6 Days Mount Kilimanjaro Machame Route

Day 1: MACHAME GATE – MACHAME CAMP: 10.75k /7mi | 5-6 hrs | Rainforest

1. Mount Kilimanjaro
   6h · Admission ticket included
   Elevation: 1811m/5942ft to 3021m/9911ft
   Altitude gained: 1210m
   
   Departing from Moshi a 45-minute drive will take you through the Village of Machame to the Kilimanjaro National Park Gate. We will patiently wait for our permits to be issued while watching the hustle and bustle of operations as many crews prepare for the journey ahead Enjoy the beautiful rainforest scenery and windy trails while your guide tells you about the local flora and fauna and natural wildlife. At these lower elevations, the trail can be muddy and quite slippery. We highly recommend gaiters and trekking poles here.

Day 2: MACHAME CAMP – SHIRA CAMP: 5.3km/3mi | 4-5hrs | Moorland

1. Mount Kilimanjaro
   5h · Admission ticket included
   Elevation: 3021m/9911ft to 3839m/12,595ft
   Altitude gained: 818m
   
   After a good nights sleep and a hearty breakfast, we emerge from 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. Temperatures begin to drop.

Day 3: SHIRA CAMP – LAVA TOWER – BARRANCO CAMP: 10.75km/6mi | 5-6hrs | Semi-Desert

1. Mount Kilimanjaro
   6h · Admission ticket included
   Elevation: 3839m/12,595ft to 3986m/13,077ft
   Altitude gained: 147m
   
   Although you end the day around the same elevation as when you began, this day is very important for acclimatization. From Shira Plateau we continue east up a ridge, passing the junction towards the Kibo peak before we then continue, South East towards the Lava Tower, called the “Shark’s Tooth” (elev. 4650m/15,250ft). Shortly after the tower, we come to a second junction, which leads to the Arrow Glacier. We then continue to descend to overnight at Barranco Camp.

Day 4: BARRANCO CAMP – KARANGA CAMP – BARAFU CAMP: 8.5km/5mi | 6-8hrs | Alpine Desert

1. Mount Kilimanjaro
   7h · Admission ticket included
   Elevation: 3986m/13,077ft to 4034m/13,235ft to 4662m/15,295ft
   Altitude gained: 676m
   
   After breakfast, we continue on a steep ridge up to the adventurous Barranco Wall to the Karanga Valley and the junction, which connects, with the Mweka Trail. This is one of the most impressive days to see the power, agility, and strength of your crew zip over this wall with what appears such ease. We continue up toward Barafu Camp, and once reached you have now completed the South Circuit, which offers a variety of breathtaking views of the summit from many different angles. An early dinner and rest as we prepare for summit night. Overnight at Barafu Camp.

Day 5: BARAFU CAMP – SUMMIT: 4.86km /3mi up | 5-7hrs | – MWEKA CAMP: 13km /8mi down | 5-6hrs | Glaciers, Snow Capped Summit

1. Mount Kilimanjaro
   7h · Admission ticket included
   Elevation: 4662m/15,295ft to 5895m/19,341ft
   Altitude gained: 1233m | Descent to: 3106m/10,190ft
   Altitude lost: 2789m
   
   An early start between midnight and 2 a.m. marks the most challenging part of the trek—both mentally and physically. You’ll ascend between Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers, pushing through scree in switchbacks toward Stella Point. At the crater rim, a breathtaking sunrise rewards your efforts. Faster climbers may catch it from the summit. From here, a final 1-hour push takes you to Uhuru Peak—Africa’s highest point.
   
   Celebrate with photos, smiles, and maybe tears of joy. Afterward, descend steeply to Mweka Camp, stopping at Barafu for lunch and a quick rest. We recommend gaiters and trekking poles for the loose gravel and volcanic ash. Enjoy your final night on the mountain at Mweka Camp.

Day 6: MWEKA CAMP – MWEKA GATE – MOSHI: 9.1km/6mi |3-4hrs | Rainforest

1. Mount Kilimanjaro
   4m · Admission ticket included
   levation: 3106m/10,190ft to 1633m/5358ft
   Altitude lost: 1473m
   
   After breakfast and a heartfelt ceremony of appreciation and team bonding with your crew, it’s time to say goodbye. We continue the descent down to the Mweka Park Gate to receive your summit certificates. As the weather is drastically warmer, the terrain is wet, muddy and steep and we highly recommend Gaiters and trekking poles.
   
   From the gate, a vehicle will meet you at Mweka village to drive you back to your hotel in Moshi (about 30 minutes).

• Wheelchair accessible
• Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
• Service animals allowed
• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
• Specialized infant seats are available
• Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
• All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
• Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
• Not recommended for pregnant travelers
• Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
• Travelers should have a high level of physical fitness