7 Days Machame Route

Elevation (m): 1830m to 3100m
Elevation (ft): 6000ft to 10,200ft
Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
Habitat: Montane Forest

After breakfast and a short briefing, we will transfer to the Machame National Park Gate, located at a distance of forty minutes from the Kilimanjaro airport. The journey passes through the village of Machame, which is located on the lower slopes of the mountain. After registration and all the formalities, the porters and guides you accompany you through the park gate and walk wit you along the rainforest on a winding trail up the ridge. The trail can be muddy and slippery and trekking poles are generally a good idea here. We continue a short distance until we reach the Machame Camp.

Elevation (m): 3100m to 3840m
Elevation (ft): 10,200ft to 12,600ft
Walking Time: 4-5 hours
Habitat: Moorland

After breakfast, we leave the rainforest, cross the little valley by walking along a steep rocky ridge covered with heather, right up to its very end. The route now turns west onto a river gorge. We stop for rest and dinner.

Overnight at the Shira campsite.

Elevation (m): 3840m to 4630m to 3860m
Elevation (ft): 12,600ft to 12,700ft
Walking Time: 5-7 hours
Habitat: Semi-desert

From the Shira Plateau, we continue to northeast up a ridge, passing the junction towards the peak of Kibo. As we continue, our direction changes to the southeast, towards the Lava Tower. We stop for picnic lunch, and shortly after the tower, we can see the second junction which brings us to the Arrow Glacier (4,876 meters).

We continue down to the Barranco Hut (3,860 meters). Here, we rest, enjoy dinner, and stop for the night. Although you end the day at the same elevation as when you started, this day is very important for acclimatization as it helps your body prepare for a trip to the summit.

Elevation (m): 3860m to 4200m
Elevation (ft): 12,700ft to 13,800ft
Hiking Time: 3 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert

After breakfast, we leave Barranco and continue on a steep ridge passing the Barranco Wall all the way to the Karanga Valley campsite.

Elevation (m): 4200 to 4600m
Elevation (ft): to 15,100ft
Distance: 6 km
Hiking Time: 3 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert

After breakfast, we leave Karanga and continue to the Barafu High camp. By now, 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 can also be seen from the campsite.

Elevation (m): 4200 to 4600m
Elevation (ft): to 15,100ft
Distance: 6 km
Elevation (m): 4600m to 5895m (and down to 3100m)
Elevation (ft): 15,100ft to 19,300ft (and down to 10,200ft)
Distance: 7km ascent / 23km descent
Hiking Time:6- 8 hours ascent / 7-8 hours descent
Habitat: Stone scree and ice-capped summit

Early in the morning (midnight to 2 am), we continue our way to the summit between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers. You head in a northwesterly direction and ascend towards Stella Point on the crater rim. This is the most challenging portion of the trek (mentally and physically), but also the most rewarding one.

At Stella Point (5685m), 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 they 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.

You will want clothing for both extremes with you. From the summit, we now make our descent continuing straight down to the Mweka Hut camp site, stopping at Barafu high camp for lunch.

You will want gaiters and trekking poles for navigating the loose gravel while 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 (m): 3100m to 1830m
Elevation (ft): 10,200ft to 6000ft
Distance: 15 km
Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: Forest

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.
A vehicle will meet you at Mweka gate to drive you to Moshi town for relaxing at the hotel Kilimanjaro crown Lodge.