6 Days Machame Route Kilimanjaro Climb
Our most successful and popular Kilimanjaro route, a six-day private Machame climb with climb-high, sleep-low acclimatization and a summit push from Barafu Camp.
- Duration
- 6 days
- Route
- Arusha – Machame Gate – Machame Camp – Shira Camp – Barranco Camp – Barafu Camp – Uhuru Peak – Mweka Camp – Mweka Gate – Arusha
- Start / end
- Starts at Kilimanjaro International Airport and ends in Arusha
- Best time
- Kilimanjaro can be climbed year-round, but the drier months of January to mid-March and June to October usually offer the best trail conditions and views.
- Trip style
- Private camping climb with an English-speaking mountain guide and assistant guide, cook and porters, mess tent, private toilet and safety equipment, plus two nights in Arusha.
Tour overview
The Machame Route is our most successful and popular hiking route on Mount Kilimanjaro, mainly because of two important factors.
First, the route's topography lets you climb high and sleep low on the third day of the hike, when you start from Shira Camp (3,847m), hike up to Lava Tower (4,642m) and then descend to Barranco Camp (3,984m) for the night. Second, the summit path from Barafu Camp has less loose scree than the path from Kibo Hut, making it slightly easier to reach the crater rim.
After your climb, we can also arrange a wildlife safari or day trip in Tanzania as an optional extension.
Highlights
- Trek through the rainforest from Machame Gate to Machame Camp
- Climb-high, sleep-low acclimatization via Lava Tower to Barranco Camp
- Summit night from Barafu Camp via Stella Point to Uhuru Peak (5,895m)
- Descent through Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate
- Airport meet and greet and nights in Arusha before and after the climb
- Private crew with English-speaking guide, assistant guide, cook and porters
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1Arrive in Tanzania and transfer to Arusha
Welcome to Tanzania. Today you will be met at Kilimanjaro International Airport and transferred to your hotel in Arusha, a drive of approximately one hour. The rest of the day is free to relax, check your gear and rest before the climb begins, followed by dinner at the hotel. Your guide will confirm tomorrow's departure time.
Day 2Arusha – Machame Gate – Machame Camp (3,000m)
At 08:30 depart Arusha for Machame Gate in a 4WD vehicle, where you are introduced to your guide and porters. After registration, start the trek with a picnic lunch, hiking through the rainforest for approximately four to five hours to Machame Camp, where you have dinner and spend the night. Your crew will have the tents ready on arrival.
Day 3Machame Camp (3,000m) – Shira Camp (3,800m)
After breakfast, continue climbing through shorter vegetation and open heath for approximately four to five hours, with a picnic lunch en route. You arrive at Shira Camp in the afternoon, with time to rest and acclimatize before dinner and overnight. As on every evening, your crew will have the tents set up and hot water ready when you arrive, so you can settle in and enjoy the open views.
Day 4Shira Camp – Barranco Camp (3,950m)
After breakfast, take a slow walk through rocky, sandy high-altitude terrain beneath the glaciers, with a picnic lunch, for three to four hours of walking before reaching Barranco Camp. This is the climb-high, sleep-low day that helps your body acclimatize, as the route rises toward Lava Tower before descending to camp for dinner and overnight.
Day 5Barranco Camp (3,950m) – Barafu Camp (4,600m)
After breakfast, set off with a picnic lunch and trek across high, rocky terrain below the glaciers for approximately four to five hours to Barafu Camp (4,600m). Have an early dinner and rest, as tonight you begin the summit attempt along the route from Barafu Camp via Stella Point (5,750m) to Uhuru Peak (5,895m).
Day 6Barafu Camp (4,600m) – Uhuru Peak (5,895m) – Mweka Camp (3,100m)
An early wake-up call around 01:00 is followed by preparation and a light breakfast before the final ascent. Stella Point is reached in approximately five to six hours, and Uhuru Peak in about another 45 minutes. After signing in at the summit and taking photos, descend back to Barafu Camp for a short rest and a light meal, then continue down to Mweka Camp for dinner and overnight.
Day 7Mweka Camp (3,100m) – Mweka Gate – Arusha
After breakfast, make the final descent to Mweka Gate, where you say goodbye to your guide and porters. A private transfer takes you back to Arusha, and the afternoon is at leisure at your hotel to rest and celebrate your climb before dinner and overnight. A wildlife safari or day trip can be arranged as an optional extension after the climb.
What is included
- Airport meet and greet
- All land transfers
- Two nights at a hotel in Arusha (before and after the climb)
- Three meals per day while trekking, vegetarian or non-vegetarian
- Daily hot lunch and hot water or tea on the mountain
- All park entrance fees and government levies
- English-speaking mountain guide and assistant guide
- Mess tent, tables, chairs, sleeping tents and private toilet
- Emergency oxygen, oximeters and first aid kit with Diamox and other related medicines
- Rescue fees
- Government tax
Not included
- Personal gear such as gloves, sunglasses, sleeping bag, hats, rain suit, warm jacket, heavy boots, scarves and rain trousers
- Extras at the lodges, such as drinks, telephone and laundry
- Visa and travel insurance
- Tips for the mountain crew (highly recommended)
Good to know
- Suggested tips per day: porters USD 6-8, assistant guide or cook USD 12-15, guides USD 20-25.
- Bring your own warm, waterproof gear; sleeping bags, boots and clothing are not included.
- The summit attempt begins around 01:00 from Barafu Camp, so expect a long day of up to 14 hours.
- A wildlife safari or day trip can be added after the climb.
Frequently asked questions
Why is the Machame Route so successful?
The route lets you climb high and sleep low via Lava Tower on the way to Barranco Camp, which aids acclimatization. The summit path from Barafu Camp also has less loose scree than the path from Kibo Hut.
How long is summit day?
You wake around 01:00, reach Stella Point in about five to six hours and Uhuru Peak about 45 minutes later. You then descend to Barafu Camp for a rest before continuing to Mweka Camp.
How much should we tip the mountain crew?
Tips are not included but highly recommended. As a guide, plan USD 6-8 per porter per day, USD 12-15 per day for the assistant guide or cook, and USD 20-25 per day for the guide.
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