8 Days Machame Route (6-Day Trek + 2 Nights in Arusha)

Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), you will be warmly welcomed by our Pita Safaris representative and transferred to your comfortable hotel in Arusha. After check-in, spend the remainder of the day relaxing and preparing for your upcoming Mount Kilimanjaro adventure. Your mountain guide will meet you for a detailed climb briefing, equipment check and final preparations, including an overview of the Machame Route, altitude considerations and what to expect during the trek.

Elevation: Approx. 1,400 m / 4,593 ft

Distance: Airport transfer only

Hiking Time: None

Habitat: Arusha highland environment

Accommodation: Arusha Planet Lodge

After breakfast, depart Arusha and drive towards Machame Gate, the starting point of your Kilimanjaro Machame Route trek. After completing park registration and meeting your mountain crew, begin your ascent through the lush montane rainforest of Mount Kilimanjaro. The trail winds beneath towering trees and dense vegetation, with opportunities to see colourful birds and occasional forest wildlife.

Continue gradually uphill through the rainforest before emerging towards the higher mountain zone. Arrive at Machame Camp, where your professional crew will have prepared your campsite and meals. Settle in, enjoy dinner and rest ahead of the next stage of your climb.

Start Elevation: 1,860 m / 6,102 ft

End Elevation: Approx. 3,000 m / 9,843 ft

Distance: Approx. 11 km / 6.8 miles

Hiking Time: 5–6 hours

Habitat: Montane rainforest

Accommodation: Machame Camp

After breakfast, continue your Mount Kilimanjaro trek via the Machame Route as the trail climbs out of the rainforest into the moorland and heath zone. The vegetation becomes increasingly open, revealing expansive mountain scenery and views towards the dramatic volcanic slopes of Kibo Peak.

Trek across ridges and rocky terrain towards the spectacular Shira Plateau, one of the most scenic sections of the Machame Route. Your experienced mountain guide will maintain a steady pace to help your body adjust to the increasing altitude. Arrive at Shira Camp, where you will enjoy dinner and rest surrounded by panoramic high-altitude landscapes.

Start Elevation: Approx. 3,000 m / 9,843 ft

End Elevation: Approx. 3,840 m / 12,598 ft

Distance: Approx. 10 km / 6.2 miles

Hiking Time: 5–6 hours

Habitat: Moorland and heath zone

Accommodation: Shira Camp

After breakfast, leave Shira Camp and continue across the high-altitude landscape towards Lava Tower at approximately 4,630 metres. This important stage of the Kilimanjaro trekking itinerary follows the valuable acclimatization principle of “climb high, sleep low”, allowing you to gain altitude during the day before descending to a lower sleeping elevation.

Continue towards the dramatic Barranco Valley, surrounded by towering volcanic formations and spectacular views of Kibo's upper slopes. Arrive at Barranco Camp, where you will rest and prepare for the famous Barranco Wall the following day.

Start Elevation: Approx. 3,840 m / 12,598 ft

Highest Point: Approx. 4,630 m / 15,190 ft at Lava Tower

End Elevation: Approx. 3,960 m / 12,992 ft

Distance: Approx. 12 km / 7.5 miles

Hiking Time: 6–7 hours

Habitat: Alpine desert and high moorland

Accommodation: Barranco Camp

After breakfast, begin one of the most memorable sections of your Machame Route Kilimanjaro climb with an ascent of the famous Barranco Wall. With guidance from your experienced mountain crew, make your way carefully up the rocky wall before continuing across the dramatic landscape towards Karanga Valley.

The trail then climbs steadily towards Barafu Camp, located at approximately 4,600 metres and serving as the main base for your summit attempt. After arriving, your team will provide guidance on final summit preparations while you rest, hydrate and prepare for the demanding night ascent to Uhuru Peak.

Start Elevation: Approx. 3,960 m / 12,992 ft

End Elevation: Approx. 4,600 m / 15,092 ft

Distance: Approx. 11 km / 6.8 miles

Hiking Time: 6–7 hours

Habitat: Alpine desert

Accommodation: Barafu Camp

Wake shortly after midnight for the most challenging and rewarding stage of your Mount Kilimanjaro climb. Begin the slow ascent through the darkness across steep scree towards Stella Point on the crater rim. Continue along the summit ridge towards Uhuru Peak at 5,895 metres, the highest point in Africa.

Reach the summit around sunrise, conditions permitting, and take time to celebrate this extraordinary achievement while enjoying breathtaking views across the surrounding landscape. After the summit experience, begin the long descent through the alpine zone towards Mweka Camp, where you can rest and recover with the support of your mountain crew.

Start Elevation: Approx. 4,600 m / 15,092 ft

Summit Elevation: 5,895 m / 19,341 ft

End Elevation: Approx. 3,100 m / 10,170 ft

Distance: Approx. 16 km / 9.9 miles

Hiking Time: Approx. 12–14 hours

Habitat: Alpine desert, arctic summit zone and high-altitude terrain

Accommodation: Mweka Camp

After breakfast, begin your final descent from Mweka Camp through the beautiful montane rainforest of Mount Kilimanjaro. The vegetation becomes increasingly dense as you lose altitude, providing a final opportunity to appreciate the dramatic ecological changes experienced during your climb.

Continue to Mweka Gate, where you will complete the park exit formalities and say farewell to your mountain crew. After receiving your summit certificate, transfer by road back to Arusha for a comfortable hotel stay and a well-earned evening of relaxation following your Kilimanjaro achievement.

Start Elevation: Approx. 3,100 m / 10,170 ft

End Elevation: Approx. 1,860 m / 6,102 ft

Distance: Approx. 10 km / 6.2 miles

Hiking Time: 4–5 hours

Habitat: Montane rainforest

Accommodation: Arusha Planet Lodge

After breakfast, enjoy your final morning in Arusha before your scheduled private transfer to Kilimanjaro International Airport (KIA) for your flight home or onward journey.

Depending on your travel plans, you can extend your East Africa adventure with a Tanzania wildlife safari through destinations such as Serengeti and Ngorongoro, or continue to Zanzibar for a relaxing Indian Ocean beach holiday.

Departure: Arusha

Destination: Kilimanjaro International Airport (KIA) or onward destination

Transfer: Private road transfer

Accommodation: Optional Arusha Planet Lodge