Machame Route

You'll be picked up at Kilimanjaro International Airport and transferred to your hotel in Arusha. I'll meet you there to brief you on the days ahead and check your gear, anything missing can be rented on the spot.

Elevation

1,830m → 3,050m

Distance

10.8km / 6.7mi

Hiking Time

6 hours

Habitat

Rainforest

After an early breakfast, it's about a two-hour drive from Arusha to Machame Gate, passing through Machame village. We complete park formalities, meet the crew of porters, and start climbing. The first section rises steadily through dense rainforest, less trodden than some other routes, so expect it to be a little overgrown, and often wet and muddy underfoot. You'll reach Machame Camp by late afternoon for dinner and an overnight stay.

Elevation

3,050m → 3,850m

Distance

5.4km / 3.4mi

Hiking Time

5 hours

Habitat

Moorland

The route continues up through the forest until a steep ascent brings you onto the Shira Plateau, with rewarding views of the mountain ahead. Looking back, you can often see Mount Meru rising above Arusha in the distance.

Elevation

3,850m → 4,600m → 3,900m

Distance

10.8km / 6.7mi

Hiking Time

8 hours

Habitat

Semi-desert

Walking now on high moorland, the character of the trek changes entirely. We traverse east toward Lava Tower, a 300-foot volcanic rock formation, passing the "Shark's Tooth" formation before descending into Barranco Valley. It's a day spent at altitude, but we follow the "climb high, sleep low" principle to help your body acclimatize, so you'll spend the night lower down at Barranco Camp.

Elevation

3,900m → 3,950m

Distance

5km / 3.1mi

Hiking Time

4-5 hours

Habitat

Alpine desert

After breakfast we tackle the Barranco Wall, a steep 257-meter rock face that requires some scrambling but is usually easier than it looks from below. A short rest at the top, then on to Karanga Camp in the alpine desert, a shorter day built for acclimatization.

Elevation

3,950m → 4,670m

Distance

4km / 2.5mi

Hiking Time

3-4 hours

Habitat

Alpine desert

Today's trek climbs through increasingly barren landscape, with Kibo Peak towering above. You'll reach Barafu Camp, the staging point for the summit attempt, in the early afternoon. After a hearty meal, I'll brief you in detail on what summit night involves, then it's rest before the final push.

Elevation

4,670m → 5,895m → 3,100m

Distance

17km / 10.6mi

Hiking Time

10-12 hours

Habitat

Arctic

Around midnight, we begin the final ascent to Uhuru Peak, the longest and most grueling stretch of the climb, passing between glaciers and volcanic rock formations. At the summit you'll have a few moments to take it in before the long descent back down to Mweka Camp for the night.

Elevation

3,100m → 1,830m

Distance

10km / 6.2mi

Hiking Time

3-4 hours

Habitat

Rainforest

After breakfast we make our way back through the rainforest to Mweka Gate, where you'll collect your summit certificate, then transfer back to Arusha for a well-earned shower and rest.

After a good night's rest and breakfast at the hotel, our transfer vehicle will take you to Kilimanjaro International Airport for your flight home. If you'd like to extend your trip with a safari or a few days in Zanzibar, let me know in advance and I'll arrange it.