Machame Route 6 Days

After an early breakfast at your hotel, you will be picked up from Moshi and driven to Machame gate. After completing your registration and formalities with the park authority, you enter the rainforest zone immediately and start your Kilimanjaro ascent. As we leave the park gate, we walk through the dense rain forest. Rain at this zone is a strong possibility which leaves the trail muddy, soggy, and slippery on a winding trail up a ridge until we reach the Machame Camp.

Distance: 11km
Habitat: Montane forest
Time: 5 to 6 hours

We leave the glades of the rain forest and continue on an ascending path up to a steep, rocky ridge. On the Shira Plateau, we pass through heather and open moorlands, then cross a large river gorge to Shiraz 2 Camp.

Distance: 11km
Habitat: Montane forest
Time: 5 to 6 hours

We continue to the east up a ridge and then head southeast towards the Lava Tower (4600m) tall volcanic rock formation. Through the Senecio Forest, we descend down to Barranco Camp to an altitudinal level of (3900m). Even if you start and end at the same altitude, it is very beneficial for acclimatization.

Distance: 12km
Habitat: Moorland
Time: 6 to 8 hours

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

Distance: 13km
Habitat: Alpine desert
Time: 6 to 8 hours

Very early in the morning (around midnight), we begin our push to the summit. This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek. The wind and cold at this elevation and time of day can be extreme. We ascend in the darkness for several hours while taking frequent, but short, breaks. At the Stella Point (5756m), you will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see coming over Mawenzi Peak. Finally, we arrive at Uhuru Peak (5895m) the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa. From here, you will get to
experience Kilimanjaro and all its glory and enjoy a view over the landscape. After taking pictures and celebrations, you will descend down the same route to Mweka Camp.
Shortly before mid-day, you will arrive at Barafu Camp for your lunch. The trail is very rocky and can be quite hard on the knees; trekking poles are helpful. 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.

Distance: 20 km
Habitat: Alpine desert/ Arctic summit/Montane forest
Time: 14 to 16 hours

Our last day, we continue the descent to Mweka Gate and collect the summit certificates. At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy. From the gate, we continue another hour to Mweka Village. A vehicle will meet us at Mweka Village to drive us back to the hotel in Moshi.

Distance: 8km
Habitat: Montane forest
Time: 3 to 4 hours

The day is left free to wind down after the trek before your flight home. Depending on flight times you could go and explore Moshi town and grab some souvenirs before heading to the airport.