6-Day Machame Route Kilimanjaro Trek
About The Trek
A classic route to Africa’s highest point.
Climb Mount Kilimanjaro on the 6-day Machame Route, one of the mountain’s most scenic and varied approaches to Uhuru Peak. Beginning in lush rainforest, the trail climbs through heath and moorland to the Shira Plateau before reaching the dramatic landscapes around Lava Tower and Barranco. After crossing the Barranco Wall and continuing to Barafu Camp, the journey culminates with a midnight summit attempt to Uhuru Peak at 5,895 metres, followed by the descent through Mweka.
Highlights
6 Days / 5 Nights
Classic Machame Route
5,895 Metres
Uhuru Peak summit
Lava Tower
Acclimatization trek
Fully Supported
Guides, porters & cook
1
Arusha → Machame Gate → Machame Camp
Depart Arusha in the morning and drive to Machame Gate, located on the southern side of Mount Kilimanjaro. After completing registration and park formalities, meet your mountain crew and begin the trek.
The trail climbs gradually through Kilimanjaro’s lush montane rainforest, surrounded by dense vegetation and towering trees. Continue through the forest until you reach Machame Camp for your first night on the mountain.
Overnight: Machame Camp
Altitude: Approx. 3,000 m
Meals: Lunch & Dinner
2
Machame Camp → Shira Camp
After breakfast, leave the rainforest behind and continue upward into the heath and moorland zone.
The vegetation gradually becomes more open as you climb toward the Shira Plateau, with increasingly expansive views across the surrounding landscape. Continue across the volcanic terrain before arriving at Shira Camp for dinner and overnight.
Overnight: Shira Camp
Altitude: Approx. 3,840 m
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
3
Shira Camp → Lava Tower → Barranco Camp
Today is an important acclimatization day. Trek through increasingly rugged alpine terrain toward Lava Tower, reaching approximately 4,600 metres.
Spend some time at this higher elevation before descending toward Barranco Camp. This climb-high, sleep-lower approach helps your body adjust to the altitude while continuing your progress around Kilimanjaro’s southern slopes.
Arrive at Barranco Camp beneath the impressive Barranco Wall.
Overnight: Barranco Camp
Altitude: Approx. 3,900 m
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
4
Barranco → Karanga → Barafu Camp
Begin the morning by climbing the famous Barranco Wall. Although dramatic in appearance, your guides will lead you carefully through its rocky sections before continuing toward Karanga.
From Karanga, continue through the increasingly sparse alpine desert toward Barafu Camp at approximately 4,673 metres.
Arrive at camp and spend the remainder of the day resting, eating and preparing your equipment for the summit attempt. After an early dinner, get some rest before beginning the climb around midnight.
Overnight: Barafu Camp
Altitude: Approx. 4,673 m
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
5
Barafu → Uhuru Peak → Mweka Camp
Your summit journey begins around midnight. Trek slowly through the darkness and cold toward Kilimanjaro’s crater rim as your guides carefully manage the pace.
As morning approaches, continue toward Uhuru Peak at 5,895 metres, the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the African continent.
After reaching the summit, begin your descent to Barafu Camp for a short rest before continuing farther down the mountain to Mweka Camp. After a demanding summit day, enjoy dinner and a well-earned night’s rest.
Overnight: Mweka Camp
Summit: 5,895 m
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
6
Mweka Camp → Mweka Gate → Arusha
After breakfast, begin the final descent through Kilimanjaro’s rainforest toward Mweka Gate.
Complete the park formalities at the gate and receive your summit certificate. Your transfer vehicle will then take you back to Arusha for drop-off at your hotel or the airport according to your arrangements.
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
Trek Includes
- Professional mountain guide
- Porters and mountain cook
- All Park fees
- Roundtrip airport transfer
- All meals on the mountain
- Drinking water
- Summit certificate
Trek Excludes
- International flights
- Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour
- Tips for guides, porters and cooks
- Personal trekking equipment
- Government imposed increase of taxes and/or park fees
- Sleeping bag unless arranged
Plan Your Kilimanjaro Climb
Tell us a little about your trek and we’ll help arrange your climb around your dates, group and travel preferences.