Kilimanjaro Trekking
7 DAYS MACHAME ROUTE
7 Days Trekking, Machame Route
- Destinations
- Machame Gate, Machame Camp, Shira Cave - Barranco Camp - Uhuru Peak and Mweka Gate
The Machame Route is the most scenic route up Kilimanjaro, passing through lush rain forest, river valleys and views of the Kibo Peak. This route is the most popular and it gives the climbers the opportunity to “walk high and sleep low” which is very good for acclimatization.
Tour Day by Day
Day 1:
Pick up from the International Kilimanjaro airport and transfer to the hotel in Arusha.
Day 2:
After breakfast, we pick you up from the hotel and drive in our car to Machame Gate. Our hike will start through a beautiful tropical rain forest, characterized by dense vegetation and short sections of steep climbs. By the afternoon we will have reached the Machame camp for dinner and overnight.
Altitude: 3000m
Hiking time: 4-5 hours
Day 3:
Today, our path will be covered in sparse vegetation as it goes up and will eventually turn into moorlands. After crossing a stream, we will follow a steep rocky ridge till we reach Picnic Rock, from where we will have excellent views of Kibo’s peak. Our hike continues by crossing a gorge till we reach Shira campsite for dinner and an overnight stay.
This camp is on a small beautiful plateau in the high moorlands, and features views of Kibo in the northwest and Mount Meru towards the east. There is also a set of small caves a short walk from the campsite known as the Shira Caves.
Altitude: 3840 m
Hiking time: 6-7 hours
Day 4:
Our hiking starts in the moorlands and moves into alpine desert. We will continue up to Lava Tower from where the trail descends into Barranco Valley. The vegetation becomes richer in this area which is called the “Garden of Senecias”. Huge Senecio and shorter lobelia plants are present all around. We will reach Barranco Camp for dinner and overnight. Tonight’s camp is one of the most stunning of the mountain with an impressing view of Kibo right above us.
Altitude: 3950 m
Hiking time: 5 hours
Day 5:
On the fourth day, we will be climbing on a more steep trail through the edge of the Great Barranco Wall. Once we reach the top, the view of Kibo and the surrounding landscape will reward us. Our path follows small streams with many up and down sections and crosses the Karanga river.
We will continue our hike through valleys till we reach the Barafu Camp. On our way we will be accompanied by the scenic view of majestic Mawenzi peak to the right and Kibo peak overhead us. Today at the camp we will have as much rest as possible preparing ourselves for the final ascent to the top.
Altitude: 4600 m
Hiking time: 7 hours
Day 6:
We wake up at around midnight and after a light breakfast, we commence the climb to Uhuru peak. This part of the hike is carried out during the early morning before dawn so that the climbers reach Uhuru Peak at around sunrise. On our way up we pass by the Ratzel and Redman glaciers, and after 6 hours of climbing we will reach the edge of the crater between Stella point and Hans Meyer point.
After one more hour of climbing we will be on Uhuru Peak at 5895 m, the highest point of Africa. Here we will have enough time to enjoy the amazing sunrise view and then we will start our descent. We will have a break at Barafu Camp to rest and take our lunch and then we will continue our descent till we reach Mweka Camp for a good night’s sleep.
Altitude: 5896 m – 3100m
Hiking time: 13 hours
Day 7:
The last day we will descend for about 3 hours through a beautiful rainforest. Often, in the luxuriant vegetation, some troops of black-and-white colobus monkeys can be seen. On the Mweka Gate a certificate attesting your success in climbing Mount Kilimanjaro will be awarded to you. Our car will be waiting to take you back to your hotel in Arusha and reward you with a celebration dinner.
Altitude: 1980 m
Hiking time: 3 hours
- Arusha / Moshi: Hotel, Lodge
- Mweka : Mweka Camp
- Barranco: Barranco Camp
Are you Interested?
For Trekking you can contact us either by filling in the booking form or by email at info@activetanzania.com or if you prefer, call us by phone or WhatsApp on +255 682 675 792 or +255 784 605 785. We will be happy to hear from you.
- Programs
- Book this tour
- Trekking Tips
- Best Time to Climb Kilimanjaro?
- Prepare for Climbing Kilimanjaro
- Gear Do I Need to Climb Kilimanjaro?
- How do I Train to Climb Kilimanjaro?
- How Can I Prepare for Kilimanjaro’s High Altitude?
- What Are the Entry Requirements for Tanzania?
- Should I Get a Medical Check Up Before Climbing Kilimanjaro?
- What Vaccinations, Immunizations and Medications Do I Need?
- Do I Need Travel Insurance?
- Where Do the Kilimanjaro Climbs Begin?
Are you Interested?
For safaris you can contact us either by filling in the booking form or by email at info@activetanzania.com or if you prefer, call us by phone or WhatsApp on +255 682 675 792 or +255 784 605 785. We will be happy to hear from you.
Optional Extensions
Mount Kilimanjaro Climb – Pre-Trip Extension, 7 Days
Zanzibar, Pemba or Mafia island – Post-Trip Extension, 5 Days
Selous Game Reserve, Tanzania – Post-Trip Extension, 5 Days
Chimpanzee Tracking – Post-Trip Extension, 5 Days