6-Day Kilimanjaro Group Joining Machame Itinerary
Distances and walking times below follow the current package itinerary and should be treated as approximate. Weather, trail conditions, group pace, park procedures and guide safety decisions can change the timing of each day.
Day 1: Machame Gate to Machame Camp
The climb begins at Machame Gate and enters the rainforest zone. After park formalities and crew organization, the group follows the forest trail toward Machame Camp. Rain and mud are possible, so waterproof layers should be easy to reach.
- Approximate distance: 10.6 km
- Approximate walking time: about 6 hours
- Meals: Lunch and dinner
- Overnight: Machame Camp
Day 2: Machame Camp to Shira Camp
After breakfast, the group leaves the rainforest and continues up an ascending path through more open terrain toward the Shira area. The route includes rocky and uneven sections as elevation increases.
- Approximate distance: 5.4 km
- Approximate walking time: 4–6 hours
- Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
- Overnight: Shira Camp
Day 3: Shira Camp to Lava Tower, then Barranco Camp
The route climbs toward the Lava Tower area before descending to Barranco Camp. This creates a higher daytime point followed by a lower sleeping altitude, which can support acclimatization, but it does not eliminate the risk of altitude illness.
- Approximate distance: 10.8 km
- Approximate walking time: 8–10 hours
- Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
- Overnight: Barranco Camp
Day 4: Barranco Camp via Karanga Area to Barafu Camp
After breakfast, the route climbs the Barranco Wall and continues through the Karanga area before joining the trail toward Barafu. The Barranco Wall is steep and requires careful hands-and-feet movement in places, but it is normally treated as a trekking obstacle rather than technical rock climbing.
At Barafu, the focus shifts to eating, hydration, warm clothing, equipment preparation and rest before the summit attempt begins late at night.
- Approximate distance: 8.5 km
- Approximate walking time: about 8 hours
- Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
- Overnight: Barafu Camp
Day 5: Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak, then Descend to Mweka Camp
The summit attempt normally begins between midnight and 2 a.m. The group climbs toward Stella Point on the crater rim and, if your health, weather and your guide's safety assessment allow, continues toward Uhuru Peak at 5,895 m. Reaching the summit is the objective, but it is not guaranteed.
After the summit attempt, the descent returns toward Barafu and continues to Mweka Camp for the final mountain night. This is the longest and most demanding day of the itinerary.
- Approximate total distance: 16.4 km
- Approximate walking time: 7–8 hours ascent plus 4–6 hours descent
- Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
- Overnight: Mweka Camp
Day 6: Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate, then Transfer to Moshi or Arusha
After breakfast, the group descends through the forest to Mweka Gate. Park exit formalities are completed at the gate, and certificates are issued according to the point reached rather than assuming every climber reached Uhuru Peak.
Your driver then transfers you to the agreed Moshi or Arusha drop-off point stated in your booking.