Tanzania · Trekking

6-Day Mount Kilimanjaro Machame Route Trek to Uhuru Peak

6 Days Round trip from Moshi Hard pace

The journey

Trip highlights

01 Summit Uhuru Peak, the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and in Africa
02 Trek the famous Machame Route, also known as the Whiskey Route
03 Watch a magical sunrise near Stella Point on the crater rim
04 Cross rainforest, rocky ridges, scree slopes, and high-altitude alpine terrain

Embark on a trek expedition to summit Uhuru Peak on Mount Kilimanjaro via the Machame Route, commonly known as the Whiskey Route. Ascend through rainforest, steep trails, scree, and high-altitude alpine terrain as you make your way toward Stella Point on the crater rim. This challenging 6-day climb rewards you with sweeping mountain landscapes, special camp stays, and a magical sunrise on the way to the highest point in Africa.

At Stella Point, you will stop for a short rest and be rewarded with one of the most magnificent sunrises you have ever seen.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 6 Days

Tour type Shared

Activity level Hard

Accommodation Included · Budget

Transport Included

Wheelchair access Not applicable

Cities Arusha, Moshi, Mount Kilimanjaro, Machame

Languages English

Day by day

The itinerary

Day 01

Machame Gate to Machame Camp Through the Rainforest

The drive from Moshi to the Mount Kilimanjaro National Park gate takes about 50 minutes.
On the journey to Machame Gate, hikers will pass through the village of Machame, located on the lower slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro. After leaving the park gate, you will walk through the rainforest on a winding trail up a ridge. Lower down, the trail can be muddy and slippery.
Gaiters and trekking poles are recommended and are an excellent idea here. You will then continue a short distance until reaching Machame Camp.

Day 02

Machame Camp to Shira Camp via Rocky Ridge

After breakfast, we 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.

Day 03

Shira Camp to Lava Tower and Down to Barranco Valley

On the third day of hiking the Machame Route, the hikers and 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 at the bottom of the Lava Tower at 4,600 m, we descend to the bottom of the Great Barranco Valley at 3,950 m.

Day 04

Barranco Camp to Barafu Camp on the Southern Circuit

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

Day 05

Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak and Descent to Mweka Camp

Very early in the morning, from midnight to 2:00 am, the hikers and team continue toward the summit between the Rebmann and Reitzel glaciers. You will 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 have ever seen. 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 will 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 arrive at Mweka Camp and enjoy our last evening on Mount Kilimanjaro.

Day 06

Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate and Drive to Moshi or Arusha

After breakfast, we continue the descent to Mweka Park Gate to receive your summit certificates. At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy. Gaiters and trekking poles will help. Shorts and T-shirts will probably be enough 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 Moshi or Arusha with an Africa Natural Tours driver.