ITINERARY FOR THE KILIMANJARO CLIMB - 7-DAY MACHAME ROUTE

Arrive in Tanzania
You will be picked up at the Kilimanjaro International Airport and transferred to your hotel in Moshi town. There, you will meet our guide, who will brief you on your upcoming trek and check your equipment to ensure you have all the necessary mountain gear ready to begin your Kilimanjaro climb via the 7-day Machame route. Gear that is missing can be rented on this day.

Day 1: Machame Gate to Machame Camp
-Elevation: 1640m to 1835m
-Distance: 11 km
-Hiking Time: 5-7 hours
-Habitat: Rain Forest.
The drive from Moshi to Mount Kilimanjaro National Park Gate takes about 50 minutes. The journey passes through the village of Machame, located on the mountain's lower slopes. We now leave the park gate and walk through the rainforest on a winding trail up a ridge. Lower down, the trail can be muddy and slippery, so gaiters and trekking poles are a good idea here. We continue a short distance until we reach the Machame Camp.

Day 2: Machame Camp to Shira Camp
-Elevation 1835m to 3850m
-Distance: 5 km -Hiking Time: 4-6 hours
-Habitat: Moorland.
After breakfast, we leave the rainforest glades and continue an ascending path, crossing the little valley and walking along a steep rocky ridge covered with heather until the ridge ends. The route now turns west onto a river gorge. It is time for rest, dinner, and overnight at the Shira campsite.

Day 3: Shira Camp to Lava Tower to Barranco Camp
-Elevation 3850m to 460m to 3900m
-Distance: 10 km
-Hiking Time: 6-8 hours
-Habitat: Semi Desert.
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 southeast towards the Lava Tower, called the Sharks 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.

Day 4: Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp
-Elevation 3900m to 3960m
-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.

Day 5: Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp
-Elevation 3960m to 4680m
-Distance: 4 km
-Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
-Habitat: Alpine Desert.
After breakfast, we leave Karanga and hit the junction that 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 angles. Here, we make camp, rest, enjoy dinner, and prepare for the summit day. The two peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo can be seen from this position.

Day 6: Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak to Mweka Camp
-Elevation: 4680m to 5895m to 3100 m
-Distance: 5 km ascent / 12 km descent
-Hiking Time: 7-8 hours ascent / 4-6 hours descent
-Habitat: Arctic
Very early in the morning, between midnight and 2 AM, we will continue our ascent to the summit, which is located between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers. You will head northwest, climbing through heavy scree toward Stella Point on the crater rim. This section of the trek is the most mentally and physically challenging.
At Stella Point (18,600 ft), we will take a short break and be rewarded with one of the most magnificent sunrises you will likely see, weather permitting. You may encounter snow from Stella Point during the 1-hour ascent to the summit. Upon reaching Uhuru Peak, you will have arrived at the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the entire continent of Africa. Faster hikers may catch the sunrise from the summit.
After enjoying the views at the summit, we will begin our descent, heading straight down to the Mweka Hut campsite and stopping at Barafu for lunch. Using gaiters and trekking poles is advisable due to the loose gravel on the way down. Mweka Camp is in the upper forest, where mist or rain can be expected in the late afternoon. We will enjoy our last dinner on the mountain in the evening and a well-deserved rest.

Day 7: Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate to Moshi
-Elevation: 3100m to 1640m
-Distance: 10 km
-Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
-Habitat: Rain Forest
After breakfast, we will descend 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. This marks the end of your 7-day Kilimanjaro trek via the Machame route. A vehicle will meet you at Mweka village to drive you back to the hotel in Moshi.

Depart Tanzania
The day is free to wind down after the trek before your flight home. Depending on flight times, you could explore Moshi town and grab some souvenirs before heading to the airport.
*Safari, Zanzibar, and other add-ons are available to continue exploring Tanzania.