7 Days Machame Route

Arrive in Tanzania

You will be picked up at the Kilimanjaro International Airport and transferred to your arranged hotel in Moshi town, you will meet your guide who will brief you on your upcoming trek and do an equipment check to make sure you have all the necessary mountain gear. Gear which is missing can be rented on this day.
Hotel: Bed & Breakfast

Day 1. Machame Gate (1790m) to Machame Camp (3010m)

One hour's drive from Moshi is the Machame route's gate, where we complete park formalities, meet our porter crew, and begin our climb! The first section of the trail climbs steadily and passes through lush rainforest. Because this path is less traveled, it can become overgrown in places and is frequently wet and muddy underfoot.

Distance covered: 10.8km / 6.7mi
Approx. time taken: 6 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included

Day 2. Machame Camp (3010m) to Shira Camp (3845m)

Our path ascends through the forest until we reach the steep ascent to the Shira Plateau, where we can enjoy rewarding views of the mountain. Looking back, Mt Meru will be visible in the distance, rising high above Arusha town.

Distance covered: 5.4km / 3.4mi
Approx. time taken: 5 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included

Day 3. Shira Cave (3845m) to Barranco Camp (3960m)

Walking now on high moorland, the landscape changes the entire character of the trek. We climb Kilimanjaro's southwest flank, passing beneath the Lava Tower and the final section of the Western Breach before arriving at camp. We spent the day at altitude (up to 4600m), but we followed the mountaineering code of 'walk high, sleep low' to help your body acclimate to altitude.

Distance covered: 10.8km / 6.7mi
Approx. time taken: 8 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included

Day 4. Barranco Camp (3960m) to Karanga Camp (3963m)

Our day starts by descending into the start of the Great Barranco, a huge ravine. We then exit steeply, up the Great Barranco Wall, which divides us from the southeastern slopes of Kibo. It’s a climb over rock, not technical but long and tiring. Passing underneath the Heim and Kersten glaciers, we head towards the Karanga valley. From here we have a steep climb up from Karanga valley to our night’s camp at Karanga camp, set at 3963m. For those feeling strong we will go for a mid-afternoon acclimatization trek up to around 4200m before descending back to camp for the night.
Distance covered: 5.5km / 3.4mi
Approx. time taken: 5 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included

Day 5. Karanga Camp (3963) to Barafu Camp (4640m)

After a good night's sleep and breakfast, we set out for the 4640m Barafu camp. The ascent will take us across desolate scree slopes with no vegetation in sight. The altitude makes the steep walk even more difficult. We eat and rest in the afternoon after arriving at camp, preparing for a long night and day ahead. It is critical to stay hydrated and warm. We eat early and then try to sleep because we will be getting up between 11pm and 12pm to begin the climb to the summit.

Distance covered: 3km / 1.9mi
Approx. time taken: 3 hours
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch Included

Day 6. Barafu Camp (4640m) to UHURU PEAK (5895m) & down to Mweka Camp (3100m)

We start off at around midnight, and walk steeply upwards to the summit glaciers. We'll be climbing scree for 4 to 5 hours, but we'll gain incredible height in a short amount of time. The views are breathtaking. As the sun rises, we should be on the crater rim at Stella Point (5739m). The crater's spectacular ice cliffs surround us, and the views to the jagged Mawenzi peak and beyond are breathtaking. Another hour of walking brings us to Uhuru Peak (5895m). We start our descent by returning to Stella Point, then descending on scree slopes and tracks back to Barafu Camp for breakfast before heading down to Mweka Camp for a well-deserved rest.

Distance covered: 16.4km / 9.6mi
Approx. time taken: 13-15 hours
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch Included

Day 7. Trek Mweka Camp (3100m) to Mweka Gate (1630m)

A gentle hike takes us through the rainforest to Mweka Gate, where we complete park formalities and receive certificates to proudly display! We are then met by our vehicles and driven back to the hotel in Moshi, where you can enjoy a welcome shower before celebrating with cold drinks. Stay the night at your pre-arranged hotel.

Distance covered: 9.1km / 7.5miles
Approx. time taken: 3 hours
Hotel: Bed &Breakfast

Depart Tanzania

The day is left free to wind down after the trek before your flight home. Depending on flight times you could go and explore Moshi town and grab some souvenirs before heading to the airport.