7-Day Machame Route Mount Kilimanjaro 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

Depart from the base hotel at 8:00 AM and head to Machame Village, the starting point of your trek. At Machame Gate, you will begin your hike through a lush rainforest filled with fig and rubber trees, begonia flowers, and tropical vegetation. After a few hours, stop for a picnic lunch before continuing your ascent. As you climb higher, the dense forest transitions into tall grasses and giant heather. The trail follows a scenic ridge, with the Semira stream on one side and the Weru Weru River on the other.

This initial stage is calm, and guides recommend a slow pace for better acclimatization. Avoid keeping up with the porters, who move ahead quickly, and instead take in the stunning views. After about seven hours of trekking, you will reach Machame Camp (3,000m), where you will settle in for dinner and an overnight stay.

Main Destination:

Mount Kilimanjaro

Accommodation:

Budget camping

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Non-alcoholic drinks

Machame Camp – Shira Camp

Each morning, you will be awakened around 6:00 AM with a hot cup of tea or coffee. If the weather is clear, you may be treated to a breathtaking view of Uhuru Peak. Today’s trek follows a steep trail through a savannah of tall grasses, volcanic rock formations, and bearded heather. As you ascend, you'll pass through an otherworldly landscape of ancient lava flows, caves, and bubbling streams, with towering giant groundsels adding to the surreal scenery.

Midway, you’ll pause for lunch just below the Shira Plateau, approximately three to four hours from Shira Camp. The journey to the next campsite takes around six hours, with most climbers maintaining a steady, unhurried pace and taking brief breaks every half-hour. You should arrive at Shira Camp (3,840m) between 2:00 PM and 3:00 PM, where you’ll settle in for a well-deserved rest and enjoy dinner before the overnight stay.

Main Destination:

Mount Kilimanjaro

Accommodation:

Budget camping

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Non-alcoholic drinks

Shira Camp to Barranco Camp

This morning, the vast Shira Plateau unfolds before you, offering panoramic views of Mount Meru and the striking Shira Needles. A gradual ascent leads you to Lava Tower (4,600m), where you’ll pause for lunch while taking in the dramatic high-altitude landscape.

After crossing the Bastains Stream, you’ll begin your descent toward Barranco Camp, following the breathtaking Grand Barranco Canyon. Along this route, you'll pass numerous cascading waterfalls, formed by mountain-fed streams that merge into the Umbwe River. Despite the elevation gain earlier in the day, your campsite is set at nearly the same altitude as the previous night, aiding in acclimatization.

Today's trek spans approximately six hours, with arrival at Barranco Camp (3,960m) expected between 4:30 PM and 5:30 PM. Enjoy a well-earned dinner and rest as you prepare for the next leg of your journey.

Main Destination:

Mount Kilimanjaro

Accommodation:

Budget camping

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Non-alcoholic drinks

Barranco Camp (3950m) – Karanga Camp (3950m)

After an early breakfast, you’ll embark on the thrilling ascent of the Great Barranco Wall. While its steep face may seem daunting at first, hikers often find the climb more manageable than expected. This Class 2 scramble is a rewarding challenge, requiring hands-on climbing in some sections but without technical difficulty.

Reaching the summit of the wall, you’ll be greeted with breathtaking views of the Heim Glacier, as well as the stunning sight of clouds stretching below. From here, the trail meanders through the Karanga Valley, featuring a series of gentle ascents and descents. This segment of the journey serves as an excellent opportunity for acclimatization, preparing you for the high-altitude conditions ahead.

Main Destination:

Mount Kilimanjaro

Accommodation:

Budget camping

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Non-alcoholic drinks

Karanga Camp (3959m) – Barafu Hut (4600m)

After breakfast, you will depart from Karanga Camp (3959m) and follow the trail as it intersects with the Mweka Route, which is the path used for descent during the final days. After an hour of hiking, you will arrive at Barafu Hut (4550m), the last water stop for the porters, as there is no water available at Barafu Camp. The name "Barafu" translates to "ice" in Swahili, reflecting the camp’s location on a rocky and exposed ridge. The camp’s tents are exposed to wind and rocks, so it's important to familiarize yourself with the area before nightfall.

An early dinner will be served to ensure ample rest before the summit attempt that night. Your guide will provide a detailed briefing on how to prepare for summit night. To ensure sufficient rest, you will aim to sleep by 7:00 PM, conserving energy for the challenging climb ahead.

Main Destination:

Mount Kilimanjaro

Accommodation:

Budget camping

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Non-alcoholic drinks

Mt Kilimanjaro Summit Attempt

Your guide will wake you around 11:30 PM to offer tea and biscuits, signaling the start of your summit attempt. The route leads northwest as you begin your ascent across a rugged scree slope. This portion of the climb is often regarded as the most mentally and physically demanding. After approximately 6 hours, you will reach Stella Point (5685m) on the crater rim.

There, you will be treated to a breathtaking sunrise before continuing your ascent for another 2 hours along a snow-covered trail to Uhuru Peak (5895m), the highest point on Mt. Kilimanjaro. Reaching the summit is a remarkable achievement and a lifetime milestone! You will have a brief period to take photos and enjoy tea before beginning the descent to Barafu Camp. The descent takes approximately 3 hours.

Main Destination:

Mount Kilimanjaro

Accommodation:

Budget camping

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Non-alcoholic drinks

Mweka Camp (3100m) – Mweka Gate (1980m)- Arusha

After enjoying a well-earned breakfast, your team will celebrate with a lively event featuring singing and dancing. This is the moment to express your gratitude and present tips to your guide, assistant guides, chefs, and porters for their hard work. Once the celebration concludes, you will begin your descent, taking approximately three hours to reach Mweka Gate.

At the gate, all hikers are required to sign in and receive completion certificates. Those who reach Stella Point (5685m) are awarded a green certificate, while those who reach Uhuru Peak (5895m) receive a gold certificate. After receiving your certificate, you will continue the descent to Mweka Village (3 km), where you will enjoy a hot lunch.

Following the meal, you will embark on a drive back to Arusha, where you can finally indulge in a refreshing shower and enjoy further celebrations.

Main Destination:

Arusha (City)

Accommodation:

No accommodation (End of tour)

Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast & lunch (Dinner not included)
• Non-alcoholic drinks

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