7 Days Kilimanjaro Climb Machame Route

Tour Itinerary

Day 1

MACHAME GATE TO MACHAME CAMP

Your adventure begins with a one-hour drive from Moshi to Machame Gate, passing through Machame Village, located at the base of the mountain. At the gate, we will complete registration and obtain permits before starting the hike. The trail takes you through dense rainforest, home to monkeys, birds, and lush vegetation. You will have a packed lunch and be provided with 3 liters of drinking water for the hike.

After 5 to 6 hours, we will reach Machame Camp, where you will enjoy hot drinks, followed by dinner, and then rest for the night.




Elevation:) 1,800m (5,900ft) → 2,900m (9,540ft

Distance: 11 km (7 miles)

Hiking Time: 5–6 hours

Vegetation Zone: Rainforest

Difficulty: Moderate

Day 2

MACHAME CAMP TO SHIRA CAMP TO ALTITUDE GAIN

After an early breakfast, we leave Machame Camp and begin a steep climb towards the Shira Plateau. As we gain altitude, the landscape changes from rainforest to moorland, with stunning views of Mount Meru in the distance. We will arrive at Shira Cave Camp around noon, have a hot lunch, and rest until 4:00 pm. In the late afternoon, we will take an acclimatization walk, which helps our bodies adjust to the higher elevation.




After the walk, we return to camp for hot drinks and an early dinner before resting for the night.




Elevation:) 2,900m (9,540ft) → 3,820m (12,520ft)

Distance: 7 km (4.4 miles)

Hiking Time: 4–5 hours

Vegetation Zone: Moorland

Difficulty: Moderate to steep

Day 3

SHIRA CAVE TO LAVA TOWER TO BARRANCO CAMP

This is a critical acclimatization day. We begin the day with a gradual ascent towards Lava Tower (4,600m), where we will stop for an hour to allow our bodies to adapt to the altitude. At Lava Tower, we will have a hot lunch before descending to Barranco Camp (3,950m), passing through the beautiful Senecio Forest. The descent helps the body acclimate, increasing our chances of reaching the summit.




Upon arrival at Barranco Camp, we will have hot drinks, followed by dinner and rest.




Elevation: 3,820m (12,520ft) → 4,600m (15,130ft) → 3,950m (13,000ft)

Distance: 10 km (6 miles)

Hiking Time: 6–8 hours

Vegetation Zone: Alpine Desert

Difficulty: Challenging

Day 4

BARRANCO CAMP TO KARANGA CAMP

This is one of the shortest but most exciting days. The highlight is climbing the Barranco Wall, a thrilling but safe rock scramble. After the wall, we continue with gentle ascents and descents to Karanga Camp, where we have lunch and rest for the remainder of the day. Many climbers enjoy this day despite initial worries about the Barranco Wall.




Altitude: 3,950m to 3,995m

Distance: 6 km (4 miles)

Hiking Time: 4 hours

Vegetation Zone: Alpine Desert

Difficulty: Moderate (includes climbing Barranco Wall)

Day 5

KARANGA CAMP TO BARAFU CAMP

Another short trek today as we ascend to Barafu Camp, the base camp for the summit attempt. Upon arrival, we have lunch and rest until 5:00 PM, followed by an early dinner. You will prepare for the final ascent, which begins just before midnight.




Elevation: 3,995m to 4,673m

Distance: 4 km

Hiking Time: 3 hours

Vegetation Zone:Alpine Desert

Difficulty: Modarate

Day 6

BARAFU CAMP TO SUMMIT (UHURU PEAK)

The final day is a relaxing descent through the rainforest to Mweka Gate, where you will receive a summit certificate. From there, we drive back to Moshi, where you will enjoy a small celebration and receive feedback from your guide.




Elevation:4,673m to 5,895m (Uhuru Peak) and down to 3,100m (Mweka Camp)

Distance: 18 km (5 km to summit, 13 km down)

Hiking Time: 14 hours (7 hours to summit, 3 hours back to Barafu, 4 hours to Mweka Camp)

Vegetation Zone: Alpine Desert and Moorland

Difficulty: Very difficult

Day 7

MWEKA CAMP TO MWEKA GATE

The final day of the trek involves a gentle descent through the rainforest to Mweka Gate. Upon arrival (around 11:00 AM), you will receive your summit certificates and be transferred back to your hotel in Moshi for a small celebration and feedback session.




Elevation: 3,100m to 1,600m (10,000 ft. to 5,600 ft.)

Distance: 10 km

Hiking Time: 3 to 4 hours

Vegetation Zone:Rainforest

Difficulty: Easy descent