Machame Route Kilimanjaro Climb

Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), a friendly GEOMURO TRAVEL representative will meet you and provide a comfortable, shared transfer to your hotel in Arusha. Your accommodations are selected for your comfort, featuring cozy rooms, reliable hot water, a swimming pool, and complimentary Internet access. In the early evening, you will meet with our managers and head guide for a comprehensive pre-climb briefing. We will review the route, check your gear, discuss safety procedures, and answer any final questions, ensuring you are fully prepared to begin your climb the next morning.

Logistics Note: Private tour packages include shared airport transfers. Please coordinate your group’s arrival times to avoid additional individual transfer charges.

After breakfast, we drive to the Machame Gate (5,380 ft). After final checks, we begin the trek, winding steeply up through the dense, mystical montane rainforest. The atmosphere is humid and enchanting, filled with moss and unique bird calls. We arrive at Machame Camp in the late afternoon, where your mountain crew will have already set up your high-quality tents.

• Hiking: 5-7 hours

• Overnight Altitude: approx. 9,350 ft.

Leaving the rainforest, we climb into the open moorland zone. The terrain is rugged, but the views are spectacular, offering your first clear sight of Kibo Peak. We continue onto the vast, ancient Shira Plateau, crossing a series of ridges before reaching Shira 1 Camp.

• Hiking: 4-6 hours

• Overnight Altitude: approx. 12,500 ft.

This is a vital day for successful acclimatization, executing the “climb high, sleep low” technique. We ascend steeply toward the dramatic rock formation of Lava Tower (reaching approx. 15,190 ft.) for lunch. Afterward, we descend sharply into the magnificent Barranco Valley. This descent allows your body to rest at a lower altitude, maximizing the acclimatization benefit.

• Hiking: 6-8 hours

• Overnight Altitude: approx. 13,044 ft.

We begin with the exhilarating challenge of the Great Barranco Wall. This short scramble is fun and rewarding. We then traverse high ridges and valleys to reach Karanga Camp (13,106 ft). This extra overnight stay is a key component of the 7-day route, ensuring you are fully rested and acclimatized before the final ascent phase.

• Hiking: 4-5 hours

• Overnight Altitude: approx. 13,106 ft

We climb steadily out of Karanga Valley to Barafu Camp (15,331 ft), your final high-altitude base. The setting is exposed and alpine, providing clear views of Kibo and Mawenzi. We organize gear, hydrate, and have an early supper. You must rest completely, as your wake-up call for the midnight summit bid is only a few hours away.

• Hiking: 3-4 hours

• Overnight Altitude: approx. 15,331 ft.

We begin the ascent around midnight, climbing slowly up the scree slopes toward the crater rim. We aim to reach Stella Point and then Uhuru Peak (19,341 ft) at sunrise—the unforgettable “Roof of Africa.” After celebrating and taking photos, we begin the long, rapid descent back to Barafu for lunch and continue down to Mweka Camp (10,500 ft) for a final, well-deserved night on the mountain.

• Hiking: 6-7 hours ascent, 6-9 hours descent (Total 12-16 hours)

• Summit Altitude: approx. 19,341 ft.

Our final descent takes us through the rainforest to the Mweka Gate. Here, you will be presented with your official summit certificates and enjoy a farewell lunch with your incredible mountain crew. Our driver will then transfer you back to your hotel in Arusha for a glorious hot shower and a celebratory dinner. Transfers to Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) will be arranged based on your flight schedule.

Hiking: 3-5 hours