6-Day Kilimanjaro Climbing Itinerary Machame Route

The Machame Route is one of the most popular and scenic routes to climb Mount Kilimanjaro, offering breathtaking views and a diverse trekking experience. This 6-day itinerary is designed for good acclimatization and maximizes your chances of reaching Uhuru Peak, the "Roof of Africa." Prepare for an unforgettable adventure through five diverse ecological zones, from lush rainforest to arctic summit, experiencing iconic landmarks like the Shira Plateau and the Barranco Wall, and culminating in a sunrise summit over the breathtaking glacier fields.

✅ Scenic & Diverse Terrain: Trek through rainforests, moorlands, alpine deserts, and glaciers.
✅ Thrilling Challenges: Conquer the Barranco Wall and push through the final ascent to Uhuru Peak (5,895m).
✅ Panoramic Views: Enjoy breathtaking sunrises, glaciers, and views of Mount Meru and the Great Rift Valley.
✅ Wildlife Encounters: Spot Colobus monkeys, exotic birds, and alpine desert flora.
✅ High Summit Success Rate: One of the most successful routes to the top due to gradual altitude gain.

Tour Features

Budget camping

This is a budget camping tour.

Shared tour

On this shared tour, you will join a group of other travelers. Max 6 people per group.

Can start any day

If availability permits, this tour can start on any day.

Can be customized

You can request minor changes to the accommodations and destinations of this tour.

Suitable for single travelers

Single travelers can join this group tour.

Minimum age of 15 years

The minimum age for this tour is 15 years.

Activities & Transportation

Getting around: minivan & hiking/walking

A transfer from and back to the airport is included

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Included

Min

✅ Kilimanjaro park fees & camping fees
✅ Professional mountain guides, porters & cooks
✅ All meals on the mountain (breakfast, lunch & dinner)
✅ Drinking water & hot beverages
✅ Camping equipment (tents, sleeping mats)
✅ Transport from Moshi/Arusha to Londorossi Gate & back
✅ Oxygen tank & emergency first aid kit

Excluded

❌ Flights & visas
❌ Personal trekking gear (sleeping bag, boots, poles)
❌ Tips for guides & porters ($250–$350 per hiker recommended)
❌ Travel insurance & medical evacuation
❌ Additional accommodations before/after the trek

to your destination

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Detailed 6-Day Machame Route Kilimanjaro Itinerary

Here's a day-by-day breakdown of your 6-day Machame Route Kilimanjaro climb:

Day 1: Pick up from the Airport

Arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), where a Kilimanjaro 360 representative will greet you and arrange your transfer to the hotel included in your package. The hotel offers everything needed for a pleasant stay: comfortable rooms, hot water, courteous staff, a swimming pool, and Internet access. In the evening, a briefing with our managers will ensure you’re fully prepared for the climb.

Private tour packages include group-shared airport transfers, with additional fees for individual transfers. Please coordinate your group’s arrival and departure times to avoid extra costs.

Day 2: Machame Gate to Machame Camp - Entering the Rainforest

Morning: After breakfast in Moshi/Arusha, you'll be transferred to Machame Gate (1,800m / 5,905 ft), the starting point of your Kilimanjaro adventure. Registration formalities and meet your trekking crew – guides, porters, and cook.
Trek Begins: Begin your trek through the lush rainforest zone of Kilimanjaro National Park. The trail is initially quite muddy and may be slippery, especially after rain.
Flora & Fauna: Keep an eye out for unique rainforest vegetation, colorful birds, and perhaps even glimpses of monkeys.
Lunch: Enjoy a packed lunch along the trail, surrounded by the sounds of the rainforest.
Afternoon: Continue ascending gradually. The air becomes thinner as you gain altitude.
Evening: Arrive at Machame Camp (3,000m / 9,843 ft). Your tents will be set up, and you'll have time to rest, hydrate, and enjoy dinner prepared by your mountain cook.
Acclimatization: This day is crucial for initial acclimatization. Take it slow and drink plenty of water.
Elevation Gain: Approximately 1,200m / 3,937 ft
Distance: Approximately 11 km / 7 miles
Hiking Time: 5-7 hours
Zone: Rainforest

