6-Day Hiking Mount Kilimanjaro Trek via Machame Route

Kilimanjaro’s Snow-Capped Summit Awaits

Experience Kilimanjaro

The Crown of Africa

Conquer Kilimanjaro in 6 days on the exciting 6-Day Hiking Mount Kilimanjaro Trek via Machame Route. Traverse lush rainforests, rugged ridges, and alpine deserts, all leading to the summit at Uhuru Peak. Enjoy breathtaking views, excellent acclimatization, and the thrill of reaching Africa’s highest peak.

Customizable Itinerary

This sample itinerary serves as inspiration for a personalized journey crafted with care by your dedicated travel specialist.

Tour Features

Mid-range tour

This mid-range tour uses tented camps and hotels.

Group Adventure

Shared adventure, stunning views, unforgettable summit experience.

Can be customized

You can request minor changes to the accommodations and destinations of this tour.

Can start any day

If availability permits, this tour can start on any day.

Activities & Transportation

Climbing Highlights

An Unforgettable 6-Day Kilimanjaro Adventure

Machame Route Trek: Begin your 6-day Kilimanjaro journey via the scenic Machame Route. Trek through lush rainforests, conquer rugged ridges, and ascend alpine landscapes, all leading to the iconic Uhuru Peak summit.

Stunning Landscapes: Experience Kilimanjaro’s diverse ecosystems, from vibrant moorlands to glacial zones, offering breathtaking views of Tanzania’s wilderness every step of the way.

Challenging Yet Rewarding: The Machame Route presents a dynamic and challenging trail with excellent acclimatization opportunities, ensuring an increased chance of a successful summit.

Breathtaking Summit Experience: Witness a mesmerizing sunrise atop Africa’s highest peak, with panoramic views stretching across the Serengeti Plains and beyond.

Comfortable Camps: Enjoy well-placed camps along the trail, with experienced guides and porters providing a safe and enriching experience on this unforgettable adventure.

Customizable Itinerary

This sample itinerary serves as inspiration for a personalized journey crafted with care by your dedicated travel specialist.
Day by Day

Upon your arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport, you’ll be greeted by our friendly team for a warm welcome. From the airport, enjoy a comfortable transfer to your hotel in Arusha, approximately 50 kilometers away. Relax and recover from your journey in preparation for the exciting Kilimanjaro adventure ahead. Your hotel offers a peaceful setting to rest and get ready for the trek.

Accommodation: Mid-range hotel in Arusha
Meals Included: Dinner

What's Include

Start your day with an early breakfast before a scenic 2-hour drive (about 80 km) to Machame Gate (1,800 m). After completing registration, begin your Kilimanjaro trek through the lush rainforest. The trail winds upward, offering opportunities to spot unique flora and fauna, including colobus monkeys.

After 5–7 hours of trekking, reach Machame Camp (2,835 m), nestled amidst the forest. Enjoy your first night on the mountain, surrounded by nature’s tranquility.

Altitude: 1,800 m – 2,835 m
Hiking Distance: 11 km
Hiking Time: 5–7 hours
Accommodation: Machame Camp
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

What's Include

Morning Ascent: After a nutritious breakfast, begin your day with the famous Barranco Wall. This challenging, but rewarding ascent takes you through rocky terrain, offering incredible views of Kilimanjaro’s summit and the surrounding landscapes.

Climb the Barranco Wall: The Barranco Wall is a scramble, requiring careful navigation and surefootedness. Once you reach the top, you’ll be greeted by expansive vistas and a sense of achievement as you make your way toward Karanga Camp.

Continue the Trek to Karanga Camp: After conquering the Barranco Wall, the trail flattens out slightly as you make your way toward Karanga Camp. This section of the trek offers beautiful views of the highland desert, with occasional glimpses of wildlife and unique flora.

