimanjaro National Park Gate, which takes about 45 minutes. The journey passes through the village of Machame, located on the lower slopes of the mountain.

• Depart from the park gate and walk through the rain forest on a winding trail up a ridge. The trail can be muddy and slippery at lower elevations, so gaiters and trekking poles are a good idea here.

  • Continue a short distance farther until reaching Machame Camp.

• Elevation: 1830m/6000ft to 3050m/9950ft

  Distance: 11km/7mi

  Hiking Time: 5-6 hours

  Habitat: Montane Forest

• After breakfast, leave the glades of the rain forest and continue on an ascending path, crossing the valley along a steep rocky ridge. The route then turns west onto a river gorge until you arrive at Shira Campsite.

Elevation: 3050m/9950ft to 3850m/12,600ft

Distance: 5km/3mi

Walking Time: 4-5 hours

Habitat: Moorland

• From the Shira Plateau, continue east up a ridge, passing the junction toward the peak of Kibo.

• As you continue, your direction changes to the southeast toward the Lava Tower, called the "Shark's Tooth" (4650m/15,250ft). Shortly after the tower, come to the second junction, which leads to the Arrow Glacier.

• Continue down to Barranco Camp. Although you end the day at around the same elevation as when you began, this day is very important for acclimatization and will help your body prepare for summit day.

Elevation: 3850m/12,600ft to 4000m/13,000ft

Distance: 10km/6mi

Walking Time: 5-6 hours

Habitat: Semi-desert

• After breakfast, leave Barranco and continue on a steep ridge up the Barranco Wall to the Karanga Valley and the junction that connects with the Mweka Trail.

Elevation: 4000m/13,000ft to 4050m/13,250ft

Distance: 5km/3mi

Hiking Time: 3-4 hours

Habitat: Alpine Desert

• Continue up to Barafu Camp. You have completed the South Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many different angles.

• Here, make camp, rest, enjoy dinner, and prepare for summit day.

Elevation: 4050m/13,250ft to 4700m/15,350ft

Distance: 4km/2mi

Hiking Time: 3-4 hours

Habitat: Alpine Desert

• Very early in the morning (midnight to 2 am), continue your way to the summit between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers. Head northward 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, stop for a short rest and be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise 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 on 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, begin your 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.

• Arrive at Mweka Camp and enjoy your last evening on the mountain.

Elevation: 4700m/15,350ft to 5895m/19,340ft

Down to 3090m/10,150ft

Distance: 5km/3mi up / 13km/8mi down

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

Habitat: Stone scree and ice-capped summit

• After breakfast, continue the descent down to Mweka Park Gate to receive your summit certificates. It can be wet and muddy at lower elevations, 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.

• Meet a Twende Africa Tours vehicle at Mweka Gate for the drive back to your hotel in Moshi, which takes about 30 minutes.

Elevation: 3090m/10,150ft to 1680m/5500ft

Distance: 10km/6mi

Hiking Time: 3-4 hours

Habitat: Forest