Day 1: Machame Gate to Machame Camp

Elevation: 5,400ft to 9,400ft
Distance: 11 km
Hiking Time: 5-7 hours
Habitat: Rain Forest

6 Days Kilimanjaro trekking via Machame Route begins with a scenic drive from Moshi, which takes about 50 minutes, or from Arusha, which is approximately 2 hours. The drive takes you through the vibrant village of Machame, situated on the lower slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro. Upon arriving at the Machame Gate, we will complete the necessary registration and entry formalities. The trek starts with a winding trail through the lush rainforest. This section of the trail can be quite muddy and slippery, so gaiters and trekking poles are highly recommended. As you ascend, enjoy the diverse flora and fauna of the rainforest before reaching Machame Camp.

Day 2: Machame Camp to Shira Camp

Elevation: 9,400ft to 12,500ft
Distance: 5 km
Hiking Time: 4-6 hours
Habitat: Moorland

After a hearty breakfast, we leave the glades of the rainforest and continue on an ascending path. The trail crosses a small valley and then follows a steep rocky ridge covered with heather. The vegetation changes as we gain altitude, moving from dense forest to moorland. The path offers stunning views of the surrounding landscape, making this part of the trek particularly rewarding. As we approach Shira Camp, the terrain becomes more rugged and the vegetation sparser, characterized by small shrubs. Upon arrival at Shira Camp, we will have time to rest, enjoy a delicious dinner, and prepare for the next day’s hike.

Day 3: Shira Camp to Lava Tower to Barranco Camp

Elevation: 12,500ft to 13,000ft
Distance: 10 km
Hiking Time: 6-8 hours
Habitat: Semi Desert

Today’s hike is crucial for acclimatization, as it involves a significant altitude gain. We start by continuing to the east up a ridge, then head southeast towards the iconic Lava Tower, known as the “Shark’s Tooth.” The trail becomes steeper and the landscape more barren as we enter the semi-desert zone. After reaching the Lava Tower, which stands at an impressive 16,000ft, we descend to Barranco Camp, situated at 13,000ft. Although we end the day at a similar elevation to where we started, the altitude change is beneficial for acclimatization. We will rest, have dinner, and spend the night at Barranco Camp.

Day 4: Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp

Elevation: 13,000ft to 15,000ft
Distance: 9 km
Hiking Time: 8-10 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert

After breakfast, we tackle the Barranco Wall, a steep ridge that offers a thrilling challenge. The climb is rewarded with stunning views of the Karanga Valley. We then continue to Karanga Camp for a short rest and lunch before heading to Barafu Camp. The trail becomes increasingly arid and barren as we enter the alpine desert zone. Barafu Camp, located at 15,000ft, serves as the base for our summit attempt. From this vantage point, we can see the peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo. We will rest, have dinner, and prepare our gear for the final ascent to the summit, which begins in the early hours of the next morning.

Day 5: Barafu Camp to Summit to Mweka Hut

Elevation: 15,300ft to 19,345ft (and down to 10,000ft)
Distance: 5 km ascent / 12 km descent
Hiking Time: 7-8 hours ascent / 4-6 hours descent
Habitat: Arctic

We begin the most challenging part of our trek in the early hours between midnight and 2am. The ascent is steep and strenuous, taking us through scree and possibly snow as we make our way to Stella Point on the crater rim. Upon reaching Stella Point at 18,600ft, we take a short rest before continuing to Uhuru Peak, the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa. After celebrating our achievement and taking photos at Uhuru Peak, we begin our descent. We stop at Barafu Camp for a quick meal before continuing down to Mweka Hut for dinner and overnight rest.

Day 6: Mweka Camp to Moshi/Arusha

Elevation: 10,000ft to 5,400ft
Distance: 10 km
Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: Rain Forest

After breakfast, we continue our descent from Mweka Camp to the Mweka Park Gate. The trail takes us through lush rainforest, where the path can be wet and muddy. Gaiters and trekking poles will be useful here. The descent is relatively quick, taking about 3-4 hours. Upon reaching the park gate, we receive our summit certificates as a token of our achievement. From there, we proceed to Mweka Village, where a vehicle will be waiting to transfer us back to our hotel in Moshi or Arusha. This marks the end of our unforgettable Kilimanjaro adventure, a journey filled with challenges, breathtaking views, and a great sense of accomplishment. Book 6 Days Kilimanjaro trekking via Machame Route with us