7 Days Machame Route Kilimanjaro Climbing

Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport, you will be welcomed by our Safari Nuggets representative and assisted with your luggage. Enjoy a comfortable private transfer to your hotel in Moshi town, located at the base of Mount Kilimanjaro. After check-in, take some time to relax and unwind from your flight. Tonight, you can simply rest in preparation for the adventures ahead.

Your mountain crew will arrive at the hotel in the morning in order to meet you and hold a quick briefing, after which you will travel by minivan or bus to Kilimanjaro National Park’s entrance: Machame Gate (1,800 m). After the quick formality of acquiring climbing permits and registering with the search and rescue service, you will start trekking up to Machame Camp (3,010 m). The trekking route includes passage through the rainforest (where tropical showers are highly probable), so we recommend you take not only spare clothes, but also your raincoats.
This is your first day at this altitude, so it is strongly recommended you abstain from consuming alcohol and caffeine; and drink at least 3-4 liters of bottled water daily.

After breakfast you will start trekking up to the second high-altitude camp, Shira Camp (3,750 m). On this day you will emerge from the rainforest and for the first time be able to see stunning views of the Shira Plateau laid out in front of you. Today, the trekking is not very difficult, but you may feel the changes in altitude hence remember that choosing the proper pace is extremely important for good trekking. When you reach the camp, you will have lunch and some rest, after which the group will go on an acclimatization hike towards Lava Tower Camp with a 300-meter gain in altitude. Back down at Shira Camp you will be served a hot dinner.

After breakfast you will leave Shira Camp (3,750 m) and start your way to the key point of the route: Lava Tower (4,630 m). This section of the route has a lot of ascents and descents that end in a camp at over 4,600 meters. It might be difficult, and you may feel some discomfort, but in order to successfully acclimate to the altitude you have to spend at least 1–2 hours here, so this is where lunch will be. After lunch you will descend to Barranco Camp (3,960 m). Here you can see the famous Barranco Wall, impressive in both its massive size and steepness.

Early wake up for breakfast and the start of summiting Barranco Wall, hiking up the gorge wall is not difficult and only takes around an hour. After the climb you can have a rest and take photos in front of the Kibo volcano. The top provides a great photo opportunity with Kibo Peak as the backdrop.
A lunch break at Karanga Camp shall be followed by an acclimatization climb towards Barafu with its highest point being 4,270 m. The group then drops back to Karanga Camp for the overnight.

After breakfast you begin your way to Barafu Summit Camp (4,640 m). Our team will set up a camp for you ahead of time, including tents and sleeping bags, so you can relax. After regaining strength, you have to complete an acclimatization climb towards the intermediate Kosovo Summit Camp with its highest point being 4,800 m and then back to Barafu Camp, where you will be served a hot dinner. It is better to spend the rest of the day resting and sleeping before summit night.

Departure from Barafu Camp (4,640 m) at night and the start of summiting Kilimanjaro: Uhuru Peak (5,895 m). Technically the climb is relatively simple; however, the most challenging part is the high altitude. After your successful ascent to Uhuru Peak, you can descend to the nearest glacier if desired. Then you will return to Barafu Camp and after a 2-hour rest continue your descent to Millennium Camp (3,820 m).

The millennium camp is situated in a tropical rain-forest, so today when you wake up, you will feel relief from the reduction of the height and the victory of reaching the summit. After a warm breakfast, you will head for the park’s exit: Mweka Gate (1,640 m). After your descent the whole group will gather to congratulate you, followed by offering you a chance to share your opinions on the climb in the guestbook. Lastly, we will present you with your commemorative certificates and provide you a transfer back to the hotel.

After a successful Kilimanjaro trekking expedition, enjoy a relaxed morning at your hotel before checking out. You will then be picked up for a private transfer to Kilimanjaro International Airport. Our team will ensure you arrive in good time for your outbound flight. Thank you for trekking with us, and we hope to welcome you back to Tanzania for more adventures in the future.