Overnight at Karanga Camp: Arriving at Karanga Camp in the afternoon, you’ll enjoy a well-deserved rest. This camp sits at a high elevation and provides a great opportunity for acclimatization before continuing your climb.

  • Distance Traveled: Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp (about 5 km)
  • Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
  • Altitude: 3,960 m to 4,035 m
  • Accommodation: Karanga Camp

What's Include

Begin the Day’s Hike: After a nutritious breakfast, continue your 6-Day Hiking Mount Kilimanjaro Trek via Machame Route. The day starts with a steep ascent, but you’ll soon be rewarded with incredible views as you trek through moorland and heather zones.

Trekking to Shira Camp: As you leave the rainforest behind, the landscape transforms into vast moorlands with open vistas. The trek to Shira Camp is less steep than the previous day, but it’s still a steady climb, offering remarkable panoramas of the mountain and the surrounding plains.

Overnight at Shira Camp: Arrive at Shira Camp in the afternoon, where you can relax and enjoy the incredible views of Kilimanjaro’s summit. Spend the night camping at this breathtaking altitude, where you’ll have ample opportunity for acclimatization.

  • Distance Traveled: Machame Camp to Shira Camp (about 8 km)
  • Hiking Time: 5-6 hours
  • Altitude: 3,000 m to 3,840 m
  • Accommodation: Shira Camp

What's Include

Morning Trek: After a hearty breakfast at Barranco Camp, begin your hike towards Barafu Camp. This is one of the most challenging and rewarding segments of your 6-Day Hiking Mount Kilimanjaro Trek via Machame Route, as you navigate the Barranco Wall, a steep section requiring a bit of scrambling.

Climb the Barranco Wall: The Barranco Wall is a breathtaking and challenging rock face, but it’s manageable with the help of your experienced guides. As you ascend, enjoy spectacular views of the valley below and the mountain’s higher regions.

Reach Karanga Camp: After conquering the Barranco Wall, you’ll reach Karanga Camp, where you can take a short break. From here, the trail continues to the final ascent towards Barafu Camp.

Continue to Barafu Camp: The trail to Barafu Camp takes you through alpine desert terrain with impressive views of the mountain’s higher reaches. As you make your way up, you’ll begin to feel the thinning air, and your energy may begin to wane, but the anticipation of your summit tomorrow keeps you motivated.

Arrive at Barafu Camp: Located at an altitude of 4,673 meters, Barafu Camp is the final stop before your summit attempt. It’s a busy and energetic place as many climbers rest here before their summit day. You’ll have a chance to hydrate, have a light meal, and rest in preparation for the final push to Uhuru Peak.

  • Distance Traveled: Barranco Camp to Barafu Camp (about 9 km)
  • Hiking Time: 6-8 hours
  • Altitude: Barranco Camp (3,960 m) to Barafu Camp (4,673 m)
  • Accommodation: Barafu Camp

What's Include

Early Summit Push:
Start around midnight for the final ascent from Barafu Camp (4,673 m) to Uhuru Peak (5,895 m). Experience the thrill of reaching Africa’s highest point.

Summit Experience:
Enjoy breathtaking views at Uhuru Peak before descending to Barafu Camp for a short break.

Descent to Mweka Camp:
Continue your descent to Mweka Camp (3,100 m), where you’ll rest and reflect on your incredible achievement.

  • Distance: Barafu to Uhuru Peak (6 km), Uhuru Peak to Mweka Camp (13 km)
  • Hiking Time: Summit (6-8 hours), descent (4-5 hours)
  • Altitude: Barafu Camp (4,673 m), Uhuru Peak (5,895 m), Mweka Camp (3,100 m)

