6-Day Kilimanjaro Machame Route Climb with Uhuru Peak Summit

After completing the necessary registration formalities, the climb starts from Machame Gate (1800m) and follows a ridge through a dense mountain forest. This rich forest is the zone from which 96% of the water on Kilimanjaro originates.

It can be very lush and beautiful during the dry season, but quite muddy during the rainy season. We will have lunch at a halfway clearing and continue climbing steadily.

The gradient becomes gentler as the forest slowly merges into giant heather, close to the next camp near the ruins of Machame Hut (3000m).

We may get our first closer look at the glaciated dome of Kibo if the evening clouds permit.

[6-8 hours walking]

A shorter day begins by climbing up a steep ridge to reach a small semicircular cliff called Picnic Rock.

There are excellent views of Kibo and the jagged rim of the Shira Plateau from here, and it is also a good rest point. The trail continues less steeply to reach the Shira Plateau.

We camp near Shira Hut (3840m), which has some of the most stunning views on Kilimanjaro, close to the huge volcanic cone of Kibo. We get a view of the spectacular rock formations of the Shira Plateau, looking across to Mt Meru floating on the clouds.

[4-6 hours walking]

Breakfast is served at 7:30 am at Shira campsite. We then depart for Barranco campsite and continue east up a ridge via the junction toward the peak of Kibo.

As you walk, your direction changes to the southeast toward Lava Tower, called the "Shark's Tooth."

Shortly after reaching the second junction, which brings you near the Arrow Glacier at an altitude of 4600m, you descend downhill to Barranco campsite at an altitude of 3950m. Although you end your day at nearly the same elevation as you started, this day is very important for acclimatization and will help prepare you for the summit session.

Shira Camp to Lava Tower to Barranco Camp; Elevation: 4600m.

Distance: 11 km
Hiking Time: 6-7 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert

We follow an easy path on compacted scree with wide views, gaining altitude unrelentingly to reach Barafu campsite (4600m) for lunch.

There is a short acclimatization walk to the plateau at the bottom of the South-East valley (4800m).

The remainder of the day is spent resting in preparation for the final ascent before a very early night.

[4-5 hours walking]

We will start our ascent by torchlight at about 1 a.m. so that we can reach the Crater Rim by sunrise. The steep climb over loose volcanic scree has some well-graded zig-zags, and a slow but steady pace will take us to Stella Point (5735m) in about five or six hours.

We will rest there for a short time to enjoy the sunrise over Mawenzi.

Those still feeling strong can make the two-hour round trip from here along the crater rim to Uhuru Peak (5895m), passing close to the spectacular glaciers and ice cliffs that still occupy most of the summit area.

The descent to Barafu will be surprisingly fast, and after some refreshment, we will continue descending to reach our final campsite, Millenium (3800m).

[11-15 hours walking]

After your last breakfast on the mountain, we leave Mweka camp and descend via the rain forest to Mweka Gate at lower elevations. It can be wet and muddy.

Our vehicle will meet you at Mweka Gate and drive you back to a hotel in Moshi for a hot shower and a leisure dinner overnight.

Mweka camp to Mweka gate: 3100m-1640m

Distance: 10 km hiking
Time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: Rain Forest