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Discover the ultimate journey on Kilimanjaro's Machame Route with this step-by-step guide in 6-days to conquer the world's highest summit in Africa. The best of 6 days in Machame route is a popular trekking route to the world's summit of Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, Africa known for its scenic beauty & relatively.
The Machame route, part of the 6 Days in Machame approaches the summit from the southwest & descends using the Mweka route, rewarding climbers with views of the expansive Shira Plateau, an optional scramble up Lava Tower, a climb up the Great Barranco Wall and a traverse underneath Kilimanjaro’s southern ice field, showcasing the best of the world's beauty.
The recommended best times of the year to trek Mt. Kilimanjaro in the 6-day Machame Route is during the dry seasons, from December to mid-March and from June to October. During these periods weather conditions are best with clear skies, great views, little to no rain and sunshine making it an enjoyable and safer trek.
What's Included
Meeting and pickup
We will depart from Moshi in the morning and travel to hiking Kilimanjaro Machame Route.
Itinerary
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1Mount Kilimanjaro
On Day 1, you will drive for about 45 minutes from Moshi to Machame Gate, passing through the village of Machame. After departing from the park gate, you'll hike through the rain forest on a winding trail. The elevation will increase from 1830m (6000ft) to 3050m (9950ft) over a distance of 11km (7mi), taking approximately 5-6 hours. The habitat during this hike is montane forest, and you'll enjoy lunch and dinner before overnighting at Machame Camp.
Admission ticket free -
2Mount Kilimanjaro
On Day 2, after breakfast, you'll leave the glades of the rain forest and continue on an ascending path. You'll cross a valley along a steep rocky ridge, then turn west onto a river gorge until you reach the Shira campsite. The elevation will rise from 3050m (9950ft) to 3850m (12,600ft) over a distance of 5km (3mi), with a hiking time of 4-5 hours. The habitat changes to moorland, and you'll be provided with breakfast, lunch, and dinner before overnighting at Shira Camp.
6 minutes • Admission ticket not included -
3Mount Kilimanjaro
Day 3 begins with a hike from Shira Camp, continuing east up a ridge while passing the junction towards Kibo. You'll change direction southeast towards the Lava Tower, also known as “Shark’s Tooth,” at an elevation of 4650m (15,250ft). After this, you'll descend to Barranco Camp, ending the day around the same elevation as when you started. This day is crucial for acclimatization. The elevation will go from 3850m (12,600ft) to 4000m (13,000ft) over a distance of 10km (6mi), taking about 5-6 hours. The habitat will be semi-desert, and you'll have breakfast, lunch, and dinner before overnighting at Barranco Camp.
6 hours • Admission ticket not included -
4Mount Kilimanjaro
On Day 4, after breakfast, you'll leave Barranco and tackle the steep Barranco Wall, reaching an elevation of 4250m (13,900ft). After this challenging ascent, you'll traverse through the Karanga Valley at 4050m (13,250ft) before continuing your hike to Barafu Camp. This segment completes the South Circuit, offering stunning summit views along the way. The elevation will rise from 4000m (13,000ft) to 4700m (15,350ft) over a distance of 9km (6mi), taking 6-8 hours of hiking. The habitat will be an alpine desert, and you'll enjoy breakfast, lunch, and dinner before overnighting at Barafu Camp.
8 hours • Admission ticket not included -
5Mount Kilimanjaro
Day 5 is the most challenging, starting very early in the morning (midnight to 2 am) as you head towards the summit. You'll navigate between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers, ascending through scree to reach Stella Point on the crater rim. This stretch requires mental and physical endurance, but the reward is a breathtaking sunrise. From Stella Point, you'll continue to Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa at 5895m (19,340ft). After summiting, you'll descend to Mweka Camp, stopping at Barafu for lunch. The elevation changes from 4700m (15,350ft) to 5895m (19,340ft) and then down to 3090m (10,150ft), covering 5km (3mi) up and 13km (8mi) down, with a total hiking time of 10-13 hours. You'll enjoy breakfast, lunch, and dinner before overnighting at Mweka Camp.
7 minutes • Admission ticket not included -
6Mount Kilimanjaro
On the final day, you'll have breakfast before descending to Mweka Park Gate to receive your summit certificates. The descent can be wet and muddy at lower elevations, so gaiters and trekking poles are advisable. After completing the 10km (6mi) hike down from 3090m (10,150ft) to 1680m (5500ft), taking 3-4 hours, you will be greeted by the Monkey Adventures vehicle at Mweka Gate for your return drive to the hotel in Moshi, which takes about 60 minutes. You'll have breakfast before concluding your trek.
3 minutes • Admission ticket not included
Machame Gate to Machame Camp
Machame Camp to Shira Camp
Shira Camp to Lava Tower to Barranco Camp
Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp
Barafu Camp to Summit to Mweka Camp
Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate to Hotel
Additional info
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Tags
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
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Cancellation Policy
- For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
- If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
- Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
Rating
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
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