Day 3: Machame Camp to Shira Camp - Stepping into the Moorland

Morning: Wake up to stunning views (weather permitting) and enjoy a hearty breakfast.
Trek Ascent: Today's trek is steeper and longer as you leave the rainforest and enter the moorland zone. The vegetation changes dramatically to heath and moorland plants.
Shira Plateau: Ascend onto the scenic Shira Plateau. You'll be rewarded with panoramic views of Kilimanjaro, including Kibo peak with its glaciers.
Lunch: Hot lunch will be served at a designated point along the route.
Afternoon: Continue trekking across the Shira Plateau, enjoying the vastness and unique landscape.
Evening: Arrive at Shira Camp (3,840m / 12,600 ft), located on the Shira Plateau. Enjoy dinner and another night under the African sky.
Acclimatization: Continue to acclimatize at this higher altitude. Minor headaches might start to occur.
Elevation Gain: Approximately 840m / 2,757 ft
Distance: Approximately 9 km / 5.5 miles
Hiking Time: 4-6 hours
Zone: Moorland

Day 4: Shira Camp via Lava Tower to Barranco Camp - Acclimatization Day

Morning: This is a crucial acclimatization day. You'll hike high and sleep low.
Lava Tower Ascent: Trek towards the impressive Lava Tower (4,630m / 15,190 ft). This is the highest point you'll reach today. The terrain becomes more rugged and rocky.
Lunch at Lava Tower: Enjoy lunch near Lava Tower, experiencing the thinner air at this altitude.
Descent to Barranco Camp: Descend from Lava Tower to Barranco Camp (3,950m / 12,960 ft). This descent is vital for acclimatization, allowing your body to adapt to the altitude.
Barranco Valley: Barranco Camp is situated in a beautiful valley surrounded by giant senecio plants (giant groundsels) and overlooking the imposing Barranco Wall.
Evening: Arrive at Barranco Camp. You might feel the altitude more today, but the descent helps. Enjoy dinner and rest.
Acclimatization: The "hike high, sleep low" principle is key today. This day significantly improves your summit chances.
Elevation Gain & Loss: Ascend to 4,630m and descend to 3,950m (Net Gain: -10m / -33ft but significant altitude exposure)
Distance: Approximately 14 km / 8.5 miles
Hiking Time: 6-8 hours
Zones: Moorland, Alpine Desert

Day 5: Barranco Camp via Barranco Wall to Karanga Camp - Conquering the Wall

Morning: The day starts with the challenging Barranco Wall. This is a relatively short but steep and slightly technical section.
Barranco Wall Scramble: You'll carefully scramble up the Barranco Wall. It's not technically difficult but requires using your hands in places. Your guides will assist you.
Summit Views: From the top of the Barranco Wall, enjoy spectacular views of Kibo peak and the surrounding landscape.
Undulating Terrain: The trail continues with undulating terrain, going up and down through the alpine desert zone.
Karanga Valley: Descend into the Karanga Valley and then ascend to Karanga Camp (4,035m / 13,239 ft).
Lunch: Hot lunch will be served at Karanga Camp.
Afternoon: Relax at Karanga Camp or opt for a short acclimatization walk.
Evening: Enjoy dinner and prepare for the next day's push towards base camp.
Acclimatization: Gradual altitude gain continues.
Elevation Gain: Approximately 85m / 279 ft (with significant ups and downs throughout the day)
Distance: Approximately 5 km / 3 miles
Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
Zone: Alpine Desert

Day 6: Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp - Base Camp and Summit Preparation

Morning: A shorter hiking day today to conserve energy for the summit push.
Alpine Desert Trek: Trek through the barren alpine desert zone. The landscape becomes increasingly lunar-like with volcanic rocks and scree.
Barafu Camp Arrival: Arrive at Barafu Camp (4,640m / 15,223 ft), which means "ice" in Swahili. This is your high camp and base camp for the summit attempt.
Lunch at Barafu Camp: Have lunch and hydrate well.
Afternoon: Rest and Preparation: Spend the afternoon resting, packing your summit gear, and hydrating. Your guides will provide a detailed summit briefing, explaining the route and what to expect.
Early Dinner: Have an early dinner and try to get some sleep. Summit night starts very early!
Acclimatization: You are now at high altitude. Expect to feel the effects. Rest is crucial.
Elevation Gain: Approximately 605m / 1,984 ft
Distance: Approximately 4 km / 2.5 miles
Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
Zone: Alpine Desert

