7-Day Kilimanjaro Hiking Through Machame Route

After breakfast, your adventure to the roof of Africa will begin. A journey of 2 hours drive will be maximum to reach the Machame Gate. Your hike will begin soon after completing the necessary registrations at the gate.

We depart the park gate and walk through the rain forest on a winding trail up a ridge. At lower elevations, the trail can be muddy and slippery. Gaiters and trekking poles are a good idea here. We continue a short distance until we reach the Machame Camp.

Dinner & Overnight at Machame Camp

Day Coverage

Hiking Distance: 11km / 7 miles

Hiking Time: 5-7 hours

Zone: Rain Forest.

After breakfast we leave the glades of the rain forest and continue on an ascending path, crossing the valley along a steep rocky ridge.

The route now turns west onto a river gorge until we arrive at the Shira campsite around mid-afternoon. At the Camp, you will have lunch and relax before the evening.

You can enjoy great views of Kibo peak from New Shira Camp at sunset. Later in the evening, you will be served with dinner before an Overnight

Day Coverage

Hiking Distance: 5km / 3 miles s

Hiking Time: 5-6 hours

Zone: Rainforest / Low Alpine Zone.

Today’s journey is long and tough which takes about 5 – 6 hours to complete. The route turns east into a semi-desert and rocky landscape surrounding Lava Tower.

On arrival at Lava Tower, you will be served your lunch before proceeding for another 2 hours walk to Barranco Camp.

We now continue down to the Barranco Camp. Although you end the day around the same elevation as when you began, this day is very important for acclimatization and will help your body prepare for summit day.

In the evening you will be served dinner before overnight.

Day Coverage

Hiking Distance: 10km/6mi

Hiking Time: 5-7 hours

Zone: Low alpine zone / High alpine zone.

Today’s hike is a short one and ideally for acclimatization After breakfast, we leave Barranco and continue on a steep ridge up the Barranco Wall.

At the top of the Wall, you will have a view of Heim Glacier and will be above the clouds. The trail then winds up and down in the Karanga Valley up to the junction which connects with the Mweka Trail.

Dinner & Overnight at Karanga Camp

Day Coverage

Hiking Distance: 7km / 5 miles

Hiking Time: 7 hours

Zone: High alpine zone.

We continue up to the Barafu Camp. You have completed the South Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many different angles. Here we make camp, rest, enjoy dinner, and prepare for the summit day.

Day Coverage

Hiking Distance: 6km / 4 miles

Hiking Time: 3 hours

Zone: High alpine zone.

After a cup of hot tea and a light snack, the climb begins around midnight when the lava ash is still frozen, and walking on it is easier.

We continue our way to the summit between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers. You head in a north-westerly direction and ascend through heavy scree towards Stella Point on the crater rim.

At Stella Point, you will stop for a short rest and will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see. Faster hikers may view the sunrise from the summit.

From Stella Point, you may encounter snow all the way on your 1-hour ascent to the summit. Once at Uhuru Peak you have reached the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa!

From the summit we begin our descent by continuing straight down to the Mweka Camp, stopping at Barafu for lunch. You will enjoy your last evening on the mountain at Mweka Camp.

After breakfast, we continue the descent down to the Mweka Park Gate to receive your summit certificates. At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy. Gaiters and trekking poles will help. Shorts and t-shirts will probably be plenty to wear (keep rain gear and warmer clothing handy).

Our vehicle will be waiting for you at the Mweka gate to drive you back to your hotel or Airport

Day Coverage

Hiking Distance: 9km / 5.5 miles

Hiking Time: 3-5 hours

Zone: Rainforest.