6-Day Machame Route Kilimanjaro: Group Hiking Tour from Moshi

Six days through rainforest, alpine desert and rock to Africa's highest summit

A 6-day group hiking tour of Mount Kilimanjaro via the Machame Route, departing from Moshi with a professional guide, porter and cook included. The trek climbs through lush rainforest, crosses the Shira Plateau, passes Lava Tower for acclimatization, and reaches Uhuru Peak at 5,895 meters before descending through Mweka Gate back to town.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Machame Gate to Machame Camp

• Drive to Machame Gate
• Register at Machame Gate
• Hike through rainforest
• Camp at Machame Camp

Day 2: Machame Camp to Shira Camp

• Hike to Shira Plateau
• Acclimatize at Shira Camp

Day 3: Shira Camp to Barranco Camp

• Ascend to Lava Tower
• Descend to Barranco Camp

Day 4: Barranco Camp to Barafu Camp

• Climb to Barafu Camp
• Rest and hydrate at Barafu Camp

Day 5: Summit Uhuru Peak and descend

• Midnight climb to summit
• Reach Uhuru Peak at sunrise
• Descend to Mweka Camp

Day 6: Mweka Camp to Moshi Town

• Descend to Mweka Gate
• Conclude climb at gate
• Transfer to Moshi hotel

The experience

The Machame Route earns its nickname, the "Whiskey Route", for the views, not the pace. You start with a scenic drive to Machame Gate, then climb 11 kilometers through dense rainforest to Machame Camp at 3,100 meters over 5 to 7 hours. The terrain shifts as you rise: by day two, you're on the Shira Plateau at 3,840 meters, and by day three you've summited Lava Tower at 4,630 meters before dropping to Barranco Camp, surrounded by towering cliffs. Each camp is a planned stop for acclimatization, not a rushed checkpoint.

Day four takes you from Barranco to Barafu Camp at 4,680 meters: the staging ground for the summit push. The terrain turns rocky and exposed as elevation climbs. On day five, you depart at midnight for the final 1,215-meter ascent to Uhuru Peak. The climb takes 5 to 7 hours. You reach the summit at 5,895 meters in time for sunrise, then descend the same day to Mweka Camp at 3,090 meters. The final morning is a 3- to 4-hour walk down through rainforest to Mweka Gate, followed by transfer back to Moshi for a hot meal and shower.

Your guide speaks English and stays with the group throughout. A cook prepares meals at camp, and porters carry the shared equipment and supplies. All guide, cook and porter wages are included, along with park fees and taxes. Children from age 5 are welcome on the trek.

What’s included

• All park entrance fees and taxes.
• professional English-speaking guide.
• porter and cook for the entire trek.
• meals prepared at camp each day.
• camping accommodations at Machame, Shira, Barranco, Barafu and Mweka campsites.
• transfer from Mweka Gate back to Moshi town.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 08:00

Book up toStart time

AgesAdult (15 and older) · Youth (12 to 14 years) · Child (5 to 11 years) · Under 5: can't be booked

GroupUp to 20

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

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

Prices and times updated 14 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller-friendlyPublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by #1 Materuni Waterfall and Coffee Day Tour Operators | BURIGI CHATO SAFARIS Co L.T.D

Is this one for you?Choose this 6-day itinerary if you have a full week available. If your trip is shorter, consider our faster routes, or if you have more time, our longer routes with additional acclimatization days.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (12 to 14 years); Child (5 to 11 years). Children under 5 can't be included in the booking.

How much elevation do I gain each day on the Machame Route?

Day one gains 1,300 meters to Machame Camp; day two adds 740 meters to Shira Plateau; day three climbs 110 meters to Lava Tower then descends; day four gains 730 meters to Barafu Camp; day five is the summit push with 1,215 meters to Uhuru Peak, then a long descent to Mweka Camp. The route is designed so you don't gain too much elevation too quickly.

What happens on the summit day, and how long does it take?

You leave Barafu Camp at midnight and climb for 5 to 7 hours to reach Uhuru Peak at sunrise. After time at the summit, you descend the same day for 5 to 6 hours to Mweka Camp, covering 19 kilometers total. It is a long day, but the midnight start and descent strategy help manage the altitude.

What is included in the cost, and what do I need to arrange separately?

The tour includes all park fees and taxes, your professional English-speaking guide, porter and cook wages. You do not need to arrange or pay for those separately. You do need to arrange your own hotel before and after the trek, airport transfers, tips for the guide and support staff, personal climbing gear, visa and travel insurance.

What is the Shira Plateau, and how does it fit into the route?

Shira Plateau is a high, open area you reach on day two at 3,840 meters. The route crosses it to help your body acclimatize to altitude before the steeper climbs ahead. You camp there and have time to rest and adjust before moving on.