6-Day Machame Route Trekking

Your adventure starts at Machame Gate, a one-hour drive from Moshi. After meeting your crew and completing registration, you’ll embark on a journey through dense rainforest trails that are sometimes muddy. This path leads steadily to the Machame encampment, offering sights of beautiful vegetation along the way.

• Distance: 11 km / 7 miles
• Trekking Time: 5 – 7 hours
• Elevation Change: 1,640 m to 2,850 m
• Zone: Rainforest
• Accommodation: Budget camping at Machame Camp
• Meals: Lunch & dinner (Drinking water provided)

Today’s trek begins with a steep ascent out of the rainforest, leading you up to the Shira Plateau. As you reach Shira Camp, enjoy your first views of Kibo peak in the northwest and Mount Meru in the east. You’ll traverse moorlands with distinctive alpine flora.

• Distance: 5.4 km / 3.4 miles
• Trekking Time: 4 – 6 hours
• Elevation Change: 2,850 m to 3,810 m
• Zone: Low Alpine Zone
• Accommodation: Budget camping at Shira Camp
• Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner (Drinking water provided)

Today, you’ll trek through Kilimanjaro’s high moorland and traverse the southwest side of the mountain. Passing by Lava Tower, you’ll reach Barranco Camp after a long yet acclimatization-friendly day. This climb-high, sleep-low approach is essential for adjusting to the altitude.

• Distance: 10.8 km / 6.7 miles
• Trekking Time: 7 – 8 hours
• Elevation Change: 3,810 m to 3,960 m
• Zone: Low alpine zone / High alpine zone
• Accommodation: Budget camping at Barranco Camp
• Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner (Drinking water provided)

This day begins with a descent into the Great Barranco Valley, followed by a steep climb up the Barranco Wall. You’ll then cross the Karanga Valley, where trekkers on the seven-day route typically camp. After a break for lunch, you’ll continue to Barafu Camp, where you’ll prepare for your summit attempt.

• Distance: 8.5 km / 5.3 miles
• Trekking Time: 8 hours
• Elevation Change: 3,960 m to 4,673 m
• Zone: High alpine zone
• Accommodation: Budget camping at Barafu Camp
• Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner (Drinking water provided)

Summit day begins around midnight, with a steep climb through scree terrain. After reaching Stella Point at dawn, you’ll push on to Uhuru Peak, Kilimanjaro’s highest point. After celebrating your summit, you’ll descend back to Barafu Camp, then continue to Mweka Camp for some well-deserved rest.

• Distance: 16.4 km / 9.6 miles (6 km up and 10.4 km down)
• Trekking Time: 13 – 15 hours
• Elevation Change: 4,673 m to 5,895 m (summit), then down to 3,068 m
• Zone: Arctic / Glacial zone
• Accommodation: Budget camping at Mweka Camp
• Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner (Drinking water provided)

On your final trekking day, you’ll descend through lush rainforest paths back to Mweka Gate. The terrain can be muddy, so gaiters and trekking poles are recommended. Upon reaching Mweka Gate, you’ll be transported back to Arusha.

• Distance: 9.1 km / 5.7 miles
• Trekking Time: 3 – 4 hours
• Elevation Change: 3,068 m to 1,640 m
• Zone: Rainforest
• Accommodation: End of tour (no accommodation included)
• Meals: Breakfast & lunch (Drinking water provided)