Highlights
Trek Machame through rainforest, Shira Plateau, alpine desert and summit terrain
- Climb: Mount Kilimanjaro via the Machame Route
- Trek through lush rainforest before reaching Machame Camp on your first mountain day
- Cross the spectacular Shira Plateau with panoramic mountain views
- Acclimatize around Lava Tower while following the high-altitude trek-high-sleep-low approach
- Experience the famous Barranco Wall before reaching Barafu Camp
- Reach Uhuru Peak at 5,895 metres
Experience Kilimanjaro’s dramatic Machame Route with expert guides, gradual acclimatization and a rewarding Uhuru Peak summit.
8 Days Machame Route
Experience eight memorable days climbing Kilimanjaro through rainforest, moorland and alpine landscapes towards Uhuru Peak.
Step onto the Machame Route and watch Kilimanjaro change with every day of the climb. Start beneath dense rainforest, cross open moorlands and rugged alpine terrain, then face the final ascent toward Uhuru Peak. Over eight days, steady trekking, mountain camps and spectacular views turn the climb into an experience worth remembering long after you descend.
Day 1
Arrival at Kilimanjaro Airport – Transfer to your accommodation in Moshi
The mostly known town of Moshi is renowned as a city that is close to the mountain before and after trekking and offers attractions and adventures
You will meet your guide who will brief you on your upcoming trek and do an equipment check to make sure you have all the necessary mountain gear which is missing can be rented on this day. If arrive early, after checking in to your lodge you can stretch up by having a town tour and/or having some time to relax at the lodge and get used to the weather.
Overnight at your lodge.
Lodge at Moshi
Day 2
Machame Gate (1790m) to Machame Camp (3010m)
One hour’s drive from Arusha to the Machame route, where we complete park formalities, meet our crew of porters and start to climb!
The first section of the route climbs steadily and passes through magnificent, dense rainforest.
This path is less well-trodden so it can get somewhat overgrown in places and it is often wet and muddy underfoot.
Distance Covered: 10.8 km / 6.7 mi Approx. Time Taken: 6 hours Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
Machame Camp
Day 3
Machame Camp (3010m) to Shira Camp (3845m)
Our route continues on up through the forest until we reach the steep ascent onto the Shira Plateau, where there are rewarding views of the mountain.
Looking back, you will be able to see Mt Meru rising high above Arusha town in the distance.
Distance Covered: 5.4 km / 3.4 mi Approx. Time Taken: 5 hours Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
Shira Camp
Day 4
Shira Camp (3845m) to Barranco Camp (3960m)
Walking now on high moorland, the landscape changes the entire character of the trek.
We traverse the southwest side of Kilimanjaro, passing underneath the Lava Tower and the final section of the Western Breach and finally reach camp.
The day has been spent at altitude (up to 4600m), but we have followed the mountaineering code of ‘walk high, sleep low’ to aid your body’s acclimatization to altitude.
Distance Covered: 10.8 km / 6.7 mi Approx. Time Taken: 8 hours Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
Barranco Camp
Day 5
Barranco Camp (3960m) to Karanga Camp (3963) to Barafu Camp (4640m)
After a good night’s rest and breakfast, we set off on our walk to Barafu Camp at 4640m.
The climb will take us across desolate scree slopes with no vegetation around us at all. It’s a tough, steep walk made more difficult by the altitude.
On arriving at camp, we eat and spend the afternoon resting as we prepare for a long night and day ahead. It is important to keep hydrated and warm.
We have an early dinner and then try to get some sleep as we will be getting up at between 11pm and 12pm to start the climb to the summit.
Distance Covered: 3 km / 1.9 mi Approx. Time Taken: 3 hours Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
Barafu Camp
Day 6
Barafu Camp (4640m) to UHURU PEAK (5895m) & down to to Mweka Camp (3090m)
Very early in the morning (midnight to 2 am), we continue our way to the summit between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers. You head in a northwesterly direction and ascend through heavy scree towards Stella Point on the crater rim.
This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek. 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 may want gaiters and trekking poles for the loose gravel going down. We arrive at Mweka Camp and enjoy our last evening on the mountain.
Elevation: 4700 m / 15,350 ft to 5895 m / 19,340 ft Descent: Down to 3090 m / 10,150 ft
Distance: 5 km / 3 mi up / 13 km / 8 mi down Hiking Time: 5 – 7 hours up / 5 – 6 hours down
Habitat: Stone scree and ice-capped summit Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Mweka Camp
Day 7
Mweka Camp (3090m) to Mweka Gate (1680m) - Hotel
A gentle trek takes us down through the rainforest to Mweka Gate, where we complete park formalities and receive certificates, which you can hang up with pride!
We are then met by our vehicles and return to the lodge in Moshi, where you can treat yourself to a welcome shower (and a cold beer or two!) before our big celebration.
Lindrin Lodge
Day 8
Depart Tanzania
Enjoy a leisurely breakfast, then drive back to Arusha. On the way, you will have the option of visiting a Maasai Boma for an authentic cultural experience or enjoying a nature walking safari at Mto wa Mbu Village, where you will interact with locals and experience local life.
Proceed to Arusha and drop off at the airport for your onward flight arrangement.
Arusha Airport
Includes
- 2 nights' accommodation in Arusha
- Private professional English-speaking mountain guides
- All Kilimanjaro park trekking and hut fees
- Rescue fees
- All meals while on the mountain
- Return airport arrival and departure transfers
- Government taxes, VAT and all related service charges
- Guides, porters, cook salaries and park fees
- Table and chairs
- Sleeping mattress
- Summit emergency oxygen
- Pulse oximeter and medical first aid kit
- AMREF Flying Doctor evacuation
Excludes
- International and local flight tickets, gloves, sunglasses, sleeping bag, hats, rain suits, warm jacket, heavy boots, scarves, rain trousers
- Extras at the lodges, i.e. drinks, telephone, laundry, etc. Visa and travel insurance
- Tipping to mountain crew (highly recommended)
Descend from Kilimanjaro through Mweka before returning to Moshi and Arusha, completing your eight-day Machame Route climbing adventure.
Frequently Asked Questions
About Your 8 Days Kilimanjaro Machame Route
Find practical answers about the Machame Route, trekking stages, acclimatization, summit day, equipment and planning your Kilimanjaro climb.
This itinerary lasts eight days, including arrival and departure days, with six main mountain trekking days before descending through Mweka.
The summit reaches Uhuru Peak at 5,895 metres, the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the African continent.
Yes, you can discuss additional accommodation, rest days, airport transfers, cultural activities or extra time in Tanzania around your travel plans.
Yes, the itinerary includes professional mountain guides, porters, cooks, park fees, meals on the mountain, camping equipment and specified safety services.
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