6-Day Mount Kilimanjaro Machame Route Trek from Moshi

Climb to Uhuru Peak on Africa's highest mountain with a crew built for your safety

A 6-day trek up Mount Kilimanjaro via the Machame Route from Moshi, led by expert local guides with a 99% summit success rate. You climb through rainforest, moorland and alpine desert, sleep at five mountain camps, and summit at Uhuru Peak (5,895m) before descending to Mweka Gate. The route includes private transport, a portable toilet, porter support and oxygen cylinder.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Moshi to Machame Camp trek

• Drive from Moshi to Machame Gate
• Wait for Kilimanjaro National Park permits
• Trek through rainforest to Machame Camp

Day 2: Machame Camp to Shira Camp trek

• Breakfast at Machame Camp
• Trek ascending ridge to Shira Camp

Day 3: Shira Camp to Barranco Camp trek

• Trek east up ridge from Shira Plateau
• Pass Lava Tower and junction to Arrow Glacier
• Descend to Barranco Camp

Day 4: Barranco to Barafu Camp trek

• Climb Barranco Wall to Karanga Valley
• Trek to Barafu Camp
• Early dinner and rest at Barafu Camp

Day 5: Summit and descend to Mweka Camp

• Start summit trek between midnight and 2 a.m.
• Ascend to Stella Point and Uhuru Peak
• Descend to Barafu for lunch
• Continue descent to Mweka Camp

Day 6: Descend to Moshi from Mweka Camp

• Breakfast and farewell ceremony at Mweka Camp
• Trek down to Mweka Gate
• Receive summit certificates
• Drive back to hotel in Moshi

The experience

The Machame Route earns its reputation as one of Kilimanjaro's most scenic paths. You start with a 45-minute drive from Moshi through the village of Machame to the gate, then spend day one hiking 10.75km through rainforest where the trail is muddy and steep: gaiters and trekking poles matter here. By day two you've crossed into moorland at Shira Camp, and by day three you're passing the Lava Tower (the "Shark's Tooth" at 4,650m) on the South Circuit, a route that circles the mountain and shows you the summit from every angle. The acclimatization days are built into the schedule, not added on top of it.

Day five is the summit push: you leave Barafu Camp between midnight and 2 a.m., climb between Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers through loose scree, and reach Stella Point at the crater rim to watch the sunrise. Faster climbers summit at Uhuru Peak (5,895m) in time to see it from the top. The descent to Mweka Camp the same day covers 13km and drops 2,789m, so you're moving downhill when your body is already spent. Day six is the final 9.1km walk down through rainforest to Mweka Gate, where you collect your summit certificate, then a 30-minute drive back to Moshi. Your crew (guides, porters and cook) handle the camp setup, meals and logistics so you focus on the climb.

The trek includes private transportation from your hotel, a complimentary oxygen cylinder, a portable private toilet, and a porter assigned to carry gear. You sleep at mountain camps for five nights and get two nights of bed-and-breakfast accommodation before and after the trek. The guide speaks English and knows the mountain's flora, fauna and the stories of the local area. Children from age 12 can join, though the operator notes the trek is not suitable for travelers with spinal injuries, cardiovascular concerns or pregnancy.

What’s included

• Private transportation from Moshi to the gate and back.
• complimentary oxygen cylinder.
• portable private toilet.
• porter to carry gear.
• all park fees and taxes.
• pre- and post-trek accommodation with breakfast for two nights.
• expert English-speaking guide.
• meals and camp setup on the mountain.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 08:30

Book up to3h before

AgesAdult (45 to 66 years) · Senior (67 to 80 years) · Youth (16 to 44 years) · Child (12 to 15 years) · Under 12: can't be booked

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Audio guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.You can choose from 4 pickup points.

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

Paid on siteUS$ 150

Prices and times updated 11 days ago

Good to know

Wheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller-friendlyInfant seats availablePets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Kilimanjaro Umoja Tours

Is this one for you?Choose Machame if you want the scenic southern route with built-in acclimatization days. The six-day climb includes two nights before and after in town, so you're not rushing the ascent or skipping recovery.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (16 to 44 years); Child (12 to 15 years). Children under 12 can't be included in the booking.

What is the Machame Route and why is it different from other Kilimanjaro paths?

The Machame Route is a scenic trail that circles the south side of the mountain, passing the Lava Tower and offering views of the summit from many angles. It takes six days and is known for its variety (you trek through rainforest, moorland, semi-desert and alpine terrain), and for better acclimatization than faster routes.

When do you start climbing to the summit and how long does it take?

You leave Barafu Camp between midnight and 2 a.m. on day five and climb for 5 to 7 hours to reach Uhuru Peak at 5,895m. The ascent follows switchbacks through scree between two glaciers, and you reach the crater rim at Stella Point before the final push to the summit.

What happens on the day you come down from the summit?

After summiting, you descend steeply the same day to Mweka Camp, stopping at Barafu for lunch and rest. The descent covers 13km and loses 2,789m of elevation, so it is long and physically demanding even though you're moving downhill.

What gear and support does the operator provide?

The trek includes a complimentary oxygen cylinder, a portable private toilet, a porter to carry your gear, and a private vehicle for transport to and from the mountain gate. Gaiters and trekking poles are recommended for the muddy rainforest sections and loose volcanic ash near the summit.

Do you sleep in tents or huts on the mountain?

You sleep at mountain camps (Machame, Shira, Barranco, Karanga and Mweka) for five nights. Before and after the trek, you stay two nights in bed-and-breakfast accommodation in Moshi.