Start your year with purpose, adventure, and breathtaking views on our 7-day trek along the Machame Route — one of the most scenic and rewarding paths to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro. This unforgettable journey takes you through ever-changing landscapes, from lush tropical rainforests to high-altitude alpine deserts, all leading to the majestic Uhuru Peak.
The Machame Route is a favorite for good reason: it offers excellent acclimatization, incredible scenery, and a real sense of challenge and achievement. Guided by our experienced and passionate mountain team, you’ll be fully supported every step of the way with high-quality equipment, nourishing meals, and expert care.
Whether you’re climbing just before midnight to reach the summit by sunrise on New Year’s Day or starting your adventure at the dawn of a new year, this is more than just a trek — it’s a powerful way to begin your next chapter.
Join us and make 2026 unforgettable with a Kilimanjaro climb that ends at the top of Africa!
Trek Dates: 27th December – 2nd January
Upon your arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport, you’ll be greeted by your guide and transferred to your accommodation in Arusha or Moshi. Take the rest of the day to relax, settle in, and prepare for your upcoming adventure in Tanzania. Your journey into the heart of this incredible destination is about to begin!
After breakfast, you’ll be picked up from your hotel around 8:00 am and driven to Machame Gate. Along the way, you’ll pass coffee and banana plantations, cultivated by the Chagga people. Upon arrival at Machame Gate, Bush Lion Tours will take care of all the pre-hike paperwork. The hike starts in the tropical rainforest, with a picnic lunch on the way. Keep an eye out for blue monkeys in the trees. By the end of the day, you’ll reach Machame Camp (2835 m), where you’ll spend your first night.
Hiking Time: About 7 hours
Distance Covered: 11 km
Habitat: Montane Forest
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included
Start your day early with your first view of the mountain. After breakfast, you’ll begin hiking around 8:00 am. The trail will take you up through the forest and into the moorland zone. After a short lunch and break, you’ll continue on a rocky path up to the Shira Plateau, where you’ll get a beautiful view of the western breach and its glacier. You’ll spend the night at Shira Cave Camp (3750 m).
Hiking Time: About 3 hours
Distance Covered: 5 km
Habitat: Moorland
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included
To help with acclimatization, you’ll hike to a higher altitude and then descend to camp for the night. The route takes you into the alpine desert, up to Lava Tower (4600 m), and then down to Barranco Camp (3900 m). The descent offers amazing photo opportunities of the Western Breach and Barranco Wall. The campsite is located in a valley below Barranco Wall, perfect for watching a beautiful sunset before dinner.
Hiking Time: About 6 hours
Distance Covered: 10 km
Habitat: Alpine Desert
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included
Day 4 on the 7 Days Lemosho Route is yet another big challenge! Hike up a steep hill to climb the Barranco Wall. It looks scary, but it’s actually not so bad! Walk under giant glaciers and enjoy the amazing downhill trek to Karanga Valley. Look up to see even more glaciers on Kibo Peak. Relax and eat dinner at camp, where you’ll see incredible views of another mountain called Mawenzi. In the afternoon, take it easy to get used to the high altitude. You can even go for a short hike if you want, but mostly rest up for the big climb on the next day!
Getting close to the summit! Hike to Barafu Camp, which is really high up (4673 meters!). From here, you’ll see amazing views of the peak of Kilimanjaro (Kibo) and another mountain called Mawenzi. After lunch, relax a lot in your tent – this is important for climbing to the very top later. Eat dinner early and get a good night’s sleep because you’ll need to wake up very early tomorrow for the climb!
Distance: ~15 km
Hiking Time: 12–15 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
This is it — Summit Day and New Year’s Day!
You’ll wake up just before midnight to begin the most challenging and unforgettable part of your journey. After a light breakfast and hot tea, you’ll gear up and start the final ascent under a sky full of stars, with headlamps lighting the trail ahead.
The climb to the summit takes about 6–7 hours and is a true test of endurance and determination. Slowly but steadily, you’ll make your way up steep switchbacks toward Stella Point (5,756m) — arriving just in time to witness a breathtaking New Year’s sunrise over the vast African plains.
From Stella Point, it’s a final push along the crater rim to reach Uhuru Peak (5,895m) — the highest point in Africa. Standing at the summit on January 1st, you’ll be rewarded with an indescribable sense of achievement, unmatched views, and the unforgettable experience of ringing in the New Year on top of the world.
Take your summit photos, soak in the moment, and celebrate — you’ve just conquered Kilimanjaro!
After a short rest at the top, you’ll begin the descent back to Barafu Camp for lunch. Then, continue down to Millennium Camp, where a warm meal and your final night on the mountain await.
This day will stay with you forever — the effort, the emotion, and the triumph of starting a new year from the highest point in Africa.
Day 7 – conquer the descent! After breakfast, enjoy a celebratory farewell to Millennium Camp (3950m) with a scenic few-hour hike to Mweka Gate. Collect your well-earned summit certificates and raise a toast to your accomplishment with a refreshing drink! Bid farewell to your amazing guides and board a private car which will take you back to your Moshi hotel. A hot shower and a comfy bed await! Celebrate your incredible Kilimanjaro achievement via 7 days Machame route – you did it!
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