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Kilimanjaro — Machame Route

Kilimanjaro — Machame Route — the trail guide

The Kilimanjaro — Machame Route is a 59.8 km trek in Tanzania, typically walked in 7 days, with 5202 m of total ascent. It rates Extreme on our published rubric (87 m of gain per km, topping out at 5875 m). Its operating periods and current access must be checked with the linked route authorities; historical climate averages cannot establish whether the route is open or passable.

An official Kilimanjaro ascent from Machame Gate through the mountain’s elevation-driven ecological zones toward Kibo and Uhuru Peak, with Mweka assigned as the descent route.

Quick facts

Distance59.8 km
Total ascent5202 m
Typical duration7 days
Difficulty (computed)Extreme
Steepness87 m gain per km
High point5875 m
CountryTanzania
RegionTanzania

Difficulty is computed from gain-per-km and maximum altitude on a published rubric, identically for every trail in the catalogue — so an "Extreme" here means the same thing everywhere on DirtbagMaps.

Official planning information

Elevation profile

Low point 1632 m · high point 5875 m · 5202 m total ascent over 59.8 km.

Historical climate normals — month by month

ERA5 reanalysis averages (2015–2024) for the trail area, referenced to approximately 1811 m elevation. These are gridded historical estimates, not observations from every stage and not a forecast. They cannot show current snowpack, river levels, fire restrictions, closures or whether a pass is safe.

MonthAvg highAvg lowAvg precip
Jan21°14°199 mm
Feb22°14°257 mm
Mar22°15°568 mm
Apr19°15°1002 mm
May18°13°540 mm
Jun17°12°386 mm
Jul16°11°344 mm
Aug17°11°228 mm
Sep19°12°179 mm
Oct20°13°224 mm
Nov20°14°363 mm
Dec20°14°175 mm

Frequently asked questions

How long is the Kilimanjaro — Machame Route?

The Kilimanjaro — Machame Route is 59.8 km, and most hikers complete it in 7 days. Total elevation gain is 5202 m.

How difficult is the Kilimanjaro — Machame Route?

It rates Extreme on DirtbagMaps' computed rubric: 87 m of climbing per km walked with a high point of 5875 m. The rubric classifies every trail from gain-per-km and maximum altitude, so ratings are comparable across the whole catalogue.

What season and condition information is available for the Kilimanjaro — Machame Route?

TANAPA dry periods: late June–September and December–early March. TANAPA publishes mountain-wide dry and rainy periods, not a Machame opening calendar or summit forecast. Every climbing group must be guided; TANAPA normally deals with registered or licensed operators unless written permission is granted. This note was reviewed 30 Jul 2026 and is not live status; re-check the linked authorities before booking and departure.

Where is the Kilimanjaro — Machame Route?

In Tanzania. The route starts near -3.174, 37.239 — the interactive 3D map above shows the full line, and the planner splits it into daily stages.

Can I get the GPX and plan daily stages?

Yes. Open the trail in the DirtbagMaps planner to drag the elevation profile into daily stages, see huts and accommodation along the corridor, and export a per-day GPX for your watch or GPS.

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