Itinerary

1. Day 1: Machame Gate (1,800m) – Machame Camp (3,000m)

   • Your adventure begins at Machame Gate, where you complete registration and meet your guides and porters. 
   • The trek starts with a scenic hike through the lush rainforest, home to unique wildlife, towering trees, and vibrant mosses. 
   • The trail is relatively moderate, with occasional steep sections, and takes about 5-7 hours to reach Machame Camp, your first overnight stop.

2. Day 2: Machame Camp (3,000m) – Shira Camp (3,840m)

   • After breakfast, the trail ascends steeply through the forest before transitioning into heath and moorland. You will trek across rocky ridges, with beautiful views of Shira Plateau and Kibo Peak in the distance. 
   • This day involves a 4-6 hour hike, with increasing altitude but a steady pace, allowing for acclimatization. 
   • You’ll spend the night at Shira Camp, enjoying stunning sunset views over Mount Meru.

3. Day 3: Shira Camp (3,840m) – Lava Tower (4,630m) – Barranco Camp (3,960m)

   • Today’s trek follows the climb-high, sleep-low strategy, crucial for acclimatization. 
   • You ascend gradually to Lava Tower (4,630m), a rocky outcrop where you take a lunch break and let your body adjust to the altitude. Afterward, you descend into the scenic Barranco Valley, passing through giant Senecio trees. 
   • The trek takes about 6-8 hours, and you will camp at Barranco Camp, surrounded by towering cliffs and glaciers.

4. Day 4: Barranco Camp (3,960m) – Karanga Camp (4,035m)

   • Your day begins with an exciting climb up the Barranco Wall, a steep but manageable scramble that offers rewarding views.
   • The trail then undulates through alpine desert terrain, with a few short ascents and descents before reaching Karanga Camp after 4-5 hours of trekking. 
   • This is a shorter day, allowing for rest and acclimatization before the final push to higher altitudes.

5. Day 5: Karanga Camp (4,035m) – Barafu Camp (4,640m)

   • The trek continues through barren, rocky landscapes, gradually ascending to Barafu Camp, the final base camp before the summit attempt. 
   • The hike takes about 4-5 hours, and upon arrival, you’ll have an early dinner and rest, preparing for the midnight ascent to Uhuru Peak. Expect a cold night, but the excitement of reaching the top keeps spirits high.

6. Day 6: Barafu Camp (4,640m) – Uhuru Peak (5,895m) – Mweka Camp (3,100m)

   • Your summit push begins around midnight, trekking in the dark with headlamps under a sky full of stars. The climb is steep and physically demanding, taking 6-8 hours to reach Stella Point (5,756m), where you witness an incredible sunrise. 
   • A final 1-hour push leads you to Uhuru Peak (5,895m), the highest point in Africa! After celebrating and capturing memories, you descend to Mweka Camp (3,100m) via Barafu, completing a 10-14 hour trekking day.

7. Day 7: Mweka Camp (3,100m) – Mweka Gate (1,640m)

   • The final descent is a 3-4 hour trek through the lush rainforest, where you’ll likely see Colobus monkeys and diverse birdlife. At Mweka Gate, you receive your summit certificates before transferring back to your hotel for a well-deserved rest and celebration of your incredible achievement.
   • This 7-day Machame Route is designed to maximize acclimatization and summit success while providing breathtaking scenery and an unforgettable Kilimanjaro experience.