7 Day Mount Kilimanjaro Trekking Adventure via Machame Route

Begin the hike towards the Shira Ridge

Bypass the rainforest zone en route

Arrive at the Shira Plateau, located in the heath and moorland zone of Mount Kilimanjaro

Head to camp for the night

Overnight at Shira 2 Camp, situated across a river gorge

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

Begin the third-day trek heading towards the Lava Tower.

Trek past scenic landscapes and gain altitude gradually.

Enjoy views of the impressive Lava Tower, a massive rock formation standing about 1 km tall on the eastern side of Mount Kilimanjaro near a ridge.

Continue the hike, bypassing the unique Senecio forest located at an elevation of 3,962 m (13,000 ft).

Take in the beautiful and refreshing views offered by this high-altitude forest.

Begin the descent towards Barranco Camp, taking in the changing scenery along the way.

Arrive at Barranco Camp for dinner and your overnight stay.

The high elevation of the campsite aids in the acclimatization process.

Relax and rest in preparation for the next day’s trek.

• Elevation: 15,190 ft to 13,044 ft
• Distance: 10 km/6 miles
• Hiking Time: 7-8 hours
• Habitat: Alpine Desert

Depart from Barranco Camp to begin the day's hike.

Descend into the gulley just below the impressive Barranco Wall.

Ascend the Barranco Wall — a steep 274m (900ft) cliff that, while challenging, doesn’t require technical climbing skills.

Traverse a scenic trail of hills and valleys after the Barranco Wall ascent.

Reach the Karanga Valley, taking in the diverse terrain along the way.

Make a final steep climb to Karanga Camp, your overnight stop.

Enjoy dinner and rest at camp.

The day also serves as a valuable period for acclimatization.

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

Begin the trek on day five by heading to the junction where our trail meets the Mweka trail.

Continue the hike through rocky terrain towards Barafu Hut Camp.

Arrive at Barafu Hut, marking the end of Mount Kilimanjaro’s southern circuit.

Enjoy stunning 360-degree panoramic views of Kibo Peak and Uhuru Peak, the mountain’s main summit.

Set up camp at Barafu for rest and dinner in preparation for the final summit attempt.

Take in the impressive views of two of Kilimanjaro’s three main peaks: Mawenzi Peak and Kibo Peak.

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

Begin the final ascent to the summit around midnight — the most mentally and physically demanding part of the trek.

Face extremely cold and windy conditions at this elevation and hour.

Trek in darkness for several hours with frequent, short breaks.

Witness a breathtaking sunrise near Stella Point (18,900 ft), with views over Mawenzi Peak.

Reach Uhuru Peak, the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa.

Stats:

• Elevation: 15,331 ft to 19,341 ft

• Distance: 5 km / 3 miles

• Hiking Time: 7–8 hours

• Habitat: Arctic

Begin descent from the summit directly to Mweka Hut campsite.

Stop at Barafu Camp for lunch.

Navigate a rocky trail — trekking poles are highly recommended due to strain on the knees.

Enter the upper forest zone where mist or rain is common.

Arrive at Mweka Camp for the night.

Enjoy your final dinner on the mountain.

Rest with a well-deserved sleep after the long day’s trek

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

Begin the descent via the Machame Route, transitioning to the Mweka Route.

Continue the descent towards Mweka Gate.

Arrive at Mweka Gate and receive summit certificates.

Expect wet and muddy conditions at the base due to frequent rainfall.

Continue the descent for about an hour towards Mweka Village.

Our vehicle will be waiting in Mweka Village to take us back to the hotel in Moshi Town.

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