7 Days Kilimanjaro Machame Route

Arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), where you will meet a Tanzania Globe Tour representative, and transfer to the hotel under the rate. The hotel will provide all the essentials for a comfortable stay: cozy rooms, hot water, polite staff, a swimming pool, and Internet access. In the evening there will be a briefing with our managers, who will also make sure you are ready to begin the climb.

Private tour packages include shared airport transfers for your group. Extra charges will apply for additional individual transfers. To avoid extra costs, sync your group's arrival and departure times.

A guide and the mountain support crew from Tanzania Globe Tour will meet you at the hotel in the morning for a short but informative briefing. Afterwards, you’ll drive to Kilimanjaro National Park’s renowned Machame Gate. Once your climbing permits are issued and registration with the search and rescue service is complete, your adventure begins.

Your first trek leads you through the lush, green rainforest—one of the most magical zones on Kilimanjaro. Tropical showers are common here, so packing a raincoat and a set of dry clothes is highly recommended. By day’s end, you’ll arrive at Machame Camp, where your warm meal and prepared tents await.

After breakfast, you will start trekking up to the second high-altitude camp, Shira Camp. On this day you will emerge from the rainforest and for the first time be able to see stunning views of the Shira Plateau laid out in front of you. Technically speaking, trekking is not very difficult, but you may feel the changes in altitude, so pay attention to your body and remember that choosing the proper pace is extremely important for good trekking. When you reach the camp, you will have lunch and some rest, after which the group will go on an acclimatization hike towards Lava Tower Camp with a 400 m /1,312 f gain in altitude. Back down at Shira Camp, you will be served a hot dinner.

After breakfast, your group will leave Shira Camp and make the trek toward Lava Tower. This section of the route involves several ascents and descents, which can be physically demanding. Reaching the 4,600 m (15,088 ft) altitude at Lava Tower is an important part of proper acclimatization, so we recommend enjoying lunch at the top. This gives your body additional time at high elevation before descending about 700 m (2,297 ft) to Barranco Camp, your next overnight stop.

At Barranco Camp, the impressive Barranco Wall comes into view—a massive and steep rock formation that is truly iconic. You’ll be tackling this wall the following day, but rest assured: the trail is simple and non-technical, making it a manageable and memorable part of your climb.

It’s best to start early today to avoid crowds while ascending the Barranco Wall. Although the wall looks steep and intimidating, the climb itself is relatively easy and usually takes about an hour. Once at the top, you’ll have the perfect opportunity to take photos with Kibo Peak as a stunning backdrop.

The rest of the day involves a series of ups and downs along the trail. Your guides will set a comfortable pace for the group to ensure everyone enjoys the trek. You’ll stop for lunch at Karanga Camp, followed by an acclimatization hike toward Barafu Camp, reaching a high point of 3,995 m (13,104 ft). After completing the short hike, the group returns to Karanga Camp to rest and spend the night.

After breakfast, you’ll set off toward Barafu Summit Camp, the final base before your night-time push to the summit. Our team will have prepared camp in advance, including tents and sleeping bags, so you can relax and settle in as soon as you arrive.

Once rested, you’ll embark on a short acclimatization climb toward Kosovo Summit Camp, reaching a high point of 4,870 m (15,974 ft), before returning to Barafu Camp. Here, a hot dinner will be served, and it’s best to spend the remainder of the day resting and sleeping in preparation for the night-time ascent to Uhuru Peak.

From there, you’ll continue with a more challenging hike toward Karanga Camp, a route marked by several ascents and descents. There’s no need to worry—our experienced guides set a comfortable and safe pace for the whole group. Upon arrival, you’ll enjoy a warm lunch and a well-earned break.

After resting for a couple of hours, you will continue your ascent to Barafu Camp, where a hot dinner will be served. It’s best to spend the remainder of the evening resting and sleeping in preparation for the night-time summit push.

Your summit push begins around midnight, starting from 4,870 m (15,974 ft) at Barafu Camp and ascending to Uhuru Peak (5,895 m / 19,340 ft). While the trail is not technically difficult, the high altitude makes even simple movements feel strenuous. To ensure safety and support, climbers will be paired in groups of two, each accompanied by a personal guide who will monitor their condition throughout the entire ascent.

After reaching the summit, you may choose to walk to the nearby glacier for photos and to take in the breathtaking views. Following this once-in-a-lifetime achievement, you’ll return to Barafu Camp for a two-hour rest before continuing your descent to Millennium Camp, where you can relax and recover after an unforgettable day.

After a restful night at lower altitude, you’ll wake up feeling the deep satisfaction of having reached the summit. Following a hearty breakfast, you’ll begin the final descent to Mweka Gate (1,640 m / 5,379 ft).

Upon arrival, the entire climbing crew will gather to celebrate your achievement. You’ll then receive your summit certificates as a lasting memento of your Kilimanjaro adventure, before being transferred back to your hotel to rest and reflect on an unforgettable journey.

After breakfast on the final morning, you are transferred back toward Arusha and onward to Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) for your departure flight. Your 5-day Tanzania Kilimanjaro trek — part of the Tanzania Globe Tour — concludes, leaving you with memories of varied ecosystems and the wild heart of Tanzania.