Climb Kilimanjaro Machame Route | Day By Day Description
The Machame route on Kilimanjaro – a detailed day-by-day description
The Machame Route is one of Kilimanjaro’s most scenic and popular routes, known for its stunning variety of landscapes and strong acclimatisation profile on the seven-day itinerary. It’s a favourite among trekkers for its beauty, challenge, and high summit success rate. Let’s take a closer look at what makes the Machame Route such a rewarding climb.
Machame Route at a Glance
The Machame Route covers a total distance of 62 km (39 miles) and approaches Mount Kilimanjaro from the southwest at Machame Gate. The trail ascends steeply through lush rainforest before opening up into the moorland zone and reaching the scenic Shira Plateau.
At Lava Tower, the path joins with climbers from the Lemosho and Shira Routes before descending slightly to Barranco Camp, nestled beneath Kilimanjaro’s dramatic Southern Ice Fields. From here, trekkers tackle the iconic Barranco Wall, continue through Karanga Valley, and finally reach Barafu Camp, the base for the midnight summit push.
After a successful ascent to Uhuru Peak, Africa’s highest point, climbers descend through the Mweka Route, passing back through the rainforest for a well-earned celebration at the mountain’s base.
7-day Machame route overview
The Machame Route can be completed in six or seven days, with the seven-day itinerary offering an additional day on the ascent for better acclimatization. This crucial extra day allows your body more time to adapt to the high altitude, significantly improving your chances of reaching the summit safely and comfortably.
It’s important to remember that climbing Kilimanjaro isn’t a race. The Machame Route is renowned for its remarkable scenery, and taking your time ensures you can fully enjoy the diverse landscapes along the way.
From our experience, trekkers who have undertaken proper Kilimanjaro preparation and follow the seven-day Machame Route generally reach the summit successfully and without major difficulties
7-Day Machame Route in Profile
The seven-day Machame Route offers a well-balanced ascent that supports gradual acclimatization and maximizes summit success. Below, you’ll find two elevation profile graphs illustrating the route’s progression the first displayed in metres, and the second in feet, showing the ascent from the Machame Gate through to the Uhuru Peak and the descent via the Mweka route.
These visuals provide a clear understanding of the altitude gain and terrain variation across each stage of the trek, helping climbers prepare effectively for this rewarding Kilimanjaro adventure.
Detailed route description
Map showing the seven-day Machame route on Kilimanjaro
Day 1: Machame Gate to Machame Camp
Your adventure begins with a scenic drive to Machame Gate (1,640 m), where you’ll complete registration with Kilimanjaro National Park authorities. The trek starts through lush rainforest, alive with exotic birdlife and flora, before reaching Machame Camp (3,020 m) for your first overnight stay.
- Elevation: 1,640 m → 2,850 m
- Distance: 11 km (7 miles)
- Hiking Time: 5–7 hours
- Zone: Rainforest
Day 2: Machame Camp to Shira Cave Camp
After an early breakfast, the trail ascends out of the rainforest and into the heather and moorland zone. You’ll cross several small streams before reaching Shira Cave Camp (3,810 m), where you’ll enjoy stunning views of the Western Breach and its glaciers.
- Elevation: 2,850 m → 3,810 m
- Distance: 5 km (3 miles)
- Hiking Time: 5–6 hours
- Zone: Moorland
Day 3: Shira Cave Camp to Lava Tower to Barranco Camp
This is a key acclimatization day where you climb high and sleep low. You’ll first hike up to the iconic Lava Tower (4,630 m), a remarkable volcanic formation, before descending to Barranco Camp (3,976 m).
Part 1 – Shira Cave Camp to Lava Tower
- Elevation: 3,810 m → 4,630 m
- Distance: 7 km (4 miles)
- Hiking Time: 4–5 hours
- Zone: Moorland
Part 2 – Lava Tower to Barranco Camp
- Elevation: 4,630 m → 3,976 m
- Distance: 3 km (2 miles)
- Hiking Time: 2–3 hours
- Zone: Moorland and Alpine Desert
- You’ll camp in the scenic Barranco Valley, surrounded by towering cliffs and views of the majestic Barranco Wall.
Day 4: Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp
Today’s highlight is climbing the Barranco Wall, an exhilarating and rewarding experience. Despite its intimidating appearance, most trekkers find it manageable and enjoyable. Once at the top, you’ll be above the clouds, with panoramic views of Kilimanjaro’s Southern Ice Fields before continuing to Karanga Camp (3,995 m).
- Elevation: 3,976 m → 3,995 m
- Distance: 5 km (3 miles)
- Hiking Time: 4–5 hours
- Zone: Moorland and Alpine Desert
Day 5: Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp
The trail continues upward to Barafu Camp (4,673 m), your final base before the summit. This is a short but steep climb through the alpine desert, offering incredible views of the surrounding peaks. You’ll have an early dinner and rest before the midnight summit attempt.
