6-Day Machame Route Kilimanjaro Trek to Uhuru Peak

6 Days Round trip from Moshi Moderate pace

The journey

Trip highlights

01 Trek the stunning Machame Route through five distinct vegetation zones
02 Acclimatize well with the Shira Plateau crossing and Lava Tower "climb high, sleep low" day
03 Take on the famous Barranco Wall for a fun, hands-on scramble with big views
04 Overnight at key high camps including Karanga and Barafu to prepare for summit night
05 Reach Uhuru Peak (5,895 m), the highest point in Africa

Take on Mount Kilimanjaro via the Machame Route, one of the mountain's most scenic and varied treks. Over six days, you'll hike from lush rainforest to open heath and moorland, cross the alpine desert, and push into the arctic zone on summit night. Designed with acclimatization in mind, the itinerary includes the classic "climb high, sleep low" day via Lava Tower before tackling the Barranco Wall and moving up to Barafu Camp for your midnight ascent to Uhuru Peak (5,895 m), the highest point in Africa.

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 6 Days

Tour type Private

Activity level Moderate

Accommodation Included · Standard

Transport Included

Wheelchair access Yes

Cities Moshi, Mount Kilimanjaro, Mount Meru, Machame

Languages English

Day by day

The itinerary

Day 01

Machame Gate to Machame Camp Through Rainforest

Drive from Moshi to Machame Gate. Complete registration and begin the hike through lush rainforest. Trek for approximately 5-7 hours to Machame Camp. Dinner and overnight at Machame Camp.

Elevation: 1,800 m to 3,000 m
Distance: approximately 11 km

Day 02

Machame Camp to Shira Camp via the Heath Zone

Breakfast and continue through the upper rainforest and heath zone. The trail becomes steeper as you approach the Shira Plateau. Enjoy views toward Mount Meru and the surrounding landscape. Dinner and overnight at Shira Camp.

Elevation: 3,000 m to 3,840 m
Distance: approximately 9 km
Hiking time: 4-6 hours

Day 03

Shira Camp to Barranco Camp via Lava Tower

Trek across the Shira Plateau toward Lava Tower. This is an important acclimatization day: climb high and sleep lower. After Lava Tower, descend into the spectacular Barranco Valley. Dinner and overnight at Barranco Camp.

Elevation: 3,840 m to 4,630 m to 3,960 m
Distance: approximately 10 km
Hiking time: 6-8 hours

Day 04

Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp

Start with the famous Barranco Wall, using hands and feet on some sections. Continue across the alpine desert toward Karanga Valley. This shorter day gives your body more time to acclimatize. Dinner and overnight at Karanga Camp.

Elevation: 3,960 m to 4,035 m
Distance: approximately 6 km
Hiking time: 4-5 hours

Day 05

Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp for Summit Preparation

Trek through the alpine desert toward Barafu Camp. Arrive early and have lunch. Rest and prepare your summit equipment. Enjoy an early dinner and sleep before the midnight summit attempt.

Elevation: 4,035 m to 4,640 m
Distance: approximately 4 km
Hiking time: 3-4 hours

Day 06

Midnight Summit to Uhuru Peak and Descent to Mweka Gate

Wake around midnight and begin the summit climb. Trek slowly toward Stella Point, then continue along the crater rim to Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa. After celebrating at the summit, descend to Barafu for a short rest. Continue down to Mweka Gate through the alpine and rainforest zones. Transfer back to Moshi.

Barafu: 4,640 m
Uhuru Peak: 5,895 m
Mweka Gate: 1,640 m
Total hiking: approximately 13-16 hours

The route