Kilimanjaro Trek 7 Days - Machame Route

Day 1: Machame Gate (1630m/5,380 ft) to Machame Camp (2833/9,350 ft)

1. Kilimanjaro National Park
   7h
   Distance: 11 km/7 miles
   Hiking Time: 5-7 hours
   Habitat: Rain Forest
   Drive to Machame gate from the hotel in Moshi after breakfast takes about 1 hour. The drive passes through the village of Machame which is located on the lower slopes of the mountain. Leave the park gate after registration; walk through the dense rain forest on a winding trail up a ridge until we reach the Machame Camp (2,833m/9,350ft).

Day 2: Machame Camp (2833m/9,350ft) to Shira Cave Camp (3788m/12,500 ft)

1. Kilimanjaro National Park
   6h
   Distance: 5 km/3 miles
   Hiking Time: 4-6 hours
   Habitat: Heath
   After breakfast leave the glades of the rain forest and continue on an ascending path up to a steep, rocky ridge. On the Shira Plateau, the trail passes through heather and open moorlands, then cross a large river gorge to Shira Cave Camp.

Day 3: Shira Cave Camp (3788m/12,500 ft) to Lava Tower (4605m/15,190 ft)

1. Kilimanjaro National Park
   5h
   Distance: 7 km/4 miles
   Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
   Habitat: Alpine Desert
   Lava Tower (4603m/15,190 ft) to Barranco Camp (3953m/13,044 ft)
   Distance: 3 km/2 miles
   Hiking Time: 2-3 hours
   Habitat: Alpine Desert
   After breakfast continue to the east up a ridge and then head southeast towards the Lava Tower – a 300 ft tall volcanic rock formation. After lunch descend down to Barranco Camp (3953m/13,044ft) through the strange but beautiful Senecio Forest to an altitude of 13,000 ft. The begin and end the day at the same elevation is not a problem, the time spent at higher altitude (Lava Tower) is very beneficial for acclimatization.

Day 4: Barranco Camp (3953m/13,044 ft) to Karanga Camp (3972m/13,106 ft)

1. Kilimanjaro National Park
   5h
   Distance: 5 km/3 miles
   Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
   Habitat: Alpine Desert
   The day starts by descending into the base of the Great Barranco Wall. Then from the base start climb the non-technical but steep, nearly 900 ft cliff. From the top of the Barranco Wall the trail cross hills and valleys until descend sharply into Karanga Valley (Karanga River) the last water point. Then start climb up to Karanga Camp, arrive there for lunch, later in the afternoon do a shorter acclimatization walk.

Day 5: Karanga Camp (3972m/13,106 ft) to Barafu Camp (4646m/15,331 ft)

1. Kilimanjaro National Park
   5h
   Distance: 4 km/2 miles
   Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
   Habitat: Alpine Desert
   From Karanga Camp the route passes the junction which connects with the Mweka Trail, continue up to the rocky section until Barafu Hut. At this point, you have completed the Southern Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many different angles. Arrive at the camp, rest and followed by early dinner and prepare for the summit. When the weather gets clear, the view of two peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo can seen her.

Day 6: Barafu Camp (4646m/15,331 ft) to Uhuru Peak (5895m/19,341 ft)

1. Kilimanjaro National Park
   8h
   Distance: 5 km/3 miles
   Hiking Time: 7-8 hours
   Habitat: Arctic
   Uhuru Peak (5895m/19,341 ft) to Mweka Camp (3100m/10,065 ft)
   Distance: 12 km/7 miles
   Hiking Time: 4-6 hours
   Habitat: Rain Forest
   Start in the midnight begins the push to the summit, the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek. The journey will be spending in the wind and cold weather. Ascend in the darkness for several hours while taking some short breaks. Arrive Stella Point (18,900 ft) at sunrise. Then from Stella Point continue to Uhuru Peak- the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro (Africa).
   Spend a short time on the summit taking photographs before start descent back to Barafu Camp, which takes about 3 hours.
   Arrive Barafu Camp, rest then wake up for a branch and continue descending down to Mweka Camp for dinner, wash, and overnight.

Day 7: Mweka Camp (3100m/10,065 ft) to Mweka Gate (1630m/5,380 ft)

1. Kilimanjaro National Park
   3h
   Distance: 10 km/6 miles
   Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
   Habitat: Rain Forest
   On this last day, after breakfast continues the 3 hours descent to Mweka Gate and sign out to the national park authority, collect the summit certificates. A vehicle will be waiting at Mweka gate and transfer back to the hotel in Moshi.

Pickup details

On your arrival our driver will be waiting outside at airport with a name tag to greet you. After clearing customs, you’ll be transferred to Parkview inn Lodge in Moshi town. later when you settled and depending with your flight arrival at the lodge, you’ll meet with our experienced Kilimanjaro guide for a detailed briefing and an equipment check. If you’re missing any essential mountain gear, rentals are conveniently available in Moshi to ensure you’re fully prepared for your trek.

• 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