Tanzania · Trekking

6-Day Kilimanjaro Machame Route Trek with Uhuru Peak Sunrise

6 Days Round trip from Moshi Easy pace

The journey

Trip highlights

01 Enjoy the challenging but rewarding trek on the Machame Route
02 Reach Uhuru Peak, the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and in Africa
03 Follow the famous "Whiskey Route," known for its stunning views and challenging terrain
04 Witness a magnificent sunrise near the summit of Kilimanjaro
05 Trek through rainforest, moorland, high ridges, and the South Circuit

Embark on a 6-day trek to Kilimanjaro via the Machame Route, one of the mountain's most challenging and rewarding trails. Begin in the lush rainforest near Machame Gate and climb through heather moorland, high-altitude ridges, and the dramatic South Circuit as you acclimatize for summit day. Along the way, follow the famous "Whiskey Route," known for its steep terrain and stunning views, before reaching Uhuru Peak, the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and in Africa. Weather permitting, witness a magnificent sunrise near the summit before descending through the upper forest to Mweka.

At Uhuru Peak, you have reached the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa.

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, Moshi, Mount Kilimanjaro, Machame

Languages English

Day by day

The itinerary

Day 01

Machame Gate Through Rainforest to Machame Camp

Check into your hotel in Moshi or Arusha for an overnight stay and a briefing from your guide. The drive from Moshi to the Mount Kilimanjaro National Park gate takes about 50 minutes. The journey passes through the village of Machame, located on the mountain's lower slopes.
Leave the park gate and walk through the rainforest on a winding trail up a ridge. Lower down, the trail can be muddy and slippery, so gaiters and trekking poles are a good idea here.
Continue a short distance until you reach Machame Camp.

Day 02

Machame Camp to Shira Camp via Heather-Covered Ridge

After breakfast, leave the rainforest glades and continue on an ascending path, crossing the little valley and walking along a steep rocky ridge covered with heather until the ridge ends. The route then turns west onto a river gorge.

Dinner and overnight at the Shira campsite.

Day 03

Across Shira Plateau to Lava Tower and Barranco Camp

From the Shira Plateau, continue east up a ridge, passing the junction toward the peak of Kibo.
As you continue, the direction changes to the southeast toward the Lava Tower called the "Shark's Tooth."
Shortly after the tower, come to the second junction, which leads up to the Arrow Glacier at an altitude of 4876 m / 15,997 ft.
Head down to Barranco Hut at 3860 m / 12,664 ft.
Here, rest, enjoy dinner, and stay overnight. Although you end the day at nearly the same elevation as when you started, this day is very important for acclimatization and will help your body prepare for summit day.

Day 04

Barranco Wall and Karanga Valley to Barafu Camp

After breakfast, leave Barranco and continue on a steep ridge up the Barranco Wall through the Karanga Valley, with lunch at 4200 m / 13,779 ft, and on to the junction that connects with the Mweka Trail.
Continue up to Barafu Hut. You have completed the South Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many angles.
Here, make camp, rest, enjoy dinner, and prepare for summit day. The two peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo can be seen from this position.

Day 05

Midnight Ascent to Uhuru Peak and Descent to Mweka Hut

Very early in the morning, between midnight and 2 am, continue to the summit between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers. Head northwest and ascend through heavy scree toward Stella Point on the crater rim. This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek.
At Stella Point (5685 m / 18,652 ft), stop for a short rest and, weather permitting, be rewarded with one of the most magnificent sunrises you are ever likely to see.
From Stella Point, you may encounter snow all the way on your 1-hour ascent to the summit.
At Uhuru Peak, you have reached the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa. Faster hikers will see the sunrise from the summit. It can be very cold at night at these elevations, but it will be quite warm by the end of the hiking day, so you will want clothing for both extremes with you.
From the summit, descend straight down to the Mweka Hut campsite, stopping at Barafu for lunch. You will want gaiters and trekking poles for the loose gravel going down. Mweka Camp is situated in the upper forest, and mist or rain can be expected in the late afternoon.
Later in the evening, enjoy your last dinner on the mountain and a well-earned sleep.

Day 06

Descend to Mweka Gate and Return to Moshi or Arusha

After breakfast, descend to the Mweka Park Gate to receive your summit certificates. At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy, so gaiters and trekking poles will help. Shorts and T-shirts are probably ideal clothes to wear.
From the gate, continue another hour to the village. A vehicle will meet you at Mweka Village to drive you back to your hotel in Moshi or Arusha.

