7-Day Kilimanjaro Trekking - Machame Route

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

Arusha to Machame Gate

After breakfast from the hotel, your journey begins with a scenic 45-minute drive from Moshi to Machame Gate. Here, porters will take charge of your equipment and supplies, while a dedicated cook prepares your meals throughout the trek. Unlike the hut accommodations on the Marangu Route, the Machame Route features tented camping for a more adventurous experience.

Once formalities at the gate are complete, you'll embark on an 18-kilometer hike through the lush rainforest, surrounded by dense vegetation and towering trees. The ascent to Machame Camp (3,000m) takes approximately seven hours, providing a challenging but rewarding start to your climb. By the end of the day, you'll reach your first campsite on the mountain, ready to rest and prepare for the journey ahead.

Main Destination:

Mount Kilimanjaro

Accommodation:

Budget camping

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Machame Gate to Shira 2 Camp

An early breakfast is served in the mess tent, and if the weather is clear, you’ll catch your first glimpse of Kilimanjaro’s dramatic Western Breach. The day’s trek begins with a steady ascent, offering incredible views of the surrounding landscape.

By midday, you’ll reach the lunch stop at approximately 3,600 meters. After a brief meal and a short rest, the journey continues along a rocky ridge, gradually ascending to Shira Camp at 3,840 meters. This camp, situated on a high plateau, offers stunning vistas and marks another step in your acclimatization on the mountain.

Main Destination:

Mount Kilimanjaro

Accommodation:

Budget camping

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Shira 2 Camp to Lava Tower to Barranco Camp

The day’s trek covers approximately 15 kilometers and takes you into a semi-desert, rocky terrain. Heading east from Shira Camp, the route ascends steadily, offering excellent views of the Shira Plateau to the west, Oehler Ridge to the northeast, and the Western Breach to the east.

After about five hours of hiking, you’ll reach Lava Tower at 4,600 meters, a significant milestone in your journey. This point provides an excellent opportunity to acclimatize, following the "climb high, sleep low" principle.

From Lava Tower, the trail descends steeply to Barranco Camp at 3,950 meters, where you’ll spend the night. The dramatic landscape and towering cliffs of the Barranco Valley make this a memorable stop on your Kilimanjaro adventure.

Main Destination:

Mount Kilimanjaro

Accommodation:

Budget camping

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp

After having breakfast, you will begin a journey that covers about 15 kilometers, taking you east into a semi-desert, rocky landscape. After a 5-hour trek, you will reach Lava Tower at an altitude of 4,600 meters. As you ascend from Shira Camp, you’ll enjoy spectacular views of the Shira Plateau to the west, Oehler Ridge to the northeast, and the Western Breach to the east.

This day follows the principle of "climb high, sleep low"—you’ll gain elevation during the day but descend slightly to Barranco Camp at 3,950 meters for the night. The varied terrain and striking scenery make this stretch of the climb particularly memorable.

Main Destination:

Mount Kilimanjaro

Accommodation:

Budget camping

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Karanga to Barafu Camp

You will leave Karanga and hit the junction which connects with the Mweka Trail. You will continue up to the rocky section of Barafu Hut. At this point, you will have completed the Southern Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many different angles. Here you will make camp, rest, and enjoy an early dinner to prepare for the summit day. The two peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo are viewable from this position.

Main Destination:

Mount Kilimanjaro

Accommodation:

Budget camping

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak

Around midnight, you will begin ascent to summit, marking the most physically and mentally demanding part of the trek. The cold and wind at this high altitude can be intense, and you will ascend in the darkness, taking frequent short breaks to rest and recharge. As you approach Stella Point, you will have unforgettable sunrise, with the first light illuminating the dramatic Mawenzi Peak in the distance. Finally, you will reach Uhuru Peak, the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and in all of Africa.

After taking in the awe-inspiring views, the descent begins. You will head straight down to Mweka Hut, passing Barafu Camp for a well-deserved lunch break. The trail can be rocky and challenging on the knees, so trekking poles are highly recommended for support. Mweka Camp, often experiences mist or rain in the late afternoon, providing a cool, refreshing atmosphere. In the evening, you’ll have dinner on the mountain and well-earned rest after the incredible achievement.

Main Destination:

Mount Kilimanjaro

Accommodation:

Budget camping

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate

On your final day, you will continue your descent to Mweka Gate, where you will collect your summit certificates. The lower elevations can be wet and muddy, so be prepared for slippery conditions. After reaching the gate, you'll continue for about an hour to Mweka Village, where a vehicle will be waiting to take you back to your hotel in Arusha. This marks the end of your unforgettable Kilimanjaro adventure.

Main Destination:

Mount Kilimanjaro

Accommodation:

No accommodation (End of tour)

Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast & lunch (Dinner not included)
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

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