Book this 6-Day Mount Kilimanjaro Machame Route Climb for the most scenic route up Africa’s tallest mountain.
This route is more physically demanding but offers the most beautiful and scenic path to the summit.
6-Day Mount Kilimanjaro Hike Highlights
- Day 1: Arusha to Machame Gate, Machame Camp
- Day 2: Transfer to Shira Camp
- Day 3: Shira Camp to Lava Tower to Barranco Camp
- Day 4: Barranco Camp to Barafu Camp
- Day 5: Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak (5,895m), Mweka Camp
- Day 6: Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate
Detailed 6-Day Mount Kilimanjaro Hike Itinerary
Day 1: Arusha to Machame Gate, Machame Camp
After an early breakfast at your hotel in Arusha, you will be picked up and driven to Machame Village. Here you will receive your packed lunch and can buy mineral water.
Depart the village and drive to the Machame Gate office for registration, then start your ascent up the tallest mountain on the African continent. The Machame route is quite scenic, so take time to enjoy the vegetation and views. The road gets muddy and slippery, so trekking poles and gaiters are recommended.
Halfway through the trek, take a short break for lunch, then proceed to Machame Camp, arriving in the evening. Tents will already be set up by the porters, with warm water ready and your chef preparing a meal.
Dinner and overnight at the camp.
Day 2: Transfer to Shira Camp
After an early morning breakfast on a cold morning, leave the glades of the rainforest and continue on an ascending path up a steep, rocky ridge with stunning views. Just below the Shira Plateau, take a short break for lunch.
Continue your ascent to reach the Shira Plateau, with rewarding views of the mountain and Kibo glaciers. You will reach Shira Camp in the mid-afternoon, giving you time to relax and rest. Dinner and overnight at the camp.
Day 3: Shira Camp to Lava Tower to Barranco Camp
Wake up to a hot cup of tea or coffee and beautiful views of the Shira Plateau. Continue east, then head southeast toward the Lava Tower, a distinctive landmark. Stop for lunch and a short rest, then descend gradually to Barranco Camp.
Passing through different vegetation zones, you will reach the beautiful Barranco Camp, set at the same altitude as the previous night. The time spent at higher altitude is valuable for acclimatization ahead of summit day. The camp sits in a valley close to the Great Barranco Wall. Dinner and overnight at the camp.
Day 4: Barranco Camp to Barafu Camp
Wake up to the sight of the Great Barranco Wall, your challenge for the day. After breakfast, make your way up this steep but manageable climb. No technical experience is needed. Reaching the top in about 1 to 2 hours, you will cross hills and valleys before descending sharply into Karanga Valley.
One more climb brings you to Karanga Camp for lunch and a short break before continuing to Barafu, or “ice”, Camp. At this point, you will have completed the South Circuit, offering views of the summit from different angles.
The summit is now a further 1,345m up, and you will make the final ascent that same night. Rest, hydrate, and eat well to prepare for the climb ahead. Dinner and overnight at the camp.
Day 5: Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak (5,895m), Mweka Camp
A wake up call at around 23:00 hrs, followed by tea and biscuits, sends you into the night heading northwest, ascending through heavy scree toward Stella Point at 5,756m above sea level.
From here, a much gentler ascent takes you to Uhuru Peak at 5,895m (19,341 ft), typically through snow the whole way. Congratulations, you made it. Time on the summit depends on weather conditions, so enjoy your achievement and capture your memories.
Descend straight to Mweka Camp, with a lunch break and a brief rest stop at Barafu Camp along the way. Dinner and overnight at Mweka Camp.
Day 6: Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate
On your last day, continue your descent to Mweka Park Gate after breakfast. On arrival, sign for and receive your summit climbing certificate, then travel to Mweka Village for lunch. Your driver will then take you back to your hotel in Arusha for celebrations, a well-deserved shower, a good meal, and rest.
Book this 6-Day Mount Kilimanjaro Machame Route Climb today and reach Uhuru Peak on Africa’s most scenic climbing route.