Where this trip takes you

Machame Gate rainforest, Shira Plateau and Lava Tower, Barranco Wall and Karanga Valley, Stella Point sunrise

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map — Round trip from Moshi 4 cities · 6 Days

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

National park gate fee
Transport from Moshi to the starting point on the mountain and return to Moshi
Hut or camping fees
All 3 meals a day while on the mountain
Two nights' accommodation in Moshi on a bed-and-breakfast basis, double or triple occupancy
Certified, experienced, English-speaking guides for all routes
Rescue fees (required by the park)
First aid kit
Cooking equipment and eating utensils

What's Not Included

Extras at the lodges, i.e. drinks, telephone, laundry, etc.
International and internal flights
Tips (guides and porters) - recommended
Extra activities

What to bring

CLOTHING
- Lightweight, breathable, hand-washable, and quick-drying clothes
- Shorts, mid-thigh or longer
- Long pants (zip-off pants are very useful)
- Short-sleeved shirts
- Long-sleeved shirts
- Undergarments, socks
- Sports bras for women (roads can be bumpy)
- Sweater, jacket, windbreaker, rain jacket and pants, or rain poncho
- Sun hat with a brim and chin strap
- Bandana (for dust, washing, etc.)
- Belt
- Pyjamas
- Swimsuit
FOOTWEAR
- Sturdy, comfortable shoes, preferably waterproof
- Tennis shoes or sandals
- Comfortable, breathable socks
BAGGAGE
- Suitcase or duffel (20 kg max for internal flights)
- Day pack for daily activities and easy access (a rain cover is nice)
- Waterproof plastic bags for storing clothing and gear (zip-locks are great)
ELECTRONICS
- Store electronics in sealed waterproof bags (double-bagged if possible)
- Headlamp or flashlight
- Camera, lenses, filters, memory disks (you will not be able to download)
- Video camera, tapes
- Tripod
- Batteries
- GPS (for geocaching)
- Alarm clock
- Calculator (for currency conversion)
- Battery chargers and an electricity adapter
FIRST AID
- You really only need one first aid kit in your travel group, so coordinate with your travel companions
- Ibuprofen, acetaminophen, or aspirin
- Bandaids/plasters
- Disinfectant, antiseptic cream, antibiotic ointment
- Gauze bandages and tape
- Throat lozenges
- Vitamins
- Diarrhoea medicine
- Antihistamines
- Ace bandage
- Melatonin or other sleep aid
- Malaria pills (talk to a doctor)
- Antibiotics (talk to a doctor)
- Prescription drugs (talk to a doctor)
DOCUMENTS
- Passport
- Visas for all countries as necessary
- Medical insurance card
- Address book
- Business cards
- Yellow fever certificate and vaccination records
- Airline tickets, e-tickets
- Copy of African Holiday Safari itinerary
- Make copies of passports, visas, airline tickets/schedules, and traveller's cheque numbers. Leave a copy with someone at home and put a copy in a separate place in your luggage.

Know before you go

HIKING AT ALTITUDE
- Always remember to maintain a slow, steady pace from beginning to end. Going slowly allows the body to acclimatise while hiking. Those who start too quickly will have trouble higher up the mountain, as the body will be over-exerted. This still holds even if you spend an extra day on the mountain. Breathe only through your nose for the first two days of the trek.
- After 15,000 feet, breathe through your mouth.
- Use a controlled, deep, regular breathing pattern.
- Hard candy and menthol lozenges can help keep the throat moist and clear the sinuses.
- Keep in touch with what your body is doing, and watch out for your friends overexerting themselves. Focus on your daily goal of reaching the next camp by nightfall - not your ultimate goal of summiting.
- Read about Acute Mountain Sickness.
- Drink often. Energy bars or Gu may help alleviate fatigue but require more water intake. Focus on your breathing. Use the "mountaineer's step." This technique involves stepping, leaning on that leg, and moving the back leg up. Use the mechanical aspects of your body to support your weight instead of using your muscles.
- Instead of sitting at a rest stop, lean against your walking stick. This will keep your muscles active.
TREKKERS CARE
- Altitude Sickness
  - Different people under similar conditions will respond quite differently to altitude. There are no specific factors such as age, sex, or physical condition that correlate with susceptibility to altitude sickness. The response to altitude will depend on the ascent rate, the magnitude of the ascent, and individual susceptibility (genetics). The effects can be mild or severe and are caused by the lack of oxygen to the muscles and the brain. As altitude increases, oxygen concentration stays the same, but the number of oxygen molecules per breath is reduced as the barometric pressure drops. At 18,000 ft (5500 m), half the oxygen available at sea level remains.
  - In some cases, altitude sickness can become highly severe, even fatal. For reasons not entirely understood, high altitude and lower air pressure can cause fluid to leak from the capillaries and build up in the brain and lungs. Continuing an ascent without proper acclimatisation can lead to a life-threatening illness.
- Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS)
  - Mild symptoms of acute mountain sickness will occur in 75% of people who travel over 10,000 feet and can affect some people at lower altitudes. These symptoms include:
    - Fatigue
    - Dizziness
    - Headaches
    - Nausea
    - Disturbed sleep
    - Indigestion
    - Loss of appetite
    - Vomiting
  - These symptoms typically begin immediately after arrival and tend to worsen at night. Mild AMS does not interfere with regular activity, and symptoms generally subside within 2-4 days as the body acclimatises. As long as symptoms are mild and only a nuisance, ascent can continue moderately.
- Prevention of AMS
  - Altitude sickness is preventable. Pay close attention to your body and the health of individuals in your group. Immediately communicate any symptoms of illness to others on your trip. Oxygen deprivation of the brain may cause individuals to deny or not recognise their symptoms.
  - STAY HYDRATED - urine output should be copious and clear. Try to drink at least 4-6 litres per day.
    AVOID tobacco, alcohol, and other depressant drugs, including barbiturates, tranquillisers, and sleeping pills. They further decrease the respiratory drive during sleep, worsening symptoms. In addition, avoid diuretics such as coffee and tea.
  - "DON'T GO UP UNTIL SYMPTOMS GO DOWN" - people acclimatise at different rates, so make sure your entire party is properly acclimatised before going higher. Rest at the same altitude is efficient for mild symptoms, but you must descend immediately if they do not go away within a day or two.
  - DIAMOX (acetazolamide) is a drug that effectively minimises the symptoms caused by poor oxygenation by helping you breathe deeper and faster. This drug is not used in treatment; it should only be used as a preventative method. The recommended dose is 125 mg twice a day, and it is advisable to start taking it 24 hours before you go to altitude and continue for at least five days at higher altitude. Side effects include tingling of the lips and fingertips, blurred vision, and taste alteration. If you are allergic to sulfa drugs, you should not take Diamox. The use of this drug is controversial, so it is advisable to research its effects before seeking a prescription.
  - EAT high-carbohydrate foods while avoiding fatty foods.
  - BEFORE your trip, maintain a good work/rest cycle and avoid excessive work hours and last-minute packing. Listen to your body. Do not overdo things during the first day or two. Avoid heavy exercise.
  - High Altitude Pulmonary Edema (HAPE) - HAPE results from fluid buildup in the lungs, which prevents effective oxygen exchange from the lungs to the bloodstream.
  - This serious condition can lead to death if not treated immediately. Symptoms of HAPE include:
    Irritating cough (can produce frothy, often blood-tinged sputum)
    - Mental confusion, staggering drunken walking, quick shallow breathing, difficulty breathing
    - Exhaustion
    - Chest pain
    - Gurgling noise in the chest
    - Debilitating headaches and severe fatigue
    - Disruption of vision, bladder, and bowel functions
    - Loss of coordination of trunk muscles (test by walking a straight line)
    - Although rare, HAPE frequently strikes young and fit climbers and trekkers. If you notice these signs in yourself or your group, you must descend immediately, even at night. HAPE can be fatal within a few hours if left untreated. However, if diagnosed early, recovery is rapid, with a descent of only 500-1000 meters. Besides descent, treatment also includes rest, oxygen administration, and portable hyperbaric chambers.
    - High Altitude Cerebral Edema (HACE)
  - HACE occurs when fluid leakage in the brain causes swelling, affecting the central nervous system. This is considered the most severe altitude-related illness. If left untreated, it will lead to coma and death. HACE is thought to occur in 1% of reasons above 4000 m and 3% of those with AMS, and usually occurs after a week or two at high altitudes. Symptoms of HACE can be similar to AMS and include:
    - Staggered gait (unable to walk heel-to-toe in a straight line)
    - Severe weakness and fatigue
    - Impaired mental processing, confusion
    - Drowsiness
    - Headache
    - Decreasing levels of consciousness (loss of memory, hallucinations, psychotic behaviour, and coma)
    - Changes in behavior
    - Difficulty speaking
    - Blindness
    - Vomiting
    - Paralysis of limb
    - Seizures
  - Immediate descent is the best treatment for HACE. This is urgent and cannot wait until morning. The moment HACE is recognised is the moment to start organising an effort to get this person down the mountain, usually to the point where they last slept with no symptoms. It is essential to recognise that persons with this illness are often confused and may not recognise that they are ill.
ALTITUDE SICKNESS
- Many people will experience the effects of high altitude. Take precautions to avoid altitude sickness if you are prone to it. Be sure to try a hot tea or an infusion of coca leaves on arrival at altitude. During your first day, eat lightly and rest for the first few hours.
- Travel to high altitudes is generally not recommended for those with a history of heart, lung, or sickle cell disease.
DRINKING WATER
- We recommend that you always drink bottled or filtered water.
TREKKING
- Trekking is a strenuous adventure and should not be undertaken if you have any health conditions that may put you at risk. You are strongly advised to consult your physician for a thorough medical check-up and clearance before attempting a trek on the mountain. If you are over 50 years old, talk to your doctor about doing a "stress EKG."