6-Day Climbing at Mt Kilimanjaro via Machame Route

• A transfer from the airport can be arranged for an extra cost.
• Accommodation before the tour starts can be arranged for an extra cost.

Machame Gate to Machame Camp

Your day begins bright and early with a briefing, followed by a hearty breakfast. You'll then embark on a 45-minute drive from Moshi (910m) to the Machame Park Gate. At the gate, you'll receive a packed lunch box, and it's a good idea to purchase bottled water at The Maridadi Hotel in Moshi beforehand. After registering at the gate office, your ascent starts as you enter the rainforest. Be prepared for rain, which can make the trail very soggy, muddy, and slippery. In the evening, porters will boil water for drinking and washing, while the cook prepares dinner. As night falls, temperatures at Machame camp can drop to freezing, so be ready for a cold night under the stars.

Main Destination:

Mount Kilimanjaro

Accommodation:

Budget camping

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Machame Camp to Shira Cave Camp

You rise early at Machame Camp and after breakfast, you'll climb an hour or so to the top of the forest and then for 2 hours at a gentler gradient through the moorland zone. After a short lunch and rest, you continue up a rocky ridge onto the Shira plateau. By now you will be able to see in an easterly direction, the Western Breach with its stunning glaciers. You are now due west of Kibo and after a short hike, you will reach the Shira Campsite at 3 847m. The porters will once again supply you with a small bowl of washing water, before serving dinner. The night at this exposed camp will even be colder than the previous night, with temperatures dropping to well below freezing.

Main Destination:

Mount Kilimanjaro

Accommodation:

Budget camping

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Shira Cave Camp to Barranco Camp

The route now head to east, guiding you through a semi-desert landscape and rugged terrain around Lava Tower. After approximately a 5-hour trek, you'll reach Lava Tower at an altitude of 4,600 meters. Here, you'll have a lunch break in a designated area before tackling the challenging scree path up to the tower. This day is often the most demanding, and it's common to experience symptoms like breathlessness, irritability, and headaches as you push your limits.

Following lunch, you'll descend nearly 680 meters to the Barranco camping area. This descent helps with acclimatization, making the high altitude of 4,600 meters at Lava Tower more manageable. The 2-hour descent to Barranco camp offers fantastic photo opportunities of the Western Breach and Breach Wall. The camp is nestled in a valley beneath the Breach and Great Barranco Camp, where you'll spend the night.

Main Destination:

Mount Kilimanjaro

Accommodation:

Budget camping

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Barranco Camp to Barafu Camp

After breakfast, you’ll depart from Barranco and tackle the steep ridge, including the challenging Barranco Camp, as you make your way to the Karanga Valley campsite. From Karanga, you'll follow the trail to the junction with the Mweka Trail and continue ascending to reach Barafu Camp

With the South Circuit completed, you’ll enjoy unique views of the summit from various perspectives. Once at Barafu Camp, set up your camp, rest, and savor dinner while preparing for the summit day ahead.

At Barafu Camp, you’ll be treated to stunning views of both Mawenzi and Kibo, Kilimanjaro’s prominent peaks. Your accommodation will be in a spacious, comfortable tent with a private toilet and hot shower, and the staff will take care of all camp chores.

Main Destination:

Mount Kilimanjaro

Accommodation:

Budget camping

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Barafu Camp to Uhuru (Summit) Peak to Mweka Camp

You’ll wake around 23:30, and after a quick tea and biscuits, you’ll set off into the night. Heading northwest, you'll tackle the challenging scree slope towards Stella Point on the crater rim. This 6-hour trek to Stella Point (5,685 meters) is often the most demanding both mentally and physically. Once there, you’ll pause briefly and, if weather permits, witness an awe-inspiring sunrise.

From Stella Point, you’ll continue through snow on a 2-hour climb to Uhuru Peak. Limit your time at the summit to avoid the extreme cold and fatigue that can make it difficult to start moving again. Relish your achievement and the unforgettable experience.

The descent back to Barafu Camp takes about 3 hours. After a short rest and gathering your remaining gear, you'll continue down to Mweka Camp (3,100 meters) for dinner and an overnight stay.

Main Destination:

Mount Kilimanjaro

Accommodation:

Budget camping

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate then transfer to Moshi Town

After an early and well-deserved breakfast, it is a short 4- to 6-hour scenic hike back to the park gate. Some hikers do experience knee problems which could make the descent longer than planned. It is strongly recommended not to pay your porters any tips until you and all your gear have reached the gate safely. Visit the tips page for more info.

At Mweka gate, you'll sign your name and details in a register. This is also where successful climbers receive their summit certificates. Those climbers who reached Stella Point (5739m) are issued with green certificates and those who reached Uhuru Peak (5895m) receive gold certificates.

From the Mweka Gate, you will continue down into the Mweka village, normally a muddy 3 km (1 hour) hike. In the Mweka village, you will be served a delicious hot lunch. After lunch, you'll drive back to Moshi for a long overdue hot shower, dinner and celebrations.

Main Destination:

Mount Kilimanjaro

Accommodation:

No accommodation (End of tour)

Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast & lunch (Dinner not included)
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

• Additional accommodation can be arranged for an extra cost.
• A transfer back to the airport can be arranged for an extra cost.