6-Day Kilimanjaro Trek via Machame Route to Uhuru Peak from Moshi

• Drive from Moshi to Machame Gate, a journey of about 45 minutes. The route passes through the village of Machame, located on the lower slopes of the mountain.
• From the park gate, walk through the rainforest on a winding trail up a ridge. At lower elevations, the trail can be muddy and slippery, so gaiters and trekking poles are a good idea here. Continue a short distance until you reach Machame Camp.

Elevation: 1830m/6000ft to 3050m/9950ft
Distance: 11km/7mi
Hiking Time: 5-6 hours
Habitat: Montane Forest
Meals: Lunch and Dinner

• After breakfast, 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 onto a river gorge until you arrive at Shira Camp.

Elevation: 3050m/9950ft to 3850m/12,600ft
Distance: 5km/3mi
Walking Time: 4-5 hours
Habitat: Moorland
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

• From the Shira Plateau, continue east up a ridge, passing the junction toward the peak of Kibo.
• As you continue, the direction changes to the southeast toward the Lava Tower, called the "Shark's Tooth" (elev. 4650m/15,250ft).
• Shortly after the tower, come to the second junction that leads to the Arrow Glacier. Continue down to Barranco Camp. Although you end the day at nearly the same elevation as where you began, this day is very important for acclimatization and helps your body prepare for summit day.

Elevation: 3850m/12,600ft to 4000m/13,000ft
Distance: 10km/6mi
Walking Time: 5-6 hours
Habitat: Semi-desert
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

• After breakfast, leave Barranco and continue on a steep ridge up the Barranco Wall (elev. 4250m/13,900ft), through the Karanga Valley (elev. 4050m/13,250ft), to the junction that connects with the Mweka Trail.
• Continue up to Barafu Camp. You have now completed the South Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many different angles. Here, make camp with views of the summit in the distance.

Elevation: 4000m/13,000ft to 4700m/15,350ft
Distance: 9km/6mi
Hiking Time: 6-8 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

• Very early in the morning (midnight to 2 am), continue to the summit between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers.
• 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, stop for a short rest and be rewarded with one of the most magnificent sunrises you are ever likely to see. Faster hikers may view the sunrise from the summit.
• From Stella Point, you may encounter snow all the way on your 1-hour ascent to the summit. Once at Uhuru Peak, you have reached the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa.
• From the summit, begin your 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. Arrive at Mweka Camp and enjoy your last evening on the mountain.

Elevation: 4700m/15,350ft to 5895m/19,340ft
Down to 3090m/10,150ft
Distance: 5km/3mi up / 13km/8mi down
Hiking Time: 5-7 hours up / 5-6 hours down
Habitat: Stone scree and ice-capped summit
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

• After breakfast, continue the descent to 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 enough to wear, but keep rain gear and warmer clothing handy.
• Your vehicle will be waiting at Mweka Gate to drive you back to your hotel in Moshi, a journey of around 60 minutes.

Elevation: 3090m/10,150ft to 1680m/5500ft
Distance: 10km/6mi
Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: Forest
Meals: Breakfast