Machame Route (7 Days)
The Machame Route crosses several distinct mountain zones, from rainforest to open moorland and alpine desert. Its “climb high, sleep low” day via Lava Tower gives climbers time to adapt before the summit push.
The destination
Kilimanjaro National Park
Machame Route
Cross rainforest, Shira Plateau, Barranco Wall, and high alpine terrain on the way to Uhuru Peak.
Kilimanjaro summit climb
Continue through the high mountain zones toward Uhuru Peak.
Kilimanjaro trail
Follow a mountain trail through the upper slopes.
Kilimanjaro landscape
Experience the changing scenery of the mountain.
Summit route at a glance
- 01Machame Gate
- 02Machame Camp
- 03Shira Camp
- 04Barranco Camp
- 05Karanga Camp
- 06Barafu Camp
- 07Uhuru Peak
- 08Mweka Camp
- 09Mweka Gate
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1: Machame Gate to Machame Camp
Trek through the dense rainforest zone. (Elevation: 1,800m to 3,000m)
Day 2: Machame Camp to Shira Camp
Leave the forest behind and enter the moorland zone, crossing the Shira Plateau. (Elevation: 3,000m to 3,840m)
Day 3: Shira Camp to Lava Tower to Barranco Camp
Crucial acclimatization day. Climb up to Lava Tower (4,600m) and then descend to Barranco Camp. (Elevation: 3,840m to 3,950m)
Day 4: Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp
Conquer the famous Barranco Wall and trek across valleys to Karanga Camp. (Elevation: 3,950m to 3,995m)
Day 5: Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp
A short, steep trek to the base camp, preparing for the summit push. (Elevation: 3,995m to 4,600m)
Day 6: Barafu Camp to Summit to Mweka Camp
Midnight start to reach Uhuru Peak (5,895m) at sunrise. Descend down to Mweka Camp. (Elevation: 4,600m to 5,895m to 3,100m)
Day 7: Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate
Final descent through the rainforest. Receive your summit certificates and transfer to Arusha.