Kilimanjaro Machame Route

Upon your arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), you will be greeted by our representative who will assist you with your transfer to your reserved accommodation  in Moshi town.

Commencing at Machame Gate, situated at an elevation of 1,800 meters (5,905 feet), the trek leads to Machame Camp, which is located at 3,000 meters (9,840 feet), resulting in an elevation gain of 1,200 meters (3,935 feet). At 8:00 AM.

you will depart from Moshi to Machame Gate, where you will be introduced to our team of porters, guides, and cooks who will accompany you on your seven-day hike to Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa.

Upon arrival at the gate, you will need to wait while your guide complete the registration process for your climb and the porters and guides finalize their preparations. The objective for the first day is to reach Machame Camp, where each day, the porters and cooks will advance ahead to establish the camp in readiness for your arrival.

Machame Camp (3,000m/9,840ft) to Shira Camp (3,840m/12,600ft) Elevation Gain: 840 meters, 2,760 feet.

Although considered to be the easiest day on the Machame Route, today’s trek includes several uphill sections.

After eating lunch, climb the Shira Plateau, created when Kibo’s lava flows filled the Shira crater. Continue to Shira Camp.

Shira Camp (3,840m/12,600ft) to Barranco Camp (3,950m/12,960ft) Total Elevation Gain: 690 meters, 2,264 feet.

Although this up and down day ends with an elevation gain of only 110 meters, by early afternoon you’ll have climbed 690 meters to a height of 4,530 meters before beginning your descent to Barranco Camp. This day is crucial for acclimatization. After breakfast, hike east on the Shira Plateau before reaching the junction for the Shira and Lemosho Routes.

Barranco Camp (3,950m/12,960ft) to Karanga Valley (4,200m/13,780ft) Elevation Gain: 250 meters, 820 feet Distance: 7 Kilometers

Leave Barranco Camp after breakfast for Karanga Valley. The day begins with a 1.5 hour scramble up Barranco Wall.

This is the hardest part of the day and in some places you’ll have to use your hands to pull your body up. After reaching the top make a short descent into the greener Karanga Valley.  You will generally camp on the ridge above the valley to allow for greater acclimatization.

Karanga Valley (4,200m/13,780ft) to Barafu Camp (4,600m/15,100ft) Elevation Gain: 400 meters, 1,320 feet Distance: 6 kilometers.

After breakfast, begin the hike to Barafu Camp. On the way to Barafu, view several of Kibo’s glaciers as well as the junction that connects the descent route, Mweka, with the Machame trail.

During day four, hike by the Heim, Kersten and Decken Glaciers.

Although the trail to Barafu passes through alpine desert with little vegetation, Barafu Camp offers stunning views of Kibo and Mawenzi peaks.

Try to sleep as soon as you finish dinner as you will awake before midnight for your summit hike.

Barafu Camp (4,600m/15,100ft) to Uhuru Peak (5,895m/19,340ft) to Mweka Camp (3,100m/10,170ft)

Elevation Gain: 1,295 meters, 4,240 feet

Elevation Loss: 2,795 meters, 9,170 feet

Distance: 18 kilometers

Around midnight, begin the final ascent to Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa. For the next six hours, hike by the light of your headlamp.

The ascent to the crater rim is the most challenging part of the entire trek. The trail is very steep until you reach the crater rim at Stella Point.

The hike from Stella Point to Uhuru Peak is a gradual climb and, as far as hikes go, not very difficult. The altitude, however, makes the hike long and tiring. The crater rim hike takes approximately one hour. Upon reaching Uhuru, take photos of your guide and group at the peak before beginning the descent to Mweka Camp. On the way down from Uhuru, enjoy views of the mountain, crater, clouds and glaciers.

Mweka Camp (3,100m/10,170ft) to Mweka Gate (1,500m/4,920ft) Elevation Loss: 1,600 meters, 5,250 feet, Distance: 10 kilometers.

After breakfast, finish the trek with a descent to Mweka Gate. Your last hike on Kilimanjaro is a beautiful one, passing through Kilimanjaro cloud forest. Watch your step during the descent, as the trail can be slippery.

Our vehicles will be waiting at the lower station of Mweka Gate to take you back to Moshi/Arusha.

End of the 7-days Kilimanjaro Machame route, get ready for the next day flight back home.

Our driver will escort you to Kilimanjaro International Airport for your flight departure. Cherish the memories, the feeling of achievement, and the enduring connection with the magnificent Mount Kilimanjaro. Should you choose to embark on a Tanzania Safari, it presents a unique adventure, and we will handle all the arrangements for you!