Climb Kilimanjaro Machame Route

Climb Mt Kilimanjaro by the Most Beautiful Route! This is the itinerary for the Machame Route.

Day 1: On arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport you will be met and transferred to your hotel for the night (a range of hotels are available dependent on your budget). In the evening you will meet your guide and have a Mountain Briefing to prepare you for the climb. You will also be able to hire equipment if required. Dinner at the hotel followed by an early night.

Day 2: Machame Gate (1634 m) to Machame Hut (2834 m)

* Hike time: 7 hrs
* Elevation change: +1200m
* Final elevation: 3100m

The climb begins at the Machame Gate. After signing in you will enjoy an easy hike through spectacular tropical rain forest. You will reach your campsite in the early evening.

Day 3: Machame Hut (2834 m) to Shira Hut (3749 m)

* Hike time: 6 hrs
* Elevation change: +915m
* Final elevation: 3749m

Departing from the Machame Hut, you will cross the stream and follow the path up the steep rocky ridge to a semi-circular wall of rocks , known as Picnic Rock. From here you have excellent views of Kibo’s glaciated dome. You will cross the gorge to reach Shira campsite where you will overnight.

Day 4: Shira Hut (3749 m) to Barranco Hut (3901 m)

* Hike time: 5 hrs
* Elevation change: +152m
* Final elevation: 3901m

From Shira Hut, you will hike up to Lava Tower and then you cross scree slopes and a river valley before proceeding down to Barranco Camp via the Great Barranco Wall. Tonight's camp is one of the most stunning on the mountain.

Day 5: Barranco Hut (3901m) to Karanga Valley (3963 m)

* Hike time: 3.5 hrs
* Elevation change: +62 m
* Final elevation: 3963 m

From Barranco Hut, you climb up through the edge of great Barranco Wall. It's a difficult, steep trail, but once you reach the top, the views are well worth it.

Day 6: Karanga Valley (3963 m) to Barafu Hut (4,600 m)

* Hike time: 3.5 hrs
* Elevation change: +637m
* Final elevation: 4,600m

Today is a shorter hike than the past few days, hiking up over steep rocky slabs to the final campsite, Barafu. You will want to get as much rest a possible before the push to the summit.

Day 7: Barafu Camp (4,600m) to the Summit (5896 m) to Mweka Camp (3100 m)

* Summit time: 7 hrs
* Elevation change: +1300
* Final elevation: 5896m
* Descent time: 5 hrs
* Elevation change: -2800m
* Final elevation: 3100m

You will start trekking early before sunrise (1-2 am) as the walk today will take 10- 12 hours. The 1,100-meter ascent to Uhuru Peak in just over 3 km will take us about 6-8 hours, as we try to reach the Uhuru Peak to watch the sunrise over the Rift Valley. After watching the sunrise, you descend down to Mweka Camp which is below the tree line.
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Day 8: Mweka Hut (3100 m) to Mweka Gate (1828 m)

* Descent time: 3 hrs
* Elevation change: -1250m
* Final elevation: 1828m

On your final day, we will have a short three hour hike out, walking through the lush forest. We will have lunch, and meet a vehicle at the Mweka park gate and drive back to Moshi or Arusha where you will relax in your hotel. If you wish to carry on your Tanzanian Adventure and go on safari we can arrange this for you.

If you would like a cheaper, shorter trip try Machame 6 Days. For more information on climbing Kilimanjaro or visiting Tanzania's mountains click Climb Kilimanjaro with Mountain Kingdom Safaris

Roy J Hinde M.Sc. is a former research scientist who now is a director of Wild Things Safaris Ltd and runs the marketing for MK safaris Climb Kilimanjaro.