6-Day Kilimanjaro Machame Route Trek with Uhuru Peak Summit

The drive from Moshi to the Mount Kilimanjaro National Park Gate takes about 45 minutes. The journey passes through the village of Machame, located on the mountain's lower slopes. We then 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 continue a short distance until we reach Machame Camp.

After breakfast, we leave the rainforest glades and continue on an ascending path, crossing a little valley and walking along a steep rocky ridge covered with heather until the ridge ends. The route then turns west onto a river gorge. Afterward, it is time to rest, enjoy dinner, and overnight at the Shira campsite.

From the Shira Plateau, we continue east up a ridge, passing the junction toward the peak of Kibo. As we continue, our direction changes to the southeast toward the Lava Tower, called the Shark's Tooth. Shortly after the tower, we come to the second junction, which brings us up to the Arrow Glacier at an altitude of 4876 m / 15,997 ft.

We now continue to Barranco Hut at 3860 m / 12,664 ft. Here we rest, enjoy dinner, and overnight. Although you end the day at nearly the same elevation as when you started, this day is very important for acclimatization and will help your body prepare for summit day.

After breakfast, we leave Barranco and continue on a steep ridge up the Barranco Wall, through the Karanga Valley, where lunch is served at 4200 m / 13,779 ft., and on to the junction that connects with the Mweka Trail. We then continue up to Barafu Hut.

You have now completed the South Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many angles. Here we make camp, rest, enjoy dinner, and prepare for summit day. The two peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo can be seen from this position.

We continue our way to the summit very early in the morning, between midnight and 2 am. You head northwesterly 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 (5685 m / 18,652 ft.), you will stop for a short rest and be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see, weather permitting.

From Stella Point, you will encounter snow all the way on your 2-hour ascent to the summit. At Uhuru Peak, we reach the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa. Faster hikers will see the sunrise from the summit. It can be very cold at night at these elevations, but it will be quite warm by the end of the hiking day, so you will want clothing for both extremes with you.

From the summit, we descend straight down to the Mweka Hut campsite, stopping at Barafu for lunch. You will want gaiters and trekking poles for the loose gravel on the way down. Mweka Camp is situated in the upper forest, and mist or rain can be expected in the late afternoon. Later in the evening, we enjoy our last dinner on the mountain and a well-earned sleep. Beer and soda may be available for purchase at the Mweka Hut - the only location on this route.

After breakfast, we descend to the 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 meet you at Mweka Gate to drive you back to the hotel in Moshi.