Trekking

6-Day Mount Kilimanjaro Climb via Machame Route

💰 From $2,150 ⏱ 6 Days / 5 Nights 📍 Mount Kilimanjaro, Tanzania 🏕 Mountain Climbing

Conquer Africa's highest peak with our expert guides and support team.

Overview

Embark on an unforgettable 6-day Mount Kilimanjaro climbing adventure via the Machame Route, one of Tanzania's most scenic and rewarding routes to the summit of Africa's highest mountain. The journey takes you through several distinct ecological zones, from the lush rainforest and moorlands to the alpine desert and the snow-covered summit of Uhuru Peak at 5,895 metres. The Machame Route is particularly popular because of its beautiful scenery and excellent acclimatization profile. Over six days, you will gradually ascend the mountain, spending nights in mountain camps and accompanied by an experienced mountain crew. The highlight of the adventure is the summit attempt on Day 5, followed by a descent through the forest to Mweka Gate and onward to Moshi.

Highlights

✓ Africa's highest mountain.
✓ Scenic Machame Route.
✓ Kilimanjaro's different ecological zones.
✓ Walk through the beautiful montane rainforest.
✓ Shira Plateau.
✓ Lava Tower.
✓ Great Barranco Wall.
✓ Uhuru Peak at 5,895 metres.
✓ Experience a sunrise from the Roof of Africa.

Detailed Itinerary

Your Kilimanjaro adventure begins with a morning transfer from Moshi to Machame Gate, the starting point of the Machame Route. Upon arrival, you will complete registration and park entry formalities while your mountain crew prepares the equipment and luggage for the trek. You then begin hiking through the lush tropical rainforest. The trail is surrounded by tall trees, dense vegetation, colourful flowers and abundant birdlife. You may also have opportunities to spot monkeys in the forest. The trail gradually becomes steeper as you gain altitude, but the cool and shaded environment makes this a pleasant introduction to the mountain. After approximately 5–7 hours of trekking, you arrive at Machame Camp, where your tents will already be prepared. Relax, enjoy the mountain surroundings and have dinner before settling in for your first night on Kilimanjaro. Accommodation: Machame Camp – Mountain Camping Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

After breakfast, you continue your climb toward Shira Camp. The vegetation changes considerably as you leave the rainforest behind and enter the moorland zone. The trail becomes more open, allowing you to enjoy beautiful views across the surrounding landscape. The route follows a rocky ridge with several steeper sections before reaching the Shira Plateau. As you gain altitude, the views of Mount Kilimanjaro become increasingly impressive. Your guide will maintain a comfortable pace, allowing you to acclimatize gradually. After approximately 4–6 hours of trekking, you reach Shira Camp, situated at around 3,749 metres. Enjoy the evening with your mountain crew, have dinner and rest in preparation for the following day's longer trek. Accommodation: Shira Camp – Mountain Camping Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Today's trek is particularly important for acclimatization. After breakfast, you leave Shira Camp and continue toward Lava Tower, climbing to approximately 4,600 metres. The trail passes through the high-altitude alpine desert, with dramatic volcanic landscapes and impressive views of Kilimanjaro. Reaching Lava Tower gives your body an opportunity to adapt to the higher altitude. After spending some time at this elevation, you descend toward the Barranco Valley. This “climb high, sleep low” approach is an important part of the acclimatization strategy. The descent takes you through spectacular scenery toward the imposing Great Barranco Wall. You eventually arrive at Barranco Camp, where you can relax and enjoy the beautiful mountain scenery. Dinner and overnight are at the camp. Accommodation: Barranco Camp – Mountain Camping Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

After breakfast, you begin the day's trek with the famous Great Barranco Wall. Although the wall appears challenging from below, the trail provides a manageable route with sections requiring careful scrambling. Your mountain guide will assist you throughout the ascent. Once at the top, you are rewarded with spectacular views of the surrounding valleys and the mountain itself. You then continue through the alpine desert toward the Karanga Valley, before making your final ascent toward Barafu Camp. Barafu Camp, located at approximately 4,600 metres, is the final base camp before the summit attempt. After arriving, you will have an early dinner and receive a briefing from your guide about the summit climb. It is important to rest as much as possible because you will wake around midnight or in the early hours of the morning for the summit attempt. Accommodation: Barafu Camp – Mountain Camping Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Today is the summit day and the most challenging and rewarding part of your Kilimanjaro adventure. You will wake around midnight or in the early morning hours, have a light meal and begin your ascent toward Uhuru Peak. The climb is slow and steady, with your guide setting a comfortable pace. You trek through the darkness toward Stella Point, located on the crater rim. From here, you continue along the crater rim toward Uhuru Peak at 5,895 metres above sea level. If weather and trail conditions are favourable, you reach the summit around sunrise. Standing at Uhuru Peak offers an unforgettable sense of achievement, with spectacular views across Tanzania and the surrounding glaciers and volcanic landscape. Take photographs and enjoy this special moment before beginning the descent. You descend back toward Barafu Camp, where you have a short rest and lunch before continuing downhill toward Mweka Camp. This is a very long trekking day, often taking approximately 10–14 hours or more depending on your pace and conditions. Upon arrival at Mweka Camp, enjoy dinner and a well-deserved rest. Accommodation: Mweka Camp – Mountain Camping Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

After breakfast, you begin your final descent from Mweka Camp toward Mweka Gate. The trail takes you through the lush rainforest, offering a completely different environment from the high-altitude landscape experienced during the summit climb. The descent takes approximately 3 hours, depending on your pace. Upon reaching Mweka Gate, you will complete the necessary park exit formalities and receive your summit certificates, where applicable. You then meet your vehicle and transfer back to Moshi. The remainder of the day is free to relax and celebrate your successful Mount Kilimanjaro climb. Accommodation: Not included – tour ends in Moshi Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

✅ What's Included

• Park entry and climbing fees
• Professional mountain guide
• Porters and cook
• Mountain camping accommodation
• Tents and camping equipment
• All meals during the climb
• Drinking water
• Mountain transfers as specified
• Government taxes and VAT
• First-aid kit

❌ Not Included

• International and domestic flights
• Tanzania visa
• Travel and medical insurance
• Accommodation in Moshi before/after the climb
• Tips for guides, porters and cook
• Personal hiking equipment and sleeping bag
• Alcoholic and soft drinks
• Personal expenses
• Medical/evacuation costs
• Any services not mentioned under inclusions