7-Day Kilimanjaro Machame Route Trek with Sunrise at Uhuru Peak

The journey

Trip highlights

• 01 Experience the seven-day Machame Route with balanced acclimatisation
• 02 Explore dramatic scenery from rainforest to alpine desert
• 03 Climb past Lava Tower and tackle the Barranco Wall
• 04 Prepare at Karanga Camp before a sunrise summit to Uhuru Peak

Complete an iconic 7-day ascent of Kilimanjaro along the Machame Route, moving from rainforest to alpine desert before a sunrise summit on Uhuru Peak. Follow a steady acclimatisation profile with time at Lava Tower and Karanga Camp, while expert guides lead daily hikes across varied terrain. Enjoy dramatic views beneath the Barranco Wall, traverse high plateaus, and finish with a rewarding descent through lush forest to Mweka Gate, celebrating a successful trek across changing mountain landscapes.

Complete an iconic 7-day ascent of Kilimanjaro along the Machame Route, moving from rainforest to alpine desert before a sunrise summit on Uhuru Peak.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 7 Days

Tour type Private

Activity level Moderate

Accommodation Included · Budget

Transport Included

Wheelchair access No

Cities Arusha, Moshi, Mount Kilimanjaro, Mount Meru, Machame

Languages English

Day by day

The itinerary

1

Day 01

Machame Gate to Machame Camp Through Montane Forest

• Enjoy breakfast at your hotel before a morning transfer of approximately 45 minutes through Machame village to the park gate.
• Register at Machame Gate, meet your climbing crew, and begin trekking through lush montane forest alive with birds and primates.
• Cover roughly 11 km over 5-7 hours to reach Machame Camp at 2,835 m for dinner and overnight.

2

Day 02

Machame Camp to Shira Camp Across Moorland

• After breakfast, leave the rainforest and continue on a steep ascent through heather and moorland zones with expansive views of Mount Meru and Kibo.
• Traverse a river gorge and emerging ridges until you reach Shira Camp on the plateau.
• Trek approximately 11 km over 5-7 hours, settling into Shira Camp at 3,750 m.

3

Day 03

Shira Camp to Barranco Camp via Lava Tower

• Continue across the Shira Plateau before ascending toward Lava Tower at 4,650 m, known as the Sharks Tooth, for acclimatisation.
• After lunch near the tower, descend into the Barranco Valley, surrounded by dramatic giant senecio plants and towering cliffs.
• Cover approximately 8 km with 5-6 hours of hiking, arriving at Barranco Camp at 3,960 m.

4

Day 04

Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp via Barranco Wall

• Enjoy breakfast before climbing the Barranco Wall, a thrilling but non-technical scramble offering sweeping views.
• Traverse a series of ridges and valleys to reach the Karanga Valley, connecting with the Mweka Trail junction.
• Cover approximately 5 km, taking 3-7 hours over alpine desert terrain, ending at Karanga Camp at 4,035 m.

5

Day 05

Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp on the Southern Circuit

• Depart Karanga after breakfast, continuing upwards over alpine desert ridges toward Barafu Camp at 4,673 m.
• Complete the Southern Circuit, enjoying views of the summit and the Kibo glacier fields.
• Cover approximately 4 km in 3-4 hours, then spend the afternoon resting and preparing for the summit bid.

6

Day 06

Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak and Down to Mweka Camp

• Wake between midnight and 02:00 to begin the summit push via the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers to Stella Point at 5,756 m.
• Continue for approximately one hour along the crater rim to Uhuru Peak at 5,895 m for a sunrise celebration atop Africa's highest peak.
• Descend to Barafu for brunch, then continue down to Mweka Camp at 3,100 m. Total distance is 18 km - 5 km ascent and 13 km descent - over 10-13 hours.

7

Day 07

Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate Through Lush Forest

• After breakfast, descend through the lush Mweka Forest to the park gate, approximately 10 km in 3-4 hours.
• Collect your summit certificates, share farewells with the trekking crew, and enjoy refreshments at the gate.
• Transfer back to your hotel in Moshi or Arusha for a hot shower, rest, and an optional celebration dinner.

The route

Where you'll travel

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

• All transfers to the mountain and back to your Moshi hotel
• Rescue fees (part of park fees)
• Emergency oxygen cylinder
• Guides, porters, cook salaries, and park fees
• Professional, experienced mountain guides
• Quality tents with table and chairs
• All meals while on the mountain
• Clean, purified drinking water
• Conservation fees (part of park fees)
• Quality, waterproof, four-season mountain sleeping tents (on a twin-sharing basis)
• Sleeping mattress
• VAT (18% charged by the Government)
• Large portions of fresh, healthy, nutritious food
• Kilimanjaro summit certificate
• Camping fees

What's Not Included

• Tanzania visa
• Transfers (available as an optional)
• Surcharge for online payment of advance and balance (5% on each payment)
• Personal trekking equipment such as sleeping bags, hiking boots, clothes, etc. (available for rent)
• Tips and gratuities
• International and domestic flights
• Hotel (available as an optional)
• Personal expenses (e.g. laundry, telephone, beverages, etc.)
• Travel insurance
• Liquors, beers, and bottled beverages
• Meals not listed in the itinerary

Logistics

Meeting & route

Meeting point

Moshi, Tanzania

Tour start

Mt Kilimanjaro, Tanzania

Tour ends at the same location as the start point.