Kilimanjaro Trek, Machame Route – 8 days

Upon arrival at JRO, you will meet our representative, who will take you to your hotel in Arusha. Before the climb, your guide will gather you for a pre-climbing briefing to share essential details and check your mountain gear to ensure you have everything you need. If something needs to be added, your guide can help rent it.

Machame Gate (1,500m/4,921ft) to Machame Camp (2,835m/9,301ft)
Hiking distance: 11km
Hiking time: 5–7hrs
Habitat: Montane Forest

You start your journey from Arusha to Machame Gate, which usually takes around 2.5 hours. At the gate, you will complete the necessary entry formalities and enjoy a lunch. Following that, you commence your ascent by entering the rainforest. Due to frequent heavy rains, the trail on this side of the mountain often turns into mud, so having suitable footgear, gaiters, and trekking poles is highly beneficial. You should expect to reach Machame Camp in the late afternoon.

Overnight: Machame Camp (3 Meals)

Machame Camp (2,835m/9,301ft) to Shira Cave (3,750m/11,303ft)
Hiking distance: 11km
Hiking Time: 6-8hrs
Habitat: Moorland

After an hour of climbing through the forest, you’ll walk for 2 hours across gentle moorland. Then, you’ll continue up the rocky ridge to the Shira Plateau. From there, you can see Kilimanjaro’s Western Breach with its stunning glaciers. You’ll be on the mountain’s opposite side from the Marangu Route and west of Kibo. Following a short hike west, you’ll arrive at the Shira Cave campsite.

Overnight: Shira Cave Camp (3 Meals)

Shira 2 (3,850m/12,795ft) to Barranco Camp (3,900m/12,960ft) via Lava Tower (4,600m/15,190ft)
Hiking Distance: 12km
Hiking Time: 6-7hrs
Habitat: Moorland

Continuing from the Shira Plateau, you proceed to the east along a ridge, passing the intersection leading to the summit of Kibo. Then, you travel southeast to the Lava Tower, also called the “Shark’s Tooth.” After the tower, you take the second intersection to the Arrow Glacier at 16,000 feet. You will then proceed to the Barranco Hut at nearly 13,000 feet, where you can take a break and prepare before summit day.

Overnight: Barranco Camp (3 Meals)

Baranco Camp (3,900m/12,960ft) to Barafu Camp (4,667m/15,311ft)
Hiking Distance: 13km
Hiking Time 7- 8hrs
Habitat: Alpine Desert

You start the descent into the Great Barranco and then make a steep ascent onto the southern slopes of Kibo. You go under the Heim and Kersten glaciers and proceed towards the Karanga Valley. You will go past the Karanga campsite and the intersection of the Mweka Trail before making a final push across some scree to reach the Barafu campsite. From here, both the peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo are visible.

Overnight: Barafu Camp (3 Meals)

Barafu Camp (4,667m/14,930ft) to Uhuru Peak (5,895m/19,340ft) down to Mweka Camp (3,100m/10,170ft)
Hiking Distance: 15.5km
Hiking Time: 8hrs up and 7-8hrs down
Habitat: Ice Cap

The climb to Stella Point on the crater rim is the most challenging section of the ascent. Depending on the time of year, there may be snow along the trail to Uhuru Peak. Once you reach the summit, enjoy your achievements before returning to Barafu Camp. After a brief break, you will descend to Mweka Camp via rocky and gravelly paths and enter the forest.

Overnight: Mweka Camp (or Millennium Camp) (3 Meals)

Mweka Camp (3,100m/10,170ft) to Mweka Gate (1,980m/6,500ft)
Hiking Distance: 12km
Hiking Time: 3hrs
Habitat: Montane Forest

The final day on the Mountain involves descending to the Mweka Gate for registration and collecting summit certificates according to the climbers’ accomplishments. After that, the journey proceeds to Mweka Village for a celebratory lunch with the Mountain Crew before heading to the hotel in Arusha. Upon reaching the hotel, a full-body massage will help relax muscles and achieve profound relaxation after the adventurous nights on Mount Kilimanjaro!

Savour a relaxed morning and a satisfying breakfast. Afterwards, our representative will pick you up for the airport transfer to ensure you make it in time for your departing or arriving flight. If your flight schedule permits, there are numerous activities to enjoy in Arusha. It’s a mix of emotions as we bid you farewell, but we look forward to your prompt return!