7 Days Mt. Kilimanjaro Climb via Machame Route

Day 1 – Moshi Weruweru Lodge

3,000-ft/914-m

After arriving at Kilimanjaro Airport, we check into our Weruweru hotel in Moshi. We spend one night in here, at the foot of Kilimanjaro, allowing us  to recharge our batteries. We meet with our guides for a detailed climb orientation and final gear check.

Day 2 – Machame Camp

10,600-ft/2,972-m • 7.2 miles/11 km • 6-7 hours

After breakfast, we drive to the Machame gate, and sign into the national park. After your guide takes care of the paperwork, we start our climb. The track narrows, and then leads us uphill through the tropical rain forest to Machame Camp.

Our camp crew will have camp set up for you when you arrive, so all you have to do is move in and enjoy the natural beauty.

Day 3 – Shira Plateau

12,480-ft/3,804-m • 3.1 miles/5 km • 7-8 hours

We start out after breakfast and leave the last glades of the rain forest behind. On a clear day you can see your first close-up of Kibo Peak – from 20 miles/12 km away. Passing through fields of heather, we see the mountainside gradually opening up. You now begin to feel the effects of the altitude, and we hike slowly.

After 9,000 ft. you pass the first lobelia, protea and giant Senecio, and reach Shira in 7-8 hours.

Day 4 – Barranco

12,950-ft/3,950-m • 6.2 miles/10 km • 7-8 hours

We hike uphill, past the Lava Tower, and slowly trek downhill through the giant Senecios toward Barranco, around Kibo’s spectacular south-facing glaciers. The view of the towering peaks are spectacular.
After descending through the heather and lobelias we arrive at Barranco Camp.

Day 5 – Karanga

13,200-ft/4,033-m • 3.6 miles/5.8 km • 4-5 hours

After breakfast, we head up the Barranco Wall.  This is one of the more spectacular days, with great hikes up and down the valleys.

Kibo Peak hovers over your left shoulder, and Mawenzi looms front of you to your right.

Day 6 – Barafu Camp

14,950-ft/4,556-m • 2.1 miles/3.4 km • 4 hours

The air starts getting quite thin, and you will be running short of breath. It’s a tough, but a rewarding uphill climb to the rocky, craggy slopes at the camp. “Barafu” means, “ice” in Swahili, and it is extremely cold at this altitude.

There is a buzz of excitement in the air, as climbers anticipate the toughest day just ahead. The clouds move in and out, revealing the eroded peak of Mawenzi, rising from the plains below.

Day 7 – Barafu to Summit to Mweka

Summit: 19,340-ft/5,895-m • 2.75 miles/4.5 km • 7-9 hours
Mweka: 10,400-ft/3,170-m • 6.8 miles/10.9 km • 7-8 hours

We start climbing around midnight, on the steepest and most demanding part of the mountain, reaching the Crater rim by sunrise.

Mawenzi Peak is a thrilling sight, with the Kibo saddle still in darkness beneath you, and the crater’s ice-walls looming ahead. We now continue to Uhuru Peak (1-2 hrs.) This is the highest point (19,340 ft) and the best view in Africa. The descent is invigorating. We continue down to BarafuCamp  and then  to Mweka camp, where we spend our last night on the mountain.

Day 8 – Mweka Gate/Moshi

Gate: 5,500-ft/1,676-m • 5.3 miles/8.5 km • 4-5 hours
Moshi: 3,000-ft/914-m • 30 minute drive

In the morning it’s a 4-5 hour hike down to the park gate, where the Borderless Tours vehicles meet us for a half-hour drive to the hotel.

We enjoy well-earned showers and a celebration of a successful climb.

Day 9 – Wildlife Safari or Fly Home

Depart Tanzania, or continue on your wildlife safari. Zai Tours takes you through some of the most spectacular wildlife reserves on the planet.