9 Days Kilimanjaro Climb Via Machame Route

Day 2: Moshi to Machame Gate (1,800m/5,905ft) to Mt. Kilimanjaro, Machame Camp (3,000m/9,840ft)

Walking Time: 6-7hrs Distance: 9km Altitude Gain: 1200m/3935ft

After eating a warm hotel breakfast, you’ll depart Moshi for the Machame Gate. The 45-minute drive will take you off the beaten path through a panorama of coffee plantations and local villages. After arriving at the park gate, you’ll register with the Kilimanjaro National Park authorities while our team prepares and checks all your gear. Then journey onwards to the final destination of the day: Machame Camp. Venture through moss-covered timbered underpasses and catch glimpses of rare wildlife and botanical species. You will stop and marvel at a view of Kibo Peak, the mighty summit at the end of your climb. Meanwhile, your porters and cooks will prepare a hot steaming meal ahead of your arrival.

Day 3: Machame Camp (3,000m/9,840ft) to Shira Camp (3,840m/12,600ft)

Walking Time: 4-6hrs Distance: 7km Altitude Gain: 840m/2,760ft

Today you’ll begin your first morning on the slopes of the mountain with a warming and hearty breakfast. Pack up your gear and venture across the rolling savannah among tall grasses and the otherworldly beauty of the Heather and Erica plains. Scramble across enormous boulders and emerge among volcanic rocks draped with dark green lichen. You’ll also experience increasingly higher altitudes to help your acclimatization process. After lunch, you’ll then head for the Shira Camp. In the meantime, your porters and cooks will prepare a delicious meal in anticipation of your arrival.

Day 4: Shira Camp (3,840m/12,600ft) to Barranco Camp (3,950m/12,960ft)

Walking Time: 6-7hrs Distance: 10km Altitude Gain: 690m/2,264 ft

Today’s trekking journey continues along the steepest and most rewarding stretch so far. You’ll get off to an early start and hike eastwards towards the wide expanse of the Shira Plateau. Upon reaching the junction of the Shira and Lemosho Routes, you’ll break off for a more secluded trail before stopping for a break. After lunch, embark towards Lava Tower, an incredible 300 ft tall volcanic plug that transforms into a passageway. Then take a rapid descent towards your campsite located in the Great Barranco Valley, where you’ll set up in a scenic campsite encompassed by massive valley walls and the stunning Kibo massif. Then sit back and enjoy a warm, delicious meal before settling into a deep sleep.

Day 5: Barranco Camp (3,950m/12,960ft) to Karanga Valley Camp (4040m/13,250ft)

Walking Time: 3-4hrs Distance: 6km Altitude Gain: 90m/295ft

This section of the Machame Route is filled with thrilling exploration and life-changing scenery. You’ll start the day climbing up the lofty eastern wall of a gorge and soak in the dramatic view: Kilimanjaro’s ice fields covered by blankets of frost. Then brace yourself for a 90-minute climb up the magnificent Barranco Wall, also known as the Breakfast Wall, after which you’ll continue along a clam trail until you reach the Karanga Valley. Here you’ll settle and mentally prepare for the final stretch of your journey.

Day 6: Karanga Valley Camp (4040m/13,250ft) to Barafu Camp (4600m/15,100ft)

Walking Time: 3-4hrs Distance: 4km Altitude Gain: 560m/1837ft

Your last day on the Kilimanjaro Machame Route before reaching the summit gets off to a gentle start. You’ll begin a gradual ascent through the tranquil Karanga Valley before encountering the granite floors of the lava ridge. Along the way, the temperature will drop and the vegetation will become more and more sparse. You’ll set up camp on an exposed zone along a smooth edge of the ridge. An energy-dense meal will be served in preparation for your midnight ascent to the Mount Kilimanjaro summit.

Day 7: Barafu Camp (4,600m/15,100ft) to Summit (5,895m/19,340ft) to Mweka Camp (3,100m/10,170ft)

Walking Time: 14-16hrs Distance: 19km Altitude Gain: 1,295 meters (4,240 feet) Altitude Loss: 2,795 meters (9,170 feet)

You’ll embark shortly after midnight on your last push to the top of Mount Kilimanjaro. Journey amid luminous sapphire glaciers to Stella Point while a spectacular sunrise illuminates the peaks of the summit. Relish the final hours of your unforgettable journey before reaching your final destination, Uhuru. Standing on the rooftop of Africa, you’ll be filled with a sense of exhilaration and triumph looking down over the swirling cloudscape and oceans of ice. Celebrate with your support team and soak in the beauty before retracing your steps to Barafu Camp. After a short break, travel to Mweka Camp where a hot, welcoming meal will await your arrival. There you’ll spend your last night on the mountain lounging beneath the stars.

Day 8: Mweka Camp (3,100m/10,170ft) to Mweka Gate (1,500m/4,920ft) to Moshi

Walking Time: 3-4hrs Distance: 10km Altitude Gain: 1,600m/5,250ft

Wake up on the mountain steps refreshed and victorious—you’ve just conquered Mount Kilimanjaro! After breakfast, you’ll stroll back to Mweka Gate, taking time to admire the deep green forest scenery draped in morning mist. Farewell your guides and porters. You’ll be transported back to Moshi where a hot shower and relaxing mattress await you.

Day 9: Moshi to Kilimanjaro Airport

Today we will transfer you to Kilimanjaro Airport, where you will greet your farewells to Tanzania and its people. If you’ve chosen to go on a safari – well, we will be more than happy to arrange that for you.