7 Days Mount Kilimanjaro Climbing – Machame Route

• Elevation: 9,350 ft to 12,500 ft
• Distance: 5 km/3 miles
• Hiking Time: 4-6 hours
• Habitat: Heath

We depart from the rainforest glades and follow an ascending path up a steep, rocky ridge. On the Shira Plateau, we traverse through heather and open moorlands before crossing a large river gorge to reach Shira 2 Camp.

Hike from Shira 2 Camp to Lava Tower

• Elevation: 12,500 ft to 15,190 ft
• Distance: 7 km/4 miles
• Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
• Habitat: Alpine Desert

Hike from Lava Tower to Barranco Camp

• Elevation: 15,190 ft. to 13,044 ft.
• Distance: 3 km/2 miles
• Hiking Time: 2-3 hours
• Habitat: Alpine Desert

We proceed east up a ridge, then head southeast towards the Lava Tower, a striking 300-ft volcanic rock formation. From there, we descend to Barranco Camp, passing through the unique Senecio Forest, to an altitude of 13,000 ft. Although we start and finish the day at the same elevation, spending time at higher altitudes aids in acclimatization.

• Elevation: 13,044 ft. to 13,106 ft.
• Distance: 5 km/3 miles
• Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
• Habitat: Alpine Desert

We start the day by descending into a ravine to the base of the Great Barranco Wall. We then climb the steep, nearly 900-ft cliff—non-technical but challenging. From the top of the Barranco Wall, we traverse a series of hills and valleys before making a sharp descent into Karanga Valley. A final, steeper climb brings us to Karanga Camp. This shorter day is designed for acclimatization.

• Elevation: 13,106 ft to 15,331 ft
• Distance: 4 km/2 miles
• Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
• Habitat: Alpine Desert

We depart from Karanga and join the Mweka Trail at the junction. We then ascend through a rocky section to reach Barafu Hut. At this point, you will have completed the Southern Circuit, offering views of the summit from various angles. We set up camp here, rest, and enjoy an early dinner to prepare for the summit day. From this location, both the peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo are visible.

Hike from Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak

• Elevation: 15,331 ft to 19,341 ft
• Distance: 5 km/3 miles
• Hiking Time: 7-8 hours
• Habitat: Arctic

Uhuru Peak to Mweka Camp

• Elevation: 19,341 ft to 10,065 ft
• Distance: 12 km/7 miles
• Hiking Time: 4-6 hours
• Habitat: Rain Forest

Very early in the morning, around midnight, we begin our challenging ascent to the summit. This portion of the trek is both mentally and physically demanding, with extreme cold and wind. We proceed in darkness with frequent short breaks. As we near Stella Point (18,900 ft), you will witness a breathtaking sunrise over Mawenzi Peak. Finally, we reach Uhuru Peak, the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and in Africa. After summiting, we descend to Mweka Hut, stopping at Barafu for lunch. The trail is rocky and tough on the knees, so trekking poles are beneficial. Mweka Camp, located in the upper forest, may experience mist or rain in the late afternoon. We conclude the day with our final dinner on the mountain and a well-deserved rest.

• Elevation: 10,065 ft to 5,380 ft
• Distance: 10 km/6 miles
• Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
• Habitat: Rain Forest

On the final day, we descend to Mweka Gate to collect our summit certificates. The trail can be wet and muddy at lower elevations. From the gate, we continue to Mweka Village, where a vehicle will transport us back to our hotel in Arusha. We’ll have an overnight stay and time to relax and recover.