6 Days Machame Route

Arrival in Tanzania – Welcome to Your Kilimanjaro Adventure!

Upon landing at Kilimanjaro International Airport, you’ll be warmly welcomed by our team and transferred to your hotel in Moshi, a charming town at the base of Mount Kilimanjaro. Depending on your arrival time, you can unwind, explore the town, or relax at the hotel. In the evening, meet your mountain guides and crew for a full trek briefing. Your gear will be checked, and assistance will be provided for any final rentals to ensure you’re fully prepared for the climb.

Day 1: Moshi – Machame Gate (1,800 m) – Machame Camp (3,000 m)
After breakfast, depart Moshi for a 45-minute drive to Machame Gate. Following registration, begin your trek through the lush rainforest filled with birdlife, monkeys, and ancient trees. The trail is scenic and humid, with occasional muddy sections. After 5–6 hours of steady hiking, you’ll arrive at Machame Camp in the heather zone, where you’ll enjoy your first night under the stars.
Distance: 11 km | Hiking Time: ~5–6 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 2: Machame Camp – Shira Camp (3,840 m)
Today, the landscape changes as you ascend into the moorland zone. The trail becomes steeper, with views of Mount Meru and the Shira Plateau. You’ll pass unique flora like giant lobelias and enjoy open vistas as you reach Shira Camp in the afternoon. Take time to rest and begin acclimatizing to the higher altitude.
Distance: 5 km | Hiking Time: ~4–5 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 3: Shira Camp – Lava Tower (4,630 m) – Barranco Camp (3,960 m)
This is a key acclimatization day as you follow the “climb high, sleep low” strategy. Ascend steadily to Lava Tower, where you’ll break for lunch at high altitude. Afterward, descend into the Barranco Valley, a stunning landscape filled with giant senecio trees and dramatic cliffs. Set up camp beneath the iconic Barranco Wall.
Distance: 10 km | Hiking Time: ~6–7 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 4: Barranco camp (3984m)-Barafu camp (4681m)

After spending a night at the great Barranco Wall (a very imposing sight at first), you make your way up this awesome looking obstacle, which in the end usually turns out to be easier than anticipated. Topping out just below the Heim Glacier, you will now appreciate just how beautiful Mount Kilimanjaro really is. The route then heads down through the Karanga Valley over intervening ridges and valleys, and then joins up with the Mweka route. This is the preferred route down from the summit, so remember it. Turn left up the ridge and after another hour or so, you should reach Barafu Hut.

The last water stop on the route is the Valley, as there is no water available at Barafu camp. Barafu is the Swahili word for “ice” and it is a bleak and inhospitable camping area to spend the night. Totally exposed to the ever-present gales, the tents are pitched on a narrow, stony, and dangerous ridge. Make sure that you familiarize yourself with the terrain before dark to avoid any accidents.

The summit is now a further 1214m higher and you will commence with your final ascent attempt, the same night. Prepare your equipment, hiking poles and thermal clothing for your summit attempt. This should include the replacement of your headlamp and camera batteries and make sure you have a spare set available as well. To prevent freezing it will be wise to carry your water in a thermal flask. Go to bed at round about 19h00 and try to get some precious rest and sleep.

Distance: Approximately 9.4 km | Hiking time: 8 hours

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 5: Summit attempt
Barafu camp (4681m)-Uhuru Peak (5895m)-Mweka (3090m)

You will get up around 23h20, and after some tea and biscuits you shuffle off into the night. You will head in a north-westerly direction and ascend through heavy scree towards Stella Point on the crater rim. For many climbers the 6-hour walk to Stella point is mentally and physically the most challenging on the route. At Stella Point (5739m) you will stop for a short rest and will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see (weather permitting). From Stella Point you will normally encounter snow all the way on your 2-hour ascent to Uhuru Peak. The time you will spend on the summit will depend on the weather conditions. Do not stop here for too long, as it will be extremely difficult to get going again due to cold and fatigue.

Enjoy your accomplishment and a day to remember for the rest of your life!

The walk back to Barafu from the summit, takes about 3 hours. Here you will have a well earned but short rest and collect the rest of your gear, before heading down to Mweka hut (3090m). The route is not difficult and will take you down the rock and scree path into the moorland and eventually into the forest. The camp is situated in the upper forest and mist or rain can be expected in the late afternoon. Dinner and washing water will be prepared.

Distance: Approximately 4.5 km ascent and 10.8 km descent

Hiking time: 7 to 8 hours to reach Uhuru Peak, 6 to 8 hours to descend to Mweka Camp

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 6: Mweka Camp – Mweka Gate (1,640 m) – Moshi
After breakfast, descend through the lush rainforest to Mweka Gate. Enjoy the final leg of your trek surrounded by birdsong and vibrant greenery. At the gate, you’ll receive your summit certificate and bid farewell to your mountain crew. A vehicle will take you back to Moshi for a hot shower and well-earned celebration.
Distance: 10 km | Hiking Time: ~3–4 hours
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch