7 Days Machame Route
A seven-day Machame itinerary with additional time for acclimatization.
This climbing program follows the established camp or hut sequence for the selected Kilimanjaro route. Daily walking times and distances are approximate because pace, weather, trail conditions and acclimatization affect each trekking day. Mountain guides monitor the group throughout the climb and may adjust timing for safety.
Main Areas on This Tour
This route is arranged to keep the program practical while allowing useful time in the principal places listed below. The final order can change when seasonal conditions, accommodation location, park access or flight times require an adjustment.
- Mount Kilimanjaro
Highlights Along the Route
These are the principal areas connected to this itinerary. The exact wildlife, weather and local conditions are different on every departure.
Mount Kilimanjaro
A seven-day Machame itinerary with additional time for acclimatization.
Detailed Daily Program
Open each day for the full description. The program below is based on the tour material supplied for this website; final lodge names, operating times and any optional activities are confirmed with the quotation.
You will be picked up at the Kilimanjaro International Airport and transferred to your hotel in Moshi town; you will meet your guide who will brief you on your upcoming trek and do an equipment check to make sure you have all the necessary mountain gear. The missing gear can be rented on this day.
Experience & Practical Details
Walking time is approximate and depends on group pace, weather, trail conditions and altitude response.
Guides control the pace, rest stops and daily mountain routine with acclimatization and safety in mind.
After breakfast transport to the Machame gate. From the gate of the recently repaired path leads through the last foothills of the fertile cultivated land. Shortly afterwards, the path rises and leads through the dense, deep green and still moist mountain rain forest up to the Machame Camp.
Experience & Practical Details
Machame is a camping route that approaches Kilimanjaro from the south and uses a varied ascent profile before descending via Mweka.
The route includes important acclimatization sections, and the daily pace is controlled by the mountain guides.
Through Busch forests and moorland leads past the way of powerful Lava bridges. A little later the first Seneca’s and lobelia can be seen. Around noon, where this section is mostly shrouded in dense fog.
Experience & Practical Details
Machame is a camping route that approaches Kilimanjaro from the south and uses a varied ascent profile before descending via Mweka.
The route includes important acclimatization sections, and the daily pace is controlled by the mountain guides.
Shira approaches from the western highlands and reaches the Shira Plateau early in the program.
The starting altitude is relatively high, so previous acclimatization and careful pacing are important considerations.
The ascent through the dark, almost vegetation-free gravel desert of lava rock. With a bit of luck here the Kili shows for the first time up close! The path leads up to just below the Lava Tower (up to about 4450 m) and then down into the Barranco Valley.
This area with its alpine vegetation is one of the highlights along the Machame Route.
Experience & Practical Details
Machame is a camping route that approaches Kilimanjaro from the south and uses a varied ascent profile before descending via Mweka.
The route includes important acclimatization sections, and the daily pace is controlled by the mountain guides.
Shira approaches from the western highlands and reaches the Shira Plateau early in the program.
The starting altitude is relatively high, so previous acclimatization and careful pacing are important considerations.
After breakfast, we leave Barranco and continue on a steep ridge passing the Barranco Wall, to the Karanga Valley campsite. This is a short day meant for acclimatization.
Experience & Practical Details
Barranco is an important acclimatization area on Kilimanjaro’s southern circuit.
The Barranco Wall is a steep hiking section that is completed on foot with guide support; it is not a technical rock climb on the standard route.
After breakfast, we leave Karanga and hit the junction which connects with the Mweka Trail. We continue up to the Barafu Hut. At this point, you have completed the South Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many different angles.
Here we make camp, rest, enjoy dinner, and prepare for the summit day. The two peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo are to be seen from this position.
Experience & Practical Details
Barafu is the main high camp used before summit attempts on several southern Kilimanjaro routes.
Rest, hydration, equipment preparation and an early night are important before the summit departure.
Mweka is the standard descent route for several Kilimanjaro itineraries.
The descent moves rapidly from alpine terrain back toward rainforest and the park exit.
Very early in the morning (midnight to 2am), we continue our way to the summit between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers. You head in a northwesterly direction and ascend through heavy scree towards Stella Point on the crater rim. This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek.
At Stella Point (18,600 ft), you will stop for a short rest and will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see (weather permitting). From Stella Point, you may encounter snow all the way on your 1-hour ascent to the summit. At Uhuru Peak, you have reached the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa.
Faster hikers will see the sunrise from the summit. From the summit, we now make our descent continuing straight down to the Mweka Camp site, stopping at Barafu for lunch. You will want gaiters and trekking poles for the loose gravel going down.
Mweka Camp is situated in the upper forest and mist or rain can be expected in the late afternoon. Later in the evening, we enjoy our last dinner on the mountain and a well-earned sleep.
Experience & Practical Details
Barafu is the main high camp used before summit attempts on several southern Kilimanjaro routes.
Rest, hydration, equipment preparation and an early night are important before the summit departure.
Uhuru Peak is the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro at 5,895 metres above sea level.
Summit timing depends on pace, weather, trail conditions and each climber’s response to altitude.
The path leads to a mostly wet, slippery path through the dense cloud forest steeply downhill to Mweka Gate. Transport back to your hotel or lodge.
Experience & Practical Details
Mweka is the standard descent route for several Kilimanjaro itineraries.
The descent moves rapidly from alpine terrain back toward rainforest and the park exit.
What Is Normally Included
- Professional guiding for the confirmed tour
- Transport and transfers specifically shown in the final itinerary
- Accommodation and meals specifically listed in the quotation
- National park, conservation or activity fees specifically listed in the quotation
- Drinking water during the operating tour where stated
- Government taxes applicable to the included services where stated
What Is Normally Excluded
- International flights and Tanzania visa costs
- Travel insurance and personal medical expenses
- Tips and gratuities
- Personal equipment, laundry and beverages unless included
- Optional activities not shown in the final quotation
- Any service not specifically listed under inclusions
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