6 Days Machame Route

Drive from Arusha to machame gate it might take 2 hours. We depart the park gate and walk through the rain forest on a winding trail up a ridge. At lower elevations 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.

Elevation: 6,000 ft to 10,200 ft

Time: 5-7 hours

Distance: 11 km

Habitat: Montane Forest

After breakfast we leave the glades of the rain forest and continue on an ascending path, crossing the valley along a steep rocky ridge. The route now turns west onto a river gorge until we arrive at the Shira campsite.

Elevation: 10,200 ft to 12,600 ft

Time: 4-6 hours

Distance: 9 km

Habitat: Moorland

Today we walk on a gentle ascent and panoramic views. We traverse the southwest side of Kilimanjaro, passing underneath the Lava Tower and the final section of the Western Breach and after hot lunch the bottom of the Lava Tower, we descend to the bottom of the Great Barranco Camp.

Elevation: 12,600 ft to 12,700 ft

Time: 5-7 hours

Distance: 15 km

Habitat: Semi-Desert

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

Elevation: 13,000ft to15,350ft

Time: 6-8 hours

Distance: 9 km

Habitat: Alpine Desert

Very early in the morning (midnight to 2 am), 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. At Stella Point you will stop for a short rest and will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see. From Stella Point, you may encounter snow all the way 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!

From the summit we begin our descent by continuing straight down to the Mweka Camp, stopping at Barafu for lunch. You may want gaiters and trekking poles for the loose gravel going down. We arrive at Mweka Camp and enjoy our last evening on the mountain.

Elevation: 15,350ft to 19,343ft to 10,150ft

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

Distance: 6km up / 13km down

Habitat: ice-capped

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. Nuru Tours & Safaris vehicle will be waiting for you at Mweka gate to drive you back to your hotel in Arusha.

Elevation: 12,205 ft to 6,046 ft

Time: 3-4 hours

Distance: 10 km

Habitat: Rain Forest