Machame Route
Day 1: Machame Gate (1850 m) – Machame Camp (3000 m)
After breakfast, we pick you up directly from your hotel to start our journey to the Machame park gate, where we begin the actual climb. It takes about 5 hours of hiking through the rainforest to reach our first camp—Machame Hut. Along the way, we will have lunch.
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Day 2: Machame Camp (3000 m) – Shira Camp (3840 m)
After breakfast at Machame Hut, we set off for another 5-hour trek to our second camp—Shira Camp, where we will spend the night. After lunch at the camp, if the weather allows, we will have time for a two-hour exploration of the surroundings before returning to the camp for tea and popcorn before dinner.
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Day 3: Shira Camp (3840 m) via Lava Tower (4600 m) to Barranco Camp (3950 m)
This is a crucial acclimatization day. The trail now turns east, leading through semi-desert and rocky terrain around Lava Tower, where we will reach an altitude of 4600 m after about 5 hours of trekking. We will have lunch at Lava Tower (at 4600 m altitude) and continue towards Barranco for another two hours.
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Day 4: Barranco Camp (3950 m) – Karanga Hut (4030 m)
Today is a short hiking day (3-4 hours), starting with a climb up the Barranco Wall. It takes about 1.5 hours to reach the top of Barranco Wall (4200 m). Then, we descend into the Karanga Valley before ascending to our camp for lunch.
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Day 5: Karanga to Barafu Hut (4600 m)
Another short stage leading to the base camp before the summit attempt. The hike takes only 3 hours. After lunch, we rest until dinner.
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Day 6: Barafu to the Summit to Mweka
This is the big day—the summit push! We wake up at 11:30 PM for tea and snacks before setting off to conquer the Roof of Africa. The climb starts at midnight, taking about 6 to 7 hours to reach the summit at sunrise. After taking photos at the top, we descend back to Barafu for a short rest and meal before continuing down to Mweka Camp for the night.
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Day 7: Mweka Camp (3100 m) – Mweka Gate (1980 m)
After an early and well-deserved breakfast, we express our gratitude and say our farewells before starting a short 3-hour hike back to the park gate, passing through the mountain forest. At Mweka Gate, we sign our names in the register. This is also where successful climbers receive their summit certificates. Then, we return to our vehicle for the drive back to the hotel for a hot shower, dinner, and celebration!
This route can also be completed in 6 days, but the 7-day itinerary allows for better acclimatization, increasing the chances of reaching Uhuru Peak.
