Mount Kilimanjaro – Machame Route

Elevation: 1830m/6000ft to 3050m/9950ft

Distance: 11km/7mi

Hiking Time: 5-6 hours

Habitat: Montane Forest

Driving takes roughly 45 minutes from Moshi to Machame Gate. The settlement of Machame, which is situated on the mountain's lower slopes, is traversed throughout the route.

We leave the park's entrance and go up a ridge along a meandering track through the montane forests. The trail could be slick and muddy at lower altitudes. Here, gaiters and hiking poles are wise ideas. We travel a short distance before arriving at the Machame Camp.

Elevation: 3050m/9950ft to 3850m/12,600ft

Distance: 5km/3mi

Walking Time: 4-5 hours

Habitat: Moorland

After breakfast we leave the glades of the rainforest and continue on an ascending path, crossing the valley along a steep rocky ridge while taking our time, soaking in the scenery as we make our way through moorlands. The route now turns west onto a river gorge until we arrive at the Shira campsite.

Elevation: 3850m/12,600ft to 4000m/13,000ft

Distance: 10km/6mi

Walking Time: 5-6 hours

Habitat: Semi-desert

We proceed eastward from the Shira Plateau along a hill, past the intersection that leads to Kibo's peak. As we proceed, we turn to the southeast in the direction of the "Shark's Tooth" Lava Tower (4650m/15,250ft). The second junction, leading to the Arrow Glacier, is located not far from the tower. Moving on, we descend to the Barranco Camp. Even though you start and end the day at roughly the same level, this day is crucial for acclimatization and will assist your body in getting ready for summit day.

Elevation: 4000m/13,000ft to 4050m/13,250ft

Distance: 5km/3mi

Climbing Time: 3-4 hours

Habitat: Alpine Desert

After breakfast, we leave Barranco and continue on a steep ridge up the Barranco Wall to the Karanga Valley and the junction which connects with the Mweka Trail.

Elevation: 4050m/13,250ft to 4700m/15,350ft

Distance: 4km/2mi

Climbing Time: 3-4 hours

Habitat: Alpine Desert

We continue up to the Barafu Camp. 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.

Elevation: 4700m/15,350ft to 5895m/19,340ft

Down to 3090m/10,150ft

Distance: 5km/3mi up / 13km/8mi down

Hiking Time: 5-7 hours up / 5-6 hours down

Habitat: Stone scree and ice-capped summit

We continue climbing to the summit between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers between midnight and two in the morning. You travel northwest and make your way over steep scree towards Stella Point on the crater rim. The hardest part of the walk both physically and mentally is this section. You'll take a little break at Stella Point, where you'll be rewarded with the most breathtaking sunrise you're ever likely to witness. The sunrise can be seen from the peak by more rapid hikers. From Stella Point, you may encounter snow on your 1-hour ascent to the summit. Once at Uhuru Peak, you have reached the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa! After lunch at Barafu, we start our descent from the mountain by going straight down to the Mweka Camp. For the loose gravel coming down, gaiters and trekking poles can be useful. We reach Mweka Camp and take in our final night on the mountain.

Elevation: 3090m/10,150ft to 1680m/5500ft

Distance: 10km/6mi

Hiking Time: 3-4 hours

Habitat: Forest

We continue the descent to the Mweka Park Gate after breakfast so you can pick up your summit certificates there. Here we will have lunch and say goodbye to our mountain crew before leaving Mountain Kilimanjaro National Park and driving back to the hotel or airport.