Machame
Route
The Most Popular Scenic Route
From
$2,200
per person sharing
The Machame Route — Day by Day to the Summit
The Machame Route is Kilimanjaro's most popular route and for good reason. It offers stunning scenery through diverse ecological zones with excellent acclimatization due to its "climb high, sleep low" profile. Approaching from the south, you'll traverse rainforest, moorland, alpine desert, and glacial zones before summiting via Stella Point. The famous Barranco Wall provides an exciting scramble. Seven days is recommended for optimal acclimatization.
Over 7 days you'll climb through five climate zones — rainforest, heath, moorland, alpine desert, and arctic — arriving at Uhuru Peak (5,895m) for sunrise. Our itinerary builds in the acclimatization time that makes a 95% success rate possible.
Route Highlights
Challenges to Consider
Route Information
- Start Point
- Machame Gate (1,800m)
- Summit Approach
- Stella Point
- Total Distance
- 62 km
- Difficulty
- CHALLENGING
Campsites Along the Route
- 1Machame Camp
- 2Shira Camp
- 3Barranco Camp
- 4Karanga Camp
- 5Barafu Camp
- 6Mweka Camp
This Route is Best For
Begin Your Journey
This is more than a safari—it's a transformative encounter with the raw beauty of the African wilderness. Secure your place on this life-changing adventure.
Check Availability
“People ask me which route is best. The honest answer depends on your fitness, your timeline, and how much you value scenery over solitude. That's why we talk through it before you book — I want you on the right route, not just any route.”
Joseph Kimaro
Lead Mountain Guide — 18 years on Kilimanjaro, 2,000+ summits
Chat with Joseph