7 Day Kilimanjaro Machame Route

Tour Overview

oin us on a 7-day trek along the Machame Route, one of the most popular and scenic paths to the top of Mount Kilimanjaro. This route offers breathtaking views and diverse landscapes, ranging from lush rainforests to dry alpine deserts. Each day presents new challenges and stunning scenery, making your journey to Africa’s highest peak a truly unforgettable experience. With proper acclimatization and the guidance of our experienced team, you’ll have the best chance to reach the summit safely and enjoy every moment of the adventure.

Our expert guides will be with you every step of the way, providing all the necessary equipment and support. From the start at Machame Gate to the final ascent to Uhuru Peak, this trek is designed to ensure your success and enjoyment. Take on the Machame Route and create lasting memories as you stand on the roof of Africa!

Route

Day by Day

Arrival Date

Upon your arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport, you’ll be greeted by your guide and transferred to your accommodation in Arusha or Moshi. Take the rest of the day to relax, settle in, and prepare for your upcoming adventure in Tanzania. Your journey into the heart of this incredible destination is about to begin!

After breakfast, you’ll be picked up from your hotel around 8:00 am and driven to Machame Gate. Along the way, you’ll pass coffee and banana plantations, cultivated by the Chagga people. Upon arrival at Machame Gate, Bush Lion Tours will take care of all the pre-hike paperwork. The hike starts in the tropical rainforest, with a picnic lunch on the way. Keep an eye out for blue monkeys in the trees. By the end of the day, you’ll reach Machame Camp (2835 m), where you’ll spend your first night.

Hiking Time: About 7 hours
Distance Covered: 11 km
Habitat: Montane Forest
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included

Start your day early with your first view of the mountain. After breakfast, you’ll begin hiking around 8:00 am. The trail will take you up through the forest and into the moorland zone. After a short lunch and break, you’ll continue on a rocky path up to the Shira Plateau, where you’ll get a beautiful view of the western breach and its glacier. You’ll spend the night at Shira Cave Camp (3750 m).

Hiking Time: About 3 hours
Distance Covered: 5 km
Habitat: Moorland
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included

To help with acclimatization, you’ll hike to a higher altitude and then descend to camp for the night. The route takes you into the alpine desert, up to Lava Tower (4600 m), and then down to Barranco Camp (3900 m). The descent offers amazing photo opportunities of the Western Breach and Barranco Wall. The campsite is located in a valley below Barranco Wall, perfect for watching a beautiful sunset before dinner.

Hiking Time: About 6 hours
Distance Covered: 10 km
Habitat: Alpine Desert
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included

Day 4 on the 7 Days Lemosho Route is yet another big challenge! Hike up a steep hill to climb the Barranco Wall. It looks scary, but it’s actually not so bad! Walk under giant glaciers and enjoy the amazing downhill trek to Karanga Valley. Look up to see even more glaciers on Kibo Peak. Relax and eat dinner at camp, where you’ll see incredible views of another mountain called Mawenzi. In the afternoon, take it easy to get used to the high altitude. You can even go for a short hike if you want, but mostly rest up for the big climb on the next day!

  • Distance covered: 5.5km / 3.4mi
  • Approx. time taken: 5 hours
  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included

Getting close to the summit! Hike to Barafu Camp, which is really high up (4673 meters!). From here, you’ll see amazing views of the peak of Kilimanjaro (Kibo) and another mountain called Mawenzi. After lunch, relax a lot in your tent – this is important for climbing to the very top later. Eat dinner early and get a good night’s sleep because you’ll need to wake up very early tomorrow for the climb!

  • Approx. hiking time: 3 hours
  • Distance covered: 4 km
  • Habitat: Alpine desert
  • Meal: breakfast, lunch and dinner included

This is the big day! You wake up very early, around midnight, and have a light breakfast. After fueling up, you’ll start the tough climb to the summit. It takes 4-5 hours and you’ll go up really high in a short time!

Just before sunrise, you’ll reach Stella Point (5756m), which is an amazing viewpoint at the edge of a giant crater. From here, you do one last climb to Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa (5,895 meters!). Congratulations, you climbed Kilimanjaro! Take pictures and enjoy this incredible accomplishment.

After celebrating at the top, you’ll head back down to Barafu Camp for lunch and a well-deserved rest. Then, you’ll trek down to Millenium Camp for dinner, where you can relax and reflect on your amazing journey. You did it – you conquered Kilimanjaro!

  • Approx. hiking time: 12-15 hours
  • Distance covered: 15 km
  • Meal: breakfast, lunch, and dinner included

Day 7 – conquer the descent! After breakfast, enjoy a celebratory farewell to Millennium Camp (3950m) with a scenic few-hour hike to Mweka Gate. Collect your well-earned summit certificates and raise a toast to your accomplishment with a refreshing drink! Bid farewell to your amazing guides and board a private car which will take you back to your Moshi hotel. A hot shower and a comfy bed await! Celebrate your incredible Kilimanjaro achievement via 7 days Machame route – you did it!

  • Approx. hiking time: 5 hours
  • Distance covered: 14 km
  • Habitat: Montane Forest

This Tour Includes & Exclude

Price FROM $1,600

WHY BOOK WITH US?

Prices (quoted in USD/per person)

Number of Pax
1 Pax
2 - 4 Pax
5 - 7 Pax
8 - 9 Pax
10+ Pax
7 Day MACHAME route
$ 1,850
$ 1,750
$ 1,700
$ 1,650
$ 1,600

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