machame Route Itinerary
8 Days | 7 Nights
Start your journey
Day 1: Arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO)
Arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), where you will meet an Africa Nature Photography representative and transfer to the hotel included in your rate. The hotel will provide all the essentials for a comfortable stay: cozy rooms, hot water, polite staff, a swimming pool, and Internet access. In the evening, there will be a briefing with our managers, who will also make sure you are ready to begin the climb.
Private tour packages include shared airport transfers for your group. Extra charges will apply for additional individual transfers. To avoid extra costs, sync your group’s arrival and departure times.
PLEASE NOTE: Check-in starts at 2:00 PM.
DAY 2 Trekking from Machame Gate to Machame Camp
A guide and mountain support crew will arrive at the hotel in the morning to meet you and conduct a quick briefing, after which you will travel by vehicle to Kilimanjaro National Park’s entrance: Machame Gate. After obtaining climbing permits and registering with the search and rescue service, the group will start trekking up to Machame Camp. The route passes through the rainforest, where tropical showers are highly probable, so we recommend bringing spare clothes and a raincoat.
PLEASE NOTE: This will be your first day at altitude. From now on:
Trekking time: 5–6 hours
Distance: 5 km (3.1 miles)
DAY 3 Trekking from Machame Camp to Shira Camp
After breakfast, you will trek to Shira Camp, emerging from the rainforest to the open views of the Shira Plateau. The trek is moderate but you may feel the altitude changes, so pace is key. After arrival, you will rest and have lunch before taking an acclimatization hike toward Lava Tower (400 m/1,312 ft gain). Returning to camp, a hot dinner will be served.
PLEASE NOTE: Acclimatization hikes significantly improve summit success rates.
Acclimatization hike:
Trekking time: 4–5 hours
Distance: 5 km (3.1 miles)
DAY 4 Trekking from Shira Camp to Lava Tower, then descent to Barranco Camp
You will trek to Lava Tower (4,600 m / 15,088 ft), where lunch will be served. Spending time here aids acclimatization. Afterward, descend to Barranco Camp, home to the famous Barranco Wall. Tomorrow, you will climb it — but don’t worry, it’s less intimidating than it looks.
Trekking time: 6–8 hours
Distance: 11 km (6.8 miles)
DAY 5 Trekking from Barranco Camp to Barafu Camp
After breakfast, climb the Barranco Wall (about 1 hour). Enjoy views of Kibo before trekking to Karanga Camp, where you’ll have lunch. Then continue to Barafu Camp for dinner and rest before your summit attempt tonight.
Trekking time: 8–10 hours
Distance: 11 km (6.8 miles)
DAY 6 Summit to Uhuru Peak, then descent to Millennium Camp.
Depart at night for the summit. Each pair of climbers will be accompanied by a personal guide. After reaching Uhuru Peak (5,895 m / 19,336 ft) and optional glacier visit, return to Barafu for rest, then continue to Millennium Camp.
PLEASE NOTE: Most accidents happen during descent — watch your footing.
Trekking time: 8–12 hours
Distance: 15 km (9.3 miles)
DAY 7 Descent from Millennium Camp to Mweka Gate
After breakfast, descend to Mweka Gate for check-out and certificate presentation, then transfer to your hotel.
Trekking time: 4–5 hours
Distance: 12 km (7.4 miles).
DAY 8 Departure
Rest at the hotel before your airport transfer.
PLEASE NOTE: Check-out is at 11:00 AM. Late check-out is available for a fee.
