Day 1: Machame Gate to Machame Camp
Begin your journey at Machame Gate. The trail starts through a lush rainforest, offering beautiful views of waterfalls and the surrounding nature.
After a steady climb, you’ll reach Machame Camp where you can rest for the night.
Day 2: Machame Camp to Shira Camp
Continue your trek through moorland terrain with amazing views of Mount Kilimanjaro’s summit.
The walk becomes more exposed as you approach Shira Camp. You’ll pass through rocky terrain with a bit of altitude gain.
Shira Camp offers a stunning view of the western part of the mountain and the Shira Plateau.
Day 3: Shira Camp to Barranco Camp
On this day, you will ascend to the Lava Tower (4,630 m/15,190 ft) and then descend to Barranco Camp. This “climb high, sleep low” technique helps your body acclimatize to the altitude.
The day will bring you across rocky terrain, and the Barranco Camp itself is located in a beautiful valley below the Barranco Wall.
Day 4: Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp
After breakfast, you’ll tackle the Barranco Wall, a steep but non-technical climb.
After reaching the top of the wall, the route levels out, and you’ll enjoy a relatively easy hike to Karanga Camp. You’ll have excellent views of the summit from here.
Day 5: Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp
This is a shorter day with a gradual ascent through rocky terrain. You’ll arrive at Barafu Camp in the afternoon, and this is where you’ll rest before the summit push.
It’s important to hydrate and prepare mentally for the summit attempt, which will begin around midnight the following day.
Day 6: Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak (Summit) to Mweka Camp
You’ll begin your summit push around midnight, trekking through the night to reach the summit at Uhuru Peak.
The path to the summit is steep and challenging, especially with the high altitude, but the view from the top at sunrise is worth the effort.
After celebrating at the summit, you’ll descend to Mweka Camp for the night. This will be a long day, but your descent will be much easier on the knees.
Day 7: Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate
After a hearty breakfast, you’ll continue your descent through the forest to Mweka Gate, where you’ll sign out and receive your summit certificate if you’ve successfully made it to Uhuru Peak.
Tips for a Successful Climb:
- Acclimatization: The 7-day Machame route provides ample time for acclimatization, which helps reduce the risk of altitude sickness.
- Physical Preparation: While the trek isn’t technically difficult, it can be physically challenging, especially at higher altitudes. It’s good to have some physical conditioning before attempting the climb.
- Proper Gear: Be sure to have the right clothing and equipment, especially for cold and windy conditions on the summit.
- Hydration and Nutrition: Stay hydrated, and make sure you’re eating enough to maintain energy levels throughout the trek.
