Tanzania · Trekking

6-Day Kilimanjaro Machame Route Climb to Uhuru Peak

6 Days Round trip from Machame Moderate pace

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The journey

Trip highlights

01 Climb Mount Kilimanjaro via the popular 6-day Machame Route
02 Reach Uhuru Peak at 5,895 metres, the highest point in Africa
03 Acclimatize on the hike to Lava Tower before descending to Barranco Valley
04 Trek through rainforest, moorland, semi-desert, alpine desert, and arctic zones

This excellent 6-day Kilimanjaro climb follows the popular Machame Route to Uhuru Peak at 5,895 metres (19,341 feet), with 24 to 32 hours of walking across rainforest, moorland, semi-desert, alpine desert, and arctic terrain. Trek from Machame Gate to Machame Camp and Shira Camp, acclimatize via Lava Tower before descending to Barranco Valley, then continue through Barranco and Barafu camps for your summit push. After reaching the top, descend to Mweka Camp and finish at Mweka Gate before returning to Arusha or Moshi.

This excellent 6-day Kilimanjaro climb follows the popular Machame Route to Uhuru Peak at 5,895 metres (19,341 feet), with 24 to 32 hours of walking across rainforest, moorland, semi-desert, alpine desert, and arctic terrain.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 6 Days

Tour type Shared

Activity level Moderate

Accommodation Included · Standard

Transport Included

Wheelchair access Yes

Cities Arusha, Moshi, Mount Kilimanjaro, Machame

Languages English, French, German, Swahili

Day by day

The itinerary

Day 01

Machame Gate to Machame Camp Through the Rainforest

Rising: 56,000ft/1,830m to 10,200ft/3,100m
Stretch: 11 km
Hiking time: 5-7 hours
Climatic habitat: Rain Forest
Shelter: Machame Camp.

After breakfast in Moshi or Arusha, you will drive to Machame Gate, where you will register and start the trek through the rainforest to Machame Camp, where you will spend the night.

Day 02

Machame Camp to Shira Camp via Picnic Rock

Rising: 10,200ft/3,100m to 12,600ft/3,840m
Stretch: 9 km
Hiking time: 4-6 hours
Climatic habitat: Moorland
Shelter: Full Board Shira Cave Camp.

After breakfast, continue trekking through the rainforest until you reach the heather and moorland zone, passing along a steep ridge called Picnic Rock before reaching Shira Camp.

Day 03

Acclimatization Hike to Lava Tower and Barranco Valley

Rising: 12,600ft/3,840m to 12,700ft/3,860m
Stretch: 15 km
Hiking time: 5-7 hours
Climatic habitat: semi-desert
Shelter: Full Board Barranco Camp.

Today is an acclimatization day, and you will hike to Lava Tower before descending to Barranco Valley to sleep.

Day 04

Barranco Wall to Karanga and Barafu Camp

Rising: 4000m/13,000ft to 4700m/15,450ft
Distance: Barranco Camp to Barafu Camp (4600 m)
Stretch: 9 km
Hiking time: 6-8 hours
Climatic habitat: Alpine Desert
Shelter: Full Board at Barafu Camp.

After breakfast, hike up the Barranco Wall and continue on to Karanga Camp. This is a short day to allow for more rest and acclimatization.

Day 05

Summit Uhuru Peak and Descend to Mweka Camp

Rising: 4700m/15,350ft to 5895m/19,343ft down to 3090m/10,150ft
Stretch: 6 km up / 13 km down
Hiking time: 5-7 hours up / 5-6 hours down
Climatic habitat: Arctic.

Wake up early and hike from Barafu Camp after breakfast, continue on to the summit of Uhuru Peak, then descend to Mweka Camp to sleep.

Day 06

Descend to Mweka Gate and Return to Moshi or Arusha

Descend: 3090m/10,150ft to 1680m/5500ft
Stretch: 10 km
Hiking time: 3-4 hours
Climatic habitat: Rain Forest
Meals: B and L.

