Mount Kilimanjaro on Machame Route Itinerary

Day 0 Pre-trek night and briefing

Your pre-trek meeting will be today at your hotel, and here you’ll receive important information. Your guides will review your equipment so that any rentals required can be arranged. Please note that this night is not included but can be booked as an optional extra.
Overnight Location: None
Distance: None
Meals: None

Day 1 Trek to Machame Camp

Depart in the morning from your Moshi hotel to the trailhead at Machame Gate. Today’s path winds through the rainforest and up the ridge to Machame Camp. You may want to have your gaiters and trekking poles out as this section of trail can get muddy. Day one is done, nice work!
Overnight Location: Camping on Mount Kilimanjaro (3,026m / 9,927ft)
Distance: 5-6 hours, 11 km, 1220m elevation gain
Meals: Lunch, dinner

Day 2 Short trek to Shira Camp

Today’s trek is a shorter one. Leaving the rainforest behind, you’ll enjoy open vistas as the trail ascends the ridge to Shira Camp. Enjoy the tremendous views of Shira Ridge and Mount Kilimanjaro from camp tonight.
Overnight Location: Camping on Mount Kilimanjaro (3,766m / 12,355ft)
Distance: 4-5 hours, 5 km, 800m elevation gain
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 3 Lava Tower and Mount Kibo en route to Barranco Camp

Leaving the beautiful Shira Plateau behind, you’ll continue your trek upwards. Grab your camera as your approach the Lava Tower and keep it handy for the scenic view of Mount Kibo at the end of the day.

The trail will help you get acclimatized to the elevation as it brings you up over 4500m for the first time on this trek. Not to worry, you’ll have an elevation break tonight at camp, as Barranco camp sits only slightly higher than where you were last night.
Overnight Location: Camping on Mount Kilimanjaro (3,983m / 13,067ft)
Distance: 5-6 hours, 10 km, 863m of ascent, 646m of descent
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 4 Climb the Barranco Wall and cross the Karanga Valley

Yesterday’s scenic view of the Barranco Wall becomes today’s objective. The wall is a strenuous hike and may require occasional support from your hands as it is quite steep. The other side descends more gently into the beautiful Karanga Valley. By the time you reach Barafu Camp, you’ll have completed the South Circuit and experienced views of the summit from every angle.
Overnight Location: Camping on Mount Kilimanjaro (4,645m / 15,239ft)
Distance: 6-8 hours, 9 km, 700m of elevation gain
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 5 Early morning trek to summit and descent to Mweka Camp

Today is the day! Your early morning trek begins just after midnight so that you can experience the sunrise from Stella Point, or if you’re fast, from the summit itself. This last stretch is the most difficult of the trek. The terrain is steep, with heavy scree up to Stella Point. You’re also likely to be hiking through snow for the final hour of ascent to Uhuru Peak. Keep pushing!

Once you’ve celebrated being at the highest point in all of Africa, it’s time to head back down. The trail down to Mweka Camp is loose gravel and steep in sections, so you may want to have your trekking poles handy.
Overnight Location: Camping on Mount Kilimanjaro (3,110m / 10,203ft)
Distance: 10-13 hours, 18km, 1,195m of ascent, 2,805m of descent
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 6 Final descent to Mweka Gate

After a good night’s rest and lots of much-needed oxygen, you can begin the final leg of your trek. Dress in layers, as it will warm up as you descend back into the rainforest climate. You’ll receive your summit certificate at the Mweka Park gate and be met by the vehicle that will transport you back to your hotel in Moshi.
Overnight Location: None
Distance: 3-4 hours, 10 km, 1410m of descent
Meals: Breakfast