The Machame Route 6 & 7 Days

Here’s a 6 or 7-day Machame Route itinerary for climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, a wildly popular route thanks to its jaw-dropping scenic views, diverse landscapes, and solid acclimatization opportunities—opt for 7 days to boost your summit odds even more!

6 Days Route
7 Days Route

Day 1: Arrival and Machame Gate to Machame Camp

Elevation: 1,800 m (5,906 ft) to 3,000 m (9,843 ft)
Distance: 11 km (6.8 miles)
Duration: 5-6 hours

Arrive at Machame Gate for registration and orientation. Begin the hike through the rainforest, where you’ll experience lush vegetation and rich wildlife. After several hours of hiking, you’ll reach Machame Camp for your first night, surrounded by dense forest.

Day 2: Machame Camp to Shira Camp

Elevation: 3,000 m (9,843 ft) to 3,850 m (12,631 ft)
Distance: 5 km (3.1 miles)
Duration: 4-5 hours

After breakfast, head out through the upper forest zone into the moorland zone. The day is short but steep, with impressive views as you ascend to Shira Camp. This camp is located on the Shira Plateau, with expansive views of the mountain and surrounding landscape.

Day 3: Shira Camp to Lava Tower, then Barranco Camp

Elevation: 3,850 m (12,631 ft) to 4,630 m (15,190 ft) to 3,950 m (12,960 ft)
Distance: 10 km (6.2 miles)
Duration: 6-8 hours

This day is designed for acclimatization, as you climb up to Lava Tower (4,630 m) for a brief rest. Afterward, you will descend to Barranco Camp (3,950 m). The principle of “climb high, sleep low” helps your body acclimatize to higher altitudes.

Day 4: Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp

Elevation: 3,950 m (12,960 ft) to 4,035 m (13,267 ft)
Distance: 5 km (3.1 miles)
Duration: 4-5 hours

Start the day by tackling the Barranco Wall, a steep but manageable rock face that’s one of the highlights of the route. Once at the top, continue along the ridge and descend into the Karanga Valley, where you will camp at Karanga Camp. The views from the camp are fantastic, with the glaciers of Kilimanjaro visible in the distance.

Day 5: Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp

Elevation: 4,035 m (13,267 ft) to 4,640 m (15,223 ft)
Distance: 4 km (2.5 miles)
Duration: 4-5 hours

This day is a shorter trek, but it takes you higher to Barafu Camp, which will be your final camp before your summit attempt. Along the way, you will pass through barren alpine desert terrain, with views of the summit becoming more prominent. Rest and prepare for the challenging final push to the top.

Day 6: Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak and down to Mweka Camp

Elevation: 4,640 m (15,223 ft) to 5,895 m (19,341 ft) to 3,080 m (10,105 ft)
Distance: 5 km (3.1 miles) to summit and 13 km (8.1 miles) down to Mweka Camp
Duration: 12-14 hours (Summit Day)

Summit Day begins very early (around midnight). You’ll begin your ascent to Uhuru Peak via Stella Point, a key resting point on the rim of the crater. The final stretch to Uhuru Peak is a rewarding but strenuous climb. After reaching the summit, take some time to enjoy the view, then descend back to Barafu Camp briefly for rest before continuing down to Mweka Camp for a well-deserved night’s rest.

Day 7: Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate

Elevation: 3,080 m (10,105 ft) to 1,640 m (5,381 ft)
Distance: 10 km (6.2 miles)
Duration: 3-4 hours

On your final day, descend through the rainforest to Mweka Gate, where you’ll sign out and receive your summit certificate. From there, you’ll be transferred back to your hotel in Moshi or Arusha for a celebratory rest.

Day 1: Arrival and Machame Gate to Machame Camp

Elevation: 1,800 m (5,906 ft) to 3,000 m (9,843 ft)
Distance: 11 km (6.8 miles)
Duration: 5-6 hours

Arrive at the Machame Gate, where you’ll complete registration and paperwork. Start your trek through the lush rainforest and hike towards Machame Camp. The hike is relatively moderate, allowing you to begin acclimatizing to the altitude as you climb.

Day 2: Machame Camp to Shira Camp

Elevation: 3,000 m (9,843 ft) to 3,850 m (12,631 ft)
Distance: 5 km (3.1 miles)
Duration: 4-5 hours

From Machame Camp, continue through the dense forest and head upwards into the moorland zone. The terrain begins to change as you ascend. By the time you reach Shira Camp, you’ll be surrounded by the open and expansive Shira Plateau, offering magnificent views of Mount Kilimanjaro.

Day 3: Shira Camp to Lava Tower, then Barranco Camp

Elevation: 3,850 m (12,631 ft) to 4,630 m (15,190 ft) to 3,950 m (12,960 ft)
Distance: 10 km (6.2 miles)
Duration: 6-8 hours

On this day, you’ll ascend to Lava Tower (4,630 m) for acclimatization, which is an important part of the climb. After a short rest at Lava Tower, you’ll descend to Barranco Camp at 3,950 m. This “climb high, sleep low” strategy helps your body adjust to the altitude.

Day 4: Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp

Elevation: 3,950 m (12,960 ft) to 4,035 m (13,267 ft)
Distance: 5 km (3.1 miles)
Duration: 4-5 hours

This day features the famous Barranco Wall, a challenging but rewarding climb. The wall is made up of rocky terrain, and once you’ve completed it, you’ll be treated to stunning panoramic views. From the top, the route continues to Karanga Camp, where you’ll rest for the night. This is a relatively short hike that allows you to acclimatize further.

Day 5: Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp

Elevation: 4,035 m (13,267 ft) to 4,640 m (15,223 ft)
Distance: 4 km (2.5 miles)
Duration: 4-5 hours

Today’s trek is shorter, but you will be gaining significant altitude. The route moves through alpine desert terrain with fewer plants and more rocky areas as you ascend to Barafu Camp, which lies just below the summit. This will be your base camp before the final push to the summit, so be sure to rest and prepare for the challenging summit day.

Day 6: Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak and down to Mweka Camp

Elevation: 4,640 m (15,223 ft) to 5,895 m (19,341 ft) to 3,080 m (10,105 ft)
Distance: 5 km (3.1 miles) to summit and 13 km (8.1 miles) down to Mweka Camp
Duration: 12-14 hours (Summit Day)

The summit day begins very early, around midnight or 1:00 AM. You’ll ascend through the night towards Stella Point on the rim of the crater. From there, it’s a short final push to Uhuru Peak, the highest point on Kilimanjaro. After celebrating your achievement, begin your descent to Barafu Camp for a brief rest. From Barafu, continue down to Mweka Camp to rest after your long, physically demanding day.

Day 7: Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate

Elevation: 3,080 m (10,105 ft) to 1,640 m (5,381 ft)
Distance: 10 km (6.2 miles)
Duration: 3-4 hours

On the final day of the trek, descend through the lush forest to the Mweka Gate where you will officially sign out and receive your summit certificate. Afterward, you’ll be transferred back to your hotel in Moshi or Arusha to celebrate your achievement.

Lets Start Planning

Price Included:

Two nights accommodation in Hotel
Private transport to / from Kilimanjaro International Airport to your hotel in Moshi
Qualified guides with mountain crew
National park fees
18% VAT on tour fees and services
All camping equipment; mountain tents, sleeping bags, sleeping mats
Transport
Rescue fees
All meals on the mountain (breakfast, lunch and dinner)
Guides and porters’ accommodations and their entry fees on the mountain
Pulse oximeter
First aid kit
Emergence oxygen
Clean filtered water through the trek
Fair wages to guides and porters as approved by Kilimanjaro National Park Authority