7 Days Machame Climb

We begin in the lush rainforest. The air is thick and earthy, and the path winds through ancient trees dripping with moss.
This is the only day you’ll hear birdsong, monkeys calling in the trees, and feel real humidity.
By the time we reach Machame Camp, the forest opens just slightly — and if the clouds part, you’ll see Kibo’s snowy cap for the first time. That glimpse alone can lift tired legs.
Expert tip: Take your time today. There’s no rush.

Today is when people start to believe they’re really climbing a mountain. The rainforest disappears behind us, and we climb a rocky ridge with heather and strange, alien-looking vegetation. The air gets drier.
We stop often — not just to breathe, but to look back. You’ll see the cloud forest far below you now, and Mount Meru rising like an island in the clouds.
By the time we reach Shira Cave Camp, the world feels bigger, quieter. We’re sleeping on a high-altitude plateau now. It’s usually cold here — and the stars? They’re closer than ever.

This is a tough day, but it’s one of the most important for acclimatization. We climb high up to Lava Tower (4,600m) where you’ll feel the thin air for the first time. Some trekkers get headaches here. That’s okay — it means your body is starting to adapt.
Then we descend to Barranco Camp, which we believe is the most beautiful campsite on the entire route. Giant senecio trees tower around the valley, and the Barranco Wall looms above us. You will love the sunsets here, they are like nowhere else on Earth.

Right after breakfast, we tackle the Barranco Wall — a steep rock face that scares many, but challenges and rewards all. We’ve seen climbers afraid of heights conquer it and smile for the first time in days.
Once on top, the landscape stretches endlessly. It’s dramatic, harsh, and utterly majestic. We walk on gently up-and-down paths toward Karanga Camp, which sits in a wide, open valley. This is a short day — a chance to rest, eat well, and reflect.

It’s a gradual climb to Barafu Camp, our final base before the summit push. The terrain now is dry, dusty, and beautiful. The energy among trekkers is quiet and focused.
We rest in the afternoon, eat early dinner, and then sleep a few hours.
Pro tips: This night is not about sleep. It’s about readiness.

We start at midnight. Headlamps on. The cold is sharp. The trail winds slowly up, hour after hour. It’s silent except for boots and breathing.
Around 5:30 AM, we reach Stella Point. The sunrise here is like a fire across the glacier sky. Many cry here. Others just stand in silence.
After about another 45 minutes, we’re at Uhuru Peak, 5,895 meters, the Roof of Africa.
You don’t stay long because in many cases, the wind is fierce.  But, in that short time, you stay there, you create memories that will stay with you forever. 
Then, we descend. It’s a long way down, all the way to Mweka Camp, where oxygen returns and the air smells like life again. Sleep here is the deepest you’ll ever know.

The final walk is through the forest once more. Your legs are tired, but your heart is full. At the gate, we sign out, and there’s often singing, hugging, sometimes tears.
And then… the team brings out the summit certificates. That little piece of paper means everything.