7 Days Nature tour itinerary for Mount Kilimanjaro & Moshi: Climb Mount Kili On The Machame Route

• Start your 7 days Machame route climbing with driving you from Moshi to the Mount Kilimanjaro National Park Gate it takes about 45 minutes. 

• After paperwork, the journey starts passing through the village of Machame which is located on the lower slopes of the mountain.

• Depart the park gate and walk through the rain forest on a winding trail up a ridge. 

• At lower elevations, the trail can be muddy and slippery. Gaiters and trekking poles are a good idea here.

• Continue a short distance until you reach the Machame Camp.

Elevation: 1830m/6000ft to 3050m/9950ft

Distance: 11km/7mi

Climbing Time: 5-6 hours

Habitat: Montane Forest

• After breakfast, leave the glades of the rain forest and continue on an ascending path, crossing the valley along a steep rocky ridge. The route now turns west onto a river gorge until you arrive at the Shira campsite.

Elevation: 3050m/9950ft to 3850m/12,600ft

Distance: 5km/3mi

Walking Time: 4-5 hours

Habitat: Moorland

• From the Shira Plateau, continue to the east up a ridge, passing the junction towards the peak of Kibo. 

• As you continue, your direction changes to the South East towards the Lava Tower, called the “Shark’s Tooth” (elevation 4650m/15,250ft). 

• Shortly after the tower, come to the second junction which goes to the Arrow Glacier. 

• Now continue down to the Barranco Camp. Although you end the day around the same elevation as when you began, this day is very important 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, leave Barranco and continue on a steep ridge up to the Barranco Wall to the Karanga Valley and the junction which connects with the Mweka Trail.

Elevation: 4000m/13,000ft to 4050m/13,250ft

Distance: 5km/3mi

Climbing Time: 34 hours

Habitat: Alpine Desert

• Continue up to the Barafu Camp. You have completed the South Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many different angles.

• Here, make camp, rest, enjoy dinner, and prepare for the summit day.

Elevation: 4050m/13,250ft to 4700m/15,350ft

Distance: 4km/2mi

Climbing Time: 3-4 hours

Habitat: Alpine Desert

• Very early in the morning (midnight to 2 am), continue your way to the summit between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers. You head in a northwesterly direction and ascend through heavy scree towards 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 will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise 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 the Mweka Camp, stopping at Barafu for lunch. You may want gaiters and trekking poles for the loose gravel going 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

Climbing Time: 5-7 hours up / 5-6 hours down

Habitat: Stone scree and ice-capped summit

• After breakfast, continue descending down to the 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 plenty to wear (keep rain gear and warmer clothing handy).
  

• Moonlight Tours Expedition vehicle will be waiting for you at Mweka Gate to drive you back to your hotel in Moshi (about 30 minutes). End of your 7-day Machame route climbing.

Elevation: 3090m/10,150ft to 1680m/5500ft

Distance: 10km/6mi

Climbing Time: 3-4 hours

Habitat: Forest