• You’ll be collected from the airport.
• Accommodation before the tour starts can be arranged for an extra cost.

Arrival and Transfer to the Hotel

Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport, our driver will pick you up and transfer you to your hotel in Moshi. Enjoy a relaxing evening as you settle in and prepare for the start of your Kilimanjaro adventure.

Trek Preparation and Briefing

The next morning, after breakfast and a detailed briefing from your guides, drive approximately 45 minutes from Moshi (910 m) to Machame Village (1,490 m). Here, the guides and porters will prepare and pack supplies and ensure your equipment is ready. Depending on road conditions, you may drive directly to Machame Gate. However, if the road is muddy, expect a short 3 km walk that takes about one hour.

Starting the Ascent through the Rainforest

After registering at the gate office, begin your ascent into the lush rainforest. You will receive a lunch pack at the gate, and bottled water from Spring lands Hotel in Moshi is available to stay hydrated. Be prepared for rain, which can make the forest trail muddy, slippery, and challenging.

Evening at Machame Campsite

In the evening, the porters will boil drinking and washing water while the cook prepares a hearty dinner. Retire to your tent for the night. Temperatures can drop to freezing at Machame Campsite, so be sure to bundle up for a restful night before the next day’s trek.

Accommodation and Meals

• Main Destination: Mount Kilimanjaro
• Accommodation: Budget camping in or near Machame Camp
• Meals & Drinks: All meals included; drinking water provided (other drinks not included)

Morning Ascent from Machame Camp

Wake up early for breakfast at Machame Camp and begin your climb through the rainforest. The trail rises steeply for about an hour, leading you out of the forest canopy. As you ascend, take in the fresh mountain air and the lush surroundings.

Trek Through the Moorland Zone

After leaving the forest, continue for approximately two hours on a gentler gradient through the moorland zone. Here, giant lobelias and unique alpine vegetation create a surreal landscape. After a short lunch and rest, the trail begins to climb a rocky ridge, bringing you closer to the Shira Plateau.

Shira Plateau and Western Breach Views

From the plateau, enjoy breathtaking views of the Western Breach, where stunning glaciers adorn the slopes of Kibo. The trail continues west of Kibo before a short hike leads you to Shira Campsite, located at 3,840 meters.

Evening at Shira Campsite

Upon arrival, the porters will boil drinking and washing water while the cook prepares dinner. Temperatures at this exposed campsite are colder than the previous night, often dropping well below freezing. Be sure to dress warmly and prepare for a restful night before the next day’s ascent.

Accommodation and Meals

• Main Destination: Mount Kilimanjaro
• Accommodation: Budget camping in or near Shira Camp
• Meals & Drinks: All meals included; drinking water provided (other drinks not included)

Trek Through Semi-Desert to Lava Tower

Today, the route turns east into a semi-desert and rocky landscape surrounding Lava Tower. The trek involves approximately a 5-hour walk, gradually ascending to 4,630 meters. Along the way, enjoy the stark beauty of the high-altitude terrain and take in the dramatic scenery that surrounds you.

Lunch and Acclimatization at Lava Tower

Lunch is served at a designated area near Lava Tower. This is normally the toughest day so far, and climbers may begin to feel mild symptoms of altitude, such as breathlessness, irritability, or headaches. After lunch, enjoy the acclimatization benefits by descending almost 680 meters toward Barranco Camp.

Descent to Barranco Camp

The descent to Barranco Camp takes about two hours. Along the way, capture stunning photographs of the Western Breach and the Great Barranco Wall. The camp is nestled in a valley below these dramatic cliffs, offering an unforgettable sunset as the cook prepares dinner and porters boil water.

Evening at Barranco Camp

Spend the night at Barranco Camp, resting and recharging for the challenging days ahead. The high-altitude experience today greatly aids acclimatization, setting you up for the next stage of your summit attempt.

Accommodation and Meals

• Main Destination: Mount Kilimanjaro
• Accommodation: Budget bush camp at Barranco Camp
• Meals & Drinks: All meals included; drinking water provided (other drinks not included)

Overnight Camp at High Altitude

Tonight, you will camp at a high-altitude location, fully exposed to the ever-present mountain gales. The tents are pitched on a narrow, stony ridge, so take time to familiarize yourself with the terrain before dark to avoid accidents. The summit is a further 1,345 meters above, and tonight marks the preparation for your final ascent.

Preparing for the Summit Attempt

Before heading to bed, ensure all your equipment is ready. This includes your trekking poles, thermal clothing, headlamp, and camera batteries, with spare sets available. Carry water in a thermal flask to prevent freezing during the climb. Proper preparation tonight is essential for a safe and successful summit attempt.

Rest and Sleep

Try to go to bed around 19:00 and aim for no more than five hours of rest. Even a few hours of sleep at this altitude will help you feel more alert for the challenging night-time ascent ahead.

Accommodation and Meals

• Main Destination: Mount Kilimanjaro
• Accommodation: Budget bush camp at high altitude
• Meals & Drinks: All meals included; drinking water provided (other drinks not included)

Midnight Start for the Summit

Wake up around 23:30 and enjoy a light snack of tea and biscuits to fuel your night-time ascent. Begin the climb in a northwesterly direction, ascending through heavy scree toward Stella Point on the crater rim. This 6-hour walk is, for many climbers, the most mentally and physically challenging section of the Machame Route.

Reaching Stella Point and Witnessing Sunrise

At Stella Point (5,685 m), take a short rest and prepare for one of the most spectacular sights in the world: the sunrise over Kilimanjaro’s summit (weather permitting). From this point onward, snow may cover the trail as you continue for approximately two hours to reach Uhuru Peak cent to Barafu and Mweka Camp
After the summit, descend back to Barafu Camp, which takes about three hours. Here, take a short but well-earned rest and collect your remaining gear. Continue your descent to Mweka Camp (3,100 m) for dinner and overnight accommodation.

Accommodation and Meals

• Main Destination: Mount Kilimanjaro
• Accommodation: Budget bush camp at Mweka Camp
• Meals & Drinks: All meals included; drinking water provided (other drinks not included)

Descent to Mweka Village

After breakfast at Mweka Camp, begin your descent to Mweka Village. The trek typically takes about one hour and can be muddy, so proceed carefully. Upon arrival in the village, you will be picked up and driven to Springlands Hotel, where a hot, delicious lunch awaits you.

Celebrating Your Achievement

After lunch, return to Moshi for a long-overdue hot shower and some well-earned relaxation. This is also the moment to present tips, which are highly appreciated and can be given to your guide at the hotel. Here, climbers receive their summit certificates: green certificates for reaching Stella Point (5,685 m) and gold certificates for reaching Uhuru Peak (5,895 m).

Completion of Your Kilimanjaro Trek

Spend the remainder of the day resting at Springlands Hotel, reflecting on your incredible journey. The next day, our driver will transfer you to Kilimanjaro International Airport for your departure, marking the end of your unforgettable Machame Route adventure.

Accommodation and Meals

• Main Destination: Moshi
• Accommodation: No overnight accommodation (End of tour)
• Meals & Drinks: All meals included; drinking water provided (other drinks not included)

• Additional accommodation can be arranged for an extra cost.
• You’ll be dropped off at the airport.