9-day trip: climbing Kilimanjaro via the 6-day Machame Route

DAY 1: Arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport for your climb

When you arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport our Tanzania Specialist guide is there waiting for you. He then drops you off at your hotel, where you can relax from your flight.

DAY 2: Lemosho-Shira Route (1/6) | Drop off (3,500 m/11,483 ft) - Shira 2 Camp (3,890 m/12,762 ft)

Your guide picks you up in the morning and takes you on an approximately 4-hour drive to the Londorossi Gate, the west entrance of Kilimanjaro National Park. The road leads through a beautiful tropical rainforest. You arrive at the drop-off point at 3,500 meters where you can enjoy an amazing view of the Shira plateau for the first time. Immerse yourself in the beauty of nature and acclimatize to the high altitude while you prepare for an exciting adventure.

DAY 3: Lemosho-Shira Route (2/6) | Shira 2 Camp (3,890 m/12,762 ft) - Lava Tower (4,630 m/15,190 ft) - Barranco Camp (3,950 m/12,959 ft)

On this second day on the mountain, the Lemosho route joins the Machame route. The hike leads from Shira 2 Camp to the beautiful Lava Tower at 4,630 m (15,190 ft). This part of the climb has many ascents and descents but offers beautiful views along the way. It is a long hike and you may start to feel a bit uncomfortable because of the height. It is therefore important to find the right pace for your body to adjust to the altitude. After lunch, you descend to Barranco Camp at the foot of Barranco Wall.

DAY 4: Lemosho-Shira Route (3/6) | Barranco Camp (3,950 m/12,959 ft) - Karanga Camp (4,040 m/13,254 ft)

For many people, this is their favourite part of the climb: going from Barranco Camp to the Barranco Wall. Once there, you have a spectacular view of the Kibo Volcano and Mount Meru.

Afterwards, a more difficult hike starts to reach Karanga Camp. This route has many ascents and descents, so keep the right pace. You have lunch at the camp and after a rest, you can take an acclimatization hike in the direction of Barafu Camp.

DAY 5: Lemosho-Shira Route (4/6) | Karanga Camp (4,040 m/13,254 ft) - Barafu Camp (4,645 m/15,239 ft)

After breakfast the hike to Barafu Camp starts. This is the starting point for your ascent to the Uhuru Peak - the top of Kilimanjaro! You arrive at the camp around lunch. Have a rest and after you regain your strength, take an acclimatization hike to Kosovo Summit Camp (4,870m) and back. Enjoy breathtaking views of the surrounding peaks and experience the thrill of high-altitude camping as you prepare for the final push to the summit around midnight.

DAY 6: Lemosho-Shira Route (5/6) | Barafu Camp (4,645 m/15,239 ft) - Uhuru Peak (5,895 m/19,340 ft) - Millennium Camp (3,820 m/12,532 ft)

Today is the day! Around midnight you start from Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak. The climb leads over good trails and the most challenging part is the high altitude. Once you reach the summit, you can enjoy a beautiful sunrise, which is quite impressive at this height! After a short time at the top, where you celebrate your ultimate triumph, you descend slowly to the scenic Millennium Camp.

DAY 7: Lemosho-Shira Route (6/6) | Millennium Camp (3,820 m/12,532 ft) - Mweka Gate (1,640 m/5,380 ft) - Hotel

The Millenium Camp is located in a tropical rainforest. When you wake up today, you feel a sense of relief from the reduced altitude and satisfaction from reaching the summit. After breakfast, you take an easy walk to the park exit.

DAY 8-9: Flight home from Kilimanjaro International Airport after the climb

Sadly, this is the end of your holiday and the time to go home has arrived. Enjoy your last hours in Tanzania before our driver comes to pick you up and takes you to Kilimanjaro International Airport for your flight home. Still longing for more? It's also possible to add a few days of safari or a beach holiday to your Kilimanjaro adventure!