6 Days Mount Kilimanjaro Trek – Machame Route

Day 1: Machame Gate – Machame Camp

The drive from Moshi to the Mount Kilimanjaro National Park Gate takes about 50 minutes. 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.
Machame Gate to Machame Camp

Elevation (ft): 5,400ft to 9,400ft
Distance: 11 km
Hiking Time: 5-7 hours
Habitat: Rain Forest

Day 2 : Machame Camp – Shira Camp

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.

Machame Camp to Shira Camp
Elevation (ft): 9,400ft to 12,500ft
Distance: 5 km
Hiking Time: 4-6 hours
Habitat: Moorland

Day 3: Shira Camp – Lava Tower – Barranco Camp

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.

Shira Camp to Lava Tower to Barranco Camp
Elevation (ft): 12,500ft to 13,000ft
Distance: 10 km
Hiking Time: 6-8 hours
Habitat: Semi Desert

Day 4 : Barranco Camp – Barafu Camp

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.

Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp
Elevation (ft): 13,000ft to 15,000ft
Distance: 9km
Hiking Time: 8-10 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert

Day 5: Barafu Camp – Uhuru Peak – Mweka Camp

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 portion of 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.

Barafu Camp to Summit to Mweka Hut
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

Day 6: Mweka Camp – Moshi

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 Moshi.

Mweka Camp to Moshi
Elevation (ft): 10,000ft to 5,400ft
Distance: 10 km
Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: Rain Forest