6-Day Kilimanjaro Climb – Machame Route

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

Machame Gate (1800m) – Machame Camp (2835m)

Hiking Time: 5–7 hours

Distance: ~11 km

Habitat: Rainforest

Your trek begins with a drive from Moshi or Arusha to Machame Gate, where you’ll complete registration formalities. The hike starts through dense rainforest, home to monkeys and vibrant birdlife. The trail can be muddy but scenic.

Arrive at Machame Camp in the late afternoon, where you’ll enjoy dinner and your first night camping on the mountain.

Meals: Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Machame Camp.

Main Destination:

Machame Gate (Mt Kilimanjaro)

Accommodation:

Budget camping

Meals & Drinks:

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

Machame Camp – Shira Camp (3850m)

Hiking Time: 4–6 hours

Distance: ~5 km

Habitat: Moorland

After breakfast, continue climbing out of the rainforest and into the moorland zone, where the vegetation becomes sparse and the views open up. You’ll cross ridges and valleys before arriving at Shira Plateau, with amazing views of Mount Meru in the distance.

Camp at Shira Camp, with Kibo Peak looming ahead.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Shira Camp.

Main Destination:

Mount Kilimanjaro

Accommodation:

Budget camping

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Non-alcoholic drinks

Shira Camp – Lava Tower (4600m) – Barranco Camp (3960m)

Hiking Time: 6–8 hours

Distance: ~10 km

Habitat: Alpine desert

Today’s hike is all about acclimatization. You’ll ascend to the Lava Tower at 4,600m (where lunch is served) and then descend to Barranco Camp for the night. This “climb high, sleep low” strategy helps your body adjust to altitude and increases summit success rates.

You’ll also get your first glimpse of the famous Barranco Wall, which you'll tackle tomorrow.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Barranco Camp.

Main Destination:

Mount Kilimanjaro

Accommodation:

Budget camping

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Non-alcoholic drinks

Barranco Camp – Karanga Camp (4035m)

Hiking Time: 4–5 hours

Distance: ~6 km

Habitat: Alpine desert

After breakfast, climb the Barranco Wall, a thrilling scramble with amazing panoramic views. Continue across ridges and valleys to Karanga Camp, a shorter but crucial day for acclimatization.

Use the afternoon to rest, explore the area, or take a short acclimatization hike.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Karanga Camp.

Main Destination:

Mount Kilimanjaro

Accommodation:

Budget camping

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Non-alcoholic drinks

Karanga Camp – Barafu Camp (4673m)

Hiking Time: 3–4 hours

Distance: ~4 km

Habitat: Alpine desert

Today's hike is shorter, taking you to Barafu Camp, the base camp for the final summit push. You'll reach camp by early afternoon and rest up for the big climb. After an early dinner, head to your tent to sleep — you'll be woken before midnight to begin your ascent to the summit.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Barafu Camp.

Main Destination:

Mount Kilimanjaro

Accommodation:

Budget camping

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Non-alcoholic drinks

Barafu Camp – Uhuru Peak (5895m) – Mweka Camp (3100m)

Hiking Time: 12–15 hours

Distance: ~17 km (7 km up, 10 km down)

Habitat: Arctic to Rainforest

At midnight, begin your summit attempt with a challenging climb over scree and switchbacks toward Stella Point (5,739m). From there, continue around the crater rim to reach Uhuru Peak (5,895m) – the highest point in Africa!

After celebrating and taking photos at the summit, descend back to Barafu Camp for brunch and some rest. Continue downhill to Mweka Camp, where you’ll spend your final night on the mountain.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Mweka Camp

Next Morning (Mweka Camp – Mweka Gate (1,640m)

Hiking Time: 3–4 hours

Distance: ~10 km

Habitat: Rainforest

Descend through lush rainforest to Mweka Gate, where you’ll receive your summit certificate. Your driver will be waiting to transfer you back to Moshi or Arusha for a hot shower and well-deserved rest.

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch.

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.
• You'll be dropped off at the airport.