7 Days Machame Luxury Route

Machame gate to Machame Camp

At 8:30am, leave Moshi for Machame Gate, where you will meet the Ascend Tanzania porters, guides, and cooks that will spend the next seven days trekking with you to Uhuru Peak, the roof of Africa. The drive through coffee farms and villages to Machame Gate takes about 1.5 hours. Once you arrive, wait at the gate while Summit Odyssey registers your climb and the porters and guides make final preparations.

Your first day’s destination is Machame Camp. Each day, porters and cooks will walk ahead to set up the camp in time for your arrival. On the first day, hike through the moss-covered trees of Kilimanjaro’s cloud forest. The forest will thin at the end of the hike and vegetation will change to include heathers, tall grasses and wildflowers. If the weather is clear, view the surrounding area and your ultimate destination, Kibo Peak.

Machame camp to Shira camp 2 | 5km / 3mi

Although considered to be the easiest day on the Machame Route, today’s trek includes several uphill sections. Carry plenty of drinking water, as the exposed hike can be hot on a clear day. There are several viewpoints from which you can see the plains and forests below and Kibo and Mawenzi peaks above.

As you gain altitude, notice the change in vegetation. The trees diminish in size, giving way to Kilimanjaro’s famous high altitude plants, Scenecio kilimanjari and Lobelia deckenii. After eating lunch, climb the Shira Plateau, created when Kibo’s lava flows filled the Shira crater. Continue to Shira Camp, where you will relax for the rest of the day. Kibo lies to the west and Mount Meru to the east.

Shira 2 Camp to Lava Tower to Barranco Camp | 10 km / 6mi

Although this up and down day ends with an elevation gain of only 110 meters, by early afternoon you will have climbed 690 meters to a height of 4,530 meters before beginning your descent to Barranco Camp. This day is crucial for acclimatization.

After breakfast, hike east on the Shira Plateau before reaching the junction for the Shira and Lemosho Routes. Continue on through the barren landscape before stopping for lunch. Shortly after lunch, reach the highest point of the day before descending quickly to Barranco Camp. Faster hikers can take a detour via Lava Tower, a 300-foot lava formation jutting out of the mountainside.

Barranco Camp, set among stands of Senecio kilimanjari, is considered to be the most scenic campsite on the Machame Route.

Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp | 5 km/ 3mi

After early morning breakfast, it is now time to conquer the Great Barranco Wall! Although it may look intimating at first glance, hikers state that this Class 2 hike is usually much easier than they anticipated. At the top of the Wall, you will have a view of Heim Glacier and will be above the clouds. The trail then winds up and down in the Karanga Valley. This is an ideal hiking day for acclimatisation.

Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp to Kosovo Camp | 5 km / 3mi

You will awaken to the warm embrace of sunshine illuminating Kibo Peak and savor a nourishing breakfast to fuel your day's adventure. Today's destination is Barafu Camp, and your journey will take you through a vast and arid desert landscape, with Kibo steadfastly accompanying you on the left-hand side. After approximately 3-4 hours of trekking, you will reach the Barafu campsite. From this vantage point, you will be treated to panoramic views of Kilimanjaro's two prominent peaks, Mawenzi and Kibo. This marks a significant milestone in your Kilimanjaro climb, as you have completed the South Circuit, affording you unique perspectives of the summit from various angles.

Following a satisfying and hearty lunch, we depart from Barafu Camp, situated at an elevation of 4,550 meters (14,930 feet). Our destination is a higher and less-known camp known as Kosovo, which serves as the customary starting point for summit ascents. Here, we will rest for a few hours in preparation for the upcoming midnight climb to the summit. Kosovo Camp is a well-kept secret, known to only a few. Opting to stay here instead of Barafu Camp provides the advantage of saving valuable time and energy during the initial ascent to Kilimanjaro's peak. You'll enjoy a peaceful night's rest and wake up at the usual time, fully rejuvenated.

At Kosovo Camp, we will set up camp, take the opportunity to rest, savor an early dinner, and relish the tranquil evening as we prepare ourselves for the exhilarating journey ahead.

Kosovo Camp to Summit to Barafu Camp to Mweka Camp | 17 km /10.5 mi

After a refreshing break with hot tea and snacks, the climb to Kilimanjaro's summit begins around midnight from Kosovo Camp. We'll make our way through challenging terrain, passing between the Lebmann and Ratzel Glaciers, and ascend northwest toward Stella Point on the crater rim. This part of the journey is mentally and physically demanding.

At Stella Point (18,600 feet), you'll take a brief pause to witness a breathtaking sunrise if weather permits. You might encounter snow during the one-hour climb from Stella Point to the summit, Uhuru Peak, the highest point on Kilimanjaro and the entire African continent. Faster climbers may catch the sunrise from the summit.

After descending from the summit, we'll head straight to Mweka Hut Campsite with a lunch stop at Barafu. Gaiters and trekking poles are essential for navigating the loose gravel during the descent. Expect fog and rain in the late afternoon at Mweka Camp.

Later in the night, enjoy a final dinner on the mountain before a well-deserved night's sleep.

Mweka camp to Mweka gate | 10 Km / 6 mi

After the breakfast, conclude your Kilimanjaro trek with a descent towards Mweka Gate. This final leg of your journey unfolds amidst the enchanting surroundings of Kilimanjaro's cloud forest. Exercise caution as you make your way down, as the trail can become slippery.

Upon reaching the lower station of Mweka Gate, Ascend Tanzania vehicles will be ready to transport you back to Moshi. Additionally, you'll have the opportunity to purchase t-shirts and sodas at the gate, allowing you to commemorate your memorable Kilimanjaro adventure.