After breakfast, hike through the rainforest to Mweka Gate, where you will receive your certificate and say goodbye to your guides and porters before being transported back to Moshi or Arusha.

Where this trip takes you

Uhuru Peak, Lava Tower, Barranco Valley

The route

Where you'll travel

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

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

Park fees
Camp fees
Rescue fees
18% VAT on tour fees and services, which costs nearly 55% of the total cost charged
Transportation to and from the mountain gate
Professional mountain guides, cooks, and porters
3 meals daily while on the mountain
Filtered water throughout the trek
Fair wages for the mountain crew as approved by the Kilimanjaro National Park Authority (KINAPA) and Kilimanjaro Association of Tour Operators (KIATO)
Pick-up and drop-off at Kilimanjaro International Airport
Pre- and post-trek hotel accommodation: 2 nights in Moshi town with bed and breakfast (BB) meal plan

What's Not Included

Both national and international flights
Medical insurance
Visa cost is $50, except for Canadian and USA passport holders, for whom it is $100
Tips to the mountain crew
Items of a personal nature
Laundry services
A doctor for the group
Alcoholic beverages
Portable flush toilet with a toilet tent is extra ($150 per toilet + toilet tent)

What to bring

CLIMBING GEAR BELOW IS THE INFORMATION ON WHAT TO BRING ALONG FOR KILI CLIMB:

How to arrange a backpack that support crews will carry: the support crews' pack on Kilimanjaro is limited to 20 kg. Wrap clothing in waterproof plastic bags.

In the day pack, take along water, sunglasses, a camera, rain pants, and a jacket at a minimum.

Add any other items you might need during the day because you may not see the support crew hiking until the end of your day when you reach your hut. Bring double extra sets of batteries, as cold weather shortens their life quickly. Carry critical climbing gear on the airplane in case baggage is delayed.

1. SLEEPING BAG

Sleeping bag (rated -10 degrees F/-25 degrees C or colder is recommended)
Sleeping pad and repair kit

2. CLOTHING

You want your inner layer to be wicking - no cotton. The next layer should be insulating and warm, and the top layer should be waterproof but breathable. You will need clothes for hiking during the day, lounging in the evening, and sleeping. Layers are necessary as temperatures vary greatly.

Your clothing should be lightweight, breathable, hand-washable, and quick-drying.

Shorts, mid-thigh or longer
Long pants (zip-off pants are handy)
Short-sleeved shirts
Long-sleeved shirts
Undergarments
Socks
Sports bras for women (roads can be bumpy)
Sweaters
Jackets
Windbreakers
Rain jackets and pants, or rain ponchos

3. COLD WEATHER CLOTHING

Long underwear
Fleece jacket or wool sweater
Fleece pants
Mittens and gloves (waterproof, one thin pair, one thick pair that can be layered)
Wool or pile hat
Balaclava or neck gaiter
Hand and foot warmers (chemically activated)
Down jacket or parka (for temperatures below freezing plus wind)

4. FOOTWEAR

Be sure to break in your shoes before the hike!

Trekking shoes for hiking during the day, preferably warm, waterproof, and with ankle support - not too light and not too heavy
Tennis shoes or sandals for lounging in the evening
Hiking socks for warmer conditions
Wool socks for colder conditions

5. BAGGAGE

Large duffel bag or backpack with rain cover for support crews to carry
Day pack and rain cover for you to carry

Know before you go

When you book with us:
- We offer you a personal approach and a fully customized tour with our trekking and safari experts.
- By supporting us as a local business, you are helping support job security here in the community. A portion of the profit goes to vulnerable groups in our community; we support women's development groups, street children, and orphanages. Doors are open for anyone who wants to support them with anything.
- We pay close attention to our clients' safety because we recognize that safety, along with trust, is essential for an enjoyable journey.
- Fair wages for the mountain crew are approved by the Kilimanjaro National Park Authority (KINAPA). Thank you - don't hesitate to ask us any questions; we are always here to assist you.

Logistics