The Best of Machame Route in 6 Days: Your World's Summit Guide
By AFRICA NATURAL TOURS
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Overview
Discover the ultimate journey on Kilimanjaro's Machame Route with this step-by-step guide in 6-days to conquer the world's highest summit in Africa. The best of 6 days in Machame route is a popular trekking route to the world's summit of Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, Africa known for its scenic beauty & relatively.
The Machame route, part of the 6 Days in Machame approaches the summit from the southwest & descends using the Mweka route, rewarding climbers with views of the expansive Shira Plateau, an optional scramble up Lava Tower, a climb up the Great Barranco Wall and a traverse underneath Kilimanjaro’s southern ice field, showcasing the best of the world's beauty.
The recommended best times of the year to trek Mt. Kilimanjaro in the 6-day Machame Route is during the dry seasons, from December to mid-March and from June to October. During these periods weather conditions are best with clear skies, great views, little to no rain and sunshine making it an enjoyable and safer trek.
Activity location
- Arusha
- Arusha, Arusha Region, Tanzania
Meeting/Redemption Point
- Arusha
- Arusha, Arusha Region, Tanzania
Multiple meeting/redemption points available, see location information for full list
Check availability
Sorry this activity isn't available on Fri, Dec 19
Please choose a different date
What's included, what's not
- Drop off at the hotel you booked in Moshi town from Mweka gate after descending down from Mountain.
- High-quality branded group equipment (dining tent, sleeping pads, table, chairs, crockery & cutlery.
- Briefing
- Professional climbing crew (Guide, porters, camp masters, cooks)
- Trekking certificate
- Breakfast, lunch, and dinner during the trekking
- pick up from the hotel you booked in Moshi town to Machame Gate.
- Vegetarian, vegan, lastose-free, gluten-free, halal and other meal plans are available
- All fees collected by the Kilimanjaro National Park
- Tips to mountain crew
- The hotel accommodations before and after trek in town
- Pick up and drop off at the Airport
- Other pick-up location's shown in the package not included
- Flight ( Domestic & International )
- Personal Hiking Gears
Know before you book
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Activity itinerary
Day 1: Machame Gate to Machame Camp
- 1 stop
- Meals: Not included
- Accommodation: Machame Camp.
Mount Kilimanjaro
On Day 1, you will drive for about 45 minutes from Moshi to Machame Gate, passing through the village of Machame. After departing from the park gate, you'll hike through the rain forest on a winding trail. The elevation will increase from 1830m (6000ft) to 3050m (9950ft) over a distance of 11km (7mi), taking approximately 5-6 hours. The habitat during this hike is montane forest, and you'll enjoy lunch and dinner before overnighting at Machame Camp.
Day 2: Machame Camp to Shira Camp
- 1 stop
- Meals: Not included
- Accommodation: Shira Camp.
Mount Kilimanjaro
- 6m
- Admission ticket not included
On Day 2, after breakfast, you'll leave the glades of the rain forest and continue on an ascending path. You'll cross a valley along a steep rocky ridge, then turn west onto a river gorge until you reach the Shira campsite. The elevation will rise from 3050m (9950ft) to 3850m (12,600ft) over a distance of 5km (3mi), with a hiking time of 4-5 hours. The habitat changes to moorland, and you'll be provided with breakfast, lunch, and dinner before overnighting at Shira Camp.
Day 3: Shira Camp to Lava Tower to Barranco Camp
- 1 stop
- Meals: Not included
- Accommodation: Barranco Camp.
Mount Kilimanjaro
- 6h
- Admission ticket not included
Day 3 begins with a hike from Shira Camp, continuing east up a ridge while passing the junction towards Kibo. You'll change direction southeast towards the Lava Tower, also known as “Shark’s Tooth,” at an elevation of 4650m (15,250ft). After this, you'll descend to Barranco Camp, ending the day around the same elevation as when you started. This day is crucial for acclimatization. The elevation will go from 3850m (12,600ft) to 4000m (13,000ft) over a distance of 10km (6mi), taking about 5-6 hours. The habitat will be semi-desert, and you'll have breakfast, lunch, and dinner before overnighting at Barranco Camp.
Day 4: Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp
- 1 stop
- Meals: Not included
- Accommodation: Barafu Camp.
Mount Kilimanjaro
- 8h
- Admission ticket not included
On Day 4, after breakfast, you'll leave Barranco and tackle the steep Barranco Wall, reaching an elevation of 4250m (13,900ft). After this challenging ascent, you'll traverse through the Karanga Valley at 4050m (13,250ft) before continuing your hike to Barafu Camp. This segment completes the South Circuit, offering stunning summit views along the way. The elevation will rise from 4000m (13,000ft) to 4700m (15,350ft) over a distance of 9km (6mi), taking 6-8 hours of hiking. The habitat will be an alpine desert, and you'll enjoy breakfast, lunch, and dinner before overnighting at Barafu Camp.
Day 5: Barafu Camp to Summit to Mweka Camp
- 1 stop
- Meals: Not included
- Accommodation: Mweka Camp.
Mount Kilimanjaro
- 7m
- Admission ticket not included
Day 5 is the most challenging, starting very early in the morning (midnight to 2 am) as you head towards the summit. You'll navigate between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers, ascending through scree to reach Stella Point on the crater rim. This stretch requires mental and physical endurance, but the reward is a breathtaking sunrise. From Stella Point, you'll continue to Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa at 5895m (19,340ft). After summiting, you'll descend to Mweka Camp, stopping at Barafu for lunch. The elevation changes from 4700m (15,350ft) to 5895m (19,340ft) and then down to 3090m (10,150ft), covering 5km (3mi) up and 13km (8mi) down, with a total hiking time of 10-13 hours. You'll enjoy breakfast, lunch, and dinner before overnighting at Mweka Camp.
Day 6: Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate to Hotel
- 1 stop
- Meals: Not included
- Accommodation: Not included
Mount Kilimanjaro
- 3m
- Admission ticket not included
On the final day, you'll have breakfast before descending to Mweka Park Gate to receive your summit certificates. The descent can be wet and muddy at lower elevations, so gaiters and trekking poles are advisable. After completing the 10km (6mi) hike down from 3090m (10,150ft) to 1680m (5500ft), taking 3-4 hours, you will be greeted by the Monkey Adventures vehicle at Mweka Gate for your return drive to the hotel in Moshi, which takes about 60 minutes. You'll have breakfast before concluding your trek.
Location
Activity location
- Arusha
- Arusha, Arusha Region, Tanzania
Meeting/Redemption Point
- Arusha
- Arusha, Arusha Region, Tanzania
- Arusha Airport
- Arusha, Arusha Region, Tanzania
- AFRICA NATURAL TOURS L.T.D
- Mkwawa Avenue
- Shanty Town, Kilimanjaro Region, Tanzania
- Kilimanjaro International Airport
- Kilimanjaro Airport Road
- Hai, Kilimanjaro Region, Tanzania
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