Machame Route – 7 Days

Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport, you will be met and transferred to your hotel in Moshi. Take time to relax and prepare for your adventure. In the evening, you will meet your guide for a pre-climb briefing.

After breakfast, you will be driven to Machame Gate, where you will complete park formalities. The trekking begins through the lush montane rainforest, and you will hike approximately 10 kilometers (6.2 miles) to Machame Camp (2,835 m). The trails are well-maintained, and you may see various bird species and monkeys while enjoying your trek. After reaching camp, enjoy dinner and spend the night under the stars.

Today, you will hike from Machame Camp to Shira Camp (3,840 m). The trek covers about 7 kilometres (4.3 miles) and takes you through heath and moorland, with panoramic views of the surrounding areas. After setting up camp, you can explore the Shira Plateau and take in the magnificent views of Kibo Peak. Enjoy your evening meal and rest.

This day involves a trek to Lava Tower (4,600 m) for acclimatization, followed by a descent to Barranco Camp (3,960 m). You will cover approximately 10 kilometres (6.2 miles) throughout the day. The idea is to gain altitude and then descend to help your body adjust to the high elevation. After reaching Barranco Camp, enjoy dinner and a well-deserved rest.

After breakfast, you will tackle the Barranco Wall, which offers a stunning scramble with breathtaking views. Continue your trek to Karanga Camp (4,003 m), covering about 7 kilometres (4.3 miles). This shorter hiking day allows for further acclimatization. After reaching camp, relax and prepare for the next day.

Today’s trek will take you from Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp (4,673 m), covering around 6 kilometres (3.7 miles). As you climb, the landscape changes to a more barren terrain with increasingly dramatic views of Kibo. Once at Barafu Camp, enjoy your last dinner below the stars and rest up for the summit attempt, which will begin in the early hours of the following morning.

You will start your final ascent around midnight, beginning the trek to Uhuru Peak (5,895 m). The climb takes approximately six to eight hours, and you will navigate challenging terrain under the blanket of stars. As dawn breaks, you will reach the summit, where breathtaking views await. After spending some time at the summit for photos and celebration, you will descend to Mweka Camp (3,100 m). This part of the trek can be steep, and the descent takes around 4-5 hours. Celebrate your accomplishment with dinner and share stories with your fellow climbers.

On your final day, you will descend from Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate (1,800 m). This trek takes about 3-4 hours, and you will be greeted by park officials who will present you with your summit certificates. Afterwards, you will return to Moshi, where you can celebrate your incredible achievement and enjoy a well-deserved rest.