7 days Machame Route

Day 1 Arusha to Machame Gate to Machame Camp

Elevation: 1830m to 3050m
Distance: 11km
Hiking Time: 5-7 hours
Habitat: Rainforest
After an early morning breakfast, you will drive from Arusha to the Machame Gate of Kilimanjaro National Park, passing through the village of Machame. Once there, you’ll begin your climb through the rainforest, with towering trees and tangled undergrowth, and possibly a bit of rain and mud. You’ll reach Machame Camp by late afternoon. Dinner and overnight at Machame Camp.

Day 2 Machame Camp to Shira Camp

Elevation: 3050m to 3850m
Distance: 5km
Hiking Time: 4-6 hours
Habitat: Moorland
Today’s trek starts with a short but steep climb out of the rainforest and into the moorland zone. You will cross several small streams and walk over rocky terrain, with excellent views of Kibo Peak and the Shira Plateau. You’ll camp at Shira Camp for the night, located at the base of a massive lava flow.

Day 3 Shire Camp to Barranco Camp via Lava Tower

Elevation: 3850m to 4600m to 3900m
Distance: 10km
Hiking Time: 6-8 hours
Habitat: Semi-desert
Today you will trek east towards Lava Tower, a 300-foot tall volcanic rock formation, passing through the “Shark’s Tooth” rock formation before descending into the Barranco Valley. This day is essential for acclimatization, as you will climb high and sleep low. You’ll spend the night at Barranco Camp.

Day 4 Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp
Elevation: 3900m to 3950m
Distance: 5km
Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert
After breakfast, you’ll begin your climb of the Barranco Wall, a steep 257-meter rock face, which will require some scrambling. Once at the top, you’ll enjoy a short rest before continuing to Karanga Camp, which is located in the alpine desert. This is a shorter hiking day designed to aid acclimatization.

Day 5 Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp
Elevation: 3950m to 4673m
Distance: 4km
Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert
Today’s trek takes you up through increasingly barren landscapes, with views of Kibo Peak towering above. You’ll reach Barafu Camp, the staging point for your summit attempt, in the early afternoon. After a hearty meal, you’ll rest in preparation for the final push to the summit.

Day 6 Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak to Mweka Camp
Elevation: 4673m to 5895m to 3100m
Distance: 17km
Hiking Time: 10-12 hours
Habitat: Arctic
Around midnight, you’ll begin the final ascent to Uhuru Peak. The climb is long and grueling, passing between glaciers and volcanic rock formations. At the summit, you’ll have a few moments to enjoy the view before descending back down to Mweka Camp.

Day 7 Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate
Elevation: 3100m to 1830m
Distance: 10km
Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: Rainforest
After breakfast, you’ll make your way back through the rainforest to Mweka Gate, where you’ll collect your summit certificate. From there, you will be transferred back to Arusha for some much-needed rest and relaxation.

Uhuru Peak 5895m // 19341ft
The highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro, and the highest point in Africa. Standing at the summit, you’ll be able to look out over Tanzania and Kenya, the surrounding glaciers, and even the curvature of the Earth.

Descending Kilimanjaro: Key Facts
It is important to remember that climbing Mount Kilimanjaro is not just about the ascent. The descent also plays a critical role in the overall success of your climb. While descending, you’ll be using different muscles, and the knees and legs will bear most of the strain. On Kilimanjaro, the descent from the summit to the base camp typically takes two days, with a night spent at a lower altitude camp to allow for recovery.