Customizable Itinerary

This sample itinerary serves as inspiration for a personalized journey crafted with care by your dedicated travel specialist.
  • Park fees(For non-residents)
  • All activities (Unless labeled as optional)
  • All accommodation (Unless ask for upgrade)
  • A professional driver/guide
  • All transportation (Unless labeled as optional)
  • All Taxes/VAT
  • Roundtrip airport transfer
  • Meals (As specified in the day-by-day section)
  • Drinks (As specified in the day-by-day section)
  • International flights(From/to home)
  • Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour
  • Tips(Tipping guideline US$10.00 pp per day)
  • Personal items(Souvenirs, travel insurance, visa fees, etc.)
  • Government imposed increase of taxes and/or park fees
  • Some meals( not  specified in the day-by-day section)

Customer Reviews

"The 7-Day Machame Route with The Big Elephant Adventures was incredible! The scenery was spectacular, and the guides were professional, helping us every step of the way. Reaching the summit of Kilimanjaro was a life-changing experience. Highly recommend!"

John Miller, Texas, USA

"An unforgettable adventure! The Machame Route trek was challenging but rewarding. The guides from The Big Elephant Adventures ensured that we were safe and comfortable throughout the journey. The views and experiences were beyond words. It’s a must-do for any adventurer!"

Sophia Robinson Leceister, UK

"I just completed the 7-Day Kilimanjaro Machame Route climb with The Big Elephant Adventures, and it exceeded all expectations. The team made sure we acclimatized properly, and the ascent to Uhuru Peak was amazing. Highly recommend this trek for anyone seeking a real challenge."

Robert Tumbley Sydney, Australia

"I had an amazing time on the 7-Day Machame Route climb. The landscape was absolutely stunning, and the trek was physically demanding but so rewarding. The Big Elephant Adventures provided top-notch service and support. I’ll cherish this experience forever!"

Emily Scott, Otawa,Canada

"The 7-Day Kilimanjaro Machame Route climb was an unforgettable adventure. The views were breathtaking, and the trek was well-organized. The guides made sure we were always comfortable and well-prepared for each stage. Thanks to The Big Elephant Adventures for making this dream come true!"

Olivia Harris Toronto, Canada

Customizable Itinerary

This sample itinerary serves as inspiration for a personalized journey crafted with care by your dedicated travel specialist.

Frequently Asked Questions .

The 7-Day Machame Route is a challenging trek, requiring good physical fitness. It involves hiking at high altitudes and includes steep sections. However, with proper acclimatization and a positive attitude, most trekkers can complete it successfully.

Acclimatization is carefully managed on the Machame Route with a gradual ascent, allowing trekkers to spend time at higher elevations before descending for the night. This helps reduce the risk of altitude sickness and gives your body time to adjust.

 

While no technical mountaineering skills are required, climbers should be in good physical shape. A basic fitness routine involving hiking, cardio, and endurance exercises will help prepare your body for the challenge.

Yes, it is mandatory to have a licensed guide when climbing Mount Kilimanjaro. Our experienced guides from The Big Elephant Adventures will ensure your safety, assist with navigating the trail, and offer valuable insights about the mountain’s environment.

The success rate for summiting Kilimanjaro on the 7-Day Machame Route is higher than shorter routes because of the extra time for acclimatization. Following the recommended pace and advice from your guide significantly increases your chances of success.

Preparation involves regular physical exercise, particularly aerobic activities and strength training. Hiking on inclines, walking long distances, and training with a loaded backpack will help you prepare for the demands of the trek. Additionally, ensure you are mentally prepared for the challenge.

Climbing Kilimanjaro involves significant challenges, and not everyone reaches the summit. Your safety is our top priority. If conditions do not allow you to continue to the top, your guide will assess the situation, and you’ll be taken back to a lower camp for rest and recovery.

On the trek, we provide three meals a day, including breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The meals are designed to be nutritious and energy-boosting to support your trek, with options for various dietary preferences if communicated in advance.

Yes! We offer optional extensions to experience a safari in Tanzania’s wildlife-rich national parks or relax on the beautiful beaches of Zanzibar. Contact us for more information on adding these adventures to your Kilimanjaro trek package.

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