7-Days Mount Kilimanjaro Climb Machame Route

• After breakfast, depart from Arusha or Moshi and drive to Machame Gate.
• Complete registration and meet your professional mountain guide and support crew.
• Begin the trek through the beautiful montane rainforest.
• Continue to Machame Camp, where the mountain crew will have prepared the campsite.
• Enjoy dinner and rest overnight.

Elevation: approximately 1,800 m to 3,000 m | Distance: about 11 km | Hiking: 5–7 hours | Habitat: Montane rainforest | Meals: Lunch and Dinner | Overnight: Machame Camp

• After breakfast, leave the rainforest and climb through heath and moorland toward the Shira Plateau.
• Continue across the plateau with impressive views of Kibo and the surrounding mountain landscape.
• Arrive at Shira Camp, enjoy dinner and spend the night.

Elevation: approximately 3,000 m to 3,840 m | Distance: about 5 km | Hiking: 4–6 hours | Habitat: Heath and moorland | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner | Overnight: Shira Camp

• Today is an important acclimatization day.
• Leave Shira Camp and trek gradually upward toward Lava Tower at approximately 4,600 m.
• Enjoy the dramatic volcanic landscape and have lunch around the Lava Tower area.
• After reaching the higher altitude, descend toward Barranco Camp, following the 'climb high, sleep low' principle.
• The descent into the Barranco Valley offers spectacular views of the Western Breach and surrounding cliffs.

Elevation: approximately 3,840 m to 4,600 m, then down to about 3,960 m | Distance: about 10–11 km | Hiking: 6–8 hours | Habitat: Moorland and alpine desert | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner | Overnight: Barranco Camp

• After breakfast, tackle the famous Great Barranco Wall.
• With assistance from your guide where needed, ascend the wall using the established trail and enjoy outstanding views across the mountain.
• Continue along the Southern Circuit through the Karanga Valley before making the final climb to Karanga Camp.
• This shorter trekking day allows time for further acclimatization and rest.

Elevation: approximately 3,960 m to 4,035 m | Distance: about 5–6 km | Hiking: 4–5 hours | Habitat: Alpine desert and moorland | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner | Overnight: Karanga Camp

• After breakfast, leave Karanga and continue toward Barafu Camp.
• The trail climbs through rocky alpine terrain and joins the Southern Circuit.
• Arrive at Barafu Camp, situated on an exposed ridge with views toward Kibo and Mawenzi.
• After lunch, spend the afternoon resting and preparing for the summit attempt.
• Have an early dinner and go to bed early because the summit trek begins around midnight.

Elevation: approximately 4,035 m to 4,673 m | Distance: about 4 km | Hiking: 3–4 hours | Habitat: Alpine desert | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner | Overnight: Barafu Camp

• Wake around midnight for a light breakfast and begin the summit ascent in darkness.
• Trek slowly over steep volcanic scree toward Stella Point on the crater rim at approximately 5,735 m.
• After reaching Stella Point, continue along the crater rim toward Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa at 5,895 m.
• Celebrate your achievement and take photographs before beginning the long descent.
• Return toward Barafu for a short rest, then continue down to Mweka Camp for dinner and overnight.

Summit elevation: 5,895 m | Ascent to summit: approximately 5–7 km | Total descent: approximately 12–17 km | Trekking: about 12–15 hours | Habitat: Arctic/high alpine and alpine desert | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner | Overnight: Mweka Camp

• After breakfast, make the final descent through the lush rainforest toward Mweka Gate.
• Complete park exit procedures and collect summit certificates for successful summit participants.
• Meet your vehicle at the gate and transfer to Moshi or Arusha.
• The trek ends with a well-earned celebration and time to rest after your Kilimanjaro adventure.

Elevation: approximately 3,100 m to 1,640 m | Distance: about 10 km | Hiking: 3–5 hours | Habitat: Montane rainforest | Meals: Breakfast and Lunch | End of trekking program