Kilimanjaro: Machame Route

Overview

Machame is the most popular route on Kilimanjaro because it is the most beautiful and has an excellent climb-high-sleep-low profile. Seven days gives you the extra acclimatisation night that pushes summit success rates well above the six-day version.

Trip Highlights

• Uhuru Peak, 5,895m — the highest point in Africa
• Five distinct climate zones in a week
• Barranco Wall scramble and Lava Tower acclimatisation
• Extra acclimatisation day for a higher summit rate

Day By Day

1. 01
   Day 1

   Machame Gate → Machame Camp (3,000m)

   Registration at the gate, then a 5–7 hour trek through dense rainforest to Machame Camp.

2. 02
   Day 2

   Machame → Shira Camp (3,840m)

   Out of the forest into moorland with the first clear views of Kibo. 4–6 hours.

3. 03
   Day 3

   Shira → Lava Tower → Barranco (3,960m)

   Climb to 4,600m at Lava Tower for lunch, then descend to Barranco. Classic climb-high-sleep-low. 6–8 hours.

4. 04
   Day 4

   Barranco → Karanga Camp (3,995m)

   The Barranco Wall scramble in the morning, then a short day into Karanga. Afternoon rest. 4–5 hours.

5. 05
   Day 5

   Karanga → Barafu Camp (4,673m)

   A short climb to base camp. Early dinner and sleep before the midnight start. 3–4 hours.

6. 06
   Day 6

   Summit day → Mweka Camp (3,100m)

   Depart at midnight for Stella Point and on to Uhuru Peak for sunrise. Descend all the way to Mweka. The longest day of the trip — 12–14 hours.

7. 07
   Day 7

   Mweka Gate → Moshi

   Final descent through the rainforest, summit certificates at the gate, then transfer to your hotel in Moshi.