Introduction

The Machame Route is one of Kilimanjaro’s most scenic and adventurous trails, known for its breathtaking views and varied landscapes. You’ll sleep in tents under the stars and benefit from great acclimatization conditions. At Genes Adventures, we offer both 6- and 7-day options. While the trail is the same, the 7-day version includes an extra day at altitude — giving you more time to adapt, enjoy the journey, and increase your chances of a successful summit. We highly recommend the extra day!

Highlights

Mount Kilimanjaro

Map

Tanzania

Start Point: Moshi

Day 1

Mount Kilimanjaro Machame Camp

Day 2

Mount Kilimanjaro Shira Camp 1

Day 3

Mount Kilimanjaro Barranco Camp

Day 4

Mount Kilimanjaro Karanga Camp

Day 5

Mount Kilimanjaro Barafu Camp

Day 6

Uhuru Peak Mweka Camp

Day 7

Moshi (No accommodation)

End Point: Moshi

Day 1

Machame Camp

Altitude: 2,980 meters.

Activity Day 1

After breakfast, depart for Machame Gate, where your guide secures the necessary permits while you enjoy a fresh coffee or tea. Begin your trek through the lush rainforest blanketing Kilimanjaro’s lower slopes—an enchanting world of towering trees, vibrant plants, and playful black-and-white colobus monkeys. After about 5–6 hours of trekking, arrive at Machame Camp where you can freshen up with warm water before a hearty mountain dinner.

Accommodation Day 1

Machame Camp

Mountain hut

At Machame Camp, on the lower slopes of Mt Kilimanjaro, you'll be sleeping at an altitude of 2835m. That means there are still some trees around, and the views of the higher country to the north are quite beautiful. There are no facilities but you'll spend the evening sharing climbing stories with other travelers.

Meal Plan Lunch & Dinner Drinking water

Day 2

Mount Kilimanjaro

Activity Day 2

Today’s hike takes you out of the rainforest and onto a rugged ridge lined with heath and moorland. As you ascend, marvel at sweeping views of Mount Meru floating in the distance. Walking 5–6.5 hours with a scenic picnic lunch en route, you reach the open landscapes of Shira Plateau.

Accommodation Day 2

Shira Camp 1

Camping

We think you'll enjoy Shira Camp 1, which inhabits a plateau at 3810m and sees fewer travelers than many other Kilimanjaro campsites. There are no facilities here, but you should be able to see Kilimanjaro's Kibo summit north-east from your tent, and Mount Meru to the west. Although there are no trees, the scrubby vegetation adds a tinge of green.

Meal Plan Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Drinking water

Day 3

Barranco Camp

Activity Day 3

Fuel up with a delicious breakfast before venturing into the Alpine zone. Trek through bizarrely beautiful landscapes of lava ridges and rocky deserts. Reach the Lava Tower at 4,630 meters—a crucial acclimatization point—before descending into the sheltered valley of Baranco Camp. Expect 5–7 hours of walking, taking it slow to let your body adjust to the higher altitudes.

Accommodation Day 3

Barranco Camp

Camping

You can see the summit of Mt Kilimanjaro from Barranco Camp (3983m). It's a stirring backdrop to the campsite, and its high snows are a contrast to the bare, dry landscape that surrounds you here, high above the tree line. Barranco lies along a number of climbing routes, including the popular Machame Route, so there are always lots of people in camp.

Meal Plan Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Drinking water

Day 4

Karanga Camp

Activity Day 4

After breakfast, conquer the Baranco Wall—it looks tougher than it is! Arrive at Karanga Camp for a hot lunch, then relax or take a short walk. This day is designed as extra acclimatization to boost your chances of summit success.

Accommodation Day 4

Karanga Camp

Camping

Landscapes of austere beauty surround you and the oxygen is pretty thin at Karanga Camp, which lies high on Mt Kilimanjaro at an altitude of 3995m. You're well above the treeline here, in a terrain known as an alpine desert. The summit is clearly visible high above you, there's plenty of space to pitch your tent, and there are always many other climbers around with whom to swap stories.

Meal Plan Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Drinking water

Day 5

Barafu Camp

Activity Day 5

Start the day with the scenic Baranco Wall ascent—an exhilarating climb offering jaw-dropping views. Traverse the southern face of Kilimanjaro through barren alpine desert toward Barafu Camp. After 4.5–6 hours of trekking, settle in early to rest and hydrate—you’ll need your strength for summit night!

Accommodation Day 5

Barafu Camp

Mountain hut

When you stay at Barafu Camp, at an altitude of 4681m on Mt Kilimanjaro, you're surrounded by a landscape where nothing grows and the views extend out across the mountain's high and treeless valleys. 'Barafu' means 'ice' in Swahili and it's always cold up here, as well as beautiful. Enjoy talking with the other climbers who've reached this milestone.

Meal Plan Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Drinking water

Day 6

Summit day - Mweka Camp

Activity Day 6

Summit Day! Begin in the dark, guided by stars and determination. Push onward to Uhuru Peak (5,895 meters) just in time for sunrise—a moment that will stay with you forever. After celebrating at the roof of Africa, descend to Barafu for a short rest, then continue to Mweka Camp.

Accommodation Day 6

Mweka Camp

Camping

You know you're on the way down when you stay at Mweka Camp, a descent-only camp along four different routes down from the summit of Mt Kilimanjaro. Here at an altitude of 3060m, you can start to breathe a little easier, and there's always a good feeling with other climbers happy and excited to be on the way down. The views here are spectacular.

Meal Plan Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Drinking water

Day 7

Relaxed descent

Activity Day 7

On your final day, stroll down through the forest, where lush greenery and lively birdlife welcome you back. Upon reaching Mweka Gate, celebrate your success with a festive champagne brunch hosted by Genes Adventures. Afterwards, transfer back to your hotel for a well-deserved shower, rest, and time to relive your incredible journey.

7-Day Kilimanjaro via Machame Route - Tents

7-Day Kilimanjaro via Machame Route - Tents

Introduction

Highlights

Machame Camp

Activity Day 1

Machame Camp

Mount Kilimanjaro

Activity Day 2

Shira Camp 1

Barranco Camp

Activity Day 3

Barranco Camp

Karanga Camp

Activity Day 4

Karanga Camp

Barafu Camp

Activity Day 5

Barafu Camp

Summit day - Mweka Camp

Activity Day 6

Mweka Camp

Relaxed descent

Activity Day 7

Pricing

Detailed Price Information

Overview Tour

7 Days / 6 Nights

7-Day Kilimanjaro via Machame Route - Tents

Included

Excluded

Ready to Share

7-Day Kilimanjaro via Machame Route - Tents

Introduction

Highlights

Machame Camp

Activity Day 1

Machame Camp

Mount Kilimanjaro

Activity Day 2

Shira Camp 1

Barranco Camp

Activity Day 3

Barranco Camp

Karanga Camp

Activity Day 4

Karanga Camp

Barafu Camp

Activity Day 5

Barafu Camp

Summit day - Mweka Camp

Activity Day 6

Mweka Camp

Relaxed descent

Activity Day 7

Pricing

Detailed Price Information

Overview Tour

7 Days / 6 Nights

7-Day Kilimanjaro via Machame Route - Tents

Included

Excluded