7 Days Machame Route

7 Days | 6 Nights

Trip Days

Destinations

Machame Gate, Machame Camp, Shira Camp, Lava Tower, Barranco Camp, Karanga Camp, Barafu Camp & Uhuru Peak.

Accommodation

Camp

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Full itinerary

Day By Day Itinerary

Day 1: Machame Gate to Machame Camp

Elevation: 5,380 ft to 9,350 ft | Distance: 11 km / 7 milesHiking
Time: 5-7 hours | Habitat: Rainforest

Your adventure begins with a morning drive from Moshi to the Machame Gate. After completing the necessary registration, you’ll begin your trek through the lush rainforest. The trail winds through towering trees, moss-covered rocks, and abundant wildlife, offering a stunning introduction to the mountain. The day’s trek ends at Machame Camp, where you’ll set up camp and rest for the night.

Day 2: Machame Camp to Shira Camp

Elevation: 9,350 ft to 12,500 ft | Distance: 5 km / 3 miles
Hiking Time: 4-6 hours | Habitat: Moorland

After breakfast, you’ll leave the rainforest behind and start ascending into the moorland zone. The trail gets steeper as it winds through a savannah of tall grasses and scattered rocks, offering expansive views of Kibo Peak and Mount Meru in the distance. The trek continues across the Shira Plateau, an ancient volcanic caldera, and ends at Shira Camp for an overnight stay.

Day 3: Shira Camp to Lava Tower to Barranco Camp

Elevation Gain: 12,500 ft to 15,190 ft (Lava Tower) and then descent to 13,044 ft (Barranco Camp) | Distance: 10 km / 6 miles
Hiking Time: 6-7 hours | Habitat: Alpine Desert

Today is an important day for acclimatization as you hike to Lava Tower (15,190 ft), a towering rock formation where you will stop for lunch. This section offers spectacular views as the trail ascends into the alpine desert. After reaching Lava Tower, you’ll descend into the Barranco Valley, famous for its giant groundsels and lobelias. The day ends at Barranco Camp, one of the most beautiful campsites on the mountain.

Day 4: Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp

Elevation: 13,044 ft to 13,106 ft | Distance: 5 km / 3 miles
Hiking Time: 4-5 hours | Habitat: Alpine Desert

Your day starts with the iconic Barranco Wall, a challenging but non-technical climb that offers panoramic views of the mountain. The route continues along ridges and valleys, offering scenic views of the southern glaciers and Kibo Peak. After several hours of trekking, you will reach Karanga Camp in time for lunch and spend the afternoon resting or exploring the nearby area.

Day 5: Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp

Elevation: 13,106 ft to 15,331 ft | Distance: 4 km / 2 miles
Hiking Time: 3-4 hours | Habitat: Alpine Desert

After breakfast, you’ll set off for Barafu Camp, the base camp for your summit attempt. The trail is steep but relatively short, traversing through rocky alpine desert. Once at Barafu, you’ll have stunning views of the Mawenzi and Kibo peaks. In the afternoon, you’ll rest and prepare for the final ascent to Uhuru Peak. Dinner is served early so you can get to bed for an early wake-up.

Day 6: Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak to Mweka Camp

Elevation Gain: 15,331 ft to 19,341 ft (Uhuru Peak) and descent to 10,065 ft (Mweka Camp) | Distance: 17 km / 11 milesHiking
Time: 10-14 hours (summit and descent) | Habitat: Arctic (at summit), Alpine Desert (descent)

Your summit push begins around midnight, and you’ll climb for about 6-8 hours under the stars. The steep trail takes you up frozen volcanic scree, eventually reaching Stella Point (18,885 ft) at the crater rim, where you’ll witness a magnificent sunrise. After a short rest, it’s another hour to Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa at 19,341 ft. After celebrating at the summit, you’ll descend back to Barafu Camp for a brief rest before continuing down to Mweka Camp for the night.

Day 7: Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate

Elevation: 10,065 ft to 5,380 ft | Distance: 10 km / 6 miles
Hiking Time: 3-4 hours | Habitat: Rainforest

After a well-earned breakfast, you’ll make your final descent through the lush rainforest to Mweka Gate. Upon reaching the gate, you’ll sign out and receive your summit certificate. From there, a vehicle will be waiting to transfer you back to Moshi, where you can relax, reflect on your journey, and celebrate your accomplishment.