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Kilimanjaro · 7 days · Southern approach · Private climb

Machame Route

Seven days from the southern forest to Uhuru Peak — a steep, busy start, then the Lava Tower day that gives Machame one of the better acclimatisation shapes on the mountain.

Machame GateShira 2BarrancoUhuru PeakMweka Gate

Request a quote →See the days

Length7 days · 6 nights on the mountain

SummitUhuru Peak, about 5,895 m

Starts & endsMachame Gate / Mweka Gate

SleepingTents, six camps

Best monthsJanuary–February, June–October

Overview The route Day by day Rates Where you sleep Included Add-ons When to go Flights & extras FAQ Enquire

IOverview

A steep start, a busy trail, and a shape that works.

Machame starts on the southern side of the mountain, a short drive from Moshi, and climbs steeply through the rainforest on its first day. It joins the Lemosho climbers at Shira 2, and from then on the two routes are the same: Lava Tower, the Barranco Wall, Karanga, Barafu and the summit.

Its strength is the shape of the climb: the Lava Tower day takes you high and brings you back down to sleep, and the days after it are short. Its weakness is the crowd — it is one of the busiest routes on the mountain — and the pace of the first two days, which gives the body less time to adjust than Lemosho does. If you can spare an extra day, Lemosho is the gentler version of the same climb.

Major attractions · 4

01Kilimanjaro National Park
02Shira Plateau
03Lava Tower & the Barranco Wall
04Uhuru Peak

Trip detailsPrivate climb

Length: 7 days · 6 nights on the mountain
Route: Machame, via Shira 2 and the southern circuit
Start / end: Machame Gate (south) / Mweka Gate (south)
Sleeping: Tents, six camps
Summit: Uhuru Peak, about 5,895 m
Group size: Maximum per private climb
Meals: Three meals a day on the mountain
Best period: Jan–Feb · Jun–Oct
Fitness: No technical climbing — a steep first day and long days at altitude

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IIThe route

Up from the south, across to Shira, round to Barafu.

7 days, 6 nights, 6 places to sleep. The solid line is this plan; the dotted lines are the other roads through the region. Point at a day to see its leg.

01Moshi → Machame Gate → Machame Camp~1 h road
02Machame Camp → Shira 2Travel home
03Shira 2 → Lava Tower → BarrancoTravel home
04Barranco → KarangaTravel home
05Karanga → BarafuTravel home
06Barafu → Uhuru Peak → Mweka CampThe long dayTravel home
07Mweka Camp → Mweka Gate → Moshi~1 h road

Overnight stopPassing throughSchematic, roughly to scale

Drawn to scale

Every metre up, and every metre down.

The first two days climb hard — well over a thousand metres on day one alone. Day three is the one that matters: up to Lava Tower at about 4,630 m, then down to sleep at Barranco, about 670 m lower — climb high, sleep low — before the approach to the summit.

IIIDay by day

Seven days, one at a time.

Each day lands on top of the last as you scroll: honest road time, game time, meals and where you sleep. Times are door to door in a safari vehicle and move with the season and what you stop for.

Machame CampADD IMAGE · A muddy path climbing through dense rainforest above Machame Gate, roots across the trail

01/ 07

About an hour by road, registration, then about 5–7 hours climbing steeply through forest.

03°06′S 37°16′EDay 1 · Moshi → Machame Gate → Machame Camp

Into the rainforest

Travel: ~6 h walking + ~1 h road
Highest point: Machame Camp, about 3,020 m
Meals: L · D
Sleep: Tented camp, about 3,020 m

Morning
Collected from your hotel in Moshi and driven to Machame Gate, about 1,800 m, for registration and the weighing of the porters’ loads.
Afternoon
A long, steady climb through montane forest. The path is steep and, after rain, muddy — one of the harder first days on the mountain.
Evening
Machame Camp at about 3,020 m, at the edge of the forest. The guide’s first evening check, and the plan for tomorrow.

Pole pole

Slowly, slowly. A steep first day is exactly where people go too fast. Let the guide set the pace, even when it feels too easy.

Shira 2ADD IMAGE · A rocky ridge path through giant heath above the clouds, the Shira Plateau ahead

02/ 07

About 5–6 hours, up a rocky ridge through heath and moorland.

