Tanzania · Trekking

7-Day Kilimanjaro Machame Route Trek to Uhuru Peak

7 Days Round trip from Arusha Moderate pace

The journey

Trip highlights

01 Trek the picturesque Machame Route through Kilimanjaro's changing landscapes
02 Reach Uhuru Peak at 5,895 m for panoramic summit views
03 Cross rainforest, heath zone, and alpine desert in a single trek
04 Climb the Barranco Wall and acclimatize at Lava Tower
05 Receive your summit certificate at Mweka Gate

Embark on a 7-day trek on Kilimanjaro's Machame Route, crossing diverse landscapes from rainforest and heath zones to alpine desert. Climb the Barranco Wall, acclimatize at Lava Tower, and continue through the mountain's southern circuit toward the summit. Reach Uhuru Peak at 5,895 m for panoramic views before descending to Mweka Camp. The trek concludes with your summit certificate and transfer back to Arusha.

After reaching the summit of Kilimanjaro at 5,895 m, relax for some time while enjoying the view at the summit and regaining energy, then begin descending to Mweka Camp.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 7 Days

Tour type Shared

Activity level Moderate

Accommodation Included · Budget

Transport Included

Wheelchair access Not applicable

Cities Arusha, Moshi, Mount Kilimanjaro, Machame

Languages English, French, Italian, Spanish, Swahili

Day by day

The itinerary

Day 01

Arusha to Machame Gate and Trek to Machame Camp

After breakfast, you will be driven for about 2 hours and 40 minutes from Arusha to Moshi town, then continue to Machame Gate. Machame Gate is situated in the remote town of Machame at the southern foothills of Mount Kilimanjaro. The journey crosses Machame village, located on the mountain's lower slopes. Sign-in procedures take place at the gate, where you will be registered and allowed to enter and begin hiking.
The gate marks the start of the park's montane forest, though trees do not surround the outside area. You will be accompanied by a porter, cook, nurse, and guide, all of whom will carry useful supplies for the hike. We then leave Machame Gate and walk through the rainforest on a winding trail up the ridge. At times, the trail can be muddy and slippery, so trekking poles are necessary. The trek continues ascending along the forest trails to Machame Camp at 2,980 m, where we will stay overnight.
You shall have dinner and overnight at Machame Camp habitat - FB.

Day 02

Machame Camp to Shira Camp Through the Heath Zone

On this day, you will be served breakfast and then begin the next trekking stage to Shira Camp, leaving the rainforest behind. This area is known as the heath zone, where the attractive lobelia are the only plants dominating the mountain landscape. Various geological features can be seen here, ranging from lava tubes to glacial valleys.
The trek ascends steadily, crossing a small valley to a steep rocky ridge. The climb is steep as you enter the low alpine zone, characterized by grasslands and moorlands.
The route then leads west into the river gorge until we reach Shira Camp. This is where we shall have dinner and overnight, particularly at Shira Camp - FB.

Day 03

Shira Camp to Barranco Camp via Lava Tower

The whole trekking period of this day's hike is a bit long and arduous. We will ascend into the alpine desert toward the central peak of Kibo, where the Western Glacier becomes visible.
On this day, we will climb up to 3,950 m to the base of the Lava Tower, where you will have lunch, which is also important for acclimatization. The trek heads east, passing the Shira Plateau up to Lava Tower, and afterward we will descend to Barranco Camp. The camp is situated in a valley below the Breach and the Great Barranco Wall, and the Barranco Valley is one of the most beautiful areas on the entire trail.
After trekking, you will camp at Barranco for dinner and overnight, particularly at Barranco Camp - FB.

Day 04

Barranco Wall Climb to Karanga Valley Camp

After breakfast, you will take on the demanding climb to the top of Karanga Valley via the Barranco Wall. Barranco Wall gives trekkers a hard time because it requires skill, energy, and determination to complete. Because the area toward Karanga Valley is steep and edged, you may be forced to use all four limbs while climbing. From this point, you will follow the path that passes through many inclines and declines to Karanga Valley Camp. Karanga Valley Camp is the stopover for the six-day trekkers who ascend to the other path back to the initial point after reaching the area - dinner and overnight, particularly at Karanga Valley Camp - FB.

