MACHAME GATE TO MACHAME HUT

Elevation (ft): 5,400ft to 9,400ft

Distance: 11 km

Hiking Time: 5-7 hours

Habitat: Rainforest

It takes approximately 3 hours to drive from Arusha to the Mount Kilimanjaro National Park Machame Gate. The trek takes you via the village of Machame, which is situated on the mountain’s lower slopes. You now exit the park and follow a twisting trail up a ridge through the rainforest. The terrain might be muddy and treacherous as you descend. It’s a good idea to wear gaiters and trekking poles here. You must walk a little way until we get to Machame Camp.

MACHAME HUT - SHIRA CAMP

Elevation (ft): 9,400ft to 12,500ft

Distance: 5 km

Hiking Time: 4-6 hours

Habitat: Moorland

After breakfast, leave the rainforest glades and continue uphill, crossing a small valley by walking along a steep rocky ridge covered in heather till the ridge ends. The trail now heads west through a river gorge. At the Shira campsite, it’s time for some rest, food, and an overnight stay.

SHIRA CAMP - BARRANCO VIA LAVA TOWER

Elevation (ft): 12,500ft to 13,000ft

Distance: 10 km

Hiking Time: 6-8 hours

Habitat: Semi Desert

From the Shira Plateau, continue east along a ridge, past the junction on your way to Kibo’s peak. As you go, your direction shifts to the southeast, toward the “Shark’s Tooth,” a lava tower. Shortly after the tower, you’ll reach the second junction, which leads to the Arrow Glacier, which is at an elevation of 16,000 feet. You’ll now descend to the Barranco Hut, which is at an elevation of 13,000 feet. You may relax, have dinner, and sleep the night away here. Even though you start and end the day at the same elevation, this day is critical for acclimatization and will help your body prepare for summit day.

BARRANCO - KARANGA -BARAFU CAMP

Elevation (ft): 13,000ft to 15,000ft

Distance: 9km

Hiking Time: 8-10 hours

Habitat: Alpine Desert

After breakfast, leave Barranco and continue on a rocky ridge to the Karanga Valley campground, passing the Barranco Wall. Then you leave Karanga and come to a fork in the trail that leads to the Mweka Trail. You keep going till you reach the Barafu Hut. You’ve completed the South Circuit, which provides views of the peak from a variety of perspectives. Set up camp, recover, eat dinner, and get ready for summit day. The two peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo may be seen from this vantage point.

BARAFU - SUMMIT - 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

You resume your journey to the peak between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers early in the morning (about 2 a.m.). You hike through steep scree in a northwesterly route to Stella Point on the crater rim. This is the trek’s most psychologically and physically demanding section.

You’ll take a break at Stella Point (18,600 feet) and be rewarded with the most spectacular sunrise you’ll ever see (if weather permits). On your 1-hour journey to the summit from Stella Point, you may encounter snow all the way. You’ve reached the highest peak on Mount Kilimanjaro and the African continent at Uhuru Peak. From the summit, faster hikers will be able to view the sunrise.

You now descend from the summit, heading straight down to the Mweka Hut camp site, stopping for lunch at Barafu. For the loose gravel on the way down, you’ll need gaiters and trekking poles. Mweka Camp is located in the upper forest, where late afternoon mist or rain can be expected. Later that evening, we have our final dinner on the mountain and get some much-needed rest.

MWEKA HUT -MWEKA GATE - ARUSHA/MOSHI

Elevation (ft): 10,000ft to 5,400ft

Distance: 10 km

Hiking Time: 3-4 hours

Habitat: Rainforest

After breakfast, you continue your descent to the Mweka Park Gate, where you will be presented with your summit certificates. It might be damp and muddy at lower elevations. Walking poles and gaiters will be useful. Shorts and tees should suffice (keep rain gear and warmer clothing handy).

You will be met at the gate by your vehicle, which will take you back to your accommodation in Arusha/Moshi.

End of the trek!