6 Days Machame Route - Overview
The 7 days Machame variant is the ideal schedule for this route. The 7-day Machame route breaks the trek from Barranco to Barafu into two days, with a short day allotted just before the summit attempt. This is important because summit day starts very early, around midnight, leaving sleep-deprived climbers going into the toughest day on the mountain. Climbers can be better rested if they plan a short day in advance.
The 7 days Machame route comes highly recommended and is used by the most prominent Kilimanjaro operators.

TOUR ITINERARY
You will be picked up at the Kilimanjaro International Airport and transferred to your arranged hotel in Moshi town. 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. Gear which is missing can be rented on this day.
- Driving distance: 55 km/miles,
- Driving Time: 1 hour
- Habitat: Cultivated zone
- Hotel: Bed and Breakfast
7 Days Machame Route Climbing starts by driving you from Moshi to Mount Kilimanjaro National Park Gate it takes about 45 minutes. After paperwork, the journey starts passing through the village of Machame which is located on the lower slopes of the mountain.
We depart the park gate and walk through the rainforest 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.
- Elevation: 1830m/6000ft to 3050m/9950ftDistance: 11km/7mi
- Hiking Time: 5-6 hours
- Habitat: Montane Forest
- Meals: LD
Day two of 7 Days Machame Route Climbing, 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.
- Elevation: 3050m/9950ft to 3850m/12,600ft
- Distance: 5km/3mi
- Walking Time: 4-5 hours
- Habitat: Moorland
- Meals: BLD
From the Shira Plateau we continue to the east up a ridge, passing the junction towards the peak of Kibo. As we continue, our direction changes to the South East towards the Lava Tower, called the “Shark’s Tooth” (elev 4650m/15,250ft). Shortly after the tower, we come to the second junction which goes to the Arrow Glacier. 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.
- Elevation: 3850m/12,600ft to 4000m/13,000ft
- Distance: 10km/6mi
- Walking Time: 5-6 hours
- Habitat: Semi-desert
- Meals: BLD
After breakfast, we leave Barranco and continue on a steep ridge up the Barranco Wall to the Karanga Valley and the junction which connects with the Mweka Trail.
- Elevation: 4000m/13,000ft to 4050m/13,250ft
- Distance: 5km/3mi
- Climbing Time: 34 hours
- Habitat: Alpine Desert
- Meals: BLD
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.
- Elevation: 4050m/13,250ft to 4700m/15,350ft
- Distance: 4km/2mi
- Climbing Time: 3-4 hours
- Habitat: Alpine Desert
- Meals: BLD
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: 4700m/15,350ft to 5895m/19,340ft
- Down to 3090m/10,150ft
- Distance: 5km/3mi up / 13km/8mi down
- Climbing Time: 5-7 hours up / 5-6 hours down
- Habitat: Stone scree and ice-capped summit
After breakfast we continue descending 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 Mweka Gate to drive you back to your hotel in Moshi (about 30 minutes). End of your 7 day machame route climbing.
=> This day you can be transfered to your hotel for overnight (to be transfered to airport next day) or transfered to Kilimanjaro Airport for departure or we can arrange for other adventures in Tanzania!
- Elevation: 3090m/10,150ft to 1680m/5500ft
- Distance: 10km/6mi
- Climbing Time: 3-4 hours
- Habitat: Forest
What is included
- Private Portable mobile toilet with tent on the mountain
- 2 Night Hotel accommodation in Moshi, a day before trek and a day after trek
- Transportation to and from your selected route
- Transfer from Airport/Bus station in Moshi on arrival and return to airport/Bus station after climb.
- Quality, Waterproof, four-season private mountain sleeping tent
- Quality Mess tents with table and chairs
- Certified, experienced, English speaking mountain guides:
- All Tanzanian National Park Fees
- Government Climbing Taxes
- Climbing permits
- All hot Meals prepared by our cook while on Mountain
- Guides, Porters and Cook Salaries
- Fair and ethical treatment of Porters
- Enough porters to carry your luggage
- Safety Equipment:
- Emergency Oxygen
- Pulse Ox meter
- Hot drinks at every meal
- Water provided on climb, mineral water for the first day and boiled water every day
- Emergency rescue fees
- Personal Summit Certificate signed by the National Park and your Guide
What is not included
- International airfares and departure taxes
- All items of person nature such as telephone call, fax, email etc
- Alcoholic and non alcoholic drinks
- Laundry services
- Visa and International flight tickets fees.
- Personal items and toiletries
- Tips for guides, porters and cook (this is a guide to tipping on the mountain: 10-20$US for Porter, 15-25$US for Cook, 20-30$US for Guide
- Tipping on Kilimanjaro from the trekking group (not per climber):