7-Day Kilimanjaro Climb Machame Route: Reach Uhuru Peak

Hike from rainforest to the summit of Africa, then walk back down through the clouds

A 7-day guided climb of Kilimanjaro via the Machame Route, starting and ending in Moshi with two hotel nights included. You trek through rainforest, moorland and alpine desert over six days, summit Uhuru Peak at 5,895m on day six, and descend to Mweka Gate on day seven. Expert guides lead in English, Spanish, French or German, with fair wages for porters and cooks, quality meals in camp, and a personalized pace for every climber.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Machame Gate to Machame Camp

• Register at Machame Gate
• Hike through rainforest
• Reach Machame Camp
• Have dinner and overnight

Day 2: Machame Camp to Shira Camp

• Climb steep trail above forest
• Enjoy views of Kibo Peak
• Arrive at Shira Camp

Day 3: Shira Camp to Barranco Camp

• Ascend to Lava Tower
• Descend to Barranco Camp

Day 4: Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp

• Climb Barranco Wall
• Hike through ridges and valleys
• Reach Karanga Camp

Day 5: Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp

• Hike steep trail to Barafu Camp
• Rest and early dinner

Day 6: Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak to Mweka Camp

• Start summit push at midnight
• Pass Stella Point
• Reach Uhuru Peak
• Descend to Mweka Camp
• Overnight at Mweka Camp

Day 7: Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate

• Descend through rainforest
• Reach Mweka Gate
• Receive summit certificates
• Transfer to Moshi or Arusha

The experience

Machame Route earns its reputation as the most scenic path up Kilimanjaro, and the 7-day itinerary gives your body time to acclimatize without rushing. Day one takes you from Machame Gate through lush rainforest for 6–7 hours to Machame Camp at 3,010m. The trail is muddy and steep, so trekking poles help. Day two climbs steeply above the forest zone to Shira Camp at 3,845m in 4–6 hours, where moorland replaces the dense vegetation. Day three follows the climb-high, sleep-low principle: you ascend to Lava Tower at 4,630m, a volcanic rock formation, then descend to Barranco Camp at 3,960m, a 6–7 hour day that lets your body adjust to altitude.

Days four and five move you toward the summit base. Day four starts with the famous Barranco Wall, a non-technical scramble that looks more intimidating than it is, then continues through alpine desert ridges to Karanga Camp in 4–5 hours. Day five is short and steep: a 3–4 hour push to Barafu Camp at 4,673m, where you rest and eat early before the midnight summit attempt. Day six is the climb itself. You wake around midnight and spend 10–14 hours pushing to Uhuru Peak at 5,895m, the highest point in Africa, passing Stella Point at 5,739m on the way. After the summit, you descend the same day to Mweka Camp at 3,110m. Day seven is a steady 3–4 hour walk down through rainforest to Mweka Gate, where the national park stamps and signs your summit certificate.

Your guides speak English, Spanish, French or German and set a pace that works for your fitness level. Porters and cooks are fairly paid, and meals in camp are quality, not freeze-dried rations. You sleep on high-quality 4-inch mattresses in tents at each camp. Two hotel nights bracket the trek: one before you start (bed and breakfast included) and one after you finish. Airport pickup and drop-off in Moshi are included, as is transport to and from Kilimanjaro National Park gates. Children from age 5 are welcome on the climb.

What’s included

• Two hotel nights in Moshi with bed and breakfast on the first night.
• airport pickup and drop-off.
• transport from hotel to Kilimanjaro National Park gates and back.
• all meals during the trek.
• a high-quality 4-inch sleeping mattress at each camp.
• fair wages for guides, porters and cooks.
• a personalized summit certificate stamped and signed by the national park and your guide.

Information

Lasts 7d, runs every day at 07:30, from US$ 1,200 per person, with a live guide in English, Spanish, French and German, as a private tour and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 07:30Another time? ›

GroupPrivate7 group tours ›

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, French and GermanOther languages ›

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

AgesAdult (12 to 59 years) · Senior (60 and older) · Child (5 to 11 years) · Under 5: can't be booked

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

Prices and times updated 11 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortPublic transport nearby

Operated by Kilimanjaro Winners Safaris

Is this one for you?The 7-day timeline gives your body the acclimatization time it needs to summit safely without a rushed schedule. If you have only 5 or 6 days, a faster route exists, but this one trades speed for a higher success rate and a more enjoyable climb.

Traveler reviews

5.00★★★★★★★★★★Exceptional19 verified traveler reviews

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish, French and German.

Can children come?

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

What's the Barranco Wall like on day four?

The Barranco Wall is a non-technical scramble between Barranco Camp and Karanga Camp that looks steeper and more dangerous than it actually is. Climbers use their hands and feet to move up the rock face, but it requires no ropes or climbing gear and is a fun part of the route rather than a serious obstacle.

How does the climb-high, sleep-low strategy work on day three?

On day three, you ascend to Lava Tower at 4,630m, higher than your sleeping altitude, then descend to Barranco Camp at 3,960m to sleep. This exposes your body to higher altitude during the day so it can acclimatize, but lets you rest at a lower elevation where oxygen is easier to breathe, reducing the risk of altitude sickness.

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

Summit day (day six) starts around midnight from Barafu Camp at 4,673m. The hike to Uhuru Peak at 5,895m takes 10–14 hours and is steep and challenging. You pass Stella Point at 5,739m before reaching the summit. After photos and celebration, you descend the same day to Mweka Camp at 3,110m for overnight rest.

What's included in the hotel stays before and after the trek?

Two hotel nights in Moshi are included: the first night includes bed and breakfast, and the last night is also included. Airport pickup and drop-off are part of the package, as is transport from your hotel to Kilimanjaro National Park gates and back.

Do I need my own trekking gear, or is it provided?

You bring your own trekking gear: boots, clothing, a sleeping bag and personal items. The operator provides the tent, mattress (4 inches high-quality foam), meals in camp, and guide services. Trekking poles are useful for the muddy rainforest sections but are not provided.