Tanzania · Trekking

7-Day Kilimanjaro Machame Route Trek with Uhuru Peak Sunrise

7 Days Round trip from Moshi Hard pace

The journey

Trip highlights
  • 01 Enjoy the challenging but rewarding trek on the Machame Route
  • 02 Reach Uhuru Peak, the summit of Africa's highest mountain
  • 03 See the famous "Whiskey Route," known for its stunning views and challenging terrain
  • 04 Witness the stunning sunrise over the summit of Kilimanjaro
  • 05 Take in spectacular views of Mount Meru, Shira Plateau, and Kibo Peak

Embark on an unforgettable adventure on Kilimanjaro's Machame Route, beginning in the lush rainforest near Machame Gate. This challenging but rewarding trek takes you through varied landscapes, from forest and moorland to alpine desert, with spectacular views of Mount Meru, Shira Plateau, Kibo Peak, and the southern ice fields. Acclimatization stops along the way prepare you for the final summit push to Uhuru Peak, where you can witness a stunning sunrise over Africa's highest mountain. The journey ends with your descent through montane forest to Mweka Gate.

Acclimatization stops along the way prepare you for the final summit push to Uhuru Peak, where you can witness a stunning sunrise over Africa's highest mountain.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 7 Days
Tour type Shared
Activity level Hard
Accommodation Included · Standard
Transport Included
Wheelchair access Not applicable
Cities Arusha, Moshi, Mount Kilimanjaro, Mount Meru, Machame
Languages English

Day by day

The itinerary

1
Day 01

Machame Gate Trek Through Rainforest to Machame Camp

  • After breakfast, our vehicle will transport you from your hotel to Machame Gate, where you will complete the required registration procedures.
  • Start the trek through the rainforest to Machame Camp, where you will find that the tents are already set up for you.

Dinner and overnight at the campsite.

2
Day 02

Ascend from Machame Camp to Shira Camp

  • After breakfast, leave the rainforest glades and continue ascending, crossing little valleys and steep rocky ridges covered with heather plants to the western side of the mountain, where the camp is situated. You can get spectacular views of Mount Meru, Shira Plateau, Kibo Peak, and the sunset at this camp.

Dinner and overnight.

3
Day 03

Acclimatization Trek via Lava Tower to Barranco Camp

  • This is a long and important acclimatization day. Have an early breakfast, then continue trekking east to a junction leading to Lava Tower Rock at 4600 m for acclimatization.
  • Afterwards, continue down to Barranco Camp. The camp is located in the bottom valley of the Barranco Wall.

Dinner and overnight.

4
Day 04

Climb Barranco Wall and Continue to Karanga Camp

  • In the morning, start climbing the Barranco Wall, reach 4200 m for acclimatization, and continue crossing ridges and valleys to Karanga Campsite for a hot lunch.
  • After lunch, rest and get further acclimatization by trekking up the scree slopes towards the southern ice field.

Supper and overnight at camp.

5
Day 05

High-Altitude Trek Across Alpine Desert to Barafu Camp

  • On this day, the trek up to the Barafu ridge campsite is tough because of the altitude. The walk takes a few hours despite the short distance, but it is steep and requires a slow pace to avoid fatigue.
  • You will trek across an alpine desert. Chances are that a strong, cold wind will blow from Kibo Peak and its ice.
  • Have an early dinner at 1700 hrs, then rest until midnight when we begin the summit ascent.
6
Day 06

Midnight Summit Push to Uhuru Peak and Descent to Mweka

  • Wake to a light breakfast at midnight and then prepare for your summit ascent. The goal is to climb before dawn so you can reach Uhuru Peak shortly before or after sunrise. The trails are a series of switchbacks up steep scree or possibly snow.
  • Reach Stella Point on the crater rim at 5,861 m/18,640 ft between 4 and 5 AM. At this point, you will have views of the fabled crater and its glaciers facing you.
  • After 1 hour of hiking along the Kibo crater rim near the celebrated snow, you will reach Kilimanjaro's true summit, Uhuru Peak. After the summit activities are done, descend back to Barafu Campsite for lunch, rest, collect your equipment, and continue down through the moorland and heath zone to Mweka Campsite.

