Machame Route

DURATION OF CLIMB: 6 – 7 DAYS

The more scenic Machame route is our most successful and popular hiking route on Mt. Kilimanjaro, mainly as a result of the following two important factors…

On day 3 of the hike the topography of this route, allow you to climb high and sleep low – when you start from Shira camp (3,847m) hike up to Lava Tower (4,642m) and then down to Barranco camp (3,984m) to overnight.

The summit attempt path from Barafu camp has less loose scree (rocks) compared to the summit attempt path from Kibo Hut, making it slightly easier to reach the crater rim.

The Machame route is much better for acclimatisation than Marangu – another reason for the increased summit success rate – but accommodation is in tents at the route camps which means the level of comfort is slightly reduced from Marangu. However, the views and experience from this route continue to make it Experience East Africa’s favourite!

The main itinerary differences between the Machame 6 day and 7 day routes are as follows…

6 Day route:

Day 4: Start hiking from the Barranco camp at 08:00 and hike approximately 10km to Barafu camp stopping at Karanga camp for lunch. You can expect to arrive at Barafu camp by 16:00 to 17:00. Enjoy dinner, prepare your summit gear and rest till 23:30 when you will be woken up for the start of the summit attempt.

Day 5: Start the summit attempt just after midnight and expect to reach the summit by sunrise. Descend to Barafu camp and then to Mweka camp which you should reach by around 16:00.

7 Day route:

Day 4: Start hiking from the Barranco camp at 08:00 and hike approximately 6.6km to Karanga camp, expect to arrive around 12:00 for lunch, dinner and overnight. (An after lunch acclimatisation hike could be a good idea should you feel up to it)

Day 5: Hike 3.3km from Karanga camp to Barafu camp. You can expect to arrive to Barafu by around 11:00 which will allow much more time to rest, enjoy dinner, prepare your summit gear and rest till 23:30 when you will be woken up for the start of the summit attempt. (An after lunch acclimatisation hike could once again be a good idea should you feel up to it)

Day 6: Start the summit attempt just after midnight and expect to reach the summit by sunrise. Descend to Barafu camp and then to Mweka camp which you should reach by around 16:00.