From tropical rainforest to glaciers and eternal snow. Step by step to the roof of Africa via the Machame Route.
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: a well-balanced route where your body gets the time it needs to adjust to the altitude.
The 7-day structure significantly increases your chances of reaching the summit. Want to know how to best prepare?
✔ Extra acclimatization via Lava Tower
✔ Proven strategy: climb high, sleep low
✔ Experienced guides and strong support
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 settle in, explore the city 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 head into town. Tonight you don't need to do anything – just arrive.
This day is entirely 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 potential delays. Tomorrow the real adventure begins.
🗻 1800–2834 m · 📍 11 km · ⏱ 5–7 hours
Today the expedition truly begins. After registration at Machame Gate, the guide selects the porters and the hike through the tropical rainforest starts.
Along the way you'll spot colobus monkeys and exotic birds. By late afternoon you arrive at Machame Camp, where hot drinks and dinner await you.
Read about this experience
🗻 2834–3749 m · 📍 5 km · ⏱ 4–6 hours
After a hearty breakfast you hike over ridges towards the Shira Plateau, the rim of an ancient volcano.
In clear weather the cloud cover lies below you and Kilimanjaro glistens in the sunlight.
🗻 3749–4572–3901 m · 📍 10 km · ⏱ 6–8 hours
Today you first climb high to Lava Tower to get used to the altitude, then descend again to Barranco Camp.
This principle of climbing high and sleeping low is essential for good acclimatization.
🗻 3900–3963 m · 📍 5 km · ⏱ 4–5 hours
The famous Barranco Wall looks intimidating, but once you start scrambling it turns out to be mostly fun and spectacular.
After the climb, a relaxed walk over rolling ridges leads you to Karanga Camp, which you reach well before the end of the afternoon.
Read about this experience🗻 3963–4600 m · 📍 4 km · ⏱ 3–4 hours
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.
The mountain grows quieter. So do you.
🗻 4600–5895–3100 m · 📍 17 km · ⏱ 12–16 hours
Around midnight the toughest but most beautiful stage begins. After about 6 hours you reach the roof of Africa at sunrise.
After photos and emotions comes the descent: first back to Barafu Camp, then onwards to Mweka Camp. Technically it's downhill, but after a sleepless night and six hours of climbing your legs — and especially your knees — will certainly feel it. Yet the adrenaline and euphoria carry you further than you expect.
Read about this experience🗻 3100–1800 m · 📍 10 km · ⏱ 3–4 hours
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. At the hotel you can enjoy a hot shower, use a proper toilet, have your clothes washed and fully recover from a magnificently beautiful experience.
On this last day in Arusha your muscles will still remind you of the climb, which is why a long journey by bus or plane is best postponed. A breakfast buffet awaits you at the hotel. Enjoy Arusha one more time and go souvenir hunting — or treat yourself to a massage. In the evening the entire mountain team comes together one last 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 alongside your expedition.
View all safari options