03°03′S 37°17′EDay 2 · Machame Camp → Shira 2

Up onto Shira

Travel: ~6 h walking
Highest point: Shira 2, about 3,850 m
Meals: B · L · D
Sleep: Tented camp, about 3,850 m

Morning
Out of the forest onto a steep, rocky ridge through giant heath, often above the clouds by mid-morning.
Afternoon
Onto the eastern edge of the Shira Plateau and Shira 2 at about 3,850 m, where the Lemosho climbers arrive from the west.
Evening
Many people feel the height tonight — a headache, poor sleep. Tell the guide at the evening check.

BarrancoADD IMAGE · Lava Tower, a dark volcanic plug on the alpine desert below Kibo

03/ 07

About 7 hours. Up to about 4,630 m for lunch, then down to sleep about 670 m lower.

03°06′S 37°20′EDay 3 · Shira 2 → Lava Tower → Barranco

Climb high to Lava Tower, sleep low at Barranco

Travel: ~7 h walking
Highest point: Lava Tower, about 4,630 m
Meals: B · L · D
Sleep: Tented camp, about 3,960 m

Morning
East into alpine desert, bare scree and rock, climbing steadily to Lava Tower at about 4,630 m.
Midday
Lunch at Lava Tower, the highest you will have been. Headache and breathlessness here are common and expected.
Afternoon
Down into the Barranco Valley among the giant groundsels to camp at about 3,960 m. Most people feel better at bedtime than at lunch.

Why Machame works

This day is what gives Machame its good acclimatisation shape: a few hours at height, then a night lower down to recover.

KarangaADD IMAGE · Climbers scrambling up the Barranco Wall in morning light, the valley below

04/ 07

About 4–5 hours: a scramble up the Wall, then valleys to Karanga.

03°07′S 37°21′EDay 4 · Barranco → Karanga

The Barranco Wall

Travel: ~4 h walking
Highest point: Karanga, about 3,995 m
Meals: B · L · D
Sleep: Tented camp, about 3,995 m

Morning
Straight onto the Barranco Wall: a steep path with a few short sections where you use your hands. No ropes, no technical skill, and often a queue in the busy months.
Midday
Over the top and along the southern flank of Kibo, through a series of valleys.
Afternoon
Karanga at about 3,995 m, almost level with last night. A short day, and a rest before base camp.

BarafuADD IMAGE · Tents on the bare rock ridge of Barafu Camp, the summit slope above

05/ 07

About 4 hours to base camp, arriving early to rest before summit night.

03°06′S 37°23′EDay 5 · Karanga → Barafu

Up to base camp

Travel: ~4 h walking
Highest point: Barafu, about 4,670 m
Meals: B · L · D
Sleep: Tented camp, about 4,670 m

Morning
A steady climb through alpine desert to Barafu, on a bare rock ridge at about 4,670 m.
Afternoon
Early dinner, kit laid out, and the guide’s summit briefing. Then bed.
Evening
Few people sleep well at Barafu. Resting still helps.

Mweka CampADD IMAGE · Head torches in a line on the summit slope below Stella Point before dawn

The long day06/ 07

The long one: about 12–14 hours, most of it in the dark or on the way down.

03°09′S 37°22′EDay 6 · Barafu → Uhuru Peak → Mweka Camp

Summit night, then down to Mweka

Travel: ~13 h walking
Highest point: Uhuru Peak, about 5,895 m
Meals: B · L · D
Sleep: Tented camp, about 3,100 m

Around midnight
Tea and biscuits, then up the scree by head torch. Slow, steady, cold, and the hardest thing on the climb.
Dawn
Stella Point on the crater rim, usually around sunrise, then along the rim to Uhuru Peak at about 5,895 m.
Afternoon
Down to Barafu for a rest and food, then on down to Mweka Camp at about 3,100 m.

Turning back is allowed

If you or the guide decide you should go down, an assistant guide takes you while the others carry on. Going down is the right answer to worsening altitude sickness, at any point.

MoshiADD IMAGE · The wet forest path near Mweka Gate, tree ferns either side

07/ 07

About 3–4 hours down through the rainforest, then the drive back to Moshi.

