9-day trip: climbing Kilimanjaro via the popular 6-day Machame Route. People chose the Machame route as the world’s most beautiful climbing path. This is because of the amazing views of Mount Meru, the climb up the Barranco wall, and other great things you see. There are also well-kept hiking trails along the way. The Machame path goes to the top of Kilimanjaro in a different way than the way it goes down, so you can see more of the mountain.

The Machame road climb takes six days, but you can do it in seven days if you want your body to get used to the altitude. We think you should stay an extra day because it will help you reach the top. If you do this, it will take you an extra day to walk from Barranco Camp to Barafu Camp. Day 5 of this route will be the same as Days 5 and 6 of the Lemosho route.

Itinerary Highlights
Day 1: Arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport for your climb
Day 2: Machame Route (1/6) | Machame Gate (1,800 m/5,905 ft) – Machame Camp (2,835 m/9,301 ft)
Day 3: Machame route (2/6) | Machame Camp (2,835 m/9,301 ft) to Shira Camp (3,839 m/12,595 ft)
Day 4: Machame route (3/6) | Shira Camp (3,839 m/12,595 ft) – Lava Tower (4,630 m/15,190 ft) – Barranco Camp (3,950 m/12,959 ft)
Day 5: Machame route (4/6) | Barranco Camp (3,950 m/12,959 ft) – Barafu Camp (4,645 m/15,239 ft)
Day 6: Machame route (5/6) | Barafu Camp (4,645 m/15,239 ft) – Uhuru Peak (5,895 m/19,340 ft) – Millennium Camp (3,820 m/12,532 ft)
Day 7: Machame route (6/6) | Millennium Camp (3,820 m/12,532 ft) – Mweka Gate (1,640 m/5,380 ft) – Hotel
Day 8 – 9: Flight home from Kilimanjaro International Airport after the climb

Tanzania Zanzibar Safari gives a one-of-a-kind service during the climb.

The hardest thing you can do is climb Kilimanjaro. Little things can make a big difference, that’s why we send you up with trained guides, porters, and a cook. They look after you while you climb using the Machame way by feeding you and checking on your health twice a day. Does that sound like too much? Not if you want to get to the top! Because we know that altitude sickness can sneak up on you and that good eating is important to keep you going on a tough climb.

You can also get a lot of information from us to help you get ready for your climb via the Machame way. It tells you about Tanzania and Mount Kilimanjaro, how to get ready, and what you can buy or rent. Another thing we want to bring up is that we work with the Kilimanjaro Responsible Travel Organization (KRTO). That means that while we climb, we look out for our team and the mountain. This way, you can climb without worrying. Are you ready for an event you’ll never forget?

*We can send you the menu ahead of time if you’d like to see it.

How fit do you have to be to go up Kilimanjaro the Machame Way?

Kilimanjaro is very hard to climb because of its high elevation, fast ascent rate, and changing weather. You will walk for six to seven hours every day on average when you climb. It is definitely possible if you are healthy and fit. You can do many things to improve your chances of making it to the top and to make sure you enjoy the hike.

Take your time. Allow your body time to adjust and get used to the altitude by hiking slowly.
Get ready. Also, being in good shape helps a lot with the climb. Hiking a few months before the climb is a great way to prepare, especially walks that last more than one day. But running and other physical activities are also good ways to get ready.

Add one more day. There is no way to know ahead of time who will get altitude sickness. This risk will go down if you climb for one more day. Because the climb is spread out over more days, your body has more time to get used to being taller. We really think you should do this to improve your chances of getting to the top.

Day by day breakdown

Day 1: Arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport for your climb

When you get to Kilimanjaro International Airport, our Tanzania Zanzibar Safari guide will be there to meet you. After the trip, he drops you off at your hotel where you can rest.
Getting ready for your climb: Before you start your climb, you meet your guide. He tells you about the climb and gives you important tips on what to wear, what to bring, and how to make it as easy as possible.

Day 2: Machame Route (1/6) | Machame Gate (1,800 m/5,905 ft) – Machame Camp (2,835 m/9,301 ft)

Your guide picks you up at the hotel in the morning and takes you to Machame Gate. The first part takes you through coffee and banana farms as well as a rainforest that hasn’t been touched by people and is very green. You get to the Machame Camp at the edge of the forest with a heather zone after a five- to six-hour walk. Always remember to drink a lot of water on your first day at this height!

Day 3: Machame route (2/6) | Machame Camp (2,835 m/9,301 ft) to Shira Camp (3,839 m/12,595 ft)

The second day on the mountain starts with a nice, but a bit harder, climb. You first go by a small circular cliff called the picnic rock. From there, you can see Kibo (one of Kilimanjaro’s peaks) and Shira (one of the other volcanic peaks) in a beautiful way. From the picnic rock, there is a beautiful trail that leads to Shira Camp, where you can rest and eat lunch. You can get used to the air by taking a walk to the Lava Tower, which is 4630 meters high and 2 km long.

Day 4: Machame route (3/6) | Shira Camp (3,839 m/12,595 ft) – Lava Tower (4,630 m/15,190 ft) – Barranco Camp (3,950 m/12,959 ft)

You go up and down a lot of hills with great views on your way from Shira Camp to the beautiful Lava Tower. You eat lunch at Lava Tower for one to two hours so that your body can get used to the higher air. If you don’t, you might feel sick. You go down to Barranco Camp after lunch. Be careful of growing plants that look weird and can grow up to five meters tall! The amazing Barranco Wall is right below the camp. The wall is huge and very steep, which makes it even more impressive.

Day 5: Machame route (4/6) | Barranco Camp (3,950 m/12,959 ft) – Barafu Camp (4,645 m/15,239 ft)

You leave Barranco Camp and walk towards Barranco Wall after breakfast. You reach the top of the Barranco wall after a difficult but fun climb. From there, you can see Mount Meru in the distance to your right and the Kibo volcano to your left. Then you start a tougher walk through Karanga Camp, with lots of ups and downs. Finally, you get to your overnight camp, Barafu Camp, which is the last camp before the summit! Before your last climb to the top, make sure you eat something hot and get some rest.

Day 6: Machame route (5/6) | Barafu Camp (4,645 m/15,239 ft) – Uhuru Peak (5,895 m/19,340 ft) – Millennium Camp (3,820 m/12,532 ft)

Today is the day! You start your hike from Barafu Camp at midnight and go to Uhuru Peak. The hardest part of the climb is getting to the top, which is done on good paths. Enjoy a beautiful sunrise when you reach the top, which is pretty amazing from this height! After a short time at the top, where you can enjoy your ultimate victory, you slowly make your way down to the beautiful Millennium Camp.

Day 7: Machame route (6/6) | Millennium Camp (3,820 m/12,532 ft) – Mweka Gate (1,640 m/5,380 ft) – Hotel

There is a tropical jungle where the Millennium camp is located. Today when you wake up, you’ll feel relieved that you’re not as high and happy that you made it to the top. You take a short walk to the park exit after breakfast.

After that, your car takes you back to the hotel so you can rest.

Day 8 – 9: Flight home from Kilimanjaro International Airport after the climb

It’s time to go home now that your vacation is over. Have fun in Tanzania for a few more hours before our driver picks you up and takes you to Kilimanjaro International Airport for your trip home. Do you still want more? You can also add a few days of hiking or a trip to the beach to your Kilimanjaro trip!