7-Day Mount Kilimanjaro Machame Route Trek to Uhuru Peak

• Eat an early breakfast at the hotel and drive for an hour to reach Machame Gate, which is at 1,790 meters above sea level.

• Start the trek upon arrival on the Machame Route. It takes around 5 to 7 hours to cover approximately 11 km.

• Walk through the rainforests on a winding trail up a ridge before arriving at Machame Camp.

Dinner and overnight stay in the camp.

Elevation (ft): 5,400 ft to 9,400 ft

Distance: 11 km

Hiking Time: 5 - 7 hours

Habitat: Rain Forest

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner

• Eat breakfast at Machame Camp and ascend to the second camping point, Shira Camp. On the way, be mesmerized by the breathtaking views of Kibo Peak, the highest peak of Mount Kilimanjaro.

• Arrive at the camp, rest, and have lunch.

Dinner and overnight stay at Shira Camp.

Elevation (ft): 9,400 ft to 12,500 ft

Distance: 5 km

Hiking Time: 4 - 6 hours

Habitat: Moorland

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner

• Savour breakfast and embark on a long and arduous trek through the Garden of the Senecios Species up to Lava Tower.

• Continue down to Barranco Hut at an altitude of 13,000 ft. This day is very important for acclimatization and will help your body prepare for the summit day.

Dinner and overnight stay.

Elevation (ft): 12,500 ft to 13,000 ft

Distance: 10 km

Hiking Time: 6 - 8 hours

Habitat: Semi-desert

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner

Consume breakfast.

• Leave Barranco and continue on a steep ridge, passing the Barranco Wall to the Karanga Valley campsite. The 5 km trek is mainly meant for acclimatization.

Dinner and overnight stay in Karanga Camp.

Elevation (ft): 13,000 ft to 13,100 ft

Distance: 5 km

Hiking Time: 4 - 5 hours

Habitat: Alpine Desert

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner

• Eat breakfast, leave Karanga, and walk towards the Mweka Trail.

• Continue up to Barafu Hut. This viewpoint offers views of the summit from several angles.

• Enjoy dinner, camp, and prepare for the summit day. The two peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo can be seen from this point.

Elevation (ft): 13,100 ft to 15,300 ft

Distance: 4 km

Hiking Time: 4 - 5 hours

Habitat: Alpine Desert

• Arrive at Uhuru Peak, the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa.

• Walk down from the summit to the Mweka Hut campsite, stopping at Barafu for lunch. Mweka Camp is situated in the upper forest, and mist or rain can be expected in the late afternoon.

• Enjoy the last dinner in the mountains later in the evening.

Overnight stay.

Elevation (ft): 15,300 ft to 1345 ft (and down to 10,000 ft)

Distance: 5 km ascent/12 km descent

Hiking Time: 7 - 8 hours ascent/4 - 6 hours descent

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner

• Eat breakfast, continue the descent to Mweka Park Gate, and collect the summit certificates.

• Walk from the gate to Mweka village to board the vehicle.

• Drive back to Arusha.

Elevation (ft): 10,000 ft to 5,400 ft

Distance: 10 km

Hiking Time: 3 - 4 hours

Habitat: Rain Forest

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner