Machame via Kosovo Campsite Route (6-Days) Itinerary 

DAY 1

• Machame Gate to Machame Camp
• Elevation (ft): 5,380 ft to 9,350 ft
• Distance: 11 km
• Hiking Time: 5-7 hours
• Habitat: Rain Forest

The drive from Moshi to the Mount Kilimanjaro National Park Gate takes about 50 minutes. The journey passes through the village of Machame which is located on the lower slopes of the mountain. We now leave the park gate and walk through the rain forest on a winding trail up a ridge. Lower down, 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.

DAY 2

• Machame Camp to Shira 2 Camp
• Elevation (ft): 9,350 ft to 12,500 ft
• Distance: 5 km
• Hiking Time: 4-6 hours
• Habitat: Health

After breakfast, we leave the glades of the rain forest and continue on an ascending path, crossing the little valley walking along a steep rocky ridge, covered with heather, until the ridge ends. The route now turns west onto a river gorge. Time for rest, dinner, and overnight at the Shira campsite.

DAY 3

• Shira 2 Camp to Lava Tower to Barranco Camp
• Elevation (ft): 12,500 ft to 15,190 ft to 13,044 ft
• Distance: 10 km
• Hiking Time: 4-8 hours
• Habitat: Alpine Desert

We continue to the east up a ridge and then head southeast towards the Lava Tower – a 300 ft tall volcanic rock formation. We descend down to Barranco Camp through the strange but beautiful Senecio Forest to an altitude of 13,000 ft. Although you begin and end the day at the same elevation, the time spent at higher altitude is very beneficial for acclimatization.

DAY 4

• Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp to Kosovo Camp

• Elevation (ft): 13,044 ft 13,106 ft to 15,331 ft to 15,978ft

• Distance: 10km
• Hiking Time: 8 - 12 hours
• Habitat: Alpine Desert

We begin the day by descending into a ravine to the base of the Great Barranco Wall. Then we climb the non-technical but steep, nearly 900 ft cliff. From the top of the Barranco Wall we cross a series of hills and valleys until we descend sharply into Karanga Valley. One more steep climb up leads us to Karanga Camp. We leave Karanga and hit the junction which connects with the Mweka Trail. We continue up to the rocky section to Barafu Hut. At this point, you have completed the Southern Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many different angles. The two peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo are viewable from this position. Immediately after a hot lunch, we set off from Barafu camp at 4,550 m (14,930 ft) and headed to a higher, lesser-known camp called Kosovo, the usual starting point for ascents, where we slept for a few hours. Climb or hike to the top before the midnight climb. Few people know about the Kosovo camp. Staying there instead of Barafu saved the first hour of the ugly straight Kilimanjaro climbing to the summit, slept through the night and woke up at usual time. Here we camp, rest, and enjoy an early dinner and evening.

DAY 5

• Kosovo Camp to Summit to Barafu Camp to Mweka Camp
• Elevation (ft): 15,978ft to 19,345ft to 15,331ft to 10,065ft
• Distance: 5 km ascent / 12 km descent
• Hiking Time: 6-7 hours ascent / 4-6 hours descent
• Habitat: Arctic to Rain Forest

After hot tea and refreshments, the climb begins around midnight from our Kosovo camp. Continue towards the summit between the Lebmann Glacier and the Ratzel Glacier. Head northwest and climb or hike heavy rocks towards Stella Point on the crater rim. This is the most mentally and physically challenging part of the trek. Take a short break at Stellar Point (18,600 feet) for the most spectacular sunrise you've ever seen (weather permitting). During your Kilimanjaro hiking, you may encounter snow on the one-hour climb from Stella Point to the summit. At Uhuru Peak, we reached the highest point of Kilimanjaro and the African continent. Faster hikers can watch the sunrise from the summit. Descending from the summit, you will drive straight to Mweka Hut Campsite and stop in Barafu for lunch. Gaiters and trekking poles are required to descend loose gravel. Mweka Camp is in the upper part of the forest and expect fog and rain in the late afternoon. Late at night, enjoy a final dinner on the mountain and a good night's sleep.

DAY 6

• Mweka Camp to Moshi
• Elevation (ft): 10,065 ft to 5,380 ft
• Distance: 10 km
• Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
• Habitat: Rain Forest

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. 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. A vehicle will meet you at Mweka village to drive you back to hotel in Moshi.