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

• The drive from Moshi to Machame Gate takes about 45 minutes. The journey passes through the village of Machame, which is located on the lower slopes of the mountain.
• We depart from the park gate and 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 recommended.
• We continue a short distance until we 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, we leave the rainforest glades and continue on an ascending path, crossing the valley along a steep rocky ridge. The route turns west into a river gorge until we arrive at the Shira campsite.

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, we continue east and 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" (elevation 4650m/15,250ft).
• Shortly after the tower, we come to the second junction, which leads to the Arrow Glacier.
• We then continue down to Barranco Camp. Although you end the day at nearly the same elevation as when you began, this day is significant for acclimatization and will help 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

• After breakfast, we leave Barranco and continue on a steep ridge up the Barranco Wall (elevation 4250m/13,900ft), through the Karanga Valley (elevation 4050m/13,250ft), to the junction that connects with the Mweka Trail.
• We continue up to Barafu Camp. You have completed the South Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many different angles.
• Here, we 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), we continue to the summit between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers.
• 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, you will stop for a short rest and be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see. Faster hikers may view the sunrise from the summit.
• On your one-hour ascent to the summit, you may encounter snow from Stella Point. Once at Uhuru Peak, you 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.
• For the loose gravel on the way down, you may want gaiters and trekking poles.
• We arrive at Mweka Camp and enjoy our 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, 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 Monkey Adventures vehicle will wait at Mweka Gate to drive you back to your hotel in Moshi (around 60 minutes).

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