7 Day Kilimanjaro Climb: Machame Route

Elevation (ft): 5,400ft to 9,400ft Distance: 11 km Hiking Time: 5-7 hours Habitat: Rain Forest Our safari drive guide will drive you past village of Machame on the lower slopes of the mount Kilimanjaro. After completion of park entry formalities walk through the rain forest on a winding trail up a ridge until we reach the Machame Camp. All meals dinner and overnight at the Machame Camp

Machame Camp to Shira Camp Elevation (ft): 9,400ft to 12,500ft Distance: 5 km Hiking Time: 4-6 hours Habitat: Moorland After breakfast, we leave the glades of the rain forest and ascend crossing valleys and ridges covered with heather past a river gorge for dinner, and overnight at the Shira campsite.

Elevation (ft): 12,500ft to 13,000ft Distance: 15 km Hiking Time: 5-7 hours Habitat: Semi Desert From the Shira Plateau we keep trekking and hiking towards the peak of Kibo. At an altitude of 16,000ft we descend slightly 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 attempt

Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp Elevation (ft): 13,000ft to 13,100ft Distance: 5 km Hiking Time: 4-5 hours Habitat: Alpine Desert After breakfast, we leave Barranco and continue on a steep ridge passing the Barranco Wall, to the Karanga Valley campsite. This is a short day meant for acclimatization.

Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp Elevation (ft): 13,100ft to 15,300ft Distance: 4 km Hiking Time: 4-5 hours Habitat: Alpine Desert After breakfast, 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.

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 Very early in the morning (midnight to 2am), we continue our way to the summit. At 18,600 ft ABSL. you will stop for a short rest and will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see (weather permitting). Continue trekking/hiking/climbing for 1-hour to reach the summit - Uhuru Peak. After celebration and photography descend down to the Mweka Hut camp site, stopping at Barafu for lunch. Later in the evening, we enjoy our last dinner on the mountain and a well-earned sleep.

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