7-Day Mount Kilimanjaro Trek via Machame Route to Uhuru Peak

The journey

Trip highlights

• 01 Reach Uhuru Peak, Africa's highest point, at 5,895 meters
• 02 Trek through Kilimanjaro's diverse ecosystems, from rainforest to alpine desert
• 03 Enjoy majestic sunrise views from Stella Point during the summit push
• 04 Camp at scenic high-altitude sites with unforgettable sunsets and starry skies

Embark on a 7-day expedition up Mount Kilimanjaro via the Machame Route, traversing lush rainforests, high-altitude moorlands, and rugged glacial landscapes. Experience awe-inspiring views from the Shira Plateau, climb past the iconic Lava Tower, and tackle the towering Barranco Wall on your way to Uhuru Peak, Africa's highest point. Along the way, enjoy breathtaking sunrises, unforgettable sunsets, and nights under starry skies at scenic mountain camps. The journey ends with a rewarding descent and time to celebrate your achievement back in Moshi.

Congratulations! You are now standing on the Roof of Africa.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 7 Days

Tour type Private

Activity level Challenging

Accommodation Included · Standard

Transport Included

Wheelchair access Not applicable

Cities Moshi, Mount Kilimanjaro, Machame

Languages English, French, Spanish

Day by day

The itinerary

1

Day 01

Machame Gate to Machame Camp

• Following breakfast, you will have a briefing from your guide.
• At 9 am, our staff will drive you from your hotel in Moshi to Machame Village, where your guides and porters will prepare your equipment and supplies.
• Here, you will also receive your lunch pack and have an opportunity to purchase bottled water for your first day. If the road is dry, you will continue your drive to Machame Gate. If the road is too muddy for the vehicle to pass, the 3 km walk to the gate will take about an hour.
• After registration with the Kilimanjaro Park Office, you will begin your ascent into the rainforest. Be sure to have good footwear, trekking poles, and gaiters, as they will prove useful when the trail gets soggy.
• You will stop for lunch about halfway up and reach Machame Camp in the late afternoon.

2

Day 02

Machame Camp to Shira Camp

• You will wake up early for breakfast and pack up for the day's trek.
• Your trek will begin with an hour's hike through rainforest glades before ascending into the open moorlands, where the vegetation becomes sparse with small shrubs.
• After 2 hours of trekking through the moorland, you will stop for lunch and a short rest, then continue up onto the Shira Plateau, where you will get your first glimpse of the Western Breach and its stunning glaciers.
• You'll continue west to the Shira campsite.
• Again, the porters will boil drinking and washing water before serving dinner. Shira Camp is quite exposed and will be much colder, with temperatures dropping below freezing.

3

Day 03

Shira 1 to Lava Tower and Barranco Camp

• After breakfast and packing, you'll start your trek east up a steep path above the last bit of Kilimanjaro's vegetation.
• After 5-6 hours, you'll reach the well-known landmark Lava Tower (15,190 ft / 3,950 m).
• You will stop here for lunch and some bonus acclimatization before descending for 2 hours below the Western Breach to Barranco Camp.
• Day 3's hike offers multiple terrific opportunities for photos, especially if the walls are covered with ice. While you wait for dinner, you will have a chance to experience one of the most memorable sunsets you have ever seen as the sun drops through the valley. Pay attention to your body and keep your guide informed of any signs of altitude sickness.

4

Day 04

Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp

• After sleeping below the Great Barranco Wall, you'll get your chance to tackle this hurdle. Don't worry - it's much easier than it looks. You'll continue up until you reach just below the Heim Glacier.
• Then, you'll head down through the Karanga Valley. This is the last place for your porters to gather water, and they will collect all the water needed for the remainder of the ascent here. You will settle in at Karanga Camp.
• After lunch, you can spend the afternoon doing light exploring or resting while taking in the views of Mawenzi's towering spires.

5

Day 05

Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp

• After breakfast, you'll head east, crossing over multiple ridges and valleys until you join the Mweka Route and turn left to continue up the ridge for an hour to reach Barafu Hut.
• You will arrive at camp to find your tent pitched on a rocky ridge with high winds. Be sure to familiarize yourself with the camp before dark for safety.
• Also, keep your headlamp or flashlight handy in case you need to leave the tent after dark.
• You will prepare your equipment, including replacing batteries for your headlamp and camera, before going to bed by 7 pm and trying to catch a few hours of sleep before your summit attempt.

6

Day 06

Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak

• You will leave Barafu on your bid for the peak. You will climb for 6 hours through thick scree, following multiple switchbacks between the Ratzel and Rebmann glaciers until you reach Stella Point (18,650 ft / 5,685 m). You have just completed what most climbers consider to be the most challenging part of their trek.
• Depending on your pace to this point, you may get the chance to enjoy the majestic sunrise during your short rest here. Although you will be fatigued, it is important to keep moving due to the extreme cold.
• At Stella Point, you join the last section of the Marangu Route. You will hike along the rim for another 1-2 hours until you reach your ultimate goal, Uhuru Peak.
• Congratulations! You are now standing on the Roof of Africa. You will have time to take pictures with the world-famous Uhuru Peak sign, but it is important to begin your descent soon so that you have enough time to rest at Barafu Camp.

7

Day 07

Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate

• You'll wake up for breakfast as usual, pack, and descend on a short, scenic 3-hour hike to Mweka Gate. Wait until you and all of your gear have reached the gate before tipping your staff.
• After registering at the gate, you will wait to receive your summit certificates - green for those who reached Stella Point and gold for those who reached Uhuru Peak.
• From the gate, if the road is too muddy for vehicles, you will continue your hike for 1 hour to Mweka Village, 3 km away.
• There, you will enjoy a hot lunch before being driven back to Moshi, where you can have your first hot shower in days.

The route

Where you'll travel

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

• Porterage
• Rescue fee
• Climbing gear
• Park fees (for non-residents)
• All activities (unless labeled as optional)
• All accommodation (unless listed as an upgrade)
• Camping equipment
• A professional driver/guide
• All transportation (unless labeled as optional)
• All taxes/VAT
• Round-trip airport transfer
• Meals (as specified in the day-by-day section)
• Drinks (as specified in the day-by-day section)

What's Not Included

• International flights (from/to home)
• Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour
• Sleeping bag
• Bath towels
• Tips (tipping guideline: US$10.00 pp per day)
• Personal items (souvenirs, travel insurance, visa fees, etc.)
• Government-imposed increases in taxes and/or park fees

What to bring

• Hiking boots
• Gloves
• Jackets
• Camera

Know before you go

• Physical fitness is essential.
• Pack well.
• Mental preparation is important.
• Guided climbs are mandatory.
• The Machame Route is our most popular and successful route leading to the summit of Kilimanjaro. Hikers sleep in tents carried up the mountain by porters. It is a very scenic and beautiful route, which can be completed in 6 days, though we recommend hiking it in 7 days to allow more time for acclimatization. The key to the success of the Machame Route is its topography, which allows hikers to climb high and sleep low, helping with better acclimatization.

Logistics

Meeting & route

Meeting point

Kilimanjaro Airport Road, Tanzania

Tour start

Moshi, Tanzania

Tour ends at the same location as the start point.