6 Days Mount Kilimanjaro Climb via Machame Route

Overview

• 🏔️ Summit Mount Kilimanjaro – Uhuru Peak
• 🌍 Reach the highest point in Africa
• 🥾 Trek the scenic Machame Route
• 🌿 Walk through Kilimanjaro's rainforest
• 🌄 Explore the Shira Plateau
• 🧗 Climb the famous Barranco Wall
• 🌋 Cross the alpine desert
• 🌅 Watch the sunrise from Uhuru Peak
• 📸 Incredible mountain photography opportunities
• 🏕️ Sleep in mountain camps
• 👨‍🦯 Experience one of Kilimanjaro's most popular trekking routes
• 🏆 Receive a summit certificate after successfully reaching Uhuru Peak

1. Day1
   Machame Gate – Machame Camp

   Your Kilimanjaro adventure begins with a transfer from Moshi or Arusha to Machame Gate.
   Complete the park registration and entry formalities before beginning your trek.
   The trail starts through the beautiful montane rainforest, with lush vegetation and towering trees surrounding the trail.
   The first day is designed to introduce you gradually to the mountain environment.
   Continue at a comfortable pace through the forest before reaching Machame Camp.
   Enjoy dinner and rest at camp.

   Overnight: Machame Camp
   Meals: Lunch & Dinner
   Trekking: Approximately 11 km
   Trekking Time: Approximately 5–7 hours
   Altitude: Approximately 2,835 m

   Meals: Lunch, dinner Stay: Machame Camp

2. Day2
   Machame Camp – Shira Camp

   After breakfast, leave the rainforest behind and begin climbing into the moorland zone.
   The trail becomes steeper as you ascend through heather and open vegetation.
   As you gain altitude, the views of Mount Kilimanjaro become increasingly impressive.
   Continue towards the spectacular Shira Plateau, where you will encounter a dramatically different landscape.
   Arrive at Shira Camp and settle in for the evening.
   Your guide will monitor your condition and help you prepare for the increasing altitude.

   Overnight: Shira Camp
   Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
   Trekking: Approximately 5 km
   Trekking Time: Approximately 4–6 hours
   Altitude: Approximately 3,840 m

   Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Stay: Shira Camp

3. Day3
   Shira Camp – Lava Tower – Barranco Camp

   Today's trek is one of the most important acclimatization stages.
   Leave Shira Camp and gradually climb towards Lava Tower, reaching approximately 4,600 metres.
   The scenery changes as you enter the alpine desert zone.
   After spending time around Lava Tower, descend towards Barranco Camp.
   This "climb high, sleep low" approach gives your body an opportunity to adapt to the increasing altitude.
   The descent takes you into the beautiful Barranco Valley, where the enormous Barranco Wall comes into view.
   Arrive at Barranco Camp and rest.

   Overnight: Barranco Camp
   Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
   Trekking: Approximately 10 km
   Trekking Time: Approximately 7–9 hours
   Highest Point: Approximately 4,600 m
   Sleeping Altitude: Approximately 3,960 m

   Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Stay: Barranco Camp

4. Day4
   Barranco Camp – Karanga Camp – Barafu Camp

   Today combines two sections of the Machame Route and is therefore a long and demanding trekking day.
   After breakfast, begin the ascent of the famous Barranco Wall.

   The climb involves some scrambling but does not require technical mountaineering equipment. Your mountain guides will assist you through the more challenging sections.
   At the top, enjoy spectacular views of the surrounding valleys and mountain landscape.
   Continue through the ridges and valleys towards Karanga Camp.

   After a short rest and depending on the group's pace and conditions, continue towards Barafu Camp, the final base camp before the summit.
   Arrive at Barafu Camp and have an early dinner.
   Your guides will brief you about the summit attempt and check your equipment.
   Go to bed early because the summit climb begins around midnight.

   Overnight: Barafu Camp
   Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
   Trekking: Approximately 9 km
   Trekking Time: Approximately 7–9 hours
   Altitude: Approximately 4,640 m

   Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Stay: Barafu Camp

5. Day5
   Barafu Camp – Uhuru Peak – Mweka Camp

   Summit Day
   This is the most challenging and rewarding day of your Kilimanjaro adventure.
   Wake up around midnight and begin the summit ascent.
   The trail climbs steadily through the darkness towards Stella Point on the crater rim.
   The climb becomes increasingly demanding as you gain altitude. Your guides will maintain a slow and steady pace.
   Reach Stella Point at approximately 5,739 metres.
   Continue along the crater rim towards Uhuru Peak.

   At 5,895 metres (19,341 feet), Uhuru Peak is the highest point in Africa.
   Celebrate your achievement and take photographs at the summit, weather and conditions permitting.
   After spending some time at the summit, begin the descent towards Barafu Camp.
   Take a short rest before continuing down towards Mweka Camp.
   As you descend, the lower altitude normally makes breathing and movement progressively easier.

   Overnight: Mweka Camp
   Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
   Trekking: Approximately 17 km total
   Trekking Time: Approximately 12–15 hours
   Summit: 5,895 m – Uhuru Peak

   Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Stay: Mweka Camp

6. Day6
   Mweka Camp – Mweka Gate – Moshi/Arusha

   Enjoy your final breakfast on Mount Kilimanjaro.
   Begin your descent through the beautiful montane rainforest towards Mweka Gate.
   At the gate, complete the park exit formalities and receive your summit certificate if you successfully reached Uhuru Peak.
   Meet your transfer vehicle and travel back to Moshi or Arusha.

   Enjoy a well-earned shower and celebrate the completion of your Kilimanjaro climb.

   Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
   Trekking: Approximately 10 km
   Trekking Time: Approximately 3–4 hours
   End Point: Moshi / Arusha

   Meals: Breakfast & Lunch Stay: End of tour

What’s included

Where you’ll stay

5 nights · Mountain Camping

Kilimanjaro Mountain Camps

Accommodation during the climb is provided at designated mountain camps along the Machame Route. Instead of permanent lodges, climbers sleep in quality mountain tents while the mountain crew prepares meals and assists with setting up camp. The principal camps used on this itinerary are: - Machame Camp - Shira Camp - Barranco Camp - Karanga Camp - Barafu Camp - Mweka Camp The camps provide a basic but authentic mountain experience, surrounded by the changing landscapes of Kilimanjaro.

Route map