7-Day Machame Route for Climbing Kilimanjaro

• You'll be collected from the airport.
• Accommodation before the tour starts can be arranged for an extra cost.

Machame Gate 1490m to Machame Camp 2980m

Hiking Time: 5-7 hours
Distance: ~11 km / 7 miles
Altitude Gain: +1,490 meters / +4,890 feet
Habitat: Montane Forest

After breakfast and a final gear check, you'll drive to the Machame Gate for registration. The trek begins with a steady climb through a lush, vibrant rainforest. The path can be muddy and steep in sections. You'll arrive at Machame Camp, located just above the treeline, with your first stunning views of the mountain.

Main Destination:

Mount Kilimanjaro

Accommodation:

Budget camping

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Machame Camp 2980m to Shira Camp 3840m

Hiking Time: 4-6 hours
Distance: ~5 km / 3 miles
Altitude Gain: +860 meters / +2,820 feet
Habitat: Heathland and Moorland

You leave the forest behind and enter the heathland zone. The trail becomes steeper and rockier as you ascend a ridge. You'll pass through a zone of giant heather before reaching the Shira Plateau. The views are expansive, and you get a true sense of the mountain's scale. Shira Camp is on a scenic, rocky plateau.

Main Destination:

Mount Kilimanjaro

Accommodation:

Budget camping

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Shira Camp 3840m to Lava Tower 4630m to Barranco Camp3960m

Hiking Time: 6-8 hours
Distance: ~10 km / 6 miles
Altitude Gain & Loss: +790m to Lava Tower, then -670m to Barranco
Habitat: Alpine Desert

This is a crucial acclimatization day. You climb significantly to Lava Tower for lunch, exposing your body to high altitude (+4,630m). You then descend to the beautiful Barranco Camp, which is nestled at the base of the Great Barranco Wall. This "climb high, sleep low" strategy is excellent for adaptation. The landscape is alpine desert, with stunning views of the Western Breach.

Main Destination:

Mount Kilimanjaro

Accommodation:

Budget camping

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Barranco Camp 3960m to Karanga Camp 3995m

Hiking Time: 3-5 hours
Distance: ~5 km / 3 miles
Altitude Gain: A net of only +35 meters, but with significant up and down.
Habitat: Alpine Desert

This is a short but exciting day. You start by conquering the Great Barranco Wall – a non-technical but steep scramble that is more fun than difficult. At the top, you are rewarded with fantastic photos. The trail then winds up and down through valleys before a final descent into Karanga Camp. This day provides further acclimatization without a major net gain in altitude.

Main Destination:

Mount Kilimanjaro

Accommodation:

Budget camping

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Karanga Camp 3995m to Barafu Camp 4673m

Hiking Time: 3-5 hours
Distance: ~4 km / 2.5 miles
Altitude Gain: +678 meters / +2,224 feet
Habitat: Alpine Desert

A steady and steep climb on a barren landscape to Barafu Camp ("Ice Camp" in Swahili). This is your base camp for the summit push. The views of the summit peaks of Kibo and Mawenzi are incredible. The key here is to rest as much as possible. You will have an early dinner, organize your summit gear, and then try to sleep for a few hours before your midnight wake-up call.

Main Destination:

Mount Kilimanjaro

Accommodation:

Budget camping

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Summit Barafu Camp 4673m to Uhuru Peak 5895m and down to Mweka Camp 3080m

Hiking Time: 12-16 hours total

Distance: ~16 km / 10 miles (ascent & descent)
Altitude Gain: +1,222 meters / +4,009 feet (to summit)
Habitat: Arctic Zone

Midnight Start: You will be woken up around 11:00 PM, have a light snack and tea, and begin the final ascent in the dark. The goal is to reach the crater rim by sunrise.

The Climb: This is the most challenging part. You will ascend steep, scree-covered slopes to Stella Point (5,756m) on the crater rim. This section is a mental and physical test of endurance.

Sunrise & Uhuru Peak: From Stella Point, you follow the crater rim for about 1-2 hours to reach Uhuru Peak (5,895m), the highest point in Africa! You'll arrive around sunrise, with breathtaking views over the Rebmann and Furtwängler glaciers.

Descent: After celebrating, you'll descend back to Barafu Camp for a short rest and some lunch.
Final Descent: You then continue descending all the way down to the lush Mweka Camp in the rainforest zone.

Main Destination:

Mount Kilimanjaro

Accommodation:

Budget camping

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Mweka Camp 3080m to Mweka Gate 1640m to Hotel

Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
Distance: ~10 km / 6 miles

A final descent through the rainforest to Mweka Gate. The path can be slippery. At the gate, you'll sign out, receive your official summit certificates (Gold for Uhuru Peak, Green for Stella Point), and have a emotional farewell where you tip your incredible crew. You'll then be driven back to your hotel in Arusha for a well-deserved shower and celebration!

Main Destination:

Mount Kilimanjaro

Accommodation:

No accommodation (End of tour)

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinks not included

• Additional accommodation can be arranged for an extra cost.
• You'll be dropped off at the airport.