Day 7: Summit Day! Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak and Descent to Mweka Camp - Reaching the Roof of Africa

Midnight Wake-up: Wake up around midnight for a light snack and hot drinks.
Summit Ascent: Begin your summit attempt in the dark. This is the most challenging part of the trek – steep, cold, and at very high altitude.
Switchbacks and Zigzags: Trek slowly and steadily in switchbacks and zig-zags up the scree slopes towards Stella Point.
Stella Point (5,756m / 18,885 ft): Reach Stella Point, the crater rim. Enjoy a brief rest and witness a magnificent sunrise (weather permitting) over the crater rim.
Uhuru Peak (5,895m / 19,341 ft): Continue along the crater rim for the final push to Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa!
Summit Celebration: Congratulations! You've reached the summit of Kilimanjaro! Take photos, soak in the incredible views, and celebrate your accomplishment.
Descent to Barafu Camp: Begin your descent back to Barafu Camp for a short rest and brunch.
Descent to Mweka Camp: Continue descending down to Mweka Camp (3,100m / 10,170 ft). The descent is long and can be hard on the knees, but it's downhill!
Evening at Mweka Camp: Arrive at Mweka Camp in the lower moorland zone. Enjoy a well-deserved dinner and a good night's sleep. You will likely be very tired but incredibly satisfied.
Elevation Gain & Loss: Ascend to 5,895m and descend to 3,100m (Net Loss: ~2,795m / ~9,170ft - Massive descent day)
Distance: Approximately 16-18 km / 10-11 miles (Summit day and descent)
Hiking Time: 10-15 hours (Summit day and descent)
Zones: Alpine Desert, Glacier Zone, Moorland

Day 8: Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate and Departure - Farewell Kilimanjaro

Morning: Enjoy a final breakfast on Kilimanjaro.
Gentle Descent to Mweka Gate: Descend through the lush rainforest zone again on a gentle trail to Mweka Gate (1,640m / 5,380 ft).
Farewell and Certificates: At Mweka Gate, say goodbye to your trekking crew and receive your summit certificates (if you reached Uhuru Peak) or other achievement certificates.
Transfer to Moshi/Arusha: You will be transferred back to your hotel in Moshi or Arusha for a well-deserved shower and rest.
Departure or Continued Adventures: You can depart for home or continue your adventures in Tanzania, such as a safari or Zanzibar beach vacation.
Elevation Loss: Approximately 1,460m / 4,790 ft
Distance: Approximately 10 km / 6 miles
Hiking Time: 3 hours
Zone: Rainforest

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This tour starts and ends in Arusha or Moshi

We recommend you book your own international flights

Fly to from Kilimanjaro Airport JRO Check the price near Arusha. Or fly to from Arusha Airport ARK Check price via Dar es Salaam or Nairobi Kenya

A transfer from and back to the airport is included

Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour can be arranged for an extra cost

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Tips for Climbing Kilimanjaro via the Machame Route

Acclimatize Properly: Drink plenty of water, ascend slowly, and consider Diamox (consult your doctor).
Pack the Right Gear: Invest in high-quality trekking gear, including layers, waterproofs, good boots, and trekking poles. (Consider linking to a separate detailed gear list page here for more SEO).
Train in Advance: Prepare physically by hiking, doing cardio, and building leg strength.
Choose the Best Time to Climb: The dry seasons (June-October and December-March) are generally the best times to climb.
Listen to Your Guides: They are experienced and will monitor your well-being and guide you safely.
Respect the Mountain: Practice Leave No Trace principles and respect the environment and local culture.

What Makes the 6-Day Machame Route Itinerary Special?

Scenic Beauty: The Machame Route is renowned for its incredible scenic beauty, traversing diverse landscapes.
Excellent Acclimatization: The 6-day itinerary provides a good pace for acclimatization, crucial for summit success and minimizing altitude sickness.
Popular Choice: It's a very popular route, offering a good balance of challenge and reward.
Barranco Wall: The iconic Barranco Wall is a highlight, adding a unique and memorable element.
Summit Success: The well-paced acclimatization on this route increases your chances of reaching the summit.