7 Days Mount Kilimanjaro- Machame route

1 day Machame Gate to Machame Camp The drive from Moshi to the Mount Kilimanjaro
National Park Gate takes about 50 minutes. The journey passes through the village of Machame
which is located on the lower slopes of the mountain. We now leave the park gate and walk
through the rain forest on a winding trail up a ridge. Lower down, the trail can be muddy and
slippery. Gaiters and trekking poles are a good idea here. We continue a short distance until we
reach the Machame Camp.
Elevation (ft): 5,400ft to 9,400ft Distance: 11 km Hiking
Time: 5-7 hours
Habitat: Rain Forest

After breakfast, we leave the glades of the rain forest and continue on an ascending path,
crossing the little valley walking along a steep rocky ridge, covered with heather, until the ridge
ends. The route now turns west onto a river gorge. Time for rest, dinner, and overnight at the
Shira campsite.

Elevation (ft): 9,400ft to 12,500ft,
Distance: 5 km, Hiking
Time: 4-6 hours,
Habitat: Moorland

From the Shira Plateau, we continue to the east up a ridge, passing the junction towards the peak
of Kibo. As we continue, our direction changes to the South East towards the Lava Tower, called
the "Shark's Tooth." Shortly after the tower, we come to the second junction which brings us up
to the Arrow Glacier at an altitude of 16,000ft. We now continue down to the Barranco Hut at an
altitude of 13,000ft. Here we rest, enjoy dinner, and overnight. Although you end the day at the
same elevation as when you started, this day is very important for acclimatization and will help
your body prepare for summit day.
Elevation (ft): 12,500ft to 13,000ft
Distance: 10 km Hiking
Time: 6-8 hours
Habitat: Semi Desert

After breakfast, we leave Barranco and continue on a steep ridge passing the Barranco Wall, to
the Karanga Valley campsite. This is a short day meant for acclimatization. Elevation (ft):
13,000ft to 13,100ft Distance: 5 km Hiking Time: 4-5 hours Habitat: Alpine Desert

Elevation (ft): 13,100ft to 15,300Ft, Distance: 4 km, Hiking Time: 4-5 Hours, Habitat: Alpine
Desert After breakfast, we leave Karanga and hit the junction which connects with the Mweka
Trail. We continue up to the Barafu Hut. At this point, you have completed the South Circuit,
which offers views of the summit from many different angles. Here we make camp, rest, enjoy

dinner, and prepare for the summit day. The two peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo are to be seen from
this position.
Elevation (ft): 13,100ft to 15,300ft
Distance: 4 km Hiking
Time: 4-5 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert

Very early in the morning (midnight to 2am), we continue our 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 (18,600 ft), you will stop for a short rest and will be rewarded
with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see (weather permitting). From Stella
Point, you may encounter snow all the way on your 1-hour ascent to the summit. At Uhuru Peak,
you have reached the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa. Faster
hikers will see the sunrise from the summit. From the summit, we now make our descent
continuing straight down to the Mweka Hut camp site, stopping at Barafu for lunch. You will
want gaiters and trekking poles for the loose gravel going down. Mweka Camp is situated in the
upper forest and mist or rain can be expected in the late afternoon. Later in the evening, we enjoy
our last dinner on the mountain and a well-earned sleep. Elevation (ft): 15,300ft to 1345ft (and
down to 10,000ft) Distance: 5 km… ascent / 12 km descent Hiking Time: 7-8 hours ascent / 4-6
hours descent

After breakfast, we continue the descent 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).
From the gate, you continue another hour to Mweka Village. A vehicle will meet you at Mweka
village to drive you back to hotel in Moshi.

Elevation (ft): 10,000ft to 5,400ft
Distance: 10 km Hiking
Time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: Rain Forest