Machame Route Kilimanjaro Trekking 7 Days

What's Included

Meeting and pickup

Itinerary

Day 1
ARRIVAL KILIMANJARO AIPORT (JRO)
2 stops
1
Upon your arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport, a member of the Miiso Safaris team will be there to greet you. They will transfer you to Venus Hotel, where you can relax and unwind after your flight. The resort offers comfortable rooms with hot showers, a restaurant serving a variety of meals, and a welcoming service team. Internet access is also available to help you stay connected. In the afternoon or evening, you’ll meet with your trek guides for a briefing. They will go over all the details of your upcoming trek, including the route, daily itinerary, and essential information about altitude and acclimatization. This is also the time to ask any questions you may have. If you need any rental equipment, such as trekking poles or sleeping bags, the guides will provide them during this session.
45 minutes • Admission ticket free
2
Experience the weather of Arusha and exchange ideas with our staff, who are deeply knowledgeable about Tanzania's trekking.
20 minutes • Admission ticket free
Day 2
Arusha - Machame gate - Machame Camp
1 stop
3
This morning, you enjoy a leisurely breakfast at your hotel before departing around 08:00hrs for Machame Gate (1,800 meters), arriving by 10:00hrs. After completing registration, you'll meet your mountain team—guides, porters, and staff—before beginning the trek. The walk today covers 11 km/7 miles, with an altitude gain of 1,035 meters, taking around 4.5-5 hours. The trail starts wide and gradually narrows as it ascends through dense forest, where tall trees are covered in green moss. As you climb, the vegetation changes, with flowers like Impatiens Kilimanjari adding vibrant color. You’ll also catch your first view of Kibo Peak in the distance. The birdlife is rich, with sightings of olive thrush and stonechat. You aim to reach camp around 17:00hrs, giving you time to rest before dinner.
5 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 3
Machame Camp - Shira plateu cave
1 stop
4
Your day starts with a 07:00hrs breakfast, and you aim to leave by 08:30hrs. You’ll climb 915 meters, reaching 3,750 meters, covering 5km (3 miles) in about 5.5 to 6 hours. The path is narrow and dusty, passing through heather forests before you see the giant groundsels. The climb is steep, but a midday picnic offers great views of Kibo Peak and the south. After lunch, you’ll pass through moorland lobelias and obsidian rock of the Shira Plateau. You’ll reach camp by 14:00hrs, with time to admire sights like the Shira Cathedral, Klute Peak, and Mount Meru. Dinner is served at 18:00hrs, allowing time to relax after a rewarding day.
6 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 4
Shira Camp to Lava Camp to Barraco Camp
1 stop
5
Today’s trek is longer, starting at 3,750 meters, covering 10km (6 miles), but with a modest altitude gain of 150 meters by the time you reach Baranco Camp around 16:00hrs. Along the way, you’ll climb to the base of Lava Tower at 4,600 meters, before descending for an overnight stay. This helps with the important process of acclimatization. The total trek takes about 6.5 to 7 hours, excluding breaks. After a 07:00hrs breakfast and departure at 08:30hrs, you’ll trek across the stony Shira Plateau, with sparse vegetation at first, mainly lichens. By 13:00hrs, you’ll have a picnic lunch near the Lava Tower, then descend to Baranco Camp. Once at camp, enjoy views of the southern face of Kibo and the Heim Glacier. Dinner is served at 19:00hrs.
7 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 5
Baracco Camp to Karanga Camp
1 stop
6
Today, you’ll have a slightly later breakfast at 07:30hrs, with departure at 08:30hrs. The trek is short, covering 4 km (2 miles), but it will still take 3.5 to 4 hours. You’ll stop for a cooked lunch at 13:00hrs when you reach Karanga Camp at 3,995 meters, then enjoy the afternoon views before dinner at 18:00hrs. The day begins with the most challenging part of the trek: scrambling up the Baranco Wall (also known as the Breakfast Wall). At the top, you’ll be rewarded with stunning views of the Heim Glacier. Afterward, the trail eases as you descend into the cold but scenic Karanga Valley. You’ll then climb a steep series of zigzags to reach Karanga Camp. The total altitude gain today is 95 meters.
4 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 6
Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp
1 stop
7
Today’s trek begins with breakfast at 07:30hrs and a departure at 08:30hrs. The climb covers 5 km (3 miles), with an altitude gain of 670 meters, taking about 3.5 to 4 hours. You aim to reach Barafu Camp at 4,673 meters by 13:00hrs for a cooked lunch and plenty of time to rest before summit day. After leaving Karanga Camp, the route steadily ascends through a barren, rocky landscape, with views of the Decken and Kersten glaciers to your left. At the top, you’ll descend into a valley, where you’ll see the Rebmann Glacier. The final stretch to Barafu Camp includes a short, steep scramble, marking the end of today’s trek. Dinner is served at 17:30hrs, giving you time to rest early in preparation for the midnight summit attempt.
4 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 7
Barafu Camp to Mweka Camp
1 stop
8
Today is the most challenging day, as you aim to reach the summit of Kilimanjaro. Your schedule is different from other days, starting with a 23:00hrs wake-up, tea, and biscuits at 23:30hrs, followed by a midnight departure. The day starts with a challenging climb from Barafu (4,673 meters) to Stella Point (5,756 meters), walking on scree for part of the trek. From Stella Point, it's another 139 meters and a 45-minute walk to the summit (5,895 meters), aiming to reach it by 07:00hrs. You'll celebrate, take photos, and enjoy the experience. After the summit, you descend to Barafu for a rest, brunch, and leave again at 13:30hrs to continue your descent to Mweka Camp (3,100 meters). You’ll arrive at 17:00hrs and have dinner at 19:00hrs. Today, you'll cover 17 km (10 miles), with about 11-14 hours of walking – tough, but rewarding when you reach your goal!
14 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 8
Mweka Camp - Mweka Gate
1 stop
9
Still thrilled by your achievement, breakfast is taken at 07.00hrs and at 08.00hrs you can take the chance to reward your trekking team at the ‘Tipping Celebration.’ Although you still have 10 km/6 miles to walk, departure is at a leisurely 09.00hrs and you descend down to the Mweka Gate which sits at an altitude of 1,640 metres. There, you will be served a cooked lunch at midday and be presented with your hard-earned certificate. Your transport will be waiting to bring you back to your hotel in Arusha, where you can choose to relax – or, if you have any energy left, to celebrate!
4 hours • Admission ticket free

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 a high level of physical fitness
• It is not allowed for individuals with mental health issues.

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