6-Day Machame Route

Elevation: 1,800 m to 2,835 m

Hiking: 5–6 hours

Habitat: Montane rainforest

Accommodation: Machame Camp

After breakfast at your hotel in Moshi or Arusha, drive to Machame Gate for registration. Begin trekking through lush rainforest, with tall trees, thick vegetation and possible sightings of birds and colobus monkeys. Continue to Machame Camp for dinner and overnight.

Elevation: 2,835 m to 3,750 m

Hiking: 5–6 hours

Habitat: Heathland and moorland

Accommodation: Shira Camp

Leave the rainforest and climb through heathland and open moorland along rocky ridges. Enjoy views of Mount Meru, surrounding valleys and Kilimanjaro’s summit before crossing the Shira Plateau and arriving at Shira Camp for dinner and overnight.

Elevation: 3,750 m to 4,600 m, then down to Barranco Camp at about 3,900 m

Hiking: 7–8 hours

Habitat: Alpine desert

Accommodation: Barranco Camp

Trek across the high-altitude landscape toward Lava Tower, where you stop for lunch and rest. Following “climb high, sleep low,” descend toward Barranco Camp, with views of cliffs, valleys and giant groundsels.

Elevation: About 3,900 m to Barafu Camp

Distance: Approximately 9–12 km

Hiking: 7–8 hours

Habitat: Alpine desert

Accommodation: Barafu Camp

Climb the famous Barranco Wall with guidance from your mountain team. Continue across ridges and valleys toward the Karanga area, then reach Barafu Camp on an exposed rocky ridge. Have an early dinner and rest before the midnight summit attempt.

Elevation: 4,670 m to 5,895 m, then descend to Mweka Camp at about 3,100 m

Hiking: 5–6 hours to the summit, then 4–5 hours descent

Habitat: Arctic and ice-capped summit zone

Accommodation: Mweka Camp

Begin the summit climb around midnight, ascending toward Stella Point at about 5,756 m. Continue along the crater rim to Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa. Celebrate at the summit, then descend to Barafu Camp for a short rest before continuing to Mweka Camp for dinner and overnight.

Elevation: 3,100 m to 1,640 m

Hiking: 3–4 hours

Habitat: Rainforest

Descend through rainforest to Mweka Gate. Complete park exit formalities and receive your summit certificate if eligible. Your vehicle will transfer you back to your hotel in Moshi or Arusha.