6 Days Hiking Mt Kilimanjaro on Machame Route

We start our journey from Machame Gate and hike through the rainforest on a muddy and slippery trail. It takes about 5-7 hours to reach Machame Camp, covering a distance of 11 km. The elevation increases from 5,400 ft to 9,400 ft.

Leaving the rainforest behind, we continue uphill, crossing a valley and walking along a rocky ridge covered with heather. The path then turns west towards a river gorge, and after 4-6 hours of hiking, we arrive at Shira Cave Camp. The elevation rises from 9,400 ft to 12,500 ft.

We head east from Shira Plateau, passing the junction towards Kibo Peak. Our direction changes to the southeast as we reach the Lava Tower. Afterward, we descend to Barranco Camp, resting at 13,000 ft. This day is crucial for acclimatization.

Starting from Barranco Camp, we tackle a steep ridge and pass the Barranco Wall. We then make our way to Karanga Camp and continue upward, connecting with the Mweka Trail. Finally, we reach Barafu Camp at an elevation of 15,000 ft, where we prepare for the summit. The South Circuit offers stunning views of Mawenzi and Kibo peaks.

We start early, around midnight to 2am, from Barafu Camp towards the summit. The route takes us through the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers, ascending through challenging scree terrain towards Stella Point on the crater rim. This part of the hike is mentally and physically demanding. At Stella Point (18,600 ft), we take a short rest and witness a breathtaking sunrise, weather permitting. From Stella Point, it takes about an hour to reach Uhuru Peak, the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and in Africa. Faster hikers may see the sunrise from the summit.
After reaching the summit, we begin our descent directly to Mweka camp, with a stop at Barafu for lunch. Hiking poles and gaiters are recommended for the loose gravel on the way down. Mweka Camp, situated in the upper forest, can experience mist or rain in the late afternoon. We enjoy our final dinner on the mountain and rest for the night.

After breakfast, we continue descending to the Mweka Gate, where we receive our summit certificates. The lower elevations can be muddy and wet, so gaiters and hiking poles come in handy. Shorts and t-shirts are usually sufficient, but keep rain gear and warmer clothing readily available. From the gate, it takes about an hour to reach Mweka Village, where a vehicle awaits to drive us back to the hotel in Moshi.