6-Day Kilimanjaro Climb Via The Machame Route

Your adventure begins in the charming town of Moshi, nestled at the base of Mount Kilimanjaro. Upon arrival, you’ll be warmly welcomed by our Lindo Travel & Tours team and transferred to your lodge or hotel, where you can relax and recover from your journey. In the afternoon or early evening, we’ll conduct a detailed briefing about the trek, introduce your mountain guide, and perform a thorough gear check to ensure you're fully equipped for the climb. Any last-minute gear rentals can be arranged on-site. Dinner will be served at the hotel, and you’ll have a restful night in anticipation of the exciting trek ahead.

After an early breakfast, we drive to the Machame Gate, located at the edge of Kilimanjaro National Park. Following registration, the journey begins through the dense and misty rainforest, where the trail winds its way past giant fig trees, lush ferns, and colorful birdlife. This first day sets a gentle pace to allow your body to begin adjusting to the altitude. After approximately 5–6 hours of trekking, you’ll reach Machame Camp, nestled in a forest glade with sweeping views over the plains below. Your porters will have already set up camp, and a hot dinner will be waiting as you settle in for your first night on the mountain.

Today’s trek begins with a steeper climb as you leave the rainforest and enter the moorland zone, where the vegetation thins and strange heathers and giant lobelias replace the trees. The trail ascends along a rocky ridge with panoramic views of the Shira Plateau and the peak of Kibo ahead. After 4–6 hours of trekking, you’ll reach Shira Camp, located on a flat plateau that was once a lava flow. As the sun sets, the views of Mount Meru in the distance are spectacular. This is an excellent day for acclimatization, and your guide will emphasize the importance of going “pole pole” (slowly, slowly).

This is one of the most important days for acclimatization. The trail rises steadily toward Lava Tower at 4,630 meters—a prominent volcanic rock formation that marks the highest point of the day. Here, you’ll pause for lunch and a much-needed rest before descending to the beautiful Barranco Camp. The drop in altitude helps your body adjust, and it follows the principle of “climb high, sleep low.” The Barranco Valley is one of Kilimanjaro’s most scenic spots, framed by the towering Barranco Wall and dotted with surreal Dendrosenecio plants. Expect a trekking duration of about 6–8 hours.

After breakfast, you’ll tackle the famous Barranco Wall—a thrilling scramble up a steep rock face with unforgettable views. Although it looks intimidating, it’s perfectly safe and often a favorite part of the trek. The trail then meanders through valleys and across rocky ridges before reaching Karanga Camp, where you’ll stop briefly for lunch. In the afternoon, you’ll continue ascending to Barafu Camp, your base for the summit attempt. Here, you'll rest early and enjoy a hot meal while preparing mentally and physically for the long summit night ahead. Total hiking time today is around 7–9 hours.

Shortly after midnight, you’ll begin the most demanding part of the climb. With headlamps lighting the path and stars twinkling above, you’ll ascend slowly toward Stella Point, reaching it around sunrise. After a short rest, you’ll push on to Uhuru Peak—the highest point in Africa at 5,895 meters! This moment is pure magic: a reward for all the grit and determination. You’ll have time for photos and to soak in the once-in-a-lifetime experience before descending back to Barafu Camp for a brief rest. After brunch, the descent continues to Mweka Camp, where you’ll enjoy your final night on the mountain. Today’s journey takes between 12–14 hours in total, but the sense of accomplishment will carry you through.

After a hearty breakfast and farewell ceremony with the crew, you’ll descend through lush rainforest to Mweka Gate. The final stretch is often filled with celebration and reflection as you return to lower altitudes. At the gate, you’ll receive your summit certificates and say goodbye to your mountain team. Our driver will be waiting to transfer you back to your hotel in Moshi, where a hot shower, comfortable bed, and celebratory dinner await. You’ve just conquered Kilimanjaro—the Roof of Africa!