6-Day Kilimanjaro Climb via Machame Route to Uhuru Peak Sunrise

Machame Gate to Machame Camp (1830m to 3100m / 6000ft to 10,200ft)

Distance covered: 18km

Hiking Time: 5-7 hours

Habitat: Montane Forest

The drive from Moshi to the Mount Kilimanjaro National Park Gate takes about 50 minutes. During the journey, you pass through the village of Machame, which is located on the lower slopes of the mountain. We enter 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.

Machame Camp to Shira Camp (3100m to 3840m / 10,200ft to 12,600ft)

Distance covered: 9km

Walking Time: 4-6 hours

Habitat: Moorland

After breakfast, we leave the rainforest glades and continue on an ascending path, crossing the little valley and walking along a steep rocky ridge covered with heather until the ridge ends. The route now turns west onto a river gorge. Time for rest, dinner, and an overnight stay at the Shira campsite.

Shira Camp to Lava Tower to Barranco Camp (3840m to 4630m to 3860m / 12,600ft to 12,700ft)

Distance covered: 15 km

Walking Time: 5-7 hours

Habitat: Semi-desert

From the Shira Plateau, we continue east up a ridge, passing the junction towards the peak of Kibo. As we continue, our direction changes to the southeast towards 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 4876m / 15,997 ft. We now continue down to Barranco Hut at an altitude of 3860m / 12,664 ft. Here, we rest, enjoy dinner, and stay overnight. Although you end the day at nearly the same elevation as when you started, this day is very important for acclimatisation and will help your body prepare for summit day.

Barranco Camp to Barafu Camp (3860m to 4600m / 12,700ft to 15,100ft)

Distance covered: 13km

Hiking Time: 8 hours

Habitat: Alpine Desert

After breakfast, we leave Barranco and continue on a steep ridge up the Barranco Wall through the Karanga Valley, with lunch at 4200m / 13,779 ft, and the junction that connects with the Mweka Trail. We continue up to Barafu Hut. You have now completed the South Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many different 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 location.

Barafu Camp to Summit to Mweka Hut: 4600m to 5895m (and down to 3100m) / 15,100ft to 19,300ft (and down to 10,200ft)

Distance covered: 7km ascent / 23km descent

Hiking Time: 6-8 hours ascent / 7-8 hours descent

Habitat: Stone scree and ice-capped summit

Very early in the morning, between midnight and 2 a.m., we continue our way to the summit between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers. You head northwesterly and ascend through heavy scree towards Stella Point on the crater rim. This is the most mentally and physically challenging part of the trek. At Stella Point (5685m / 18,652 ft), you will stop for a short rest and, weather permitting, be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see. From Stella Point, you may encounter snow all the way on your 1-hour ascent to the summit.

At Uhuru Peak, you have reached the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa. Fast hikers will see the sunrise from the summit. It can be very cold at night at these elevations and quite warm by the end of the hiking day, so you will want clothing for both extremes. From the summit, we now descend, continuing 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.

Mweka Camp to Moshi (3100m to 1830m / 10,200ft to 6000ft)

Distance covered: 15 km

Hiking Time: 3-4 hours

Habitat: Forest

After breakfast, we continue the descent down 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. From the gate, continue another hour to Mweka Village. A vehicle will meet you at Mweka Village to drive you back to your hotel in Moshi. Don't forget to tip your guides and porters.