7-Day Kilimanjaro Machame Route Climb: Uhuru Peak

The climb takes you through five ecological zones in one week, from rainforest to alpine desert to the crater rim.

A 7-day guided climb of Kilimanjaro via the Machame Route, departing from Moshi, Tanzania, with professional local guides, camping accommodation, all park fees, and airport transfers included. The longer itinerary builds in acclimatization time at high altitude (a "climb high, sleep low" strategy), which improves your chances of summiting Uhuru Peak (5,895 m) safely. Children from age 3 are welcome. Guides speak English, Spanish, Italian, French and one additional language.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Machame Gate to Machame Camp

• Meet guide after breakfast
• Transfer to Machame Gate
• Complete registration and park formalities
• Hike through rainforest to Machame Camp
• Overnight at Machame Camp

Day 2: Machame Camp to Shira Camp

• Leave rainforest behind
• Hike across Shira Plateau
• Arrive at Shira Camp
• Overnight at Shira Camp

Day 3: Shira Camp to Barranco Camp

• Ascend to Lava Tower
• Have lunch at Lava Tower
• Descend to Barranco Valley
• Arrive at Barranco Camp
• Overnight at Barranco Camp

Day 4: Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp

• Climb Barranco Wall
• Enjoy views from top
• Hike to Karanga Camp
• Rest and acclimatize
• Overnight at Karanga Camp

Day 5: Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp

• Hike to Barafu Camp
• Have lunch at Barafu Camp
• Organize equipment and attend summit briefing
• Complete health check
• Early dinner and rest
• Overnight at Barafu Camp

Day 6: Summit Day to Mweka Camp

• Begin summit ascent at midnight
• Reach Stella Point for sunrise
• Continue to Uhuru Peak
• Celebrate at summit
• Descend to Barafu Camp for refreshments
• Continue descent to Mweka Camp
• Overnight at Mweka Camp

Day 7: Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate

• Have final breakfast on mountain
• Descend through rainforest to Mweka Gate
• Receive Kilimanjaro Summit Certificate
• Transfer to hotel in Moshi or Arusha

The experience

You arrive in Moshi and meet your guide after breakfast, then transfer to Machame Gate (1,800 m) for park registration. The first day climbs steadily through rainforest where black-and-white colobus monkeys move through hanging moss and towering trees. By afternoon you reach Machame Camp (3,000 m), where your mountain crew has set up tents and prepared dinner: your first night on the mountain.

Days two through five take you across the Shira Plateau, past the Lava Tower, down into Barranco Valley, and up the famous Barranco Wall: a steep scramble that looks harder than it is. Each camp sits lower than the highest point you reached that day, a deliberate strategy that helps your body adjust to altitude while you sleep. You'll have time to rest between hikes, attend health checks with your guides, and organize gear. On day five you arrive at Barafu Camp (4,640 m), eat an early dinner, and prepare for the summit push.

The summit attempt starts around midnight on day six. You climb beneath stars to Stella Point (5,756 m) and watch sunrise before walking the crater rim to Uhuru Peak, Africa's highest point. After photographs and celebration, you descend through changing zones (alpine desert, moorland, then rainforest again), to Mweka Camp (3,100 m). Your final morning brings a last breakfast on the mountain, a descent through forest to Mweka Gate, your official summit certificate, and a transfer back to Moshi for a hot shower and rest.

What’s included

• Professional local mountain guides.
• all camping equipment including tents, tables, chairs and dining tent.
• airport transfers from your hotel to Machame Gate and back.
• emergency oxygen and daily health checks.
• all national park fees and taxes.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 12:00 and 18:00

AgesAdult (18 to 64 years) · Senior (65 to 80 years) · Youth (13 to 17 years) · Child (3 to 12 years) · Under 3: can't be booked

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, French, German and Italian

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

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

Paid on siteUS$ 20

Prices and times updated 15 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortPublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Chief's Tours Tanzania

Is this one for you?Choose the 7-day route if you're new to high altitude: the extra days let your body acclimatize gradually, which the guides build into the pace rather than rushing to the summit.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish, French, German and Italian.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (13 to 17 years); Child (3 to 12 years). Children under 3 can't be included in the booking.

What's included in the 7-day Machame climb?

The climb includes professional local guides, all camping equipment (tents, tables, chairs and dining tent), airport transfers to and from your hotel, emergency oxygen, daily health checks, and all national park fees and taxes. Tips for guides and crew are optional and arranged at checkout.

How does the Machame Route compare to other Kilimanjaro routes?

The Machame Route is known for spectacular scenery and a high summit success rate. The 7-day version gives you more time to acclimatize than faster routes. You spend five days climbing to altitude before the summit attempt, which improves your body's adjustment and your odds of reaching Uhuru Peak safely.

What happens on summit day?

Summit day starts around midnight from Barafu Camp. You climb beneath stars to Stella Point (5,756 m) and arrive in time for sunrise, then continue along the crater rim to Uhuru Peak (5,895 m). After celebrating and taking photographs, you descend back to Barafu Camp, then continue down through different ecological zones to Mweka Camp for your final night on the mountain.

What physical fitness do I need for this climb?

You should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness. The climb is not technical (the Barranco Wall is a scramble rather than a rock climb), but it does involve hiking at high altitude over seven days. Your guides conduct daily health checks and adjust the pace to help you acclimatize safely.