Dinner and overnight at Mweka Campsite.

7
Day 07

Descend Through Montane Forest to Mweka Gate

  • After breakfast, descend to Mweka Park Gate, walking across montane forest. This descent will take 3-4 hours.
  • At the gate, you will sign out and get ready to board the vehicle for the transfer back to the hotel for your certificate presentation and a well-deserved celebration.
Machame Gate rainforest, Shira Plateau and Kibo Peak, Stella Point and Uhuru Peak sunrise

Where this trip takes you

Machame Gate rainforest, Shira Plateau and Kibo Peak, Stella Point and Uhuru Peak sunrise

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map
Round trip from Moshi 5 cities · 7 Days

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

  • Private arrival and departure airport transfers to and from your hotel

  • All planning, handling, and operational charges

  • Accommodation based on double occupancy

  • Privately guided sightseeing (exceptions may apply)

  • Services of professional English-speaking guide(s) and/or tour escort as detailed in your itinerary

  • All entrance fees mentioned in the itinerary

  • Meals as mentioned in the itinerary

  • Other inclusions as noted in your itinerary

What's Not Included

  • International and internal regional airfare, unless otherwise stated

  • Meals other than those mentioned in the itinerary

  • The cost of personal items such as laundry, drinks with meals or otherwise, and additional incidentals

  • Airport security charges, if levied by any airport to cover the cost of security arrangements and payable locally, and airport departure taxes (if applicable)

  • Optional and additional sightseeing not included in the itinerary

  • Cost of obtaining passports or required visas where necessary

  • Any fees associated with using air miles for your air travel

  • Gratuities

  • Travel protection insurance

What to bring

  • Top base layer
  • Bottom base layer
  • 4-5 pairs of underwear
  • 3-4 short-sleeve shirts
  • 1 insulated trekking pants
  • 1-2 long-sleeve hiking shirts
  • 1-2 pairs of hiking trousers
  • 1 insulated winter jacket
  • Polartec fleece jacket
  • 1 hard shell jacket
  • Daypack and duffel bag
  • Sleeping bag and walking poles
  • Water bottle and woollen hat
  • Headlamp, sunglasses, and gloves
  • Trekking boots, trainers, socks, and gaiters

Know before you go

  • As a sensible precaution, we recommend that you consider getting at least some of the following recommended immunizations:
    • Hepatitis A - You can get Hepatitis A through contaminated food or water in Tanzania, regardless of where you eat or stay.
    • Typhoid - You can get Typhoid through contaminated food or water in Tanzania, especially if you visit smaller cities or rural areas. Please check with your local travel clinic for the latest recommendations.
  • Immigration & customs
    • An onward ticket and sufficient funds are required when entering Tanzania. Tanzanian people are friendly and will always offer a helping hand.
    • Most visitors to Tanzania require a visa. Visas are available at your local Tanzanian Embassy. Costs vary from country to country. Visas are valid for 3 months. It is possible, however, to obtain a tourist's visa for a single entry at any ONE of the FOUR MAIN ENTRIES into Tanzania - subject to the fulfilment of all immigration and health requirements. These are:
      • Dar-es-Salaam International Airport
      • Zanzibar International Airport
      • Kilimanjaro International Airport
      • Namanga Entry Point (Tanzania-Kenya border point)
  • At all these points, payment is in US Dollars or its equivalent in Sterling. For all other entry points in Tanzania, visitors must hold valid visas prior to approaching those entry points in Tanzania. However, to avoid unnecessary delays, those who proceed to Tanzania from a country where there is a Tanzania Diplomatic Mission or Consular Office are strongly advised to obtain their entry visa prior to departure to Tanzania.

Logistics

Meeting & route

Meeting point
Moshi, Tanzania
Tour start
Moshi, Tanzania
Tour ends at the same location as the start point.
End of the journey

Your 7 days finish where they began, in Moshi.

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