Kilimanjaro 6-Day Machame Route: Summit Trek from Moshi

The Machame Route: Six Days to Uhuru Peak

You climb from rainforest to arctic in six days, sleeping at mountain camps and attempting the summit between midnight and dawn. The route includes park fees, all transport from Moshi, guides, and your certificate at the gate. Expect 19–24 hours of demanding walking at extreme altitude with minimal sleep. The payoff is reaching Africa's highest point and watching sunrise from the crater rim.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Moshi to Machame Camp

• Drive from Moshi to Machame Gate
• Hike through rainforest to Machame Camp

Day 2: Machame Camp to Shira Camp

• Breakfast at Machame Camp
• Hike ascending path to Shira Camp
• Rest and overnight at Shira Camp

Day 3: Shira Camp to Barranco Camp

• Hike ridge towards Lava Tower
• Pass Lava Tower and junction to Arrow Glacier
• Descend to Barranco Camp
• Rest and overnight at Barranco Camp

Day 4: Barranco to Barafu Camp

• Hike steep ridge past Barranco Wall
• Reach Karanga Camp
• Continue to Barafu Camp
• Rest and prepare for summit day

Day 5: Summit Day and Descent

• Start summit hike around midnight
• Ascend to Stella Point
• Reach Uhuru Peak summit
• Descend to Barafu Camp for lunch
• Continue descent to Mweka Camp
• Overnight at Mweka Camp

Day 6: Descent to Moshi

• Breakfast at Mweka Camp
• Hike down to Mweka Park Gate
• Receive summit certificates
• Drive from Mweka Village to Moshi

The experience

The rain forest trail starts muddy underfoot, gaiters already useful fifty minutes after leaving Moshi. Day one is a gentle climb through the lower slopes: the real work begins on day two when you leave the glades behind and cross into moorland at 12,500 feet. By day three, you're at the Lava Tower (the "Shark's Tooth"), passing 16,000 feet before dropping back down to Barranco Camp. The Machame route pushes altitude fast, which is exactly why it works for a six-day window: your body starts adapting earlier than it would on slower routes, but that speed comes with a cost.

Days four and five are the hard ones. Day four is a full eight to ten hours from Barranco through the Barranco Wall, across Karanga Valley, and up to Barafu Camp at 15,300 feet. You'll see both peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo from camp. Then comes the summit day. You leave around midnight or 2am, climb five kilometers through heavy scree between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers, and reach Stella Point on the crater rim as the sun rises (if weather holds). From there, another hour through snow to Uhuru Peak at 19,345 feet, the highest point on the continent. The ascent takes seven to eight hours. The descent to Barafu for lunch and then down to Mweka Camp takes another ten to twelve hours. You'll have had four to six hours of sleep across the whole summit push.

The final day is a three to four hour walk down through the rain forest to Mweka Gate, where you collect your summit certificate, then another hour to Mweka Village for the drive back to Moshi. All fees, park entry, mountain camps, guides, and transport from Moshi are included. You need to be in good shape, this route demands it, but the Machame variation is the most popular six-day option because the acclimatization profile actually works if you can handle the elevation gains and losses.

What’s included

Your six days include transport from Moshi to Machame Gate and back to your hotel, all park entry fees and taxes, mountain camp accommodation at Machame, Shira, Barranco, Karanga, Barafu, and Mweka camps, guides throughout the trek, and your summit certificate at Mweka Gate. You arrange your own meals and personal climbing gear.

Information

Lasts 6d, runs every day at 08:00, from US$ 2,000 per person, with a live guide in English, Spanish, French and German and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 08:00Another time? ›

GroupUp to 2005 private ›

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, French and GermanOther languages ›

Audio guideEnglish, Spanish, French and German

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 40 pickup points.

Book up to2h before

AgesAdult (16 and older) · Youth (7 to 15 years) · Under 7: can't be booked

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 8 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortWheelchair accessibleAccessible transport

Operated by Kiliserengoro Climbing Tour Operator

Is this one for you?Right for climbers with at least moderate fitness who have six days and want the fastest acclimatization profile on Kilimanjaro. Expect the hardest two days back-to-back (day four's eight-hour climb and day five's midnight summit push with minimal sleep), which is what makes reaching 19,345 feet in six days possible.

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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: Youth (7 to 15 years). Children under 7 can't be included in the booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

How much sleep will I get on summit day?

Four to six hours total across the entire summit push. You leave camp around midnight or 2am and don't return to a camp until late afternoon.

What's included in the price?

All park fees and taxes, mountain camp accommodation, guides, transport from Moshi to the gate and back, and your summit certificate.

Is the Machame route harder than other six-day options?

Yes. Days four and five combined make it the most demanding six-day route on Kilimanjaro. You gain and lose significant elevation in a short time, which is necessary to fit the climb into six days.

When do I start climbing on day one?

After a 50-minute drive from Moshi to Machame Gate, you begin the trek through the rainforest. Day one ends at Machame Camp.

What happens if I don't reach the summit?

The itinerary includes the attempt. Many climbers turn back due to altitude or weather. You descend with your guide and still receive support back to Moshi.

Do I need special gear?

Gaiters and trekking poles are recommended, especially for the muddy lower sections and the scree on summit day. Bring layers for temperatures from tropical to well below freezing.

What if weather stops the summit attempt?

The guide makes the call based on conditions. Poor visibility or dangerous wind can force a turnaround. You still descend safely and return to Moshi.