7-Day Kilimanjaro Trek via Machame Route to Uhuru Peak

• You will begin your drive from Moshi to Machame Gate; the drive takes about 50 minutes. The journey passes through the beautiful village of Machame, located on the lower slopes of the mountain.
• After arriving at the gate, you will proceed into the rainforest on a winding trail up a ridge. The path may be muddy and slippery, so it is advised that you use gaiters and trekking poles.

Distance covered: 10.6 km

Hiking time: 6 hours

Meals: Lunch and Dinner

Elevation: 5,380 ft - 9,350 ft

• Depart from the glades of rainforest and continue on an ascending path, crossing a small valley and trekking along a steep rocky ridge covered with heather until the ridge ends. The route then diverges west into a river gorge.
• You will have dinner and an overnight rest at Shira Camp.

Elevation (ft): 9,400 ft to 12,500 ft

Distance covered: 5.4 km

Time to be used: 4-6 hours

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

• After breakfast, we will leave the Shira Plateau and proceed eastwards up a ridge, passing the intersection toward the peak of Kibo. As we continue, our direction changes to the southeast toward the Lava Tower.
• Immediately after the tower, we reach the second intersection, which leads to Arrow Glacier at an altitude of 16,000 ft.
• We will then head down to Barranco Hut at an altitude of 13,000 ft.
• We will retire here for the night. The day ends at almost the same elevation as when we started, which is best for acclimatization.

Elevation (ft): 12,500 ft to 13,000 ft

Distance covered: 10.8 km

Time to be used: 8-10 hours

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

• We will start this day by descending to the base of the intimidating Barranco Wall.
• Afterwards, we will hike the non-technical yet steep cliff.
• From the top of Barranco, we will cross a sequence of hills and valleys until we descend into Karanga Valley. The day is short to improve acclimatization.

Elevation: 13,044 ft - 13,106 ft

Distance: 5 km

Hiking time: 4-5 hours

Habitat: Alpine desert

• We will depart from Karanga and reach the intersection that connects with the Mweka Trail.
• We will then proceed to Barafu Hut. This completes the southern route, which offers a spectacular view of the summit from different angles.
• Here, we will rest and enjoy a tasteful early dinner as we prepare for the summit the next day. The two peaks of Kibo and Mawenzi are clearly visible from here.

Elevation: 13,106 ft - 15,331 ft

Distance: 4 km

Hiking time: 4-5 hours

Habitat: Alpine desert

• On this day, we will push our way to the summit. Our trek will begin around midnight, and this can be more physically and mentally challenging than the other parts of the trek.
• After reaching Stella Point (18,600 ft), we will take a short rest and be rewarded with one of the most magnificent sunrises you are ever likely to see, weather permitting.
• From Stella Point, snow may be encountered all the way on our 1-hour ascent to the summit. Your time at Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa, will be brief. Take as many pictures as you want, enjoy your accomplishment, and then start heading back to Stella Point.
• From the summit, we will immediately begin our descent straight down to the Mweka Hut campsite, stopping at Barafu for lunch. The trail is rocky and can be quite hard on the knees, so trekking poles are useful. Mweka Camp is situated in the upper forest, and mist or rain can be expected in the late afternoon.
• We will later enjoy our last dinner on the mountain and take a well-earned rest.

Distance: 5 km

Hiking time: 7-8 hours

Habitat: Arctic

• Following a well-earned breakfast, we will celebrate with the whole team and afterwards take a three-hour walk to Mweka Gate.
• Upon arrival at the gate, you will receive your gold certificate for reaching the summit and then head to Mweka Village, where we will meet our driver, who will take you back to your hotel for a long rest.

Distance covered: 9.1 km

Time to be used: 3 hours

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

Accommodation:

Meal plan: Bed & Breakfast

Overnight stay:

Moshi - Kilimanjaro White House Hotel