03°21′S 37°21′EDay 7 · Mweka Camp → Mweka Gate → Moshi

Through the forest to Mweka Gate

Travel: ~3½ h walking + ~1 h road
Highest point: Mweka Camp, about 3,100 m
Meals: B
Sleep: Homeward

Morning
The crew’s farewell and the tipping, done openly, then a steady descent through wet rainforest.
Midday
Signing out at Mweka Gate at about 1,640 m, where summit certificates are issued, and the drive back to Moshi.

Knees

Over 4,000 m of descent in two days. Poles help more here than anywhere else.

IVRates

Priced by group size, because the vehicle is shared.

Park fees, accommodation, vehicle, guide and meals as listed — per person, no booking fees. Rates move with the month and lodge availability; your quote is fixed once you book.

Private climb · price per person, sharing
Group size	1 person	2 people	3 people	4 people	5 people	6 people
From year	rate	rate	rate	rate	rate	rate

Single supplementamount

Children

Child policy: ages, sharing discount, lodge minimum ages

What moves the price

What changes itHow much

How many climb together
Guides, cook and the camp are shared by the group, so the per-person price falls as the group grows. Park fees do not.
Days on the mountain
Park fees are charged per person per day, and each extra day adds crew wages and food. An eight-day route costs more than this one.
The camp you want
A private toilet tent, a larger sleeping tent or an extra porter each add to the price.
Hotels either side
The nights in Moshi or Arusha before and after are priced at the level you choose.
Park fees
Set by the park per person per day, and the same whoever you climb with. We show them as their own line.

Not sure which level suits you? Tell us your dates, group and budget and we will send an itemised quote with named properties.

Request a free quote →

On request

VWhere you sleep

Six nights, six camps, all under canvas.

Each night is described by type first, because the right camp depends on your month. The properties we normally use at each level are listed below; your quote confirms them against availability.

Night 11×

Machame Camp

Tented camp, about 3,020 m

At the top of the forest, after a steep first day.

Standard here means: Sleeping tent, mess tent and toilet tent — confirm what the standard climb provides
Step up: Ask us

Night 21×

Shira 2

Tented camp, about 3,850 m

On the Shira Plateau, where the Machame and Lemosho routes meet.

Standard here means: Sleeping tent, mess tent and toilet tent — confirm what the standard climb provides
Step up: Ask us

Night 31×

Barranco

Tented camp, about 3,960 m

The ‘sleep low’ after Lava Tower, under the Barranco Wall.

Standard here means: Sleeping tent, mess tent and toilet tent — confirm what the standard climb provides
Step up: Ask us

Night 41×

Karanga

Tented camp, about 3,995 m

Almost level with Barranco: a short day before base camp.

Standard here means: Sleeping tent, mess tent and toilet tent — confirm what the standard climb provides
Step up: Ask us

Night 51×

Barafu

Tented camp, about 4,670 m

Base camp for summit night. A few hours’ rest, not a full night.

Standard here means: Sleeping tent, mess tent and toilet tent — confirm what the standard climb provides
Step up: Ask us

Night 61×

Mweka Camp

Tented camp, about 3,100 m

Back in thicker air after the summit, a short walk from the gate.

Standard here means: Sleeping tent, mess tent and toilet tent — confirm what the standard climb provides
Step up: Ask us

The properties we use

Where	Private climb
Machame Camp	property
Shira 2	property
Barranco	property
Karanga	property
Barafu	property
Mweka Camp	property

What ‘standard’ means on this trip

Your own sleeping tent. Tent type and how many people share one
A mess tent. Meals at a table, out of the wind. Confirm table, chairs and lighting
A toilet tent. Confirm a private toilet tent is standard, or an add-on
Food and water. Three meals a day cooked on the mountain, and treated drinking water. Tell us about diets early — the food goes up with the porters.

VIThe fine print

What is in the price, and what isn’t.

✓Included

Park feesConservation, camping or hut, and rescue fees — each itemised on your quote
A licensed lead guidePlus assistant guides in proportion to the group
Cook and portersCarrying the camp, the food and your main bag within the park’s weight limit
Meals on the mountainThree meals a day and treated drinking water
Transfers to and from the gateFrom your hotel in Moshi or Arusha

–Not included

International flights
Hotel nights before and afterAdded to the quote at the level you choose
Tanzanian visaApply online before you travel
Travel insuranceRequired. It must cover trekking