The Most Scenic & Popular Path to Africa’s Highest Summit
Machame route is likely Mt.Kilimanjaro’s most scenic climb. The ideal hike requires at least 6 days on the mountain and will take you through rainforest, moorlands, and via the Lava Tower before your final ascent to the peak.
Itinerary
Day 1: Moshi / Machame camp (3000m)
Meet & greet at your hotel in Moshi after breakfast, drive to Machame park gate, where we can begin our trek through the rainforest to Machame camp at an altitude of 3000m. We can stop for a picnic lunch along the way, and this hike will take us about 5- 6 hours before we arrive at our camp in time for dinner tonight.
Day 2: Machame / Shira Camp ( 3840m)
This morning, we can continue our trek to the next camp, which is about a 4- 5 hour hike, stopping for a picnic lunch along the way. We will arrive at Shira Camp at 3840m in good time for dinner.
Day 3: Shira / Baranco Camp (3950m)
We can have an early start this morning, heading to Baranco camp where we will sleep tonight at an altitude of 3950m. From Baranco camp, we can then continue onto Lava Tower for acclimatisation at 4600m, for a picnic lunch. This climb will take us a total of 6- 7 hours, and we can return to Baranco camp in time for dinner.
Day 4: Baranco / Karanga Camp (4000m)
This morning, we can continue our hike up to Barafu camp at 4600m, which will take us 3- 4 hours. An early dinner and sleep this evening.
Day 5: Karanga / Barafu Camp (4600m)
This morning, we can continue our hike to Barafu camp at 4600m, which will take us 3- 4 hours before we arrive in time for a hot lunch, a rest, and an early dinner. At 11 pm, we will wake for a hot drink and snacks, ready to set out on our final trek to the summit, which will take us about 6- 7 hours.
Day 6: Barafu / Uhuru peak (5895m) / Mweka camp (3100m)
Wake up for a hot drink and snacks at 11 pm to warm us for our 6- 7 hour hike to the Uhuru peak 5895m!! We should arrive at the summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro in time for high fives with the sunrise!!. From the highest point of Africa’s highest mountain, we have about 3 hours to climb down to Barafu camp, where we can have a full breakfast and take the morning to relax before having lunch here. Well refreshed, we can then continue our descent for another 3- 4 hours to arrive at Mweka camp (3100m) in time for dinner and a good night’s sleep.
Day 7: Mweka / Moshi
After breakfast, we can make our final descent through the rain forest to Mweka park gate, which will take us about 3- 4 hours, where our vehicle will be waiting to transfer us back to Moshi town. You should arrive in your welcoming hotel in time for a hot shower before lunch! From here, our driver will bring you to the airport from where you will take your flight back home. If you’ve decided to go on a safari – well, that’s a different adventure and we’ll take care of that for you!
Important Information
Safari Inclusions:
- Certified Kilimanjaro guides, porters & cooks
- Park entrance & camping fees
- Full board meals while on the mountain
- Camping gear (tents, mattresses, dining equipment)
- Hotel accommodation in Moshi before & after the climb
- All transfers from/to Moshi & park gates
- Emergency rescue support
What to Bring:
- Warm layered clothing for summit night
- Waterproof outerwear
- Trekking boots & gaiters
- Sleeping bag rated to -10°C
- Headlamp, trekking poles, sunglasses, sunscreen
- Personal medications & first aid kit
- Camera and plenty of memory for summit photos!