Day 05

Karanga Valley to Barafu Camp on the Southern Circuit

After breakfast, proceed with the hike. Since you will already have reached Karanga Valley Camp, only a short distance remains to Barafu Camp. Leaving Karanga Camp in the morning, we shall pass a junction connecting with the Mweka Trail, then continue up to Barafu Camp. Reaching Barafu Camp marks the end of trekking on the southern circuit, offering views of the peak from numerous angles.
While preparing for the next trek toward the summit, we shall have dinner and overnight in this area, particularly at Barafu Camp - FB.

Day 06

Summit Attempt to Uhuru Peak and Descent to Mweka Camp

As recommended, you will be woken at around 11:30 pm and served tea and a cookie. The next activity is to trek toward the summit between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers.
While trekking to the summit, the guidance is: "one step at a time and remember to keep your momentum moving forward." It takes about 8 hours to reach the top of the crater rim at Stella Point. This point indicates that you still have another 156 meters of altitude to walk around the crater rim to Uhuru Peak. After reaching the summit of Kilimanjaro at 5,895 m, relax for some time while enjoying the view at the summit and regaining energy, then begin descending to Mweka Camp. Trekking poles will be needed for the loose scree on the way down to Mweka Camp to avoid strain on your joints.
Later in the evening, we will enjoy dinner on the mountain and stay overnight, particularly at Mweka Camp - FB.

Day 07

Descend to Mweka Gate and Return to Arusha

This is the final day of trekking on the Machame Route, and we shall descend to Mweka Gate. After breakfast at the gate, you will be awarded a summit certificate from the park headquarters and sign out.
After receiving the certificate, you will be transferred to Arusha by car directly to the airport (JRO) for departure.

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map — Round trip from Arusha 4 cities · 7 Days

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

Transfer from Arusha
Transfer to Kilimanjaro Airport
All transfers to and from the gate
Accommodation on camp and meals as specified in your itinerary
Park entry fees, rescue fees, and camping fees
Porters' and guides' wages

What's Not Included

International flight tickets
Sleeping bags
Airport taxes
Visas
Personal insurance
All items of a personal nature, e.g. drinks, laundry, cigarettes, etc.
Changes or deviations from the itinerary
Any item not specified above
Flying doctor's coverage/fees
Tips and gratuities to safari guides, porters, and hotel staff

What to bring

Travel Documents
- Valid passport
- Tanzania visa, available at the airport upon arrival, USD $100 payable in cash only; $50 for residents of the UK/European Union
- Copy of travel and/or medical evacuation insurance
- Personal medical/dental insurance cards
- Credit card (Visa and MasterCard are most widely accepted)
- Cash in U.S. dollars (bills must be crisp, new-format, issued 2016 or later, with no tears)
Essential Gear
- Binoculars
- Camera and good telephoto lens, with a waterproof/dustproof bag
- Sunglasses, preferably polarized
- Hat for sun
- Personal toiletries (soap, shampoo, conditioner, and lotion provided)
- Hand sanitiser
- Basic medical kit, plus malaria tablets and prescription medications
- Glasses (if you wear contacts)
- Chargers and extra batteries for electronics such as phones, cameras, and lights
Clothing
- Hiking shoes
- Sweater or fleece pullover
- Lightweight waterproof hiking shoes or boots
- Waterproof sandals
- Shirts (golf shirts or T-shirts)
- Lightweight long-sleeved shirts
- Pair of shorts
- Pairs of long pants
- Swimsuit (if you will be visiting Zanzibar Island or other water areas)
- Undergarments and socks; women might consider a sports bra (for bouncy jeeps)
- Sleepwear
- Rain gear (if travelling during the rainy season, March-May and Oct-Dec)