7-Day Machame Route Private Tour: Kilimanjaro from Moshi

Seven days through cloud forest, Shira Plateau and Barranco to Africa's summit

A 7-day private Machame route climb from Moshi takes you up Kilimanjaro's southwestern side through distinct ecosystems (rain forest, moorland, alpine desert), and down via the Mweka route, a different path that avoids retracing your steps. You camp at Machame, Shira, Barranco, Karanga and Barafu before the midnight push to Uhuru Peak at 5,895 meters, then descend through forest back to town with a certificate and hot meal waiting.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Drive to Machame gate and hike

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

Day 2: Hike 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: Hike via Lava Tower to Barranco camp

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

Day 4: Climb Barranco walls to Karanga camp

• Breakfast at Barranco camp
• Climb Barranco walls
• Arrive at Karanga camp
• Hot lunch and rest
• Acclimatize with walk around
• Overnight at Karanga camp

Day 5: Hike to Barafu camp and prepare for summit

• Breakfast at Karanga camp
• Hike through heath and moorland to Barafu camp
• Hot lunch and rest
• Early dinner and sleep
• Wake up at 11pm and pack for summit
• Have hot drinks and snacks
• Start midnight hike to Uhuru Peak

Day 6: Summit Uhuru Peak 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
• Overnight at Mweka camp

Day 7: Descend to Mweka gate and transfer to Moshi

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

The experience

The Machame route earns its reputation by moving through some of the mountain's most varied terrain. You start in the cloud forest south of Moshi, climb through heath and moorland to the Shira Plateau at 3,850 meters, then traverse to Barranco Camp: the route's most dramatic stop, where the groundsel plants grow tall and the walls rise steeply above. The acclimatization day at Barranco matters: you hike up to Lava Tower at 4,600 meters for the altitude work, then descend back to camp to sleep lower, a rhythm that helps your body adjust before the final push.

From Barranco you climb the steep walls to Karanga Valley, then continue to Barafu Camp at 4,600 meters, where you rest a few hours after lunch and eat an early dinner. At 11 p.m. you start the 6- to 7-hour summit push in darkness, gaining 1,295 meters to reach Uhuru Peak as dawn breaks. The Rebmann glacier edges into view on your left as Mawenzi rises on your right. After three hours at the summit for photos and rest, you descend to Barafu for breakfast, then drop 2,795 meters in a single day through alpine desert, moorland and finally the lush rain forest to Mweka Camp. The final morning is a 3- to 4-hour walk through forest to Mweka Gate, where you receive your summit certificate and transfer back to your hotel in Moshi for a hot shower.

Your guide speaks English and stays with you throughout. The operator provides airport transfers from Kilimanjaro, one night in Moshi before the climb and one after, all meals on the mountain, drinking water, a pulse oximeter for daily health checks, and emergency oxygen. Park fees, camping fees and rescue fees are covered. You sleep in tents at each camp and carry a moderate pack. The days range from 3 to 7 hours of hiking, with the summit night being the longest and most intense push.

What’s included

• Airport transfers from Kilimanjaro airport and hotel transfers in Moshi.
• one night accommodation in Moshi before the climb and one after.
• all meals on the mountain (breakfast, lunch and dinner daily).
• drinking water for the entire climb.
• all government taxes and park fees (entry, camping and rescue).
• emergency oxygen canister.
• pulse oximeter and daily medical check-ups.
• a live English-speaking guide throughout.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 07:00

Book up toStart time

AgesAdult (13 to 78 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 12 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?Choose this route if you want to see the cloud forest and Barranco's groundsel meadows on your way up, then descend a different path for fresh views, or switch to the Western Breach variant at the summit if you prefer a steeper final push over the standard Barafu climb.

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Top questions

How many hours of hiking do I do on the longest days of the Machame route?

The longest hiking days are the ascent from Machame to Shira (4–5 hours), Shira to Barranco via Lava Tower (6–7 hours), and the summit push from Barafu to Uhuru Peak (6–7 hours). Most other days range from 3 to 4 hours, with the final descent to Mweka Gate taking 3–4 hours through the rain forest.

What is Barranco Camp and why does the route spend time there?

Barranco Camp sits at 3,940 meters on the southern side of the mountain, surrounded by tall groundsel plants and dramatic cliff walls. The route reaches it on day three, then spends a full acclimatization day there before climbing the steep Barranco walls on day four. This extra day at altitude helps your body adjust before the final ascent.

Do I descend the same way I climbed, or take a different route down?

The Machame route descends via the Mweka route, a different path from the one you climbed. This means you see new terrain on the way down (a steep but scenic descent through alpine desert and lush lowland forest) rather than retracing your steps.

What meals and water are provided during the 7 days on the mountain?

Three meals a day (breakfast, lunch and dinner) are included throughout the climb. The operator provides drinking water for the entire route, and you receive daily medical check-ups each morning with a pulse oximeter to monitor your condition at altitude.

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

You start the summit push at midnight from Barafu Camp and reach Uhuru Peak after 6–7 hours of climbing. You spend a few hours at the summit for photos and rest, then descend back to Barafu for breakfast before continuing down to Mweka Camp the same day.