7 Days Trekking Machame Route

You'll rise early to enjoy breakfast and prepare for the day's trek. The journey kicks off with a scenic hour-long hike through the lush rainforest glades. Following this, you'll ascend into the vast moorlands, characterized by sparse vegetation and small shrubs. After trekking for about 2 hours through the moorland, you'll pause for a well-deserved lunch and a brief rest. Then, you'll push forward, ascending onto the Shira Plateau, where the magnificent Western Breach and its glaciers will come into view for the first time. Heading westward, you'll make your way to the Shira Campsite. Here, the porters will ensure there's drinking and washing water available before serving dinner. Expect the Shira Camp to be quite exposed and considerably colder, with temperatures dipping below freezing.

Overnight: Shira Camp

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner included

After breakfast and packing, you'll start your trek east up a steep path above the last bit of Kilimanjaro’s vegetation. After 5-6 hours, you'll reach the well-known landmark Lava Tower (15,190 ft/ 3,950 m). You will stop here for lunch and some bonus acclimatization before you descend for 2 hours below the Western Breach into the Barranco Camp. Day 3’s hike offers multiple terrific opportunities for photos, especially if the walls are covered with ice. While you wait for your dinner, you will have a chance to experience one of the most memorable sunsets you have ever seen as the sun drops through the valley. Pay attention to your body and keep your guide informed of any signs of altitude sickness.

Overnight: Barranco Camp

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner included

Following a rest beneath the imposing Great Barranco Wall, you'll face this challenge head-on. Fear not, it's simpler than it appears. Your journey will ascend until you're positioned just shy of the Heim Glacier. From there, you'll descend into the Karanga Valley, the final water-gathering point for your porters. They'll secure all necessary water for the remainder of the climb here. Settle into the Karanga Camp upon arrival. After lunch, indulge in some light exploration or simply relax, soaking in the breathtaking vistas of Mawenzi's majestic spires during the afternoon.

Overnight: Karanga Camp

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner included

After breakfast, you’ll head east, crossing over multiple ridges and valleys until you join up with the Mweka Route and turn left to continue up the ridge for an hour to reach the Barafu Hut. You will arrive at camp to find your tent pitched on a rocky ridge with high winds. Be sure to familiarize yourself with the camp before dark to be safe. Also, have your headlamp/torch handy if you need to leave the tent after dark. You will prepare your equipment (replace batteries for headlamp and camera) before you go to bed by 7 pm and try to catch a few hours of shut-eye before your summit attempt!

Overnight: Barafu Camp

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner included

Barafu on your bid for the peak. You will climb 6 hours through thick scree following multiple switchbacks between the Ratzel and Rebmann glaciers until you reach Stella Point (18,650 ft/5,685 m). You have just completed what most climbers consider to be the most challenging part of their trek. Depending on your pace to this point, you may get the chance to enjoy the majestic sunrise during your short rest here. Although you will be fatigued, it is important to keep moving due to the extreme cold. At Stella Point, you have joined up with the last bit of the Marangu Route. You will hike along the rim for another 1-2 hours until you reach your ultimate goal of Uhuru Peak. Congratulations, you are now standing on the Roof of Africa! You will have time to take pictures with the world-famous Uhuru Peak sign, but it is important to begin your descent soon to allow yourself enough time to rest at the Barafu Camp.

Overnight: Barafu Camp

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner included

A gentle trek takes us down through the rainforest to Mweka Gate, where we complete park formalities and receive certificates, which you can hang up with pride! We are then met by our vehicles and return to the hotel in Moshi | Arusha, where you can treat yourself to a welcome hot shower.

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch included