6 Days Machame Route 

DAY 1 – MOSHI / ARUSHA → MACHAME GATE → MACHAME CAMP (2,835 m)

Elevation: 1,800 m → 2,835 m

Distance: 10–11 km

Hiking time: 5–7 hours

Habitat: Montane Rainforest

Your team meets you early for the drive to Machame Gate, where registration, weighing of luggage, and crew allocation take place. Porters divide loads, guides give a final briefing, and you enter the lush rainforests that wrap around the lower slopes of Kilimanjaro.

The trail is a steady climb on a sometimes muddy, root-filled path, shaded by towering fig trees, camphorwood, and begonias. Blue monkeys and colobus monkeys can occasionally be spotted in the canopy.

After several rest stops and a gradual increase in altitude, the forest begins thinning before you arrive at Machame Camp, your first night on the mountain. Hot tea, popcorn, and dinner are served while clouds drift across the Shira Plateau.

Overnight: Machame Camp (2,835 m)

DAY 2 – MACHAME CAMP → SHIRA CAMP (3,750 m)

Elevation: 2,835 m → 3,750 m

Distance: 5–6 km

Hiking time: 4–6 hours

Habitat: Heath & Moorland

After breakfast, the trail leaves the rainforest and enters heather and moorland, with sweeping views back toward Mount Meru on clear days. The climb becomes steeper on volcanic ridges and rocky sections.

By midday, you break above the trees onto open terrain with giant heather shrubs, volcanic boulders, and wide horizons. The landscape feels noticeably cooler and more exposed as you approach the Shira Plateau.

Arrive at Shira Camp, located on a high flat plain overlooking Kibo Peak and the Shira Ridge. Afternoon options include a short acclimatization hike of 100–200 m above camp.

Overnight: Shira Camp (3,750 m)

DAY 3 – SHIRA CAMP → LAVA TOWER (4,600 m) → BARRANCO CAMP (3,970 m)

Elevation: 3,750 m → 4,600 m → 3,970 m

Distance: 10 km

Hiking time: 6–8 hours

Habitat: Alpine Desert → Moorland

This is one of the most important acclimatization days on the Machame Route.

The morning begins with a gentle ascent across the Shira Plateau, followed by a more rugged hike toward the massive rock formation known as Lava Tower. This high point, at 4,600 m, provides a controlled introduction to high-altitude conditions. Many hikers begin to feel the thinner air here.

Lunch is served at the base of Lava Tower before descending into the Barranco Valley, a green, sheltered bowl dotted with giant senecio plants. The descent is long but crucial for your body to adjust to altitude.

You reach Barranco Camp, widely considered one of the most beautiful camps on the mountain, situated below the dramatic Barranco Wall.

Overnight: Barranco Camp (3,970 m)

DAY 4 – BARRANCO CAMP → KARANGA VALLEY → BARAFU CAMP (4,673 m)

Elevation: 3,970 m → 4,673 m

Distance: 9 km

Hiking time: 6–8 hours

Habitat: Alpine Desert

After an early breakfast, you face the iconic Barranco Wall. Though it looks intimidating, the route is non-technical, requiring light scrambling and careful foot placement. The reward is a breathtaking traverse above the valley.

The trail gradually descends into Karanga Valley, where lunch is served. From here, the final push to Barafu Camp begins: a steady, windswept ascent across barren alpine desert.

By mid-afternoon, you reach Barafu Camp, perched on a ridge overlooking the southeastern glaciers. Rest is crucial — tonight is summit night.

Your guide briefs you, checks gear, and ensures you hydrate well and prepare layered clothing.

Bedtime is early, usually around 7–8 pm.

Overnight: Barafu Camp (4,673 m)

DAY 5 – SUMMIT NIGHT: BARAFU → UHURU PEAK (5,895 m) → MWEKA CAMP (3,100 m)

Elevation: 4,673 m → 5,895 m → 3,100 m

Distance: ~17 km

Hiking time: 10–14 hours

Habitat: Arctic → Alpine Desert → Rainforest

Your summit attempt begins around midnight.

A zigzagging path of scree leads upward by headlamp, with stars overhead and the crunch of boots in the cold air. Temperatures often drop well below freezing.

After 5–7 hours, you reach Stella Point (5,756 m) on the crater rim before continuing the final stretch to Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa.

Celebrate briefly, take photos, and begin the descent back to Barafu Camp for a hot meal and rest.

After a short break, continue down to Mweka Camp (3,100 m) through rapidly changing ecosystems. The warmer lower altitude feels like a gift after the thin air of the summit.

Overnight: Mweka Camp (3,100 m)

DAY 6 – MWEKA CAMP → MWEKA GATE → MOSHI / ARUSHA

Elevation: 3,100 m → 1,640 m

Distance: 10 km

Hiking time: 3–4 hours

Habitat: Rainforest

Your final descent follows a forest trail often lined with ferns, wildflowers, and occasional rainfall. The path can be slippery, so trekking poles are helpful.

At Mweka Gate, you receive your official Kilimanjaro summit certificate. Your driver meets you for the return transfer to Moshi or Arusha, where a warm shower and celebratory dinner await.