Kilimanjaro Machame Route: 6-Day Trek & Summit
Climb Kilimanjaro via the Machame Route in six days
You climb from rain forest through moorland and alpine desert to Uhuru Peak over six days, with a professional guide, porter support, and all meals and equipment provided. The route includes the South Circuit for views from multiple angles and an acclimatization day at Barranco before the summit push. You start from Moshi with a 50-minute drive to the gate and end with your certificate at the park exit.
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Step-by-step itinerary
Day 1: Drive and hike to Machame Camp
- Drive from Moshi to Machame Gate
- Hike through rain forest to Machame Camp
Day 2: Hike from Machame to Shira Camp
- Breakfast at Machame Camp
- Hike ascending ridge to Shira Camp
- Rest and overnight at Shira Camp
Day 3: Trek to Lava Tower and Barranco Camp
- Breakfast at Shira Camp
- Hike to Lava Tower
- Descend to Barranco Camp
- Rest and overnight at Barranco Camp
Day 4: Climb to Karanga and Barafu Camps
- Breakfast at Barranco Camp
- Climb Barranco Wall to Karanga Camp
- Continue to Barafu Camp
- Rest and prepare for summit day
Day 5: Summit climb and descend to Mweka Hut
- Early morning ascent to Stella Point
- Reach Uhuru Peak summit
- Descend to Barafu for lunch
- Continue descent to Mweka Hut
- Overnight at Mweka Hut
Day 6: Descend to Mweka Gate and Moshi
- Breakfast at Mweka Hut
- Descend through rain forest to Mweka Gate
- Receive summit certificates
- Transfer to hotel in Moshi or Arusha
The experience
You're at Machame Gate, 50 minutes from Moshi, and the mountain is already in front of you. The trek starts immediately: a winding trail through rain forest, muddy in places, steep in others, climbing from 5,400 feet to 9,400 feet over five to seven hours. By evening you're at Machame Camp, where the air is cooler and the forest closes in around the tents. This is day one of the Machame Route, the path that half of all Kilimanjaro climbers choose, and the one most experienced mountaineers prefer. It's cheaper than other routes because the access is straightforward and the itinerary is shorter, but that doesn't mean it's easy. It means it's efficient.
The next three days move you upward through distinct zones. From Machame Camp you cross into moorland, heather-covered ridges and rocky terrain, reaching Shira Camp at 12,500 feet. Day three takes you to the Lava Tower, called the "Shark's Tooth", and then down to Barranco Camp at 13,000 feet. That descent is deliberate. It's an acclimatization day, the kind that feels counterintuitive until your body thanks you for it. Day four is the longest push, eight to ten hours from Barranco up the steep ridge, past the Barranco Wall, through Karanga Valley, and finally to Barafu Camp at 15,300 feet. By now you've walked the South Circuit, seen Kibo and Mawenzi from multiple angles, and you know what you're climbing toward.
Summit day starts at midnight or 2am. You don't sleep much, just rest and eat. The ascent to Stella Point on the crater rim takes seven to eight hours through loose scree and heavy going. At 18,600 feet, if the weather holds, you'll see sunrise over Africa. From there it's one more hour to Uhuru Peak at 19,345 feet, the highest point on the continent. The descent is long and loose: twelve kilometers down to Mweka Hut, stopping for lunch at Barafu. Your legs will feel it. That night you sleep in the upper forest, where mist rolls in by evening.
The final morning is short: three to four hours down through rain forest to Mweka Gate, where you collect your summit certificate. The whole trek is six days, and your guide and porter team are with you the entire way. All camping equipment, meals, and park fees are included. You carry only a day pack. A professional driver brings you from Moshi at the start and takes you back at the end. The Machame Route doesn't promise you the summit (weather and altitude decide that), but it gives you the best chance and the most time to acclimatize while you try.
What’s included
- Professional driver and mountain guide for all six days.
- all camping equipment including mess tent, mattress and cooking gear.
- all meals from day one breakfast through day six breakfast.
- accommodation at Machame, Shira, Barranco, Barafu and Mweka camps.
- park entry fees and rescue fees.
- porterage for your gear.
- return transport to Moshi after the trek.
Before you book
Prices and times updated yesterday
Operated by Mafie Adventures
Is this one for you?Choose this trek if you want to climb Kilimanjaro with experienced support and don't want to arrange guides, porters, meals or equipment separately. The six-day Machame Route is built around acclimatization, which is what makes the summit attempt realistic for most climbers.
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Top questions
How many hours of hiking per day on the Machame Route?
Day one is 5–7 hours; day two is 4–6 hours; day three is 6–8 hours; day four is 8–10 hours; summit day is 7–8 hours up and 4–6 hours down; the final day is 3–4 hours.
What is included in the trek cost?
All taxes and VAT, porterage, camping equipment (mess tent, mattress, cooking gear), rescue fees, accommodation at each camp, a professional driver and guide, and parking fees.
Why do most climbers choose the Machame Route?
It offers a variety of habitats, impressive views, good acclimatization time, and is one of the cheaper routes due to easier access and a shorter itinerary than some alternatives.
What time does the summit push start?
Between midnight and 2am on day five, so you can reach Stella Point for sunrise at 18,600 feet.
Do I need to arrange my own transport from Moshi?
No. A professional driver is included and handles the 50-minute drive from Moshi to Machame Gate at the start and the return journey after you finish at Mweka Gate.
What happens if I don't reach the summit?
The trek follows the same route and schedule regardless. Altitude and weather determine who summits. The guide and support team are there to keep you safe and acclimatized throughout.
Is the Machame Route suitable for first-time trekkers?
Yes, it is suitable for all physical fitness levels. The route's longer duration and acclimatization days are designed to help your body adjust to altitude as you climb.
What should I bring for muddy sections?
Gaiters and trekking poles are recommended, especially for the rain forest sections on days one and six where the trail can be wet and slippery.
Kilimanjaro Machame Route: 6-Day Trek & Summit
6d · EN
from US$ 1,930.42 per person
5.0021 reviewsVerified traveler reviews via our booking provider