Machame Route

Upon arriving at Kilimanjaro International Airport, proceed through customs, collect your luggage, and exit past the security area. Our friendly kilisherpas driver will be waiting for you, holding a sign with your name. They will assist with your luggage and guide you to our comfortable, air-conditioned transfer van, where you’ll find cold water to help you refresh. We offer flexible pick-up times, day or night, at no extra charge. Sit back, relax, and enjoy the reassurance that you’re now in the capable hands of kilisherpas Travel.

After breakfast, transfer to Machame Gate (1.5-2 hours) for registration. Begin your ascent through a lush rainforest rich with moss and birdlife, trekking 11 km (7 miles) in 7 hours to Machame Camp (3,000m). Settle into high-quality tents, surrounded by forest tranquility, and enjoy a full-board meal.

Leave the rainforest behind and trek across a small valley, ascending a steep, heather-covered rocky ridge for 5 km (3 miles) in 6 hours. Turn west into a river gorge to reach Shira Cave Camp (3,850m) on the scenic Shira Plateau. Bundle up for colder temperatures below freezing and enjoy dinner and an overnight stay in tents with expansive views.

Climb to the base of Lava Tower (4,600m) for lunch and acclimatization, then descend ~650m following the “walk high, sleep low” principle to Barranco Camp (3,950m) over 10 km in 8 hours. Capture stunning photo opportunities of the Barranco Wall and Western Breach, then relax with dinner and an overnight stay in tents.

Start with a fun scramble up the Great Barranco Wall, then traverse scree slopes for 4 km (2 miles) in 4 hours to Karanga Valley (4,210m), beneath the icefalls of Heim, Kersten, and Decken Glaciers. This short day aids acclimatization with spectacular views, followed by dinner and an overnight stay in tents.

Trek 4 km (2 miles) in 4 hours from Karanga Camp to the junction with the Mweka descent trail, then ascend to Barafu Camp (4,675m). Enjoy incredible views of Mawenzi and Kibo Peaks, rest after dinner, and prepare for the summit push. Consider the optional Kosovo Camp upgrade ($100) for a 98% summit success rate, staying overnight in tents.

Wake at 11:30 PM for tea and biscuits, then begin the midnight summit ascent through heavy scree between Rebman and Ratzel Glaciers to Stella Point (5,732m), the most challenging section, over 6-8 hours. Reach Uhuru Peak (5,895m) for a sunrise view (weather permitting), photograph the summit, then descend to Barafu Camp for lunch (2-3 hours) and continue to Mweka Camp (3,100m, 3-4 hours) for dinner and a well-earned sleep in tents.

After breakfast, descend 1,300m through rainforest for 10 km (6 miles) in 4 hours to Mweka Gate. Collect your Kilimanjaro National Park summit certificate at Park Headquarters, then transfer to Gold Crest Hotel in Arusha for a shower and celebration.

Enjoy breakfast and a private transfer to Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO, 50 km, 1 hour) for your onward journey or connect with a Kilisherpas Travel safari or Zanzibar trip if arranged.