- Elevation: 3,995 m → 4,673 m
- Distance: 4 km (2 miles)
- Hiking Time: 3 hours
- Zone: Alpine Desert
Day 6: Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak to Mweka Camp
Summit Day! This is the most challenging and rewarding day of the trek. You’ll begin the climb around midnight, ascending through the freezing night to reach Stella Point (5,685 m) and then Uhuru Peak (5,895 m), the highest point in Africa.
After celebrating your achievement, you’ll descend to Mweka Camp (3,068 m) for your final night on the mountain.
Part 1 – Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak
- Elevation: 4,673 m → 5,895 m
- Distance: 5 km (3 miles)
- Hiking Time: 6–8 hours
- Zone: Alpine Desert and Arctic
Part 2 – Uhuru Peak to Mweka Camp
- Elevation: 5,895 m → 3,068 m
- Distance: 12 km (7 miles)
- Hiking Time: 6–8 hours
- Zone: Arctic, Alpine Desert, and Moorland
Day 7: Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate
Your final descent takes you back through the lush rainforest to Mweka Gate (1,640 m), where your driver will be waiting to transfer you to your hotel in Arusha or Moshi. Celebrate your incredible achievement; you’ve conquered Mount Kilimanjaro!
- Elevation: 3,068 m → 1,640 m
- Distance: 10 km (6 miles)
- Hiking Time: 3 hours
- Zone: Rainforest
Our Expert Opinion on the Machame Route
At Hike Kilimanjaro, we love the Machame Route for its stunning landscapes, diverse scenery, and solid acclimatization profile. The seven-day itinerary provides an excellent balance of challenge and reward, leading to high summit success rates.
However, because it’s one of the most popular routes on Kilimanjaro, the Machame can get quite busy, especially near the Barranco Wall and higher camps. For trekkers who prefer quieter trails, we often recommend the Lemosho Route, which offers similar beauty but fewer crowds and an extended 8-day acclimatization schedule.
If you’re not comfortable with heights, keep in mind that the Machame includes the Barranco Wall section. Although it may look intimidating, it’s generally considered safe and manageable with guidance from our experienced mountain team.
What's the scenery like on the Machame route?
Few routes rival the Machame in visual diversity. You’ll journey through five ecological zones from rainforest to arctic summit, witnessing volcanic formations, rare alpine flora, and breathtaking sunrises. Key highlights include:
- The Lava Tower
- The Barranco Wall
- Expansive views of Kibo Peak and Shira Plateau
The variation in terrain and scenery makes the Machame Route a favourite among photographers and nature enthusiasts.
How hard is the Machame route?
The Machame Route offers one of the best value-for-experience treks on Mount Kilimanjaro. The cost varies depending on the operator and inclusions, but typically ranges between US$2,500 and US$3,000 per person for a full 7-day climb, including park fees, professional guides, porters, meals, and accommodation before and after the trek.
At Hike Kilimanjaro, our all-inclusive 7-day Machame Route package covers comfortable lodge stays in Arusha, all park permits, round-trip transfers, quality mountain gear, and expert crew support, ensuring you enjoy a safe, scenic, and unforgettable journey to Africa’s highest peak.
How Busy Is the Machame Route?
The Machame Route is among the busiest and most popular routes on Mount Kilimanjaro, and for good reason. Its stunning scenery, diverse landscapes, and strong acclimatisation profile attract a large number of climbers each year.
Because the route can be completed in as few as six days, it’s also favoured by many budget operators, which adds to the overall crowd levels. If you prefer a quieter experience, consider the Lemosho or Northern Circuit Route, which offer similar beauty with fewer trekkers.
What Does the Machame Route Cost?
As of June 2025, the 7-day Machame Route costs US$2,630 per person based on twin sharing when you climb with Hike Kilimanjaro. A single supplement applies if you prefer your own tent.
This package includes a wide range of services such as two nights of comfortable lodge accommodation (before and after the trek), park fees, professional guides, porter support, and transport to and from the trailhead.
For a complete breakdown of inclusions, refer to our 7-Day Machame Route package. You can also learn more about overall trek expenses in our detailed guide, How Much Does It Cost to Climb Kilimanjaro?
Explore More of Tanzania
After completing your Kilimanjaro adventure, why not extend your journey and explore more of Tanzania’s incredible attractions? Join a Tanzania safari and experience the breathtaking wildlife of Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Crater, or Tarangire National Park, some of the best safari destinations in Africa.
If you prefer a shorter extension, you can visit a local Maasai village, take a coffee plantation tour, or enjoy a relaxing stay near Lake Manyara. For those seeking something truly unique, we can also arrange a Chimpanzee trekking adventure at Mahale National Park.
At Hike Kilimanjaro, we handle every detail from your mountain climb to your safari or cultural experiences, ensuring a seamless and unforgettable Tanzanian adventure.
After learning about the Marangu Route, we recommend exploring our guide on “The Seven Kilimanjaro Routes Pros and Cons of Each” to compare its difficulty, scenery, and summit success rate with other routes and find the perfect climb for you.
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