7-Day Machame Route Kilimanjaro Climb –

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

Arusha/Moshi – Machame Gate – Machame Camp

Your Kilimanjaro climbing adventure begins with a transfer from Arusha or Moshi to Machame Gate, the official starting point of the Machame Route. After registration and briefing, begin trekking through the lush montane rainforest of Mount Kilimanjaro National Park. This first day is rich in scenery, with giant trees, moss-covered forest, and possible sightings of birds and colobus monkeys. The trail gradually climbs to Machame Camp, where you will enjoy dinner and your first overnight on the mountain. This stage is a great introduction to the climb and helps your body begin adjusting to altitude while surrounded by one of Kilimanjaro’s most beautiful ecosystems.

Main Destination:

Machame Gate (Mt Kilimanjaro)

Accommodation:

Budget camping

• on Mt Kilimanjaro

Meals & Drinks:

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

Machame Camp – Shira Camp

After breakfast, continue your Machame Route trek as you leave the rainforest and enter the moorland zone. The trail becomes steeper and more open, rewarding you with spectacular views of Mount Meru and the Shira Plateau when the weather is clear. Today’s climb is important for acclimatization as you gain significant altitude while enjoying some of the most scenic stretches on the mountain. Arrive at Shira Camp, set on the high-altitude plateau, where you can rest, enjoy dinner, and take in dramatic sunset views. This day introduces the rugged alpine beauty that makes the 7-day Machame Route one of the best Kilimanjaro itineraries.

Main Destination:

Mount Kilimanjaro

Accommodation:

Budget camping

• on Mt Kilimanjaro

Meals & Drinks:

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

Shira Camp – Lava Tower – Barranco Camp

Today is one of the most important acclimatization days on the mountain. Trek east across the plateau toward Lava Tower, reaching a higher altitude before descending to sleep at Barranco Camp. This “climb high, sleep low” pattern is one reason the 7-day Machame Route is recommended by many operators. The landscape changes dramatically into alpine desert, with giant groundsels and sweeping views of Kibo’s glaciers and cliffs. After lunch near Lava Tower, descend into the scenic Barranco Valley. Barranco Camp sits beneath the impressive Barranco Wall and is widely considered one of the most beautiful camps on Kilimanjaro.

Main Destination:

Mount Kilimanjaro

Accommodation:

Budget camping

• on Mt Kilimanjaro

+3 Photos

Meals & Drinks:

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

Barranco Camp – Karanga Camp

Begin the day by climbing the famous Barranco Wall, a thrilling but non-technical section that rewards climbers with incredible views. After reaching the top, continue across rolling ridges and valleys toward Karanga Camp. This is a shorter trekking day, designed to support better recovery and acclimatization before the summit push. The scenery is dramatic, with rocky slopes, sparse vegetation, and wide views across the southern side of Kilimanjaro. Arriving earlier at camp gives you time to rest, hydrate, and prepare for the higher elevations ahead. This extra overnight stop is what makes the 7-day Machame itinerary stronger than the rushed 6-day version.

Main Destination:

Mount Kilimanjaro

Accommodation:

Budget camping

• on Mt Kilimanjaro

+2 Photos

Meals & Drinks:

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

Karanga Camp – Barafu Camp

After breakfast, continue hiking toward Barafu Camp, the final base camp before the summit attempt. The trail crosses an alpine desert landscape with expansive views and thinner air, making this a shorter but very important trekking day. On arrival at Barafu, you will have an early dinner and rest before waking around midnight for the summit ascent. Guides usually review summit gear, safety, and pacing in preparation for the hardest stage of the climb. The name Barafu means “ice,” reflecting the cold and exposed conditions at this altitude. Proper hydration, layering, and mental preparation are essential for a successful Kilimanjaro summit climb.

Main Destination:

Mount Kilimanjaro

Accommodation:

Budget camping

• on Mt Kilimanjaro

+5 Photos

+4 Photos

Meals & Drinks:

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

Barafu Camp – Uhuru Peak – Mweka Camp

This is summit day, the most demanding and rewarding part of the expedition. Around midnight, begin the ascent toward Stella Point and continue to Uhuru Peak (5,895 m), the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and in all of Africa. Reaching the summit at sunrise is an unforgettable experience, with views over glaciers, crater landscapes, and distant plains below. After photos at the top, descend back to Barafu for a short rest and then continue down to Mweka Camp for your final night on the mountain. This long day requires determination, slow pacing, and strong guide support, but it is the highlight of the 7-day Machame Route.

Main Destination:

Mount Kilimanjaro

Accommodation:

Budget camping

• on Mt Kilimanjaro

+2 Photos

Meals & Drinks:

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

Mweka Camp – Mweka Gate – Arusha or Moshi

On your final day, descend through the beautiful rainforest zone from Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate, where you complete park formalities and receive your summit certificate if successful. The lower trail can be wet and muddy, but the warmer air and greener surroundings make for a pleasant finish to the adventure. After meeting your transfer vehicle, return to Moshi or Arusha for a well-earned shower, rest, and celebration. This marks the end of your Kilimanjaro Machame Route climb, a journey through multiple climate zones and one of the world’s great trekking experiences.

Main Destination:

Arusha (City)

Accommodation:

No accommodation (End of tour)

Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast & lunch (Dinner not included)
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

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