This 6-day Kilimanjaro Hiking Tour follows the Machame Route, one of the most popular trails on Mount Kilimanjaro. It is known for its beautiful scenery and high summit success rate.
Kilimanjaro Hiking Tour Highlights
- Day 1: Machame Gate to Machame Camp (1,790 – 3,010m)
- Day 2: Machame Camp to Shira 2 Camp (3,845m)
- Day 3: Shira 2 Camp to Lava Tower (4,640m) to Barranco Camp (3,960m)
- Day 4: Barranco Camp to Barafu Camp (4,640m)
- Day 5: Summit Day – Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak (5,895m) to Mweka Camp (3,080m)
- Day 6: Descend from Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate (1,630m)
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Machame Gate to Machame Camp (1,790 – 3,010m)
Hiking time: 5–6 hours
Your tour driver will take you to Machame Gate, where you will complete registration and meet your climbing team. You will then begin your 6-day Kilimanjaro adventure by hiking through the lush rainforest. Expect to see monkeys and various bird species along the way. Your first night will be spent at Machame Camp.
Day 2: Machame Camp to Shira 2 Camp (3,845m)
Hiking time: 5–6 hours
After breakfast, continue hiking out of the rainforest and into the heather zone. Notice how the vegetation changes as you climb higher. Upon arrival at Shira Camp, enjoy lunch and later take a short acclimatization hike across the Shira Plateau towards Lava Tower (4,640m). This helps your body adjust to the higher altitude. Return to Shira Camp for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 3: Shira 2 Camp to Lava Tower (4,640m) to Barranco Camp (3,960m)
Hiking time: 6–7 hours
Today’s hike focuses on acclimatization to prevent altitude sickness. After breakfast, climb into the alpine desert and reach Lava Tower, where you will rest and have lunch. Later, descend to Barranco Camp for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 4: Barranco Camp to Barafu Camp (4,640m)
Hiking time: 8–10 hours
This is a long hiking day. Begin by climbing the famous Barranco Wall, then continue through a series of ascents and descents to reach Karanga Camp. Here, you will stop for lunch and some rest before continuing to Barafu Camp.
Barafu is your final stop before the summit. Have an early dinner and rest well, as you will begin your summit attempt around midnight.
Day 5: Summit Day – Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak (5,895m) to Mweka Camp (3,080m)
Hiking time: 5–7 hours (ascent), 5–6 hours (descent)
Wake up around midnight for your final ascent to Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa. Dress warmly, turn on your headlamp, and use your hiking poles to climb slowly but steadily through the freezing night.
You will pass Gilman’s Point and Stella Point before reaching Uhuru Peak at sunrise. Celebrate your success, take photos, and enjoy the view from the “Roof of Africa.”
After some time at the summit, descend to Barafu Camp for rest and lunch. Continue down to Mweka Camp, where you will spend your last night on the mountain.
Day 6: Descend from Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate (1,630m)
Hiking time: 3–4 hours (descent)
After breakfast, thank your guides, porters, and cooks for their support before starting your final descent through the forest to Mweka Gate.
At the gate, you will receive your climbing certificate to mark your achievement. Your driver will then take you back to your hotel in Moshi for a well-deserved rest and celebration.
