7-Day Machame Route Kilimanjaro Trek
This 7-day Tanzania trek is built around Kilimanjaro. The route is organised around walking days, mountain conditions and the time needed to move between trail sections.
The daily plan moves through Machame Gate – Machame Camp, Machame Camp to Shira Camp, Shira Camp to Lava Tower to Barranco Camp and the remaining scheduled stops.
This is arranged as a joining-group departure. A local guide and safari vehicle manage the route, park entry procedures and daily driving schedule for the group.
Overnight stays use campsites and tented accommodation, with the exact properties confirmed in the accommodation section. Group size, meal arrangements and included services should be reviewed together because they affect the practical cost of the route.
Listed inclusions include All Park entrances & taxes, All Meals (breakfast, lunch & dinner),, soft drinks & water (bottled water 3 litres or more a day).
✨ Safari Highlights
📋 Day-by-Day Itinerary
- Drive from Arusha to Machame Gate takes about 3 hours. The journey passes through the village of Machame, located on the lower slopes of the mountain. We depart the park gate and walk through the rainforest on a winding trail up a ridge.
- At lower elevations, the trail can be muddy and slippery, so gaiters and trekking poles are recommended.
- We continue a short distance until we reach Machame Camp.
- Elevation: 1830m/6000ft to 3050m/9950ft
- Distance: 11km/7mi
- Hiking Time: 5-6 hours
- Habitat: Montane Forest
- After breakfast, we leave the rainforest and continue on an ascending path, crossing a valley along a steep rocky ridge.
- The route turns west onto a river gorge until we arrive at Shira Camp.
- Elevation: 3050m/9950ft to 3850m/12,600ft
- Distance: 5km/3mi
- Walking Time: 4-5 hours
- Habitat: Moorland
- From the Shira Plateau, we continue east up a ridge, passing the junction toward Kibo Peak.
- We then head southeast to Lava Tower (“Shark’s Tooth”) at 4650m before descending to Barranco Camp.
- This day is important for acclimatization.
- Elevation: 3850m/12,600ft to 4000m/13,000ft
- Distance: 10km/6mi
- Walking Time: 5-6 hoursHabitat: Semi-desert
- After breakfast, we climb the Barranco Wall and continue along a ridge to Karanga Valley, connecting with the Mweka Trail.
- Elevation: 4000m/13,000ft to 4050m/13,250ft
- Distance: 5km/3mi
- Climbing Time: 3-4 hours
- Habitat: Alpine Desert
- We continue to Barafu Camp, completing the South Circuit with excellent views of the summit.
- Here we rest and prepare for summit day.
- Elevation: 4050m/13,250ft to 4700m/15,350ft
- Distance: 4km/2mi
- Climbing Time: 3-4 hours
- Habitat: Alpine Desert
- Around midnight, we begin the summit ascent toward Stella Point via steep scree slopes.
- After a short rest, we continue to Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa.
- After celebrating, we descend to Mweka Camp.
- After breakfast, we descend to Mweka Gate where you will receive your summit certificate.
- Your driver will transfer you back to your hotel in Arusha.
- Elevation: 3090m/10,150ft to 1680m/5500ft
- Distance: 10km/6mi
- Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
- Habitat: Forest
💰 Safari Pricing
| Start dates | Solo | 2 people | 3 people | 4 people | 5 people | 6 people | 7+ people |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Camping & Budget: | n/a* | $1800 | $1800 | $1760 | $1760 | $1760 | Get Quote |
All prices per person. Group discounts available. Contact us for custom pricing.
📍 Destinations You'll Visit
✅ What's Included
- All Park entrances & taxes
- All Meals (breakfast, lunch & dinner),
- soft drinks & water (bottled water 3 litres or more a day)
- A professional driver/guide
- All activities
- All transportation
- Flying Doctors insurance (AMREF) during the safari
❌ Not Included
- Tips for guides, driver & cook
- International and domestic flights
- Tanzania Visa fees
- Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour
- Government imposed increase of taxes and/or park fees
📸 Safari Photo Gallery
🌟 Experience Type
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
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