6-Day Join Mt Kilimanjaro Machame Trek 21 Sept 2026

• A transfer from the airport can be arranged for an extra cost.
• Accommodation before the tour starts can be arranged for an extra cost.

Arusha - Machame Gate - Machame Camp

Machame Gate to Machame Camp:
•Elevation: 5,400 to 9,400ft
•Distance: 11km
•Hiking time: 5-7 hours
•Habitat: Rainforest

Meet your experienced English-speaking mountain guide at your hotel in Arusha at 08:00 am. You will then drive from Arusha to the Mount Kilimanjaro National Park gate which takes about 1.30 hours. The journey passes through the village of Machame which is located on the lower slopes of the mountain.

We leave the park gate and walk through the rainforest on a winding trail up a ridge. Lower down, the trail can be muddy and slippery. Gaiters and trekking poles are a good idea here. We continue a short distance until we reach the Machame Camp.

Main Destination:

Machame Gate (Mt Kilimanjaro)

Accommodation:

Budget camping

• on Mt Kilimanjaro

Meals & Drinks:

• Lunch & dinner (Breakfast not included)
• Non-alcoholic drinks

Machame Camp - Shira Camp

Machame Camp to Shira Camp:
•Elevation: 9,400 to 12,500ft
•Distance: 5km
•Hiking time: 4-6 hours
•Habitat: Moorland

After breakfast, we leave the glades of the rainforest and continue on an ascending path, crossing the little valley. We walk along a steep, rocky ridge covered with heather until the ridge ends. The route then turns west onto a river gorge. It is now time for rest, dinner, and an overnight stay at the Shira campsite.

Main Destination:

Mount Kilimanjaro

Accommodation:

Budget camping

• on Mt Kilimanjaro

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Non-alcoholic drinks

Shira Camp to Lava Tower to Barranco Camp

Shira to Barranco
•Elevation (ft): 12,500ft to 13,000ft
•Distance: 10 km
•Hiking Time: 6-8 hours
•Habitat: Semi Desert
From the Shira Plateau, we continue to the east up a ridge, passing the junction towards the peak of Kibo. As we continue, our direction changes to the South East towards the Lava Tower, called the “Shark’s Tooth.” Shortly after the tower, we come to the second junction which brings us up to the Arrow Glacier at an altitude of 16,000ft. We now continue down to the Barranco Hut at an altitude of 13,000ft. Here we rest, enjoy dinner, and overnight. Although you end the day at the same elevation as when you started, this day is very important for acclimatization and will help your body prepare for summit day.

Main Destination:

Mount Kilimanjaro

Accommodation:

Budget camping

• on Mt Kilimanjaro

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Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Non-alcoholic drinks

Baranco Camp to Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp

Baranco Camp to Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp•Elevation (ft): 13,000ft to 15,000ft
•Distance: 9km
•Hiking Time: 8-10 hours
•Habitat: Alpine Desert
After breakfast, we leave Barranco and continue on a steep ridge passing the Barranco Wall, to the Karanga Valley campsite. Then, we leave Karanga and hit the junction which connects with the Mweka Trail. We continue up to the Barafu Hut. At this point, you have completed the South Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many different angles. Here we make camp, rest, enjoy dinner, and prepare for the summit day. The two peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo are to be seen from this position.

Main Destination:

Mount Kilimanjaro

Accommodation:

Budget camping

• on Mt Kilimanjaro

+5 Photos

+4 Photos

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Non-alcoholic drinks

Barafu Camp to Summit to Mweka camp

Barafu Camp to Summit to Mweka Hut•Elevation (ft): 15,300ft to 19,345ft (and down to
10,000ft)
•Distance: 5 km ascent / 12 km descent
•Hiking Time: 7-8 hours ascent / 4-6 hours descent
•Habitat: Arctic
Very early in the morning (midnight to 2am), we continue our way to the summit between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers. You head in a northwesterly direction and ascend through heavy scree towards Stella Point on the crater rim. This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek.
At Stella Point (18,600 ft), you will stop for a short rest and will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see (weather permitting). From Stella Point, you may encounter snow all they way on your 1-hour ascent to the summit. At Uhuru Peak, you have reached the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa. Faster hikers will see the sunrise from the summit, then descent straight to the Mweka Hut camp site, stopping at Barafu for lunch.

Main Destination:

Mount Kilimanjaro

Accommodation:

Budget camping

• on Mt Kilimanjaro

+2 Photos

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Non-alcoholic drinks

Mweka Camp -Mweka gate-Arusha

Mweka camp-Mweka gate- Arusha•Elevation (ft): 10,000ft to 5,400ft
•Distance: 10 km
•Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
•Habitat: Rain Forest
After breakfast, we continue the descent down to the Mweka Park Gate to receive your summit certificates. At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy. Gaiters and trekking poles will help. Shorts and t-shirts will probably be plenty to wear (keep rain gear and warmer clothing handy).
From the gate, you continue another hour to Mweka Village.

A vehicle will meet you at Mweka village to drive you back to Arusha.

Main Destination:

Mount Kilimanjaro

Accommodation:

No accommodation (End of tour)

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Non-alcoholic drinks

• Additional accommodation can be arranged for an extra cost.
• A transfer back to the airport can be arranged for an extra cost.