The Machame Route

The Machame Route

A group climbing the Machame route Mount Kilimanjaro
Machame route satellite map of Mount Kilimanjaro
Machame route topographic map of Mount Kilimanjaro
Machame Route Map Satellite
Machame Route Map Topographic
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Why Should You Climb
The Machame Route?

The Machame Route is the most popular route on Kilimanjaro. The route provides sweeping views across the Maasai Steepe, Mount Meru, the majestic Barranco Valley, and a variety of habitats.

  • The trail starts from the southern base of Kilimanjaro and enjoys some of the finest forest and moorland scenery on the mountain.
  • 7 days/ 6 nights on the mountain.
  • Great route for charity climbs.
  • Excellent acclimatization profile.
  • High summit success rate.
  • Night-time summit bid.
  • The descent path is via the Mweka Route.
  • The trekking distance from the gate to the gate is approximately 37 miles (62 km).

Why Should You Climb
The Machame Route?

The Machame Route is the most popular route on Kilimanjaro. The route provides sweeping views across the Maasai Steepe, Mount Meru, the majestic Barranco Valley, and a variety of habitats.

  • The trail starts from the southern base of Kilimanjaro and enjoys some of the finest forest and moorland scenery on the mountain.
  • 7 days/ 6 nights on the mountain.
  • Great route for charity climbs.
  • Excellent acclimatization profile.
  • High summit success rate.
  • Night-time summit bid.
  • The descent path is via the Mweka Route.
  • The trekking distance from the gate to the gate is approximately 37 miles (62 km).
Machame route satellite map of Mount Kilimanjaro
Machame route topographic map of Mount Kilimanjaro
Machame Route Map Satellite
Machame Route Map Topographic
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Machame Route Elevations

Machame Route Altitude Chart showing Mount Kilimanjaro height

Machame 7-Day Itinerary

Day 1: Machame Camp

Elevation
Machame Gate: 5,700 ft | 1,737m
Machame Camp: 9,350 ft | 2,850m
Hours of trekking: 5-7
Habitat: Rainforest
Meals: B/L/D

After breakfast, we depart to Kilimanjaro National Park. Driving past the banana and coffee plantations, we arrive at the trail-head-Machame gate, where you will sign in at the National Park office. Our climb will start by immediately entering the rain-forest and beginning the Machame route. Enjoy listening to many exotic birds in the canopy above and spotting black & white colobus monkeys.

Ascending the Mount Kilimanjaro rainforest along the Machame route on Mount Kilimanjaro

Day 2: Shira Camp

Elevation: 12,500 ft | 3,810 m
Hours of trekking: 4-6
Habitat: Moorland
Meals: B/L/D

This morning we leave the last glades of the rainforest behind. Vegetation gets sparser as we ascend into the heath. After a couple of hours, we pass the first Lobelia and reach the Shira Plateau – a high altitude desert plateau.
Shira is the third of Kilimanjaro’s volcanic cones. A slow and steady ascent allows for our bodies to acclimatize to the higher altitude as we cross Shira Plateau.

View of Mount Meru along the Machame route on Mount Kilimanjaro

Day 3: Barranco Camp

Elevation: 13,045 ft | 3,976 m
Hours of trekking: 6-8
Habitat: Moorland/Alpine Desert
Meals: B/L/D

The trail becomes a bit rocky and strenuous as we get closer to the Lava Tower, a 300 ft tall volcanic tower. We have lunch at Lava Tower at 15,190 ft/4,630 m to help our bodies acclimatize to the thin air. This is where the Machame and Lemosho routes converge, so we meet other climbers ascending the Lemosho Route.
After lunch, we descend to Giant Senecio Valley to Barranco Camp. Although we end the day at a lower elevation than we started, this day is significant for acclimatization. The view of the Western Breach from camp is spectacular.

The way to Lava Tower Mount Kilimanjaro

Day 4: Karanga Camp

Elevation: 13,105 ft | 3,994 m
Hours of trekking: 4-5
Habitat: Alpine Desert
Meals: B/L/D

Today our first challenge is to hike up the Barranco Wall, a 500 ft lava flow. It is a quite spectacular looking obstacle, which in the end usually turns out easier than how it appears. The views of crags and crevasses are stunning from the top of the wall.
We continue to walk up and down a greener valley to Karanga camp.

Karranga camp along the Machame route on Mount Kilimanjaro

Day 5: Barafu Camp

Elevation: 15,330 ft | 4,673 m
Hours of trekking: 3-4
Habitat: Alpine Desert
Meals: B/L/D

As we begin trekking today the trail turns steadily uphill. The temperature will grow colder and the landscape more sparse on the Machame route as we work our way to Barafu Camp. Barafu means “ice” in Swahili. The camp is set on an exposed ridge and is the staging point for our push to the summit.
The peaks of both Mawenzi and Kibo can be seen from the camp.

Barafu is Mount Kilimanjaro base camp on the Machame route

Day 6: Summit - Mweka Camp

Elevation Uhuru Peak: 19,341 ft | 5,895 m
Hours of trekking to Uhuru Peak: 7-8
Habitat: Arctic

Elevation Mweka Camp: 10,065 ft | 3,067 m
Hours of trekking to Mweka Camp: 5-6
Habitat: Moorland
Meals: B/L/D

We’ll be up before midnight to set out for the glacier zone atop Kilimanjaro. Walk slowly, drink plenty of water and refuel with small snacks to keep our energy high until we reach the summit.
We celebrate our success with a few quick pictures at the top before trekking much of the way back down the mountain. Gaiters and trekking poles come in handy 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.

Mweka camp along the Machame route on Mount Kilimanjaro

Day 7: Mweka Gate

Elevation: 5,380 ft | 1,640 m
Hours of trekking: 3-4
Habitat: Rainforest
Meals: B/L

Celebrate your achievement with your mountain crew and partake in a tipping ceremony to thank your guides and porters, acknowledging their hard work and contribution to your success.
Descend back through the rainforest and enjoy a farewell lunch with your group at the Mweka gate.

The trail to Mweka gate along the Machame route on Mount Kilimanjaro

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