Tanzania · Guided climb · Mountain trek
The scenic camping route
The Machame route in six days, camping across the Shira Plateau, past the Lava Tower and up the Barranco Wall to Barafu and the summit.
Price on request
The journey in brief
The experience
Machame is one of Kilimanjaro's most scenic routes. It climbs through rainforest onto the Shira Plateau, then traverses the southern slopes below the glaciers.
The day via the Lava Tower follows the principle of climbing high and sleeping low, which helps acclimatisation. Nights are in tents.
Shira Plateau and the Lava Tower
The Barranco Wall scramble
Summit via Stella Point to Uhuru Peak (5,895 m)
Descent on the Mweka route
The route
Arusha
Machame Gate
Machame Camp
Shira Camp
Lava Tower
Barranco Camp
Barafu Camp
Uhuru Peak
Mweka
Arusha
Arusha → Machame Gate → Machame Camp → Shira Camp → Lava Tower → Barranco Camp → Barafu Camp → Uhuru Peak → Mweka → Arusha
Day by day
Walking times and distances are approximate and depend on your pace and conditions on the mountain.
Day 1 / Arusha → Machame Gate → Machame Camp
Drive about 50 minutes to Machame Gate (1,830 m) on Kilimanjaro's southern slopes, where you register and meet the porters who carry the camp. The trail winds steadily uphill through dense rainforest of tall trees, ferns and hanging moss; the lower path can be muddy, so gaiters and trekking poles help. Near the end of the day the forest thins into giant heather, and you reach Machame Camp at 3,100 m for your first night under canvas.
Day 2 / Machame Camp → Shira Camp
Leave Machame Camp and climb a steep, rocky ridge covered in heather and scrub, with views opening across the forest below and, on clear days, towards Mount Meru in the west. The trail then turns west into a river gorge before rising onto the Shira Plateau, formed by one of Kilimanjaro's three volcanic cones. Reach Shira Camp at 3,840 m, with Kibo's summit glaciers visible to the east.
Day 3 / Shira Camp → Lava Tower → Barranco Camp
An important acclimatisation day. Leave Shira and climb east across increasingly barren alpine desert towards the Lava Tower (4,630 m), a tall plug of volcanic rock beneath Kibo's western slopes. After a break at altitude, descend into the Barranco Valley, where giant groundsels stand like sentinels, to sleep at Barranco Camp at 3,860 m. Climbing high and sleeping low in this way helps your body adjust before summit night.
Day 4 / Barranco Camp → Barafu Camp
Start the day with the Barranco Wall, a steep scramble that uses hands as well as feet but needs no technical climbing experience, and reach the top for wide views of Kibo's southern glaciers. The trail then rises and falls across the Karanga Valley before joining the Mweka trail for the climb to Barafu Camp at about 4,600 m. Barafu means 'ice' in Swahili, and the camp sits on an exposed rocky ridge. Eat early and rest before the summit attempt.
Day 5 / Barafu Camp → Uhuru Peak → Mweka Camp
Leave Barafu between midnight and 2am for the long, cold climb to the crater rim, zigzagging up heavy scree between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers. Reaching Stella Point on the rim, for many climbers around dawn, is a moment to remember, and from there the trail continues more gently to Uhuru Peak (5,895 m). Whether you reach the summit depends on the weather, your fitness and how you respond to the altitude, and your guide has the final say. Descend past Barafu to Mweka Camp, a total of 13–16 hours on the move.
Day 6 / Mweka Camp → Mweka Gate → Arusha
The final descent from Mweka Camp follows a steep but well-made path through the rainforest, where the air feels thick and warm after the summit. At Mweka Gate, sign out and collect your certificate if you reached the top, then say farewell to your crew before transferring back to Arusha.
Where you stay
Nights are spent in the huts or campsites on the route, with your crew preparing meals.
Kilimanjaro · 1 night
Kilimanjaro · 1 night
Kilimanjaro · 1 night
Kilimanjaro · 1 night
Kilimanjaro · 1 night
This safari is priced for your exact dates. Lodge rates, park fees and availability vary through the year, so we confirm a written price once we know your dates and party size.
Prices can depend on travel dates, party size, accommodation availability and changes to park fees. All terms are confirmed in writing before you book.
The details
Before you travel
Uhuru Peak is 5,895 m. Altitude affects everyone differently, regardless of fitness. Walk slowly, drink plenty of water and tell your guide early if you feel unwell. Descending is the most effective response to serious symptoms.
You do not need climbing experience, but you should be comfortable walking for six to eight hours on consecutive days. Speak to a doctor before booking if you have any heart, lung or blood-pressure condition.
Bring a warm down jacket, waterproof layers, broken-in boots, a head torch, gloves, a warm hat and a four-season sleeping bag. Gaiters and trekking poles help on the muddy lower trails.
Check passport validity and entry requirements for every country on your route with official government sources before you travel.
Ask a travel-health professional about vaccinations and malaria precautions, and take out travel insurance that covers your activities.
Walk slowly, drink plenty of water and tell your guide early if you feel unwell. Speak to a doctor before booking a high-altitude trek.
Questions travellers ask
Often, yes. Tell us what you would like to change and we will confirm what is possible for your dates.
Prices for this safari depend on your dates, party size and accommodation availability, so we quote for your exact trip.
We reply with availability, any suggestions for your dates and a written quote. Nothing is booked until you have agreed the quote and booking terms.
No technical climbing experience is needed on this route, but you should be fit and prepared for long days at altitude. Speak to a doctor before booking.
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The next step
Tell us your dates and who is travelling. We will check availability and send a written quote; nothing is booked until you agree.
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Still deciding?
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6 days · Tanzania
Price on request
