8 Days Machame Route

Day 1: Arrival in Arusha

Upon your arrival at Kilimanjaro airport, you will receive a warm welcome and be transported to your hotel in Arusha. Depending on your schedule, there’s an exciting opportunity to visit Arusha town to experience its vibrant atmosphere, markets, and cultural attractions. Later that evening, we will meet with you for a pre-climb briefing and gear check. Rest and prepare for the climb.

Main Destination: Arusha City

Accommodation: Listed Hotel/Camp site

Meals and Drinks:

• Breakfast (Lunch & Dinner not included)
• Drinking Water (Other Drinks not included)

Day 2: Drive to Machame Gate

After breakfast, drive approximately for 2 hours to the Machame Gate for registration and formalities. Begin the trek through lush rainforest, ascending steadily to Machame Camp. Enjoy your first night of camping under the stars.

• Elevation- (3,000m/9,840ft)
• Distance- 9km
• Hiking Time- 5-7 hours
• Habitat- Machame Rainforest

Main Destination: Machame

Accommodation: Machame camp

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Non-alcoholic drinks

Day 3: Machame Camp to Shira Camp

Today’s trek takes you out of the rainforest and into the heath and moorland zones. Ascend steeply through a scenic ridge known as the “Shira Plateau” to Shira Camp (3,840 metres). Marvel at the breathtaking views of Mount Kilimanjaro and the surrounding landscape.

• Elevation-(3,840m/12,600ft)
• Distance- 5 to 6 KM
• Hiking time- 4 to 6 hours
• Habitat – Shira Plateau

Main Destination: Shira Plateau

Accommodation: Shira campsite

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Non-alcoholic drinks

Day 4: Shira Camp to Barranco Camp via Lava Tower

Begin the day with an ascent towards the Lava Tower (4,630 metres), where you’ll have lunch and acclimatise to the altitude. Descend to Barranco Camp (3,950 metres) through the picturesque Barranco Valley, known for its towering cliffs and alpine desert scenery.

• Elevation- (3,950m/12,960ft) Lava Tower- (4,630m/15,190ft)
• Distance- 10 to 12 KM
• Hiking time- 6 to 8 hours
• Habitat- Barranco Valley

Main Destination: Barranco Valley

Accommodation: Barranco Campsite

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Non-alcoholic drinks

Day 5: Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp

Today’s trek involves tackling the Barranco Wall, a challenging but exhilarating scramble. Traverse the rocky terrain and ascend to Karanga Camp (4,035 metres), nestled beneath the southern ice fields of Kilimanjaro. Rest and recharge for the final push to the summit.

• Elevation- (3,995m/13,106ft)
• Distance- 4 to 5 KM
• Hiking Time- 4 to 5 hours
• Habitat- Alpine Desert

Main Destination: Alpine Desert

Accommodation: Karanga camp

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Non-alcoholic drinks

Day 6: Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp

Ascend steadily through barren alpine desert terrain towards Barafu Camp (4,600 metres), your basecamp for the summit attempt. Take in the awe-inspiring views of the summit looming above. Rest early in preparation for the midnight ascent.

• Elevation- (4,673m/15,331ft)
• Distance- 3 to 4 KM
• Hiking Time- 3 to 4 hours
• Habitat- Alpine Desert

Main Destination: Alpine Desert

Accommodation: Barafu Camp

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Non-alcoholic drinks

Day 7: Summit Day: Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak and descend to Mweka Camp

Begin the summit ascent in the early hours of the morning, trekking by moonlight towards Stella Point (5,685 metres) on the crater rim. From here, continue along the crater rim to Uhuru Peak (5,895 metres), the highest point in Africa. Celebrate your achievement before descending back to Barafu Camp for a brief rest. Descend further to Mweka Camp (3,100 metres) for your final night on the mountain.

• Elevation at Uhuru Peak- (5,895m/19,341ft)
• Elevation at Mweka Camp- (3,100m/10,170ft)
• Distance to Uhuru Peak – 4 to 5 KM
• Distance to Mweka camp – 12 to 15 KM
• Hiking Time to Uhuru Peak – 6 to 8 hours
• Hiking Time to Mweka camp- 10 to 14 hours
• Habitat – Arctic zone

Main Destination: Glacial Zone

Accommodation: Mweka camp

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Non-alcoholic drinks

Day 8: Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate and transfer to Arusha

Descend through the lush rainforest to Mweka Gate (1,650 metres), where you’ll sign out and receive your summit certificates. Bid farewell to your trekking team before transferring back to Arusha where a vehicle will meet us at Mweka Village to drive us back to Arusha to your hotel. Celebrate your Kilimanjaro adventure with a well-deserved meal and restful night’s sleep. (Don’t forget to tip).

• Elevation- (1,640m/5,380ft)
• Distance to Mweka Gate- 10 to 12KM
• Hiking Time- 3 to 4 hours
• 1 hour drive to hotel

Main Destination: Moshi Town

Meals & Drinks:

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