Kilimanjaro: Machame Route

The Machame Route travels approximately 63km, 40 miles starting and ending on the south slope of Kilimanjaro. Ascending through rainforest, highlands, lava fields and high altitude desert before reaching the summit plateau and crater.

Day 1:

Start: Machame Gate 1800m End: Machame Hut 3000m

Elev gain: 1200m, 3940 ft.

Time: 6 – 8 hours Distance: About 10km, 6 miles

Day 2:

Start: Machame Hut 3000m End: Shira Hut 3720m

Elev gain: 720m, 2360 ft.

Time: 4 – 6 hours Distance: About 8km, 5 miles

Day 3:

Start: Shira Hut 3720m End: Barranco Hut 3900m

Elev gain: 780m, 2560 ft. / Elev loss: 600m, 1970 ft.

Time: 5 - 7 hours Distance: About 10km, 6 miles

Day 4:

Start: Barranco Hut 3900m End: Karanga Valley 3900m

Elev gain: 300m, 985 ft. / Elev loss: 300m, 985 ft.

Time: 3 - 5 hours Distance: About 5km, 3 miles

Day 5:

Start: Karanga Valley 3900m End: Barufu Hut 4600m

Elev gain: 700m, 2295 ft.

Time: 3 - 5 hours Distance: About 5km, 3 miles

Day 6 to summit:

Start: Barufu Hut 4600m Summit: Uhuru Peak 5896m

Elev gain: 1296m, 4250 ft.

Time: 8 - 10 hours

Distance: About 7km, 4 miles

Day 6 descent:

Start: Uhuru Peak 5896m End: Mweka Camp 3100m

Elev loss: 2796m, 9170 ft.

Time: 6-8 hours Distance: About 13km, 8 miles

Day 7:

Start: Mweka Camp 3100m End: Mweka Gate 1800m

Elev loss: 1300m, 4264 ft.

Time: 3 hours Distance: About 7km, 4 miles