Mount Kilimanjaro Trek Machame Route with Expert Guides

What's Included

Meeting and pickup

Itinerary

Day 1
Machame Gate to Machame Camp
1 stop
1
Machame
Kilimanjaro National Park Rainforest Zone (Machame Route) Register at Machame Gate (1,800m) before entering Kilimanjaro National Park, then trek through dense montane rainforest home to colobus monkeys, turacos, and towering podocarpus and camphorwood trees. The trail follows a forested ridge with gradually opening views before reaching Machame Camp (2,835m) at dusk.
7 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 2
Machame Camp to Shira Camp
1 stop
2
Climb out of the rainforest into open moorland covered in giant heather and lobelia, following a rocky ridge with panoramic views over the Shira Plateau and, on clear days, Mount Meru. The day ends at Shira Camp (3,840m), a wide volcanic plateau beneath Kibo's western face.
6 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 3
Shira Camp to Barranco Camp via Lava Tower
1 stop
3
Trek up to the Lava Tower (4,630m), a dramatic volcanic rock formation, for a key acclimatization stop before descending into the Barranco Valley. Travelers pass giant senecio plants and striking alpine desert scenery on the way down to Barranco Camp (3,960m).
8 hours • Admission ticket included
Day 4
Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp
1 stop
4
Scramble up the famous Barranco Wall, a hands-on climb offering sweeping views over the valley below, then traverse ridges and alpine terrain through the Karanga Valley to reach Karanga Camp (3,995m), the last water source before the summit push.
5 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 5
Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp
1 stop
5
Barafu Camp
A shorter trekking day across high alpine desert to Barafu Camp (4,673m), the final base before the summit attempt. Guides lead an afternoon safety briefing and gear check, and travelers rest early ahead of the midnight ascent.
4 hours • Admission ticket included
Day 6
Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak, then descent to Mweka Camp
1 stop
6
Depart around midnight for the summit push, ascending scree switchbacks by headlamp to reach Stella Point at sunrise and Uhuru Peak (5,895m) shortly after, the highest point in Africa. Travelers then descend to Barafu for a short rest before continuing down through changing vegetation zones to Mweka Camp (3,090m).
15 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 7
Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate
1 stop
7
Final descent through dense rainforest back to Mweka Gate (1,640m), where travelers receive their official summit certificates before transferring back to town or their hotel.
5 hours • Admission ticket included

Additional info

• Wheelchair accessible
• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
• All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
• Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
• Not recommended for pregnant travelers

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