7 Days Machame Route

All trekkers are required to independently arrange their flights to Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO). Once you land at JRO, we will take care of the rest, providing a seamless private transfer to your hotel, ensuring a smooth and stress-free start to your adventure. Upon arrival at the hotel, you will have time to relax and settle in. Later that evening or early the next morning, you will meet your dedicated local ZAFS representative, who will provide a thorough pre-climb briefing. During this briefing, you'll receive detailed information about the climb, safety protocols, the route, and other important aspects of the trek to ensure you are well-prepared for the journey ahead. This meeting is also an opportunity to ask any final questions and clarify any concerns before beginning your climb.

The first day of trekking begins at Machame Gate, located at 1,640 meters above sea level. Typically, you will be driven from the town of Moshi to the gate, which takes about an hour. During the drive, you will pass through areas of subsistence farming and the charming town of Machame, offering a glimpse into local life.

The trek on this day is a challenging one, covering a distance of approximately 11 kilometers (7 miles) and taking around 5 to 7 hours to complete. The route begins in the lower rainforest zone and gradually ascends toward the Machame Camp. For this day’s trek, we generally provide a packed lunch and 2 to 3 liters of bottled water. This is the only bottled water you will receive for the duration of the trek; from this point forward, porters will collect water from mountain streams along the route.

The day’s trek ends at Machame Camp, situated at 2,835 meters, which is located near the boundary between the rainforest zone and the low alpine zone. Upon your arrival, your dedicated porters will have already set up the camp and tents, ensuring everything is prepared for your rest. After settling in, dinner will be served, allowing you to relax and recharge for the next day's adventure.

Day three presents a challenging and rewarding trek as you journey east from Shira Plateau through the stunning ‘Garden of the Senecios,’ an area known for its unique, towering plants. The trek continues upward to Lava Tower, a volcanic rock formation at 4,600 meters, followed by the impressive Shark’s Tooth rock formation. These striking geological features are some of the most memorable landmarks on the mountain.

After reaching Lava Tower, you will descend via the Southern Circuit to Barranco Camp, situated at 3,900 meters. This descent is part of the crucial "walk high, sleep low" acclimatization strategy, allowing your body to adjust to the altitude while giving you a break from the steeper ascent. The descent to Barranco Camp takes about 2 hours and provides excellent opportunities to capture stunning photographs of the Western Breach and the Breach Wall, which stand as dramatic backdrops along the route.

The day’s trek covers a distance of approximately 11 kilometers (7 miles) and takes around 5 to 7 hours to complete. Upon arrival at Barranco Camp, your porters will have already set up your camp and tents. After a hearty meal, you’ll have the chance to rest and recover, knowing that the following days will bring even more breathtaking sights and challenges.

Day four offers a shorter yet exciting trek, starting with a scramble up the iconic Great Barranco Wall. This is a thrilling challenge that requires some climbing, but the views from the top are incredibly rewarding. Once you've conquered the wall, you'll traverse over scree slopes toward the Karanga Valley, located at 3,930 meters. As you make your way across the valley, you’ll be surrounded by the stunning icefalls of the Heim, Kersten, and Decken Glaciers, adding to the dramatic landscape.

The day is designed primarily for acclimatization, giving you time to adjust to the higher altitude. After reaching Karanga Camp, you'll settle in for the night. While the distance covered is shorter, the day still provides plenty of adventure and magnificent scenery. The camp provides a peaceful spot for rest, with dinner served and the opportunity to reflect on the day’s accomplishments as you prepare for the next stage of the climb.

A short but exciting day begins with a scramble up the Great Barranco Wall, offering stunning views from the top. We then traverse across scree slopes to Karanga Valley (3,930m), situated beneath the breathtaking icefalls of the Heim, Kersten, and Decken Glaciers. This shorter trek is designed for acclimatization, and we will spend the night at Karanga Camp, preparing for the next stage of the climb.

Leaving Karanga, we reach the junction connecting with the Mweka Trail and ascend through a rocky section to Barafu Hut. Here, you complete the Southern Circuit, which provides stunning views of the summit from multiple angles. At Barafu, we set up camp, rest, and have an early dinner in preparation for the summit push. From this vantage point, both Mawenzi and Kibo peaks are visible.

Around midnight, we begin our final push to the summit, the most physically and mentally demanding part of the trek. The cold and wind can be intense as we ascend in darkness, taking short but frequent breaks. Near Stella Point (18,900 ft), you’ll witness a breathtaking sunrise over Mawenzi Peak before continuing to Uhuru Peak—the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and in Africa.

After celebrating at the summit, we descend straight to Mweka Camp, stopping at Barafu for lunch. The rocky trail can be tough on the knees, so trekking poles are recommended. Mweka Camp, located in the upper forest, often experiences mist or rain in the late afternoon. In the evening, we enjoy our final dinner on the mountain and a well-earned rest.

On our final day, we continue descending to Mweka Gate, where you’ll receive your well-earned summit certificates. As we move to lower elevations, the trail can become wet and muddy. From the gate, we hike for about an hour to Mweka Village, where a vehicle will be waiting to drive us back to the hotel in Moshi. Upon arrival, you can enjoy a refreshing shower and some well-deserved relaxation. Later, our driver will be available to transfer you as needed.

After a well-earned night’s rest, we will bid you farewell. If you have arranged airport transfers or an extended adventure, such as a safari or a trip to Zanzibar, we will pick you up in the morning to continue your journey.