What It’s Really Like to Climb Kilimanjaro: Day-by-Day Breakdown
Curious what a Kilimanjaro trek is like? Here’s a realistic day-by-day snapshot based on the popular 7-day Machame Route, expertly led by Nas Royal Safaris:
Day 1: Machame Gate to Machame Camp
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Hiking time: ~5–7 hours
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Altitude: 1,800m → 3,000m
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Trek through lush montane rainforest—muddy, green, alive with birds and monkeys.
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Camp in tents, hot dinner under the stars.
Day 2: Machame Camp to Shira Camp
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Hiking time: ~4–6 hours
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Altitude: 3,000m → 3,840m
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Enter heathland zone. The views open up—Kibo Peak becomes visible.
Day 3: Shira Camp to Lava Tower to Barranco Camp
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Hiking time: ~6–8 hours
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Altitude: Up to 4,600m, sleep at 3,950m
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Acclimatization day—hike high, sleep low. May feel the effects of altitude.
Day 4: Barranco Wall to Karanga Camp
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Hiking time: ~4–5 hours
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Climb the dramatic Barranco Wall—a thrilling scramble with jaw-dropping views.
Day 5: Karanga to Barafu Base Camp
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Hiking time: ~3–4 hours
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Early to bed—you’ll wake around midnight for the summit push.
Day 6: Summit Day! Barafu to Uhuru Peak to Mweka Camp
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Hiking time: 10–14 hours
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Start at midnight, reach Uhuru Peak (5,895m) by sunrise.
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Emotion, exhaustion, and elation.
Next, you will descend over 2,000m to Mweka Camp.
Day 7: Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate
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Hiking time: 3–4 hours
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Finish with a ceremony from your porters and a hearty goodbye meal.
Want a day-by-day itinerary tailored to your pace? Email: [email protected]
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