7-Day Trekking Mount Kilimanjaro via Machame Route

• You'll be collected from the airport.
• Accommodation before the tour starts can be arranged for an extra cost.

Arrival in Arusha

Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport, you will be warmly welcomed after customs. Your safari manager will greet you and transfer you to your hotel, where you'll have a detailed briefing and equipment check with your climbing manager and guide. Overnight stay will be at the Greenside Hotel.

Main Destination:

Arusha (City)

Accommodation:

Greenside Hotel

• Mid-range hotel located in Arusha (City)

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Meals & Drinks:

• Lunch & dinner (Breakfast not included)
• Non-alcoholic drinks

Arusha to Machame camp

Altitude gain: 5,380 to 9,350 feet; Hiking time: 5-7 hours, 7 miles

Drive from Arusha to Mt. Kilimanjaro National Park, passing through the village of Machame to meet your climbing crew at the Machame Gate. The trail starts with a gentle ascent through the lush afromontane rainforest that blankets Kilimanjaro’s lower slopes. Moss and hanging lichen drape from tall branches, tree ferns nestle in soft hollows, and vibrant begonias, impatiens, and violas bloom year-round on the forest floor. Numerous bird species, along with colobus and blue monkeys, and other forest creatures, can be spotted and heard. Your first camp is nestled among giant heather at Machame Camp.

Main Destination:

Machame Gate (Mt Kilimanjaro)

Accommodation:

Budget camping

• On Mt Kilimanjaro

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Non-alcoholic drinks

Shira Camp

Altitude gain: 9,350 ft to 12,500 ft, 3 miles, approximately 4-6 hours

Leaving the rainforest glades behind, you’ll ascend along a steep ridge onto the heather-clad moorland, entering the heath zone. As the vegetation thins out, only hardy plants like helichrysum and lobelia endure the rugged mountain environment. Along the way, you’ll encounter fascinating geological features, including lava tubes and glacial valleys. Today’s lunch will be a picnic on the trail. Continue climbing up a rocky ridge onto the Shira Plateau, where you’ll have views of the stunning glaciers on the Western Breach. After a short hike, you’ll arrive at Shira Camp. Your tent for the night offers a spectacular room with a view” overlooking the snow-capped Kibo peaks. Overnight at Shira Camp.

Main Destination:

Mount Kilimanjaro

Accommodation:

Budget camping

• On Mt Kilimanjaro

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Non-alcoholic drinks

Barranco camp

Altitude gain: 12,500 ft to 15,223 ft (Lava Tower), descent to 13,044 ft, 7 km, 6-8 hours

Today is dedicated to the "walk high, sleep low" principle. You'll ascend into the alpine desert, approaching the main peak of Kibo, with impressive views of the western glaciers along the way. Lunch will be enjoyed as a picnic on the trail. For those feeling energetic, there’s an option to climb the 300-foot Lava Tower before descending to Barranco Camp in the afternoon. You’ll pass through the fascinating and scenic ‘Garden of the Senecios,’ adorned with giant groundsels and numerous towering lobelias. The Barranco Valley is one of the most beautiful parts of the entire route. Although it’s a long day, it’s excellent for acclimatization, as you won’t reach this altitude again until two days later. Overnight at Barranco Camp.

Main Destination:

Mount Kilimanjaro

Accommodation:

Budget camping

• On Mt Kilimanjaro

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Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Non-alcoholic drinks

Karanga camp to Barafu camp

Day five is a short and easy day. The trail starts at Karanga Camp and joins the Mweka trail up to base camp, Barafu at 4,680m.

We recommend you use easy hiking to relax and prepare for the summit push.

•Distance: 6 km
•Hiking Time: 3 hours
•Habitat: Alpine Desert.

Main Destination:

Mount Kilimanjaro

Accommodation:

Budget camping

• On Mt Kilimanjaro

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Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Non-alcoholic drinks

Barafu camp to Mweka Hut

Depart just before midnight for the final push to the summit. Patience and persistence are key as you navigate the coldest, windiest part of your climb. By dawn, as the first light begins to paint the Tanzanian landscape, you'll reach Stella Point at 18,652 feet. Here, you're greeted by a breathtaking sunrise over Mawenzi Peak—a sight you’ll never forget.

From Stella Point, it’s a relatively short hike to Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa! Capture the moment with plenty of photos. After a brief celebration at the summit, start your descent with a lighter heart as the oxygen-rich air begins to fill your lungs. Take it slow, soaking in the lush rainforest scenery on your way to Mweka Camp, where you'll arrive before dusk. Though your legs may feel weak, the easier breathing will lift your spirits. Overnight at Mweka Camp.

Elevation: 15,300ft to 19,345ft (then down to 10,000ft)
Distance: 5km ascent / 12km descent
Hiking Time: 7-8 hours up / 4-6 hours down.

Main Destination:

Mount Kilimanjaro

Accommodation:

Budget camping

• On Mt Kilimanjaro

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Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Non-alcoholic drinks

Mweka camp to Arusha

Heavy breakfast, your staff will have a big celebration full of dancing and singing. On the mountain, you will present your tips to the guide, assistant guides, chef(s), and porters. After celebrating, you will descend for three hours back to Mweka Gate. The National Park requires all hikers to sign their names to receive certificates of completion. Hikers who reach Stella Point (5685m) receive green certificates, and hikers who reach Uhuru Peak (5895m) receive gold certificates. After receiving certificates, hikers will descend into the Mweka village). You will be served a hot lunch. Then you will drive back to Arusha for long overdue showers and more celebrations.

Mweka Camp to Arusha.
Elevation (ft): 10,000ft to 5,400ft.
Distance: 10 km
Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: Rain Forest.

Main Destination:

Arusha (City)

Accommodation:

No accommodation (End of tour)

Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast & lunch (Dinner not included)
• Non-alcoholic drinks

• Additional accommodation can be arranged for an extra cost.
• You'll be dropped off at the airport.