From tropical rainforest to glaciers and eternal snow. On this page you'll see step by step how the Machame Route takes you to the roof of Africa.
Via Google Maps you can already view Kilimanjaro from the air. For convenience, we've zoomed in below on Barafu Camp, the last stop before the climb to the summit. Use the navigation buttons to zoom in and out.
Expedition Kilimanjaro follows the Machame Route. I chose this trek because it's the most relaxed route, where plenty of time is taken to let your body acclimatize properly.
You follow the 7-day Machame route, which significantly increases the chance that you'll actually reach the summit.
Below follows the day-to-day program of the adventure of your lifetime.
This interactive graph shows per day how you ascend and descend during the expedition. Move your mouse or finger over the points for exact altitudes.
The expedition doesn't start on the mountain, but in Arusha. Two days to get used to it, walk around and prepare yourself mentally and physically for what's to come.
You land at Kilimanjaro International Airport, where the hotel driver awaits you and takes you to the hotel in Arusha. A first introduction to Tanzania.
You can dine at the hotel or go into town. Tonight you don't need to do anything – just arrive.
This day is completely dedicated to preparation. You meet your guide, get a comprehensive briefing and can ask all your questions.
This extra day is deliberately built in for rest, acclimatization and any delays. Tomorrow the real adventure begins.
1634 m → 2834 m
Today the expedition really begins. After registration at Machame Gate, the guide selects the porters and the hike through the tropical rainforest starts.
Along the way you'll see colobus monkeys and exotic birds. At the end of the afternoon you arrive at Machame Camp, where hot drinks and dinner await you.
2834 m → 3749 m
After a hearty breakfast you hike over ridges towards the Shira Plateau, the rim of an ancient volcano.
In clear weather you see the cloud cover below you and Kilimanjaro glistens in the sunlight.
3749 m → 4572 m → 3901 m
Today you first climb high to Lava Tower to get used to the altitude, after which you descend again to Barranco Camp.
This principle of climbing high and sleeping low is essential for good acclimatization.
3900 m → 3963 m
The famous Barranco Wall looks intimidating, but once scrambling proves to be mainly fun and spectacular.
After the climb follows a relaxed walk over rolling ridges towards Karanga Camp which you reach before the end of the afternoon.
3963 m → 4600 m
A relatively short hiking day. You reach Barafu Camp early in the afternoon.
Rest is essential today. After an early dinner you crawl into your sleeping bag, because around midnight the summit attempt begins.
4600 m → 5896 m → 3100 m
Around midnight the toughest but most beautiful stage starts. After about 6 hours you reach the roof of Africa at sunrise.
After photos and emotions follows a special descent, first to Barafu Camp and then onwards to Mweka Camp. From here it's downhill, so not tiring at all.
3100 m → 1800 m
Descent through lush rainforest. After 3–4 hours of hiking you reach Mweka Gate,
where you sign out of Kilimanjaro National Park,
and return to the hotel in Arusha.
The expedition is over and you can take a nice warm shower at the hotel, use a normal toilet, have clothes washed and completely recover from a magnificently beautiful experience.
On this last day in Arusha you'll still feel your muscles quite a bit and that's why a long journey by bus or plane is still not recommended for everyone. You have a breakfast buffet at the hotel. Still enjoy Arusha and go souvenir hunting. Or take a massage at the hotel. In the evening the whole mountain team comes together one more time. You receive your certificate and close the expedition with a unique, traditional closing ceremony.
Today it must finally happen. Wave once more to that enormous mountain before the hotel driver takes you to the airport, or to the departure points for shuttle buses to Dar Es Salaam or Nairobi. Before you know it you're back home!
The Machame Route is challenging, safe and incredibly beautiful.
Combine your Kilimanjaro trek with an unforgettable safari in Tanzania, before or after your climb. Visit the Serengeti or Ngorongoro Crater and spot lions, elephants and giraffes. Choose a day trip or multi-day arrangement – we arrange it seamlessly connected to your expedition.
View all safari options here