7 Days Mount Kilimanjaro Machame Route

Day 1: •Machame Gate to Machame Camp

1. Mount Kilimanjaro
   1 day · Admission ticket included
   •Elevation (ft): 5,400ft to 9,400ft
   •Distance: 11 km
   •Hiking Time: 5-7 hours
   •Habitat: Rain Forest
   
   The drive from Arusha to the Mount Kilimanjaro National Park Gate. 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.

Day 2: •Machame Camp to Shira Camp

1. Mount Kilimanjaro
   1 day · Admission ticket included
   •Elevation (ft): 9,400ft to 12,500ft
   •Distance: 5 km
   •Hiking Time: 4-6 hours
   •Habitat: Moorland
   
   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.

Day 3: •Shira Camp to Lava Tower to Barranco Camp

1. Mount Kilimanjaro
   1 day · Admission ticket included
   •Elevation (ft): 12,500ft to 13,000ft
   •Distance: 10 km
   •Hiking Time: 6-8 hours
   •Habitat: Semi Desert
   
   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.

Day 4: •Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp

1. Mount Kilimanjaro
   1 day · Admission ticket included
   •Elevation (ft): 13,000ft to 13,100ft
   •Distance: 5 km
   •Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
   •Habitat: Alpine 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.

Day 5: •Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp

1. Mount Kilimanjaro
   1 day · Admission ticket included
   •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.

Day 6: •Barafu Camp to Summit to Mweka Hut

1. Mount Kilimanjaro
   1 day · Admission ticket included
   •Elevation (ft): 15,300ft to 19,345ft (and down to
   
   10,000ft)
   •Distance: 5 km ascent / 12 km descent
   •Hiking Time: 7-8 hours ascent / 4-6 hours descent
   •Habitat: Arctic
   
   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 portionof 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 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. 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.

Day 7: •Mweka Camp to Moshi

1. Mount Kilimanjaro
   1 day · Admission ticket included
   •Elevation (ft): 10,000ft to 5,400ft
   •Distance: 10 km
   •Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
   •Habitat: Rain 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. 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 Arusha

• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
• Not recommended for pregnant travelers
• Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
• Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness