9-Day Mount Kilimanjaro Hiking Tour via Machame Route - 2026 - 2027 - 2028 Latest itinerary

Welcome to Tanzania! Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport, our friendly Ahsante Tours driver will be waiting to greet you. After a warm welcome, you'll enjoy a comfortable transfer to Weru Weru Lodge in Moshi. Nestled near the base of Kilimanjaro, this peaceful lodge offers a perfect first glimpse of the mountain. Settle in, relax by the garden or pool, and prepare for the adventure ahead. Dinner is available at the lodge's restaurant.

• Time: 8-10hrs
• Meals: Dinner (Breakfast & lunch not included) Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

•  Accommodation: Weru Weru River Lodge Mid-range lodge located in Moshi (Town)

Half an hour drive from Moshi lies the gate to the Machame route, where you will complete park registrations, then you are off on your 7-day trek. The first section of the route climbs steadily and passes through magnificent, dense rainforest. This path is less well-trodden so it can get somewhat overgrown in places and it is often wet and muddy underfoot.

Distance covered: 10km
Approx. time taken: 6 hours.

• Time: 8-10hrs
• Meals: All meals included Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

•  Accommodation: Budget camping

Our route continues on up through the forest until we reach the steep ascent onto the Shira Plateau, where there are rewarding views of the mountain. Looking back, you will be able to see Mt Meru rising high above Arusha town in the distance.

Distance covered: 4.8km
Approx. time taken: 5 hours.

• Time: 8-10hrs
• Meals: All meals included Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

•  Accommodation: Budget camping

Walking now on high moorland, the landscape changes the entire character of the trek. We traverse the southwest side of Kilimanjaro, passing underneath the Lava Tower and the final section of the Western Breach and finally reach camp The day has been spent at altitude (up to 4600m), but we have followed the mountaineering code of 'walk high, sleep low' to aid your body's acclimatisation to altitude.

Distance covered: 10km
Approx. time taken: 8 hrs.

• Time: 8-10hrs
• Meals: All meals included Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

•  Accommodation: Budget camping

Our day starts by descending into the start of the Great Barranco, a huge ravine. We then exit steeply, up the Great Barranco Wall, which divides us from the southeastern slopes of Kibo. It's a climb over rock, not technical but long and tiring. Passing underneath the Heim and Kersten glaciers, we head towards the Karanga valley. From here we have a steep climb up from Karanga valley to our night's camp at Karanga camp, set at 3963m. For those feeling strong we will go for a mid-afternoon acclimatisation trek up to around 4200m before descending back to camp for the night.

Distance covered: 5.5km / 3.4mi
Approx. time taken: 5 hours.

• Time: 8-10hrs
• Meals: All meals included Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

•  Accommodation: Budget camping

After a good night's rest and breakfast, we set off on our walk to Barafu camp at 4640m. The climb will take us across desolate scree slopes with no vegetation around us at all. It's a tough steep walk made more difficult by the altitude. On arrival at camp we eat and spend the afternoon resting as we prepare for a long night and day ahead. It is important to keep hydrated and warm. We have an early dinner and then try to get some sleep as we will be getting up at between 11pm and 12pm to start the climb to the summit.

Distance covered: 3km
Approx. time taken: 3 hours

• Time: 8-10hrs
• Meals: All meals included Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

•  Accommodation: Budget camping

We start off at around midnight, and walk steeply upwards to the summit glaciers. We will be climbing scree for 4 to 5 hours but gain incredible height over a short distance. The views are spectacular. We should be on the crater rim at Stella Point (5739m) as the first rays of the sun hit us. Spectacular ice cliffs within the crater surround us and the views to jagged Mawenzi peak and beyond are breathtaking. Another hour's walking takes us to the summit, Uhuru Peak (5895m). We begin our descent by returning to Stella Point and then descending on scree slope and track back to Barafu Camp for breakfast, before finally heading down to Millennium Camp for a long well-earned rest.

Distance covered: 13.4km
Approx. time taken: 12 - 15 hours.

• Time: 8-10hrs
• Meals: All meals included Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

•  Accommodation: Budget camping

A gentle trek takes us down through the rain forest to Mweka Gate, where we complete park formalities and receive certificates, which you can hang up with pride! We are then met by our vehicles and return to the hotel in Moshi, where you can treat yourself to a welcome shower (and a cold beer or two!) before our big celebration. Overnight in Moshi.

Distance covered: 11.5km
Approx. time taken: 6 hours

• Time: 8-10hrs
• Meals: All meals included Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

•  Accommodation: Weru Weru River Lodge Mid-range lodge located in Moshi (Town)

After an unforgettable journey on Kilimanjaro, it's time to say goodbye. Depending on your departure schedule, enjoy a relaxed morning at the Lodge or explore a bit of Moshi town. Our driver will transfer you to Kilimanjaro International Airport in time for your departure. As you leave with memories of mountain sunrises and scenic trails, we hope your Kilimanjaro adventure stays with you long after you're home. Safe travels and karibu Tena - you're always welcome back.

• Time: 8-10hrs
• Meals: Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included) Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

•  Accommodation: No accommodation (End of tour)