7 days Mount Kilimanjaro

We depart from Arusha/Moshi and head towards the Machame Gate on the mountain’s southern side. This drive typically takes 1.5-2 hours.

Starting at the Machame Gate (5,718ft or 1,748m), we begin our ascent to Machame Camp (9,350ft or 2,850m).

The trek lasts approximately 5-7 hours and takes us through the Tropical Rainforest Zone. Wespend the night at Machame Camp.

We start the day at Machame Camp (9,350ft or 2,850m) and leave the Rainforest Zone to reach our next campsite, Shira 2 Camp (12,621ft or 3,847m).

We’re now transitioning into the Moorland/Heather Zone.

Here, trees become less prevalent, and small plants dominate the landscape. We spend the night at Shira 2 Camp.

We hike from Shira 2 Camp (12,621ft or 3,847m) to Barranco Camp (13,066ft or 3,983m). Along the way, we have a lunch break at Lava Tower.

After lunch, we start our descent to Barranco Camp. The landscape becomes increasingly barren as we enter the desert-like conditions.

Barranco Camp offers fantastic views of the Great Barranco Wall.

We ascend from Barranco Camp (13,066ft or 3,983m) to Karanga Camp (13,106ft or 3,994m).

To reach Karanga Camp, we need to climb the Barranco Wall with the assistance of our guides. This climb is not technical.

It takes about 4-5 hours to complete, and the rest of the day is dedicated to rest. Overnight stay at Karanga Camp.

Weascend from Karanga Camp (13,106ft or 3,994m) to Barafu Camp (15,239ft or 4,644m).

This hike lasts about 4-5 hours. We retire early in preparation for our midnight summit climb. Overnight stay at Barafu Camp.

We start our ascent to the summit, Uhuru Peak (19,341ft or 5,895m), from Barafu Camp (15,239ft or 4,644m).

We wake up at 11:00 PM and begin our journey around midnight. This trek usually takes around 7 hours.

Wereach the summit by sunrise and celebrate our achievement atop Mt. Kilimanjaro.

We then descend via Stella Point to Mweka Camp (10,204ft or 3,110m) in the Moorland/Heather Zone. The descent should take about 6-8 hours.

After enjoying a hearty breakfast, we begin our descent towards Mweka Gate, located at an elevation of 5,423 feet (1,653 meters). This is where we officially sign the Kilimanjaro National Park Register, marking the successful completion of our expedition via our 7-Day Machame Route. As we reach the gate, our Head Guide will present each participant with a well-deserved Kilimanjaro Certificate, acknowledging their incredible accomplishment.

While at the gate, take a moment to savor a refreshing cold drink, allowing for a well-deserved break before continuing our journey. The descent from Mweka Gate typically takes around 3-4 hours, during which you can reflect on your remarkable journey to the summit.

Once at the gate, we board our vehicle, ready to transport us back to the hotel in Arusha. The drive back to the hotel takes approximately 3 hours, allowing ample time to relax and relish the memories of your Kilimanjaro expedition. With an expected mid-afternoon arrival, around 3 PM, the exact time may vary depending on your morning departure from the camp.