8 Day Machame Route Kilimanjaro Trek (Camping)

Day 1: Moshi, Tanzania

Your tour begins today. You may arrive at any time. This is your chance to find out more about your tour and meet your guide and other travelers. Decide to eat with the group at a nearby restaurant afterward. Remember to look for the notice in the lobby or ask at reception to find out the official meeting time and location for the group.

Accommodation: Stella Maris Lodge (or similar)
Included Highlights: Welcome Moment – Meet Your guide and Group

Day 2 : Moshi – Machame Camp, Tanzania

Trek to Machame Camp via Mt. Kilimanjaro’s lower slopes. The majority of the day is spent on the stunning and enthralling slopes of Mt. Kilimanjaro, which are mostly classified as rainforest zones. The trail will be muddy if it rains and will be soggy depending on the weather.

Accommodation: Machame Camp
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Highlights: Machame Gate to Machame Camp
Hiking Time: ± 5 – 7 hours
Hiking Distance: ± 11 km

Day 3 : Machame Camp – Shira 2 Camp, Tanzania

Trek through the lower alpine moors to the Shira 2 camp, where you may take in the breathtaking vistas of Kibo Peak. Begin with a tough climb up to the forest’s edge. Scale the high crest and have a rest. Hike to Shira Cathedral and take in the peaks’ vista before you arrive at camp.

Accommodation: Shira 2 Camp
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Highlights: Machame Camp to Shira 2 Camp
Hiking Time: ± 5 – 6 hours
Hiking Distance: ± 5 km

Day 4 : Shira 2 Camp – Barranco Camp, Tanzania

Hike via Lava Tower to Barranco Camp. Savor the breathtaking vista of the Breach Wall and Western Breach. From the Shira 2 Camp, ascend gradually through the rocky terrain to the Lava Tower (4600m, 15,092 feet). The path is progressively more difficult and steep. As the altitude may cause some hikers to feel weak or out of breath, go cautiously—or “pole pole,” as the Swahili phrase puts it—to prevent aggravating the symptoms. Go 650 meters (2133 feet) down to the Great Barranco Valley from the Lava Tower. To get to the valley, adjust to the altitude, and enjoy the views of the Western Breach and Breach Wall, hike for around two hours. After the strenuous climb of the day, arrive at Barranco Camp and take in the breathtaking scenery. The Camp is surrounded by the Breach Wall on three sides, and it offers breathtaking views of the Kibo massif and hanging glaciers.

Accommodation: Barranco Camp
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Highlights: Shira 2 Camp to Lava Tower, Lava Tower to Barranco Camp
Hiking Time: ± 4 – 6 hours 
Hiking Distance: ± 10 km

Day 5: Barranco Camp – Barafu Camp, Tanzania

Ascent the eastern wall, which passes beneath the Helm Glacier, offers views of the Great Barranco Wall. Gaze upon the Great Barranco Wall from your tent, then prepare to ascend the eastern wall. The path is a continuous incline that descends beneath the Helm Glacier and intersects with the Mweka route. Take a nap in the Barafu Camp; it’s located on a rocky, narrow ridge with no windbreaks. Prepare gear such as headlamps, trekking poles, and warm clothes in advance of the extremely early start the following day.

Accommodation: Barafu Camp
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Highlights: Barranco Camp to Barafu Camp
Hiking Time: ± 8 – 9 hours
Hiking Distance: ± 9 km

Day 6: Barafu Camp – Mweka Camp, Tanzania

Trek through Stella Point to reach the Summit at night. Take in the morning before making your way down to Mweka Camp.

The longest and most difficult day of the entire climb is the one that leads from Barafu Camp to the summit, both physically and mentally. You will always cherish the memory of scaling Mount Kilimanjaro, despite its challenges. The alarm goes off at 11 p.m. today so that, weather permitting, you can get to Stella Point (5756 m, 18,885 ft) in time to see the breathtaking sunrise. Snacken and warm up with a drink as you prepare for the nighttime climb up Northwest Ridge. After passing between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers and reaching Stella Point, proceed cautiously due to the challenging and rugged terrain.

Begin the one-hour, moderate climb up the snow-covered route to Uhuru Peak (5895m, 19341 ft). Near the peak, morning temperatures can drop to -23°C (-9°F), while nightly lows can fall below freezing. Finally reach the summit! Breathe deeply and acknowledge that your climb was successful.

Start the descent from the summit in the direction of the Barafu camp, where the party will rest and pack up. The descent route returns over moorland and forest, using the same rock and scree path as the ascent. Arrive at Mweka Hut late in the afternoon.

Accommodation: Mweka Camp
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Highlights: Barafu Camp to Stella Point, Stella Point to Summit, Summit to Mweka Camp
Hiking Time: ± 11 – 12 hours
Hiking Distance: ± 17 km

Day 7: Mweka Camp – Moshi, Tanzania

Proceed downhill through the lower, forested slopes until you reach Moshi. Join the mamas of Moshi Women’s Cooperative for a climbing ceremony.

We arrive in the afternoon to Moshi. It’s time to unwind, have a shower, and toast with a beverage. To climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, cheers! The mamas of the Moshi Women’s Cooperative will greet and congratulate you on your climb before dinner. They’ll give you a certificate and a gift to acknowledge all of your hard work on the mountain.

You can choose to pay for the Moshi Mamas Massage in advance by adding it to your cart, or you can get help from your travel agency.

Accommodation: Stella Maris Lodge (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Included Highlights: Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate, Moshi Women’s Cooperative Visit
Hiking Time: ± 4-5 hours
Hiking Distance: ± 10 km
Optional Activities: Lalasalama Spa & Beauty Aromatherapy Massage

Day 8: Moshi, Tanzania

Your tour comes to an end today. Depart at any time.

Meals: Breakfast

Onward Travel Plans

Due to circumstances beyond our control while on tour (such as border crossings, traffic, breakdowns and delays, etc), the end time on the last day cannot be guaranteed. Therefore we strongly recommend you stay the night and fly out the next day. Please consult with your booking consultant.