LOGO

The first part of your adventure under the Machame Route begins with a private drive from Kilimanjaro International Airport to Arusha, Tanzania's Tourist Capital, which is about 45 minutes away. You shall later check into a budget lodge that offers you a warm, clean rest with basic amenities. During the day, you'll be greatly relaxed and benefit, as your certified lead guide does a detailed briefing covering all aspects of the route, including safety and a complete gear check to prepare you. This meal shall be at your own expense, with the lodge’s restaurant offering affordable Tanzanian and international dishes, or you may check out local restaurants in Arusha, which serve regional cuisines at reasonable prices. Regardless of how you dine, this value-conscious welcome will ensure you are rested, ready mentally, and prepared physically for the flags flying high in the head!

Accommodation: Budget lodge in Arusha
Meals: None included
Activities: Private airport transfer, itinerary and gear briefing

Drive Time: 1 hour
Altitude: 1,800 meters (5,905 feet) – 3,010 meters (9,875 feet)
Hiking Distance: 11 km (6.8 miles)
Hiking Time: 5-7 hours

After a big breakfast at the lodge, begin with a 1-hour drive to Machame Gate (1,800 meters), the starting point of the Machame Route on Kilimanjaro’s southern slopes. Complete park registration with your guide, meet your dedicated porters and crew, and set off on the 11 km trek to Machame Camp (3,010 meters) while walking through thick tropical rainforest. Your guide provides explanations about the forest’s flora and fauna and maintains a ‘pole pole’ pace to manage the ascent. Enjoy a packed lunch from your cook and arrive at Machame Camp, a budget campsite in a forested clearing. After some time spent relaxing, partake in a shared dinner served in the dining tent at Machame, featuring warm Tanzanian soups and staple foods. Rest in basic sleeping tents with mats on the ground while the calm forest surrounds you.

Accommodation: Budget tented camp at Machame Camp
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Activities: Private transfer to Machame Gate, trek to Machame Camp

Altitude: 3,010 meters (9,875 feet) – 3,840 meters (12,598 feet)
Hiking Distance: 5 km (3.1 miles)
Hiking Time: 4-6 hours

After eating a delicious meal, start on the 5 km journey from Machame Camp to Shira Camp (3,840 meters). On the way, you will shift from a rainforest to a heath and moorland zone. The path continues upward, and the views of Kilimanjaro’s southern glaciers and the Shira Plateau are breathtaking. To aid in avoiding altitude sickness, your guide will recommend hydration and breathing tips and maintain a slower pace. Stop for a hot lunch while enjoying the scenic views of the moorland. Nett Shira Camp, a budget campsite with views overlooking Kibo Peak, and enjoy a hearty meal in the dining tent. Afterward, gaze at the constellations until falling asleep in the comfort of their basic tents, with the spectacular views guaranteeing a peaceful night.

Accommodation: Budget tented camp at Shira Camp
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Activities: Trek from Machame Camp to Shira Camp

Altitude: 3,840 meters (12,598 feet) – 3,950 meters (12,959 feet) via Lava Tower (4,600 meters/15,092 feet)
Hiking Distance: 10 km (6.2 miles)
Hiking Time: 6-8 hours

After breakfast, start the 10 km trek from Shira Camp to Barranco Camp (3,950 meters), passing through the Lava Tower (4,600 meters) for critical acclimatization. The path crosses through moorland and alpine desert zones, revealing views of the Southern Icefields and the challenging Barranco Wall. Your guide implements the "climb high, sleep low" system by ascending to Lava Tower, then descending to Barranco Camp for better acclimatization. Enjoy a hot lunch at Lava Tower while appreciating the beauty of the alpine desert. Arrive at Barranco Camp, a budget campsite with views of Kibo’s glaciers. In the evening, enjoy a filling dinner in the communal dining tent, gaze at the high-altitude sky, and finally retreat to your basic tent for the night in preparation for the next stage of the climb.

Accommodation: Budget tented camp at Barranco Camp
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Activities: Trek from Shira Camp to Barranco Camp via Lava Tower

Altitude: 3,950 meters (12,959 feet) – 4,680 meters (15,354 feet)
Hiking Distance: 9 km (5.6 miles)
Hiking Time: 7-9 hours

Get ready for breakfast, then launch into the 9km hike from Barranco Camp to Barafu Camp (4,680 meters). First, relish the action of ascending the non-technical steep climb of Barranco Wall, which becomes an exhilarating scramble. As you continue, the path slices through undulating stretches of an alpine desert—these parts are not ‘high’ alpine—while your guide skillfully paces the group to conserve energy for the expected summit attempt. Look forward to a scenic hot lunch on the climb with Table Mountain National Park stretching at altitude's stark beauty. Spend the rest of your brief break resting and gear prepping, which involves the Barafu Camp's last summit heading rest. Relish the sweeping views of Mawenzi Peak and the summit cone while at Barafu Camp, a budget campsite located on a rugged ridge. Rest after a light early supper and sleep in your basic tent for a few hours, allowing you to feel refreshed for the midnight hike to Uhuru Peak. The campsite, filled with rocky swathes of earth set high above the world, combined with the rigorous feel of the shared dining tent, boosts the eagerness felt for the summit.

Accommodation: Budget tented camp at Barafu Camp
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Activities: Trek from Barranco Camp to Barafu Camp, summit briefing

Altitude: 4,680 meters (15,354 feet) – 5,895 meters (19,341 feet) to 3,100 meters (10,170 feet) to 1,640 meters (5,380 feet)
Hiking Distance: 5 km (3.1 miles) to summit, 12 km (7.5 miles) to Mweka Camp, 10 km (6.2 miles) to Mweka Gate
Hiking Time: 6-8 hours (summit ascent), 4-6 hours (descent to Mweka Camp), 3-4 hours (descent to Mweka Gate)

Start on the right foot by waking up at midnight and moving Barafu Camp 5 kilometers away from Uhuru Peak, ascending the 5,895 meters over a 6 to 8-hour period through steep scree slopes. From there, the group’s guide will move at a paced tempo to combat the cold weather and altitude. With the help of headlamps, the path will be visible. During the descent, the group will move 12 km towards Mweka Camp (3,100 meters), where they will rest for 4-6 hours while enjoying a hot meal. Next, the hikers will proceed 10 km to Mweka Gate (1,640 meters), where a packed lunch will be consumed while a rare glimpse at blue monkeys will be spotted. Upon successfully achieving the summit, a certificate will be given. After this, there will be a private transfer that lasts for an hour. People will purchase South Tetuan crafted puppets. To conclude, they have effortless memories of climbing Kilimanjaro and its unique culture.

Accommodation: None
Meals: Breakfast, lunch
Activities: Summit attempt to Uhuru Peak, descent to Mweka Camp and Mweka Gate, private Maasai village visit, private airport transfer