| Day | Stage | Arrival altitude | Walking |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Machame Gate to Machame Camp | 3,000 m | 5 to 7 h |
| 2 | Machame Camp to Shira | 3,840 m | 4 to 6 h |
| 3 | Shira to Lava Tower to Barranco | 4,630 m then 3,950 m | about 6 to 7 h |
| 4 | Barranco to Karanga (Barranco Wall) | 4,035 m | about 5 h |
| 5 | Karanga to Barafu | 4,600 m | short |
| 6 | Barafu to Uhuru Peak to Mweka Camp | 5,895 m then 3,100 m | 11 to 14 h overall |
| 7 | Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate | about 1,650 m | 3 to 4 h |
Why Machame is the most chosen route
It crosses five vegetation zones, from rainforest to alpine desert, and day 3 follows "climb high, sleep low": Lava Tower at 4,630 m, then back down to Barranco. That helps acclimatisation. It is busier than Lemosho; compare them in Kilimanjaro routes compared.
Cost, season and success
An agency guide read in October 2026 gives US$2,000 to 3,500 per person for 7 days, including about US$800 of park fees. Other sites quote lower success rates (50 to 70% across all operators): the safe takeaway is that the seventh day improves your odds. The best months quoted are January to early March and June to October. More in the cost of a Kilimanjaro climb and the operators.
Getting ready
Kilimanjaro requires licensed guides and a crew. Plan your kit and altitude sickness with our packing list and altitude page, and see a doctor before you go.
FAQ
How many days for the Machame route?
Seven days is the standard; a 6-day version exists but succeeds less often according to operators.
Is summit night very hard?
It takes 11 to 14 hours overall, in the cold and at altitude: it is the most demanding part.
Do I need to book far ahead?
Operators advise booking a few months ahead, especially for high season.
The Zanzibar Authority editorial team
