Tanzania · Trekking

6-Day Mount Kilimanjaro Machame Route Trek to Uhuru Peak

6 Days Round trip from Mt Kilimanjaro Easy pace

The journey

Trip highlights

01 Hike through five distinct climatic zones on Kilimanjaro
02 Acclimatise at Lava Tower to prepare for summit success
03 Climb the iconic Barranco Wall with sweeping mountain views
04 Reach Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa

Climb Mount Kilimanjaro on this 6-day Machame Route trek through diverse landscapes and climatic zones. Walk rainforest trails, cross moorland ridges, acclimatise at Lava Tower, conquer the Barranco Wall, and summit Uhuru Peak at sunrise. Descend via the Mweka Route through alpine desert and forest while experiencing one of Kilimanjaro's most popular and rewarding routes, with strong acclimatisation and memorable mountain scenery guided by experienced mountain professionals focusing on safety, pacing, and steady altitude adaptation throughout the ascent journey.

Walk rainforest trails, cross moorland ridges, acclimatise at Lava Tower, conquer the Barranco Wall, and summit Uhuru Peak at sunrise.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 6 Days

Tour type Shared

Activity level Easy

Accommodation Included · Budget

Transport Included

Wheelchair access No

Cities Arusha, Mount Kilimanjaro, Machame

Languages English, French, German, Italian, Spanish

Day by day

The itinerary

Day 01

Arusha to Machame Camp via Montane Forest

Drive from Arusha to Machame Gate through villages on the lower slopes of the mountain.
Begin the trek through dense montane forest on winding and sometimes muddy trails.
Continue ascending along a ridge to reach Machame Camp for overnight rest.

Elevation: 1830m/6000ft to 3050m/9950ft

Distance: 11km/7mi

Hiking Time: 5-6 hours

Habitat: Montane Forest

Day 02

Machame Camp to Shira Camp Across Moorland

Leave the rainforest zone and follow an ascending path through moorland terrain.
Cross valleys and rocky ridges while gaining views of the Shira Plateau.
Reach Shira Camp for dinner and overnight stay.

Elevation: 3050m/9950ft to 3850m/12,600ft

Distance: 5km/3mi

Walking Time: 4-5 hours

Habitat: Moorland

Day 03

Shira Plateau Trek to Lava Tower and Barranco Camp

Trek east across the Shira Plateau towards Lava Tower for acclimatisation.
Change direction south east after Lava Tower to support altitude adaptation.
Descend to Barranco Camp located beneath the Barranco Wall.

Elevation: 3850m/12,600ft to 4000m/13,000ft

Distance: 10km/6mi

Walking Time: 5-6 hours

Habitat: Semi-desert

Day 04

Barranco Wall Climb to Barafu Camp

Climb the Barranco Wall and continue through the Karanga Valley.
Join the southern circuit with changing views of the summit.
Arrive at Barafu Camp and prepare for the summit attempt.

Elevation: 4000m/13,000ft to 4700m/15,350ft

Distance: 9km/6mi

Hiking Time: 6-8 hours

Habitat: Alpine Desert

Day 05

Midnight Summit Push to Uhuru Peak and Descent to Mweka

Begin the summit ascent around midnight between major glaciers.
Reach Stella Point and continue to Uhuru Peak at sunrise.
Descend to Barafu Camp briefly before continuing to Mweka Camp.

Elevation: 4700m/15,350ft to 5895m/19,340ft

Down to 3090m/10,150ft

Distance: 5km/3mi up / 13km/8mi down

Hiking Time: 5-7 hours up / 5-6 hours down

Habitat: Stone scree and ice-capped summit

Day 06

Mweka Camp Descent to Mweka Gate and Return to Arusha

Descend through forest terrain to Mweka Gate.
Receive your Kilimanjaro summit certificate at the gate.
Return to Arusha, marking the end of the climb.

Elevation: 3090m/10,150ft to 1680m/5500ft

Distance: 10km/6mi

Hiking Time: 3-4 hours

Habitat: Forest

Where this trip takes you

Shira Plateau, Lava Tower acclimatisation, Barranco Wall, Uhuru Peak at sunrise

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map — Round trip from Mt Kilimanjaro 3 cities · 6 Days

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

All transfers according to the itinerary
Large portions of fresh, healthy, nutritious food
Overnight stay in a dormitory hut with a mattress and pillow
Guide pulse oximeter - safety gear
Emergency oxygen cylinder - safety gear
First aid kit box - safety gear
Radio call - safety gear
Conservation fees (part of park fees)
Rescue fees (part of park fees)
Camping fees (part of park fees)
VAT (18% charged by the Government)
Clean, purified drinking water
Accommodation in a public campsite with quality four-season mountain tents with foam mattresses and pillows on a single and twin-sharing basis
Other camping equipment includes a quality private mobile toilet and quality mess tents with tables and chairs
Mount Kilimanjaro summit certificate

What's Not Included

Tanzania visa
Flights
Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour
Additional transfers before and at the end of the tour
Personal trekking equipment, such as hiking clothes, sleeping bags, and hiking boots, available for rent from our mountain equipment and gear rental store in Arusha, also in Moshi
Tips
Personal expenses (e.g. laundry, telephone, alcohol, etc.)