7 Days Trekking from Machame Route to Kilimanjaro

What's Included

Meeting and pickup

Itinerary

Day 1
Machame Gate to Machame Camp
1 stop
1
Mount Kilimanjaro
Upon your arrival at the meeting point, a representative from our company will greet you, and our driver will transport you to Machame Village. There, your guides and porters will organize your equipment and supplies. You'll also receive a lunch pack and can buy bottled water for the day. If conditions allow, you'll be driven to Machame Gate; otherwise, a 3 km walk to the gate will take about an hour. Once registered at the Kilimanjaro Park Office, your ascent through the rainforest begins. Ensure you have sturdy footwear, trekking poles, and gaiters, which are essential for the potentially muddy trail. A lunch break is scheduled halfway, and you'll arrive at Machame Camp by late afternoon.
6 hours • Admission ticket included
Day 2
Machame Camp to Shira Camp
1 stop
2
Mount Kilimanjaro
You'll rise early for breakfast and prepare for the day's hike. The journey starts with an hour-long walk through the rainforest glades, then ascends into the open moorlands where sparse shrubbery dots the landscape. After trekking for two hours in the moorland, you'll pause for lunch and a brief rest, then proceed onto the Shira Plateau for your first view of the Western Breach and its breathtaking glaciers. Your trek continues westward to the Shira Campsite. Once again, the porters will prepare boiling water for drinking and washing before dinner is served. The Shira Camp is more exposed and significantly colder, with temperatures often falling below freezing.
5 hours • Admission ticket included
Day 3
Shira Camp to Lawn Tower to Barranco Camp
1 stop
3
Mount Kilimanjaro
After breakfast and packing, you'll begin your ascent eastward on a steep trail above the remnants of Kilimanjaro's vegetation. Within 5-6 hours, you'll arrive at the renowned Lava Tower (15,190 ft/ 3,950 m), where you'll pause for lunch and additional acclimatization. Then, you'll descend for 2 hours beneath the Western Breach to Barranco Camp. The third day's trek presents numerous excellent photo opportunities, particularly when the walls glisten with ice. As you await your dinner, you may witness one of the most stunning sunsets as it descends through the valley. Be mindful of your physical condition and communicate any symptoms of altitude sickness to your guide.
6 hours • Admission ticket included
Day 4
Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp
1 stop
4
Mount Kilimanjaro
After resting beneath the Great Barranco Wall, you will have the opportunity to overcome this obstacle. Rest assured, it is simpler than it appears. Your climb will continue until you are just beneath the Heim Glacier, after which you will descend into the Karanga Valley. This valley serves as the final water collection point for your porters, who will gather all the necessary water for the remaining climb. You will then make camp at Karanga Camp. Post-lunch, the afternoon is yours to either engage in light exploration or relax, enjoying the impressive views of Mawenzi's majestic peaks.
4 hours • Admission ticket included
Day 5
Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp
1 stop
5
Mount Kilimanjaro
After breakfast, you'll make your way eastward, traversing several ridges and valleys until you intersect with the Mweka Route. Here, you'll turn left and ascend the ridge for about an hour to reach Barafu Hut. Upon arrival at the camp, you'll find your tent set up on a windy, rocky ridge. It's important to get acquainted with the camp layout before nightfall for safety reasons. Keep your headlamp or flashlight within reach in case you need to venture out of the tent after dark. Before retiring at 7 pm, ensure your equipment is ready (by replacing batteries in your headlamp and camera) and try to get some rest before the attempt to summit.
6 hours • Admission ticket included
Day 6
Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak to Mweka Camp
1 stop
6
Mount Kilimanjaro
As you strive for the summit, your journey will take you six hours through dense scree, zigzagging between the Ratzel and Rebmann glaciers until Stella Point (18,650 ft/5,685 m) is reached. This marks the completion of what many climbers find to be the most arduous segment of their climb. If your pace has been steady, you might be rewarded with a splendid sunrise during a brief respite at this stage. Despite fatigue, continuous movement is crucial due to the biting cold. Upon reaching Stella Point, you will connect with the final stretch of the Marangu Route. A further 1-2 hours of hiking along the crater rim will bring you to Uhuru Peak, the pinnacle of your adventure. After photos, celebrations and maybe a few tears of joy we take a few moments to enjoy this incredible accomplishment. We begin our steep descent down to Mweka Camp. Well-deserved rest awaits you to enjoy your last evening on the mountain. Overnight Mweka Camp.
6 hours • Admission ticket included
Day 7
Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate
1 stop
7
Mount Kilimanjaro
You will rise for breakfast as usual, pack up, and embark on a brief, picturesque 3-hour trek down to Mweka Gate. Ensure that you and all your equipment have arrived at the gate before tipping your staff. Once you've signed in at the gate, you'll await your summit certificates: green for reaching Stella Point and gold for Uhuru Peak. If the road from the gate is impassable for vehicles due to mud, you'll hike for an additional hour to Mweka Village, located 3 km away. There, a hot lunch awaits you before your return drive to Arusha for drop off.
4 hours • Admission ticket included

Additional info

• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
• Not recommended for pregnant travelers
• Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
• Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness

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