This 6 Days Mount Kilimanjaro climbing safari via the Machame route will see you take on, explore, and conquer the highest mountain on the African continent.
Hike through the Machame Route, which happens to be the most preferred and probably the best picturesque route when hiking Mount Kilimanjaro.
The Kilimanjaro hike ensures that you have ample time to rest between points, making the experience relatively easier and thus raising your chances of reaching the summit.
6-Day Kilimanjaro Machame Tour Highlights
- Day 1: Hike from Machame Gate to Machame Camp
- Day 2: Machame Camp to Shira Camp
- Day 3: Shira Camp to Lava Tower to Barranco Camp
- Day 4: Barranco Camp to Barafu Camp
- Day 5: Barafu Camp to Summit to Mweka Hut
- Day 6: Mweka Camp to Arusha
Detailed 6-Day Kilimanjaro Machame Tour Itinerary
Day 1: Hike from Machame Gate to Machame Camp
Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport, you will be met by an experienced and helpful tour guide who will welcome you to Tanzania and provide an initial briefing. Afterwards, you will head to the Mount Kilimanjaro National Park Gate (depending on your arrival time).
The guide will brief you about the hike as you travel, including what to expect and some extras you might need, such as insect repellents and sunscreen. In case you forgot any necessities, you may stop in town for some quick shopping before reaching the park.
Once you reach the park, you will be joined by a game ranger and hire a porter to help you with extra luggage. Then start your adventure through the winding trail that snakes through the montane rainforest. Be cautious as the track can be muddy and slippery, especially during the rainy season.
The trek will be relatively short since the main objective is to reach Machame Camp in time to prepare for the next days. The hike to Machame Camp usually takes 5 to 7 hours through the beautiful lush montane forest.
Day 2: Machame Camp to Shira Camp
After an early breakfast, you will continue your quest to conquer the treacherous trails and terrain to reach the summit of Kilimanjaro. The purpose of an early breakfast is to help you save energy and time by hiking during the early morning hours before it gets hotter, and to reach Shira Camp before it gets late.
The hike here will see you transition from the lush rainforest to a zone covered more with heather and rocky outcrops.
The journey will get tougher as the altitude increases, plus the weather gets harsher and the trails trickier to navigate. The Machame route will take a turn west into the river gorge where you will camp for the night at Shira Camp.
Hikers might be lucky to spot different animal species on the way to Shira Camp, for example, blue monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys, bush babies, badgers, and sometimes larger mammals like buffalo, elephant, or giraffe, though these usually stay away from the tracks and keep in the safety of the thickets and lush forest.
Day 3: Shira Camp to Lava Tower to Barranco Camp
After a delightful breakfast at the Shira Plateau, you will leave Shira Camp behind and proceed to the east. This part of your hike traverses through the Barranco Valley and the Kibo Peak.
Direction will shift to the southeast towards “Shark’s Tooth,” more commonly known as Lava Tower. You will have a rest here and take lunch before getting back on the adventure.
The second part of the trek will bring you to the Arrow Glacier, which stands at an elevation of 4,876 meters above sea level.
From here, take in beautiful views of your surroundings while approaching Barranco Camp, which sits at an elevation of 3,860 meters because it is in a valley.
Make camp, rest, and enjoy a much-awaited dinner before retiring for the night.
Important to note: Even though hikers finish the day at the same altitude as when they began the trek in the morning, this hiking stretch helps you to recover and recharge for the next important adventure of taking on the real summit of Uhuru Peak.
The trek goes through semi-desert zones, and temperatures can be hot during the day but colder at night. It also lasts about 6 to 7 hours.
Day 4: Barranco Camp to Barafu Camp
After an early breakfast, depart from Barranco Camp to take on the steep ascent up the Barranco Wall. The ridge wall is found in the Karanga Valley, where you will have lunch at an altitude of 4,200 meters. The valley is characterized by Alpine desert vegetation and a junction that links to the Mweka trail.
After lunch, embark on the upward adventure to the Barafu Hut, where you will spend the night. The Barafu Camp is named after “Barafu,” a Swahili word that means ice. The temperatures here are very cold, and ice is visible, which resulted in this name.
Barafu Camp marks the end of the South Circuit and presents hikers with scenic views of the peak from several angles. Set camp, have dinner, and rest early in preparation for the summit day. The peaks of Kibo and Mawenzi can be viewed from this vantage point.
Day 5: Barafu Camp to Summit to Mweka Hut
Early in the morning, before daylight breaks (midnight to 2 am), wake up and proceed with the final ascent to the summit between the Ratzel and Rebmann glaciers.
The trails take on a northwesterly direction with a rough ascent through gravel towards the crater rim at Stella Point. Without any doubt, this is the most physically and mentally challenging section of the trek.
You will have a short rest at Stella Point, which stands at an elevation of 5,685 meters above sea level. This break will help you recover while offering you one of the most glorious sunrises you will ever witness as the sun rises in the distance, spreading its rays on the sparkling ice.
From this point, you will encounter snow for approximately an hour as you make the final push to the summit (Uhuru Peak).
When you finally reach Uhuru Peak, you will have conquered Mount Kilimanjaro and will be standing on the highest point on the African continent. Faster and tougher hikers are more likely to witness the sunrise at the summit of Uhuru Peak, making it even more spectacular.
Temperatures can drop extremely at such altitudes at night, making it very cold. However, it gets a bit warmer as the sun comes out.
From Uhuru Peak, start the final descent to the Mweka Hut camp, with a stopover at the Barafu campsite for lunch. Trekking poles and sturdy hiking boots will come in handy as you maneuver the tricky trail filled with loose gravel.
Reach Mweka Campsite in time for the last supper at Mount Kilimanjaro amidst the montane rainforest. The ascent to Uhuru will last roughly 6 to 8 hours, while the descent varies from 7 to 8 hours. Have a well-deserved sleep as you wait for your departure tomorrow.
Day 6: Mweka Camp to Arusha
After a leisurely breakfast, you will proceed to the Mweka Park Gate, where you will receive your hiking summit certificates. This stretch of Mount Kilimanjaro is usually muddier and wet due to its location in the rainforest near the base of the mountain.
After receiving the certificates, head to Mweka village, where your vehicle will be waiting to transfer you back to Arusha. This will last roughly 3 to 4 hours, marking the end of your 6 days Mount Kilimanjaro climbing safari.
