6-day Machame Route Kilimanjaro climb from Moshi

You descend a different route than you climbed, dropping from alpine desert through rainforest in a single day.

This 6-day private Machame Route tour climbs Kilimanjaro from Moshi, starting through cloud forest and crossing the Shira Plateau before reaching Barranco camp, where you tackle the Barranco walls and push for the summit at Uhuru Peak. The route's defining feature is the descent: instead of retracing your steps, you come down via the steep, forested Mweka route, moving through three climate zones in a matter of hours. Camping facilities, all meals, guides and porters are included. The climb ends with a return to Moshi and a certificate at the gate.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Moshi to Machame camp

• Drive from Moshi to Machame gate
• Start climbing through rainforest
• Picnic lunch on the way
• Arrive and overnight at Machame camp

Day 2: Machame camp to Shira 2 camp

• Breakfast at Machame camp
• Hike through heath and moorland
• Picnic lunch on the way
• Arrive and overnight at Shira 2 camp

Day 3: Shira 2 camp to Barranco camp

• Breakfast at Shira 2 camp
• Hike to Lava Tower for acclimatizing
• Picnic lunch on the way
• Descend to Barranco camp
• Arrive and overnight at Barranco camp

Day 4: Barranco to Barafu camp and summit prep

• Breakfast at Barranco camp
• Climb Barranco walls to Barafu camp
• Picnic lunch on the way
• Rest and early dinner at Barafu camp
• Wake up late night for summit preparation
• Start hiking to Uhuru Peak

Day 5: Summit and descend to Mweka camp

• Reach Uhuru Peak
• Descend to Barafu camp for breakfast and rest
• Eat hot lunch at Barafu camp
• Continue descending to Mweka camp
• Arrive and overnight at Mweka camp

Day 6: Mweka camp to Mweka gate and transfer

• Breakfast at Mweka camp
• Walk through rainforest to Mweka gate
• Receive award certificate
• Meet vehicle and transfer to hotel in Moshi

The experience

The Machame route starts from the southwestern side of the mountain, beginning at the gate (1,800m) and climbing through rainforest to Machame camp (3,000m) in 5–6 hours on day one. The trail then moves into open moorland, crossing the Shira Plateau (3,850m) on day two before a longer push on day three takes you through the Lava Tower (4,600m) for acclimatization and down to Barranco camp (3,940m). This acclimatization day (climbing high and sleeping lower) is built into the route to help your body adjust to altitude.

Days four and five are the summit push. You climb the Barranco walls to Barafu camp (4,600m), rest for a few hours, then wake around 11pm for the final ascent. The climb to Uhuru Peak (5,895m) takes 6–7 hours, with the Rebmann glacier visible on your left as dawn breaks and Mawenzi rising on your right. After reaching the summit, you descend back to Barafu for breakfast, then continue down to Mweka camp (3,100m) the same day: a steep drop through alpine desert and heath that transitions into lush lowland forest within hours. On the final morning, a 3–4 hour walk through rainforest brings you to Mweka Gate (1,800m), where you receive your summit certificate and transfer back to Moshi.

The climb includes a private guide, assistant guide, cook and porters; all camping gear (tents, mattresses, dining and kitchen tents, chairs, lanterns); breakfast, lunch and dinner every day; drinking water; and a daily medical check with a pulse oximeter. Airport transfers from Kilimanjaro airport and a night's accommodation in Moshi before and after the climb are included, along with all park fees. You'll need moderate fitness and should bring your own sleeping bag and mountain gear. Tips for the team are separate.

What’s included

• Private guide, assistant guide, cook and porters.
• all camping gear including tents, mattresses, dining and kitchen tents, chairs and lanterns.
• breakfast, lunch and dinner each day.
• drinking water.
• airport transfers from Kilimanjaro airport on arrival and departure.
• one night's accommodation in Moshi before the climb and another after.
• all park fees including entry, camping and rescue fees.
• daily medical check-ups with pulse oximeter.
• and your summit certificate at Mweka Gate.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 07:00

AgesAdult (13 to 80 years) · Under 13: can't be booked

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 2 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 4 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortPublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Kilimanjaro Vikings Adventures

Is this one for you?The 6-day schedule is what makes the acclimatization day possible (climbing high to Lava Tower and sleeping lower at Barranco), which improves your chances of reaching the summit safely. If you have less than a week, a shorter route skips this step and raises the risk of altitude sickness.

Traveler reviews

5.00★★★★★★★★★★

2 verified traveler reviews

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

How long does it take to climb from Machame gate to the first camp?

The hike from Machame gate (1,800m) through rainforest to Machame camp (3,000m) takes 5–6 hours on day one, covering 10.75km and gaining 1,200m of altitude.

What happens on the acclimatization day at Barranco?

On day three, you climb to the Lava Tower (4,600m) for acclimatization, then descend to Barranco camp (3,940m) the same day: a 6–7 hour hike that gains 750m and then loses 660m, helping your body adjust before the summit push.

Do you use the same path to come down as you used to go up?

No. Unlike the Marangu route, Machame descends via the Mweka route, a steep but forested path that drops from Barafu camp (4,600m) through alpine desert and moorland to Mweka camp (3,100m), then through rainforest to the gate: a completely different route from the ascent.

What's included in the camping setup each night?

Camping facilities include tents, mattresses, a dining tent, kitchen tent, camping chairs and lanterns at each site. You provide your own sleeping bag and personal climbing gear.

When do you attempt the summit, and how long does it take?

You wake around 11pm on day four at Barafu camp and begin the summit push, reaching Uhuru Peak (5,895m) after 6–7 hours of climbing. The descent back to Barafu for breakfast and rest takes about 3 hours.

What medical support is available during the climb?

A daily medical check-up with a pulse oximeter happens every morning at camp, and an emergency oxygen canister is carried with the team throughout the trek.