Climb Kilimanjaro in 6 Days Machame Route
Embark on an extraordinary adventure with our 6-day Kilimanjaro trek via the Machame Route. This journey promises breathtaking landscapes and a truly unforgettable summit experience. The itinerary is designed to provide ample time for acclimatization, enhancing your chances of successfully reaching Uhuru Peak, Africa’s highest point. As you ascend, you’ll traverse a range of ecosystems, from the lush rainforests to the open moorlands, each revealing the stunning beauty of Kilimanjaro’s natural environment.
The Machame Route is renowned for its challenging but rewarding terrain. Our experienced guides will lead you through the dramatic landscapes, ensuring both safety and an enjoyable trek. With every day’s progress, you’ll see the environment transform from the montane forest to the alpine desert, culminating in the exhilarating final push to the summit. The 6-day Machame Route promises an immersive experience, blending adventure and natural beauty for a once-in-a-lifetime ascent of Kilimanjaro.
Highlights of the 6-Day Machame Route Climb
- A thrilling journey through diverse ecosystems, from verdant rainforests to barren alpine deserts.
- Spectacular views of Kilimanjaro’s unique flora and fauna.
- Expert guidance at every stage of the trek, ensuring a safe and memorable climb.
What to Expect on the Machame Route
The Machame Route is physically demanding, so good fitness and prior experience with high-altitude trekking are recommended. The trek involves long days of walking, and you’ll need to be prepared for varying weather conditions.
Packing List for the Machame Route
Here’s what you’ll need for the trek:
- Warm sleeping bag
- Insulated jacket
- Waterproof hiking boots
- Warm hat and gloves
- Sun hat and sunglasses
- Sunscreen
- Water purification tablets or filter
- Trekking poles
- Headlamp with extra batteries
- Sturdy backpack
Day 0: Arrival and Pre-trek Briefing
If you’ve opted for airport transfers, we will pick you up from Kilimanjaro or Arusha airport and take you to your hotel in Moshi.
You should plan to arrive at least one day before the trek begins. Today, you’ll attend a pre-trek briefing, during which we’ll go over your equipment and offer rentals if necessary.
Day 1: From Hotel to Machame Camp
After a drive from Arusha to Machame Gate, passing through the village of Machame on the lower slopes of Kilimanjaro, we’ll begin the trek through the rainforest along a winding trail up a ridge. The lower parts can be muddy, so gaiters and trekking poles are useful. We’ll reach Machame Camp by the end of the day.
- Elevation: 1830m/6000ft to 3050m/10,000ft
- Distance: 11km/7mi
- Hiking Time: 5-6 hours
- Habitat: Montane Forest
- Meals: Lunch and Dinner
Day 2: Machame Camp to Shira Camp
After breakfast, we’ll leave the rainforest glades and continue on a steep, rocky ridge, eventually turning west towards a river gorge before reaching Shira Camp.
- Elevation: 3050m/10,000ft to 3850m/12,600ft
- Distance: 5km/3mi
- Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
- Habitat: Moorland
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Day 3: Shira Camp to Lava Tower to Barranco Camp
Today, we hike from Shira Plateau, heading east up a ridge towards the Lava Tower, also known as the “Shark’s Tooth” (4630m/15,250ft). We descend to Barranco Camp after passing the second junction. Although we finish the day at a similar elevation to the start, this hike is key for acclimatization.
- Elevation: 3850m/12,600ft to 4000m/13,000ft
- Distance: 10km/6mi
- Hiking Time: 5-6 hours
- Habitat: Semi-desert
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Day 4: Barranco Camp to Barafu Camp
We begin the day climbing the Barranco Wall (4250m/13,900ft), then descend through Karanga Valley (4050m/13,250ft) and connect with the Mweka Trail. We ascend to Barafu Camp, completing the South Circuit, which offers incredible views of the summit from various angles.
- Elevation: 4000m/13,000ft to 4700m/15,350ft
- Distance: 9km/6mi
- Hiking Time: 7-8 hours
- Habitat: Alpine Desert
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Day 5: Barafu Camp to Summit to Mweka Camp
We’ll start the summit attempt between midnight and 2 a.m., climbing between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers, with a challenging scree ascent to Stella Point on the crater rim. You’ll be rewarded with a breathtaking sunrise before continuing on to Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa.
Afterward, we descend to Mweka Camp, with a stop at Barafu for lunch.
- Elevation: 4700m/15,350ft to 5895m/19,341ft, then down to 3100m/10,150ft
- Distance: 5km/3mi up, 13km/8mi down
- Hiking Time: 5-7 hours up, 5-6 hours down
- Habitat: Scree and ice-capped summit
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Day 6: Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate to Hotel
After breakfast, we descend to Mweka Gate, where you’ll receive your summit certificate. At lower elevations, expect wet and muddy trails, so gaiters and trekking poles are useful. From the gate, we will drive you back to your hotel in Arusha.
- Elevation: 3100m/10,150ft to 1680m/5500ft
- Distance: 10km/6mi
- Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
- Habitat: Forest
- Meals: Breakfast
Inclusions:
- Round-trip transfers from the mountain to your hotel in Moshi
- Skilled and experienced mountain guides
- Salaries and park fees for guides, porters, and cook
- High-quality, waterproof, four-season tents (shared basis)
- Sleeping mattress
- Emergency oxygen cylinder
- All meals during the mountain trek
- Spacious mess tents equipped with tables and chairs
- Generous servings of fresh, nutritious food
- Clean, purified drinking water
- Conservation fees (part of the park fees)
- Camping or hut fees (included in the park fees)
- Rescue fees (included in the park fees)
- 18% VAT (as required by the government)
- Kilimanjaro summit certificate
Exclusions:
- Tanzania visa
- International and domestic flights
- Hotel accommodations (available as an optional add-on)
- Transfers (available as an optional add-on)
- Personal trekking gear like sleeping bags, hiking boots, clothing, etc. (available for rental)
- Tips and gratuities
- Travel insurance
- Personal expenses (e.g., laundry, phone calls, beverages)
- Meals not specified in the itinerary
- Alcoholic beverages and bottled drinks
- 5% surcharge for online payments
- Solo Trekker: USD 2311 per person
- Group of 2: USD 2207 per person
- Group of 3: USD 2124 per person
- Group of 4: USD 1978 per person
- Group of 5: USD 1916 per person
- Group of 6: USD 1881 per person
- Group of 7: USD 1844 per person
- Group of 8: USD 1783 per person
- Group of 9: USD 1735 per person
- Group of 10 or more: USD 1700 per person