The Best Kilimanjaro Climbing Machame Route in 6 days on 2024 / 2025 With 90% Success Rates itinerary Overview
The 6 days Machame route is a popular trekking route to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, Africa. It is known for its scenic beauty and relatively high success rate in terms of reaching the summit. The route is named after the Machame village, located near the base of the mountain.
The 6 days machame route trek covers a distance of approximately 62 kilometers (38.5 miles) and takes six days to complete, allowing for acclimatization to the high altitude. The trail starts from the southern side of the mountain and ascends through a variety of terrain, including dense rainforest, moorland, and alpine desert, before reaching the summit at Uhuru Peak, which stands at 5,895 meters (19,341 feet) above sea level.
The Machame route is considered a moderately difficult trek, with steep and rocky sections that require some scrambling. However, it does not require technical climbing skills, making it accessible to most fit and healthy hikers. The route is often recommended for those who have some previous trekking experience and are looking for a challenging but rewarding adventure.
DAY 1: Machame Gate to Machame Camp
The drive from Moshi to Mount Kilimanjaro National Park Gate takes about 50 minutes. The journey passes through the village called Machame which is located on the lower slopes of the mountain. We’ll now leave the park gate and walk through the rain forest on a winding trail up a ridge. Lower down the trail can be muddy and slippery. Gaiters and trekking poles are a good idea here, we continue a short distance until we reach to Machame Camp.
Distance covered: 10.6km
Time to be used: 6 hours
Meals: Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Machame Camp
DAY 2: Machame Camp to Shira Camp
After breakfast, we leave the glades of the rain forest and continue on an ascending path, crossing the little valley walking along a steep rocky ridge, covered with heather, until the ridge ends. The route now turns west onto a river gorge. Time for rest, dinner, and overnight at the Shira campsite.
Distance Covered: 5.4km
Time to be used: 4-6 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Shira Camp
DAY 3: Shira Camp to Lava Tower to Barranco Camp
From the Shira Plateau, we continue hiking to the east up a ridge, passing the junction towards the peak of Kibo. As we continue climbing, our direction changes to the South East towards the Lava Tower, called the “Shark’s Tooth.” Shortly after the tower, we come to the second junction which brings us up to the Arrow Glacier at an altitude of 16,000ft. We now continue down to the Barranco Camp at an altitude of 13,000ft. Here we rest, enjoy dinner, and overnight. Although you end the day at the same elevation as when you started, this day is very important for acclimatization and will help your body prepare for summit day.
Distance Covered: 10.8km
Time to be used: 8 – 10 hrs
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Barranco Camp
DAY 4 : Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp
After breakfast, we leave Barranco and continue hiking on a steep ridge passing the Barranco Wall, to the Karanga Valley campsite. Then, we leave Karanga and hit the junction which connects with the Mweka Trail. We continue climbing up to the Barafu Hut. At this point, you have completed the South Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many different angles. Here we make camp, rest, enjoy dinner, and prepare for the summit day. The two peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo are to be seen from this position.
Distance Covered: 8.5 km
Time to be used: 8 hrs
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Kibo Hut
DAY 5: Barafu Camp to Summit to Mweka Camp
Very early in the morning (midnight to 2am), we continue hiking our way to the summit between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers. You head in a northwesterly direction and ascend through heavy screed towards Stella Point on the crater rim. This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek. At Stella Point (18,600 ft), you will stop for a short rest and will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see (weather permitting). From Stella Point, you may encounter snow all the way on your 1-hour ascent to the summit. At Uhuru Peak, you have reached the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa. Faster hikers will see the sunrise from the summit. From the summit, we now make our descent continuing straight down to the Mweka Hut camp site, stopping at Barafu for lunch. You will want gaiters and trekking poles for the loose gravel going down. Mweka Camp is situated in the upper forest and mist or rain can be expected in the late afternoon. Later in the evening, we enjoy our last dinner on the mountain and a well-earned sleep.
Distance Covered: 16.4km
Time to be used: 7-8 hours ascent – 4-6 hours descent
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Mweka Hut
DAY 6: Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate – Back to Moshi
The pace quickens as you continue your triumphant way back down across alpine meadow and past Mandara Hut through the rainforest to the Gate where you board the vehicle for the journey back to Moshi/Arusha.And this marks the end of Machame 6 days route.
Distance Covered: 9.1km
Time to be used: 3 hrs
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
Inclusions
All transfers to the mountain and back to your Moshi hotel
Professional, experienced, mountain guides
Guides, Porters, Cook salaries and park fees
Quality, waterproof, four-season mountain sleeping tents (on twin sharing basis)
Sleeping Mattress
Emergency Oxygen Cylinder
All meals while on the Mountain
Quality Mess tents with table and chairs
Large portions of fresh, healthy, nutritious food
Clean, purified drinking water
Conservation fees (part of park fees)
Camping or Hut fees (part of park fees)
Rescue fees (part of park fees)
VAT (18% charged by the Government)
Kilimanjaro summit certificate
Exclusions
Tanzania Visa
International and domestic flights
Hotel (available as an optional addon)
Transfers (available as an optional addon)
Personal trekking equipment such as sleepings bags, hiking boots, clothes, etc (available for renting)
Tips and gratuities
Travel insurance
Personal Expenses (e.g. laundry, telephone, beverages, etc.)
Meals not listed in the itinerary
Liquors, beers and bottled beverages
