8-Day Mount Kilimanjaro Trek via Machame Route from Arusha

Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport, you will meet our shuttle driver, who will take you to your hotel in Arusha city.

We stay at Arusha Tulia Boutique Hotel and Spa, a beautiful hotel on the lower slopes of Mount Meru and a perfect place to prepare for the adventure ahead. At 5:30 p.m., we meet for a preliminary briefing and equipment check. We also confirm that you have the appropriate compulsory health insurance and travel insurance. Dinner and overnight stay at Tulia Boutique Hotel and Spa.

The ascent starts from Machame Gate (1830 m), and we walk through the lush slopes of Kilimanjaro. As you gradually gain altitude while enjoying the diverse flora and fauna of the rainforest, you arrive at the first Machame refuge, located at 3000 meters above sea level. On a clear day, we can catch our first view of the Kibo Glacial Dome, evening clouds permitting.

Machame Gate to Machame Camp (3,000 m): 6-7 hours of walking.

This is a shorter day, climbing a steep ridge to reach a small semi-circular cliff known as the Picnic Site, followed by a gentler climb through the lower alpine moor, known for its gorgeous alpine wildflowers. The most spectacular views of Kibo Peak can be seen from Shira Camp.

Machame Hut to Shira Camp (3,840 m): 4-6 hours of walking.

Today, we walk uphill and witness panoramic views. We cross the southwest side of Kilimanjaro, pass below the Lava Tower and the last part of the Western Breach, and after a hot lunch, we descend to the bottom of the Great Barranco Valley (3,900 m).

Shira Camp to Barranco Valley (3,900 m): 5-7 hours of walking.

Our day begins by descending to the start of the Great Barranco, a huge canyon. We then descend steeply to the Great Barranco Wall, which separates us from the southeast slopes of Kibo. It is a climb on rocks - not technical, but long and tiring.

Below the Heim and Kersten glaciers, we head into the Karanga Valley. From here, we make a steep climb up the Karanga Valley to our overnight camp at Karanga Camp at 3963 m. For those feeling strong, we will do an acclimatization hike to around 4200 m in the afternoon before returning to camp for the night.

After breakfast at camp, we take a steep climb from Karanga and follow an easy path over compacted scree with stunning views across the barren, empty landscape to Barafu Camp. Both Kibo and Mawenzi peaks are visible from Barafu Camp.

After a hot lunch at camp, we spend the rest of the day resting as we prepare for the final ascent before an early morning hike to the summit.

Barranco Camp to Barafu Camp (4,600 m): 7-9 hours of walking.

We wake up before midnight in the dark. We begin a steep climb up loose volcanic scree slopes with some well-graded zigzags, and a slow but steady pace takes us to the edge of the main crater, Stella Point, at 5,735 m. We rest for a few minutes to enjoy the sunrise over Mawenzi.

Those still feeling good can slowly continue the two-hour round trip from here along the crater rim to the central peak (5,895 m), the highest point in Africa. After a few minutes to appreciate your achievement, we descend to Barafu. The descent is swift, and we stop at Barafu Camp for refreshments. We then continue down to reach Mweka Camp.

Barafu Camp to summit to Mweka Camp (3,100 m): 13-15 hours of walking.

A gentle stroll takes us through the rainforest to Mweka Gate. Successful climbers will receive their certificates. After lunch, we return to Arusha Tulia Boutique Hotel and Spa for dinner and overnight.

Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate: 3-5 hours of hiking.