7-Day · 6 Nights - Machame Route

Day by day

7 days in East Africa.

1. Day 1

   Arusha – Machame Camp

   The drive from Arusha to the Machame Gate of Kilimanjaro National Park takes about 50 minutes, passing through Machame village on the mountain's lower slopes. After registration the trail climbs through rainforest on a winding path up a ridge, 18 kilometres in five to seven hours from 1,830 to 3,100 metres. The lower section can be muddy and slippery, so gaiters and trekking poles are useful from the start. Arrive at Machame Camp in the afternoon for dinner and overnight.

   Overnight

   Machame Camp (3,100 m)

   Meals

   Lunch and dinner

   

2. Day 2

   Machame Camp- Shira Camp

   After breakfast, leave the last rainforest glades and follow an ascending path across a small valley and along a steep, rocky ridge covered in heather until the ridge ends. The route then turns west into a river gorge and on to the Shira plateau, with the camp at 3,840 metres. The day covers nine kilometres in four to six hours through moorland, with the first wide views back over the forest and across to Mount Meru. Rest, dinner and overnight at the Shira campsite.

   Overnight

   Shira Camp (3,840 m)

   Meals

   Breakfast, lunch and dinner

3. Day 3

   Shira Camp – Lava Tower – Barranco Camp

   From the Shira plateau the trail climbs east up a ridge, passing the junction for Kibo's peak, then turns south-east towards the Lava Tower, known as the Shark's Tooth, at about 4,630 metres. Shortly beyond it a second junction leads up towards the Arrow Glacier before the route descends to Barranco Camp at 3,860 metres. The 15-kilometre day takes five to seven hours through semi-desert; you sleep at almost the same altitude you woke at, but the climb-high, sleep-low pattern is vital for acclimatisation. Dinner and overnight at Barranco.

   Overnight

   Barranco Camp (3,860 m)

   Meals

   Breakfast, lunch and dinner

4. Day 4

   Barranco Camp – Karanga Valley Camp – Acclimatization Walk

   After breakfast, leave Barranco and tackle the Barranco Wall, a steep scramble up a rocky ridge that looks harder than it is and rewards you at the top with views of the Kibo ice fields. The route then undulates across the valleys of the southern slopes to the Karanga Valley campsite. On this seven-day programme the day is kept short so that the afternoon can be used for a gentle acclimatisation walk above camp before dinner and overnight.

   Overnight

   Karanga Valley Camp

   Meals

   Breakfast, lunch and dinner

5. Day 5

   Karanga Camp – Barafu Camp

   After breakfast, continue up from the Karanga Valley to the junction with the Mweka trail and on to Barafu Camp at 4,600 metres, completing the southern circuit, which shows the summit from many different angles. The walk is around eight hours through alpine desert with lunch at about 4,200 metres, and both Mawenzi and Kibo are visible from camp. Make camp early, rest, eat and prepare equipment for the summit attempt, which starts around midnight. Dinner and overnight at Barafu.

   Overnight

   Barafu Camp (4,600 m)

   Meals

   Breakfast, lunch and dinner

6. Day 6

   Barafu Camp- Summit – Mweka Hut

   Between midnight and 2am the summit push begins, climbing north-west between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers through heavy scree to Stella Point on the crater rim at 5,685 metres, the most mentally and physically demanding part of the trek, with a sunrise to match, weather permitting. A further hour, possibly on snow, reaches Uhuru Peak at 5,895 metres, the highest point in Africa. Descend to Barafu for lunch and continue down to Mweka Camp in the upper forest, where mist or rain is likely late in the day. Allow six to eight hours up and seven to eight down; gaiters and poles help on the loose gravel.

   Overnight

   Mweka Hut (3,100 m)

   Meals

   Breakfast, lunch and dinner

   

7. Day 7

   Mweka Camp – Arusha

   After breakfast, continue the descent through the forest to the Mweka Gate, 15 kilometres and three to four hours, where summit certificates are issued. The lower trail can be wet and muddy, so gaiters and trekking poles are still useful, and light clothing is enough with rain gear to hand. From the gate it is another hour on foot to Mweka village, where a vehicle meets you for the drive back to your hotel in Arusha.

   Meals

   Breakfast

Your questions, answered.