7 Days Mount Kilimanjaro Trekking Machame Route

After breakfast, we’ll start our walk leaving behind the rain forest. We’ll continue ascending, traversing a valley going up a rocky ridge, quite steep and covered in heath. We will leave the glades of the rain forest and continue on an ascending path up to a steep, rocky ridge. On the Shira Plateau, we’ll pass through heather and open moorlands, then cross a large river gorge to Shira 2 Camp. Then we’ll turn west to the river’s gorge. We will arrive at Shira Campsite where we will set up our camp ready for dinner and our overnight stay.

Altitude change: 3000m to 3850m (+850m)
Distance: 9km
Time: 4-6 hours
Environment: Moorland

From the Shira Plateau, we will continue to the east up a ridge, passing the junction towards the peak of Kibo. As we continue, our direction changes to the southeast towards the Lava Tower, called the “Shark’s Tooth.” Shortly after the tower, we’ll come to the second junction which brings us up to the Arrow Glacier at an altitude of 16,000ft. We will now continue down to the Barranco Hut at an altitude of 13,000ft. Here we will rest, enjoy dinner, and our overnight stay. 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: 10km
Hiking Time: 6-8 hours
Habitat: Semi Desert

After breakfast, we begin the hike with a steep traverse up the Barranco Wall which is a 257-meter rock face that requires basic scrambling skills to the top of the Karanga Valley. The path then follows a series of inclines and declines to Karanga Camp (3,960 meters). You will spend a night at the Karanga camp before you continue to the Barafu camp on the following day.

Distance: 7 km
Hiking Time: 7 hours
Habitat: High Alpine Zone

Day five is a short and easy day. The trail starts at Karanga Camp and joins the Mweka trail up to base camp, Barafu at 4,680m. We recommend you use easy hiking to relax and prepare for the summit push.

Distance: 6 km
Hiking Time: 3 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert

Very early in the morning (midnight to 2:00 am) we’ll continue our way to the summit between the Rebmann and Ratzel Glaciers. At Stella Point (18,600 ft), you’ll stop for a short rest and 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.

Now make our descent continuing straight down to the Mweka Hut Campsite, 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. Later in the evening, we’ll enjoy our last dinner on the mountain and a well-earned sleep.

Elevation ft: 15,300ft to 19,345ft (and down to 10,000ft)
Distance: 5km ascent / 12km descent
Hiking Time: 7-8 hours ascent / 4-6 hours descent
Habitat: Arctic

After breakfast, we will 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 will continue another hour to Mweka Village. A vehicle will meet you at Mweka village to drive you back to hotel in Arusha.

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

The following morning, you will be transferred to the airport for your onwards travel.