7 DAYS Kilimanjaro Climbing using Machame Route
MACHAME ROUTE – 6 NIGHTS / 7 DAYS CLIMB
Plus 2 Nights in Moshi, Arrival & Departure
Arrival at JRO – Transfer to Moshi (Overnight Stay)
DAY 1: Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), you will be warmly welcomed by our representative. After a brief introduction, you will be transferred by private vehicle to your hotel in Moshi, a vibrant town at the base of Mount Kilimanjaro.
The drive takes approximately 45–60 minutes, offering scenic views of the surrounding landscapes and, on clear days, glimpses of Mount Kilimanjaro. Upon arrival at your hotel, you can relax, settle in, and prepare for your upcoming trek.
Overnight in Moshi at Park View Hotel (Bed & Breakfast).
Day 2: Machame Gate (1,490 m) to Machame Camp (2,980 m)
Hiking Time: 4–5 hours
Distance: Approximately 18 km
Habitat: Montane Forest
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner (FB)
Your adventure begins with an early morning briefing followed by breakfast. You will then depart from Moshi (910 m) on a 45-minute drive to Machame Village (1,490 m).
Upon arrival, the guides and porters organize and pack the expedition supplies and your personal equipment. Depending on road conditions, you may drive directly to Machame Gate. If the road is impassable, you will walk approximately 3 km (about one hour) to the gate.
After completing park registration, you begin your ascent through the lush montane rainforest. A packed lunch will be provided before setting off. Rain is common in this section of the mountain, making the trail muddy and slippery.
Upon arrival at Machame Camp, the mountain crew will prepare boiled drinking and washing water while the camp chef serves a freshly prepared dinner.
Overnight: Machame Camp (2,980 m)
Day 3: Machame Camp (2,980 m) to Shira Camp (3,840 m)
Hiking Time: Approximately 6 hours
Distance: Approximately 9 km
Habitat: Moorland
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner (FB)
After breakfast, the trail climbs steadily through the remaining forest before emerging into the beautiful moorland zone. As vegetation becomes sparse, spectacular views begin to open across the Shira Plateau.
Following lunch, continue along a rocky ridge with magnificent views of the Western Breach and its glaciers. Arriving at Shira Camp in the afternoon provides excellent opportunities to enjoy the sunset over Mount Meru while the crew prepares dinner.
Overnight: Shira Camp (3,840 m)
Day 3: Shira Camp (3,840 m) – Lava Tower (4,630 m) – Barranco Camp (3,950 m)
Hiking Time: 6–7 hours
Distance: Approximately 15 km
Habitat: Semi-Desert
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner (FB)
Today’s trek follows the famous “climb high, sleep low” principle, an important part of successful acclimatization.
The trail gradually ascends across the alpine desert toward Lava Tower (4,630 m), where lunch is served. This is often the first day that climbers experience the effects of altitude, including mild headaches or shortness of breath.
After reaching Lava Tower, you descend nearly 680 metres to Barranco Camp. This descent significantly improves acclimatization while providing breathtaking views of the Western Breach and the Great Barranco Wall.
Barranco Camp sits in a sheltered valley beneath the towering Barranco Wall, creating one of the most scenic campsites on the mountain.
Overnight: Barranco Camp (3,950 m)
Day 4: Barranco Camp (3,950 m) to Karanga Camp (4,035 m)
Hiking Time: 4–5 hours
Distance: Approximately 5 km
Habitat: Alpine Desert
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner (FB)
Following breakfast, the day begins with the exciting scramble up the famous Barranco Wall. Although steep, the climb is non-technical and rewards you with spectacular panoramic views of Kibo Peak and the southern glaciers.
The trail then undulates across ridges and valleys before descending into Karanga Valley and climbing gently to Karanga Camp.
This shorter trekking day allows your body additional time to acclimatize while enjoying some of the mountain’s most dramatic scenery.
Overnight: Karanga Camp (4,035 m)
Day 5: Karanga Camp (4,035 m) to Barafu Camp (4,550 m)
Hiking Time: 3–4 hours
Distance: Approximately 4 km
Habitat: Alpine Desert
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner (FB)
Today’s hike is relatively short but important as you make your way to Barafu Camp, the final base camp before the summit attempt.
The landscape becomes increasingly barren and exposed as you ascend onto a rocky ridge where the camp is located. After lunch, there will be time to rest, organize your summit gear, and attend a final briefing with your guide.
Ensure your headlamp batteries are fully charged, warm clothing is readily accessible, and drinking water is kept in insulated bottles to prevent freezing.
An early dinner is served before resting for a few hours in preparation for the midnight summit departure.
Overnight: Barafu Camp (4,550 m)
Day 6: Summit Day – Barafu Camp (4,550 m) – Uhuru Peak (5,895 m) – Mweka Camp (3,100 m)
Ascent Time: 7–8 hours
Descent Time: 6–7 hours
Distance: Approximately 30 km (7 km ascent / 23 km descent)
Habitat: Arctic Summit & Montane Forest
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner (FB)
Your summit attempt begins shortly before midnight. After tea and light snacks, you begin the challenging climb by headlamp toward Stella Point on the crater rim.
This section is both physically and mentally demanding, but reaching Stella Point (5,685 m) rewards climbers with a spectacular sunrise over Africa (weather permitting).
From Stella Point, continue for approximately two hours to Uhuru Peak (5,895 m), the highest point in Africa.
Celebrate your remarkable achievement with photographs before beginning the descent back to Barafu Camp for a short rest and lunch. Afterwards, continue descending to Mweka Camp through changing vegetation zones.
This is the longest and most demanding day of the expedition.
Overnight: Mweka Camp (3,100 m)
Day 7: Mweka Camp (3,100 m) to Mweka Gate (1,980 m) – Return to Moshi Hiking Time: 3–4 hours
Distance: Approximately 15 km
Habitat: Montane Forest
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
After breakfast, descend through the lush rainforest to Mweka Gate where your climb officially concludes.
Successful climbers receive their summit certificates:
- Green Certificate – Stella Point (5,685 m)
- Gold Certificate – Uhuru Peak (5,895 m)
Tips for your mountain crew are traditionally presented at the gate or back at the hotel and are greatly appreciated.
After completing park formalities, you will be transferred back to your hotel in Moshi for a hot shower and a well-earned rest.
Overnight: Park View Hotel (or similar)
Day 8: Rest & Recovery in Moshi
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Enjoy a relaxing day recovering from your Kilimanjaro adventure. Spend time at leisure, enjoy the peaceful surroundings, book a massage, or simply celebrate your incredible achievement.
Overnight: Park View Hotel (or similar)
Day 9: Departure
After breakfast, enjoy a relaxed morning before your private transfer to Kilimanjaro International Airport.
Depart with unforgettable memories of conquering Africa’s highest mountain.
End of services!
Below are our prices for 2 guests travelling between Jan-March/ July and December 2026/2027
Per person sharing in a double or twin room: USD 2,200 x 2
Package Includes
- Airport transfers (JRO – Moshi – JRO)
- Hotel accommodation in Moshi as per itinerary
- Professional English-speaking Mountain guides
- Experienced porters, cook and support crew
- Kilimanjaro National Park entrance fees
- Camping fees and rescue fees
- High-quality mountain tents and sleeping mattresses
- Dining tent with tables and camping chairs
- All camping equipment and eating utensils
- Three freshly prepared meals daily on the mountain
- Boiled and filtered drinking water
- Pulse oximeter health monitoring
- Comprehensive first aid kit
- Crew salaries and mountain accommodation
- Summit certificates
Package Excludes
- Tips for guides, porters, cook and support crew
- Transfer from Mweka Gate to Moshi/Arusha (if not specified)
- Personal climbing gear and equipment rental
- Meals and beverages not mentioned in the itinerary
- Personal expenses
- Additional hotel nights before or after the climb
- Tanzania Visa
- Travel insurance (highly recommended)
- Emergency oxygen (available upon request at additional cost)