7 Days Machame Route

Day 1: Arrival in Tanzania (Arusha)

Morning/Afternoon:

• Arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport: Upon arrival, you will be met by your guide and transferred to a hotel in Arusha (approximately a 1.5-hour drive).
• Rest & Briefing: After settling into your hotel, you’ll receive a pre-climb briefing to go over the itinerary, necessary gear, and what to expect during the trek.

Overnight: Stay at a hotel in Arusha.

Day 2: Arusha to Machame Gate to Machame Camp (3,000m)

Morning:

• Drive to Machame Gate: After breakfast, you’ll depart from Arusha and drive to Machame Gate (approximately a 1.5-hour drive). Upon arrival, the team will complete registration formalities, and the climb will begin.

• Trekking Begins: Start the hike through rainforest. The path is well-defined, and the dense forest provides cool, shaded conditions. You will begin to get a feel for the altitude, but the climb is gradual.

Afternoon:

• Arrive at Machame Camp: After a few hours of trekking, you will arrive at Machame Camp, which is located above the forest zone. The camp offers amazing views of the surrounding landscapes and is a great spot to rest.

Distance: 11 km
Trekking time: 5-6 hours

Overnight: Machame Camp.

Day 3: Machame Camp to Shira Camp (3,840m)

Morning:

• Trek to Shira Camp: After breakfast, you’ll leave Machame Camp and continue your ascent into the moorland zone. This day brings more open views of Kilimanjaro as the forest gives way to alpine meadows and rocky terrain.

Afternoon:

• Arrive at Shira Camp: Shira Camp is located on the Shira Plateau, offering great views of the summit and the surrounding region. The camp is exposed, so it’s important to prepare for cooler temperatures.

Distance: 5 km
Trekking time: 4-5 hours

Overnight: Shira Camp.

Day 4: Shira Camp to Lava Tower to Barranco Camp (3,960m)

Morning:

• Trek to Lava Tower: After breakfast, you will ascend towards Lava Tower (4,630m). This volcanic rock formation offers stunning views of the mountain and surrounding landscape. The climb to Lava Tower is a key part of the acclimatization strategy, as it helps you climb higher during the day and descend lower to sleep, which is the best method to prevent altitude sickness.

Afternoon:

• Descend to Barranco Camp: After reaching Lava Tower, you will descend to Barranco Camp. This camp is nestled in a valley beneath the dramatic Barranco Wall, with fantastic views of the glaciers and surrounding areas.

Distance: 10 km
Trekking time: 6-7 hours

Overnight: Barranco Camp.

Day 5: Barranco Camp to Karanga Valley to Barafu Camp (4,640m)

Morning:

• Climb Barranco Wall: Today, the first task is to conquer the Barranco Wall. This is a steep, rocky ascent but not technically difficult, and it provides a sense of adventure. It’s a highlight of the Machame Route, offering breathtaking views of the surrounding valleys and glaciers.

• Trek through Karanga Valley: After the Barranco Wall, you will trek through Karanga Valley to reach Barafu Camp. This section of the trail is relatively flat but still provides some challenging terrain. Karanga Valley is a beautiful spot surrounded by rocky hills and alpine desert.

Afternoon:

• Arrive at Barafu Camp: Barafu Camp is located at a high altitude and is the final camp before your summit attempt. The camp offers excellent views of the surrounding glaciers and the summit. You will have a chance to rest and prepare for the summit attempt later in the evening.

Distance: 8 km
Trekking time: 6-7 hours

Overnight: Barafu Camp (prepare for summit day).

Day 6: Summit Day – Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak (5,895m) and Descent to Mweka Camp (3,080m)

Midnight (Early Morning):

• Summit Attempt: Your summit day begins around midnight. You’ll start the final leg of the journey with a slow, steady ascent from Barafu Camp toward Uhuru Peak. The route is challenging with a steep climb through rocky terrain and scree slopes. The altitude and cold weather can make it feel much more difficult, but perseverance is key.

Early Morning:

• Reach Uhuru Peak (5,895m): After several hours of climbing, you will finally reach Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa. The sunrise from the summit is a memorable experience, offering breathtaking views of the glaciers and surrounding area.

Morning:

• Descend to Barafu Camp: After a brief rest at the summit and taking photos, you will descend back to Barafu Camp for some rest and a meal.

Afternoon:

• Descend to Mweka Camp: After some time at Barafu Camp, you’ll continue descending down through the Mweka Route. The descent is long, but it’s relatively easy compared to the ascent. The trail goes through the rainforest, and you’ll pass lush vegetation as you head toward Mweka Camp.

Distance: 5 km ascent, 13 km descent
Trekking time: 7-8 hours ascent, 5-6 hours descent

Overnight: Mweka Camp.

Day 7: Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate and Return to Arusha

Morning:

• Descend to Mweka Gate: After breakfast, you’ll continue your descent to Mweka Gate. The path is mostly downhill, through dense rainforest. The Mweka Route is one of the easier routes for descending, but it’s still essential to stay cautious.

Afternoon:

• Arrive at Mweka Gate: Upon reaching the gate, you will be awarded your summit certificate (green for reaching Stella Point, gold for reaching Uhuru Peak). You’ll then be transferred back to Arusha for a celebration dinner or directly to Kilimanjaro Airport if you are departing.

Distance: 10 km
Trekking time: 3-4 hours