Kilimanjaro Machame Route — 7 Days
Kilimanjaro's most popular route: varied and scenic, with a well-proven acclimatisation profile on seven days.
- Duration
- 7 days on the mountain
- Difficulty
- Challenging
- Start
- Machame Gate
- From
- $2,575 pp · join a group
Route overview
The Machame Route climbs steadily from the southern rainforest, joins the southern circuit at Lava Tower and reaches the summit from Barafu. It is busier than Lemosho but beautifully varied.
We run it over seven days for better acclimatisation. It is a challenging trek; no technical climbing is required.
- Starting point
- Machame Gate (≈1,800 m)
- Finish
- Mweka Gate (≈1,640 m)
- Accommodation on the mountain
- Mountain tents at designated campsites
- Scenery
- Rainforest, Shira, Barranco Wall and southern circuit
- Acclimatisation
- Good on the 7-day version, with a 'climb high, sleep low' day via Lava Tower. The 6-day version is not recommended.
- Best for
- Fit hikers · Varied scenery · Popular, sociable route
Route map & elevation
Day-by-day trekking itinerary
- Day01
Through the rainforest
Machame Gate → Machame Camp
Register at Machame Gate and climb through dense forest to the first camp.
- Sleep altitude
- ≈2,835 m
- Distance · time
- ≈11 km · 5–7 h
- Habitat
- Montane rainforest
- Overnight
- Tented camp
- Meals
- Lunch · Dinner
- Day02
To Shira Cave
Machame Camp → Shira Cave Camp
Steeper climb out of the forest onto the Shira ridge.
- Sleep altitude
- ≈3,750 m
- Distance · time
- ≈5 km · 4–6 h
- Habitat
- Heath and moorland
- Overnight
- Tented camp
- Meals
- Breakfast · Lunch · Dinner
- Day03
Lava Tower & Barranco
Shira Cave → Barranco Camp
Climb high to Lava Tower, then descend to Barranco to sleep lower.
- Sleep altitude
- ≈3,960 m (max ≈4,630 m)
- Distance · time
- ≈10 km · 6–7 h
- Habitat
- Alpine desert
- Overnight
- Tented camp
- Meals
- Breakfast · Lunch · Dinner
- Day04
Barranco Wall to Karanga
Barranco → Karanga Camp
Scramble the Barranco Wall and traverse to Karanga.
- Sleep altitude
- ≈4,035 m
- Distance · time
- ≈5 km · 4–5 h
- Habitat
- Alpine desert
- Overnight
- Tented camp
- Meals
- Breakfast · Lunch · Dinner
- Day05
To base camp
Karanga → Barafu Camp
Short climb to Barafu; rest and early dinner.
- Sleep altitude
- ≈4,673 m
- Distance · time
- ≈4 km · 3–4 h
- Habitat
- Alpine desert
- Overnight
- Tented camp
- Meals
- Breakfast · Lunch · Dinner
- Day06
Summit night & descent
Barafu → Mweka Camp (via Uhuru Peak)
Midnight start for Uhuru Peak (5,895 m), then a long descent to Mweka Camp.
- Sleep altitude
- ≈3,100 m (max ≈5,895 m)
- Distance · time
- ≈17 km · 12–15 h
- Habitat
- Arctic summit → heath
- Overnight
- Tented camp
- Meals
- Breakfast · Lunch · Dinner
- Day07
Down to Mweka Gate
Mweka Camp → Mweka Gate
Final descent, certificates and transfer to your hotel.
- Sleep altitude
- ≈1,640 m
- Distance · time
- ≈10 km · 3–4 h
- Habitat
- Rainforest
- Overnight
- Hotel in Moshi/Arusha (if booked)
- Meals
- Breakfast · Lunch
Distances, times and altitudes are approximate and vary with conditions and the exact campsite used. Before and after the climb we recommend a night in Moshi or Arusha (can be added).
Included mountain services
- Licensed mountain guides, assistant guides, cook and porters
- Kilimanjaro National Park conservation, camping and rescue fees
- Mountain tents, sleeping mats, mess tent with table and chairs
- All meals on the mountain and treated drinking water
- Daily health checks by your guides
- Emergency oxygen and first-aid kit carried by the team
- Transfers between your hotel and the park gates
- Summit certificate
Not included
- International flights and visa
- Travel insurance covering trekking to 6,000 m and evacuation (required)
- Hotel nights before and after the climb, unless booked with us
- Personal equipment (sleeping bag and gear can be rented)
- Tips for the mountain crew
- Drinks and personal expenses
Safety & acclimatisation
- • Altitude sickness can affect anyone, regardless of fitness. Ascend slowly, drink plenty and tell your guide about any symptoms.
- • Your guides check your health twice a day and can stop the ascent for your safety. Their decision is final.
- • Severe symptoms mean immediate descent — the most effective treatment.
- • Consult your doctor before booking, especially about heart, lung or blood-pressure conditions and altitude medication.
- • All climbs operate under current Kilimanjaro National Park (KINAPA) regulations with licensed guides.
Good on the 7-day version, with a 'climb high, sleep low' day via Lava Tower. The 6-day version is not recommended.
Preparation & packing
Train with regular long hikes, ideally on hills, in the months before you travel. Most equipment can be rented in Moshi.
- Warm sleeping bag (comfort rating around −10 °C)
- Layered clothing: base layers, fleece, insulated down jacket, waterproof shell
- Broken-in waterproof hiking boots and camp shoes
- Warm hat, sun hat, gloves and liner gloves, buff
- Head torch with spare batteries
- Trekking poles
- Sunglasses, sunscreen and lip balm
- 2–3 litres of water capacity
- Personal first-aid kit and any medication
- Daypack (25–35 L) — porters carry the main bag within weight limits
Join a group on the Machame Route
Share the climb — and the crew — with other travellers on a scheduled departure.
Group departure dates are being scheduled
We publish dates only once they are approved by our operations team. Tell us when you would like to climb and we'll match you with other climbers or open a new departure.
Statuses: Open for enquiries — date proposed, not yet scheduled · Scheduled — awaiting operator confirmation · Confirmed — approved by our operations team · Fully booked. Deposits, group limits and cancellation terms are set out in your booking confirmation.
Join a group
Climb with other travellers on a scheduled date — sociable and usually the best value.
$2,575 USD per climber
Reserve or enquirePrivate climb
Your own dates and your own crew — for couples, friends, families or teams.
| 2 climbers | $2,770 pp |
| 4 climbers | $2,575 pp |
| 6 climbers | $2,540 pp |