7-Day Machame Route – Kilimanjaro Summit Expedition

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

Machame Gate to Machame Camp – The Rainforest Ascent

Morning:
Depart from Moshi or Arusha early in your private Adventurego 4x4 safari vehicle. Enjoy a scenic drive through vibrant Chaga communities and coffee plantations. The towering peak of Kilimanjaro begins to reveal itself. Arrive at Machame Gate (1,640 m) by mid-morning.

Late Morning:
Complete park registration with your mountain guides and porters. Begin trekking through lush montane rainforest, where giant ferns and fig trees are draped with moss. Listen for turaco birds and the rustle of colobus monkeys in the dense canopy.

Afternoon:
The forest gives way to heathland with giant heathers. The trail climbs gently, offering first distant views of summit glaciers. Reach Machame Camp (2,835 m) in early afternoon. Settle into your tent. Your guide leads a short acclimatization walk.

Meals: Lunch, Dinner
Overnight: Machame Camp, Kilimanjaro (Night 1 of 6).

Main Destination:

Mount Kilimanjaro

Accommodation:

Budget camping

Meals & Drinks:

• Lunch & dinner (Breakfast not included)
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Machame Camp to Shira Camp – The Moorland Emergence

Morning:
Depart Machame Camp (2,835 m) after breakfast. The trail steepens as you enter the alpine moorland zone—a surreal landscape of giant lobelias, senecios, and tussock grass. Your guide explains how these plants survive extreme temperature swings.

Late Morning:
Continue climbing along a rocky ridge with views opening across the Shira Plateau. The jagged spurs of Kibo's southern glaciers dominate the skyline. The air becomes noticeably cooler and thinner as you gain elevation.

Afternoon:
Continue steadily towards Shira Camp (3,840 m). The landscape becomes more barren with scattered rock formations. Arrive at Shira Camp in early afternoon. Rest, rehydrate, and take a slow acclimatization walk to a nearby viewpoint.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight: Shira Camp, Kilimanjaro (Night 2 of 6).

Main Destination:

Mount Kilimanjaro

Accommodation:

Budget camping

• on Mt Kilimanjaro

Meals & Drinks:

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

Shira Camp to Barranco Camp via Lava Tower – Climb High, Sleep Low

Morning:
Depart Shira Camp (3,840 m) after breakfast. Today follows the critical "climb high, sleep low" principle. Trek east across the high-altitude Shira Plateau, a lunar landscape of volcanic scree. Your guide monitors your pace and hydration closely.

Late Morning:
The gradient steepens as you approach Lava Tower (4,630 m). The landscape becomes increasingly barren. You may feel altitude effects—headache or shortness of breath—which is normal at this height.

Afternoon:
Arrive at Lava Tower for a hot lunch. Rest to allow your body to acclimate. Then descend steeply into the Barranco Valley, a dramatic gorge of giant lobelias. Arrive at Barranco Camp (3,960 m) in late afternoon.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight: Barranco Camp, Kilimanjaro (Night 3 of 6).

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 to Karanga Camp – The Barranco Wall Challenge

Morning:
Depart Barranco Camp (3,960 m) after early breakfast. The day begins with the famous Barranco Wall—a steep scramble up volcanic rock. Your guide shows you the best hand and foot placements. The climb is exhilarating and takes about one hour.

Late Morning:
From the top, enjoy panoramic views of the Heim Glacier. The trail then undulates across ridges through alpine desert. The landscape is dry, dusty, and reminiscent of Mars.

Afternoon:
Traverse through the Karanga Valley towards Karanga Camp (4,035 m), the last water point. Arrive in early afternoon. Rest, rehydrate. Your guide checks your oxygen and heart rate before briefing you on summit preparations.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight: Karanga Camp, Kilimanjaro (Night 4 of 6).

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 to Barafu Camp – The Summit Threshold

Morning:
Depart Karanga Camp (4,035 m) after breakfast. The trail climbs steadily out of the valley, traversing Kibo's southern slopes. The landscape is completely barren—rock, scree, and dust with no vegetation. Clear views of summit glaciers accompany you.

Late Morning:
Continue climbing for 3–4 hours. Your guide encourages slow, deliberate steps (pole pole). The air is thin now. Barafu Camp becomes visible in the distance ahead.

Afternoon:
Arrive at Barafu Camp (4,640 m) around midday. Barafu means "ice" in Swahili. The camp is exposed and windswept. Settle into your tent and rest immediately. Your guide briefs you on summit night procedure. Early dinner by 5:00 pm.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight: Barafu Camp, Kilimanjaro (Night 5 of 6).

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 – Summit Night & Descent

Early Morning:
Wake at 11:00 pm for tea and a light snack. Depart Barafu Camp (4,640 m) by midnight with headlamps lighting the steep scree. Zigzag up switchbacks in darkness. Reach Stella Point (5,756 m) around 5:30 am at first light. To the east, the plains of Kenya stretch below. Continue along the crater rim one hour to Uhuru Peak (5,895 m)—the Roof of Africa. Celebrate with photos.

Late Morning:
Descend back down the loose scree to Barafu Camp. Arrive for a short rest and light breakfast. Then continue descending through heath and moorland zones.

Afternoon:
Continue descending to Mweka Camp (3,100 m). Enter the warm, humid rainforest. Arrive in late afternoon. Settle into your tent for your final night, exhausted but exhilarated. Your guide leads a small celebration with the crew.

Meals: Breakfast snack, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight: Mweka Camp, Kilimanjaro (Night 6 of 6).

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 to Mweka Gate – Descent to Moshi/Arusha

Morning:
Depart Mweka Camp (3,100 m) after a hearty breakfast. Descend through thick montane rainforest. The trail is slippery with mud and decaying vegetation. Listen for colobus monkeys swinging overhead and birdsong in the canopy.

Late Morning:
Continue descending for 3–4 hours. Wildflowers line the path. The air becomes warmer. Your guide points out medicinal plants. Reach Mweka Gate (1,640 m) by late morning.

Afternoon Drive:
Meet your Adventurego 4x4 vehicle at Mweka Gate. Your guide collects your summit certificate (gold for Uhuru Peak). Enjoy a hot lunch, tip your crew, and sign the park register. Drive back to Moshi or Arusha, watching Kilimanjaro fade behind you. Arrive by late afternoon for transfer to your hotel, JRO airport, or onward connection—marking the end of your Adventurego Hiking And Safaris expedition.

Meals: Breakfast.

Main Destination:

Mount Kilimanjaro

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.