7 days Kilimanjaro climbing via Machame route

This 7 days Machame route Kilimanjaro hiking trip is the best tour to summit Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest free-standing mountain in the world at 5895 meters and one of the seven summits of the world at 19,340 feet. The 7-day Machame route on climbing Kilimanjaro requires 19–24 hours of demanding walking at an extremely high elevation of 19,341 feet, with only 5-7 hours of sleep in 2024 and 2025.

Day-by-day itinerary for the 7 days Kilimanjaro hiking Machame route

The best 7 days Machame route, with a detailed day-by-day itinerary: Day 1: Machame Gate to Machame Camp, 11 km; Day 2: Machame Camp to Shira Camp, 9 km; Day 3: Shira Camp to Lava Tower to Barranco Valley, 15 km; Day 4: Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp; Day 5: Karanga Camp to Barafu; Day 6: Barafu Camp to summit down to Mweka Camp; and Day 7: Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate, 10 km.

Day 0: Arrive in Tanzania

Soon after arriving in Tanzania at Kilimanjaro International Airport, you will be taken to the hotel in Moshi town. You will gather with or meet with our professional mountain guides for a briefing about hiking and all the necessary equipment’s you need for successful hiking to the top of the roof of Africa (Mount Kilimanjaro). Any missing equipment will be rented on this day.

Day 1: Moshi town to Machame gate to Machame camp

Elevation: 1,830 m to 3,100 m
Distance: 11 km
Hiking Time: 5-7 hours
Habitat: Montane Forest

Experience your Kilimanjaro hiking trip from Machame Gate and enter the enchanting rainforest. Trek amidst lush greenery, witnessing unique flora and fauna along the way. After a fulfilling hike, settle into Machame Camp.

Day 2: Machame Camp to Shira Camp

Elevation: 3,100 m to 3,840 m
Distance: 9 km
Hiking Time: 4-6 hours
Habitat: Moorland

After an early breakfast at the Machame camp site, you will continue hiking from Machame camp, crossing an attractive valley along a narrow hilltop. You will continue hiking to Shira Camp, where you will have dinner, rest, and an overnight stay.

Day 3: Shira Camp to Lava Tower to Barranco Valley

Elevation: 3,840 m to 3900 m
Distance: 15 km
Hiking Time: 5-7 hours
Habitat: Semi-desert

After waking up in the morning, you will have breakfast at Shira Camp and continue hiking through gentle slopes with related views to sunny Lava Tower, where you will take your lunch. Then you will continue to descend to Barranco Camp Valley, where you will have dinner, rest, and overnight.

Day 4: Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp

Elevation: 3,900 m to 3995 m
Distance: 6 km
Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: Moorland

Traverse through scenic valleys and ridges, enjoying spectacular views of the southern ice fields. Reach Karanga Camp, situated amidst stunning alpine desert landscapes. Take in the awe-inspiring surroundings and prepare for the next day's ascent.

Day 5: Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp

Elevation: 3995 m to 4,673 m
Distance: 4 km
Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert

Early in the morning, after breakfast, you will continue hiking and leave Karanga Camp via scree with a wide view and attractive dry landscape to Barafu Camp. Barafu Point provides views of Kibo Peak and Mawenzi Peak. At Barafu Camp, you will eat dinner and rest while preparing your body with all the necessary equipment for the summit.

Day 6: Barafu Camp to Summit, down to Mweka Camp

Elevation: 4700m to 5895 m, then down to 3090 m
Hiking Time: 5-7 hours up / 5-6 hours down
Distance: 6 km up and 13 km down
Habitat: Stone scree and ice-capped summit

The day of triumph arrives as you embark on the final ascent to the summit. Leave Barafu Camp in the midnight hours and make your way towards Uhuru Peak. Witness the breathtaking sunrise over the African landscape and savor the surreal feeling of standing atop the "Roof of Africa." Descend to Mweka Camp for a well-deserved rest.

Day 7: Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate, drive to Moshi

Distance: 10 km
Hiking Time: 3 to 4 hours
Habitat: Forest

After an early breakfast, you will continue descending to Mweka Gate, where you can receive your summiting certificate. Then you will be derived with a travel agency by vehicles from Mweka Gate to the best hotel in Moshi Town for celebrating your win to reach the top of the roof of Africa, enjoying meals, resting, and staying overnight. The next day you will be transferred to Kilimanjaro International Airport to return to your home country.

This package include the following

• Park fees
• Camp fees
• Rescue fees
• Transportation to & from the mountain gate
• Professional mountain guides, cooks and porters
• 3 meals daily while on the mountain

This package not include the following

• Both National and International flights
• Medical insurance
• Tips to mountain crew
• Items of a personal nature
• Laundry Services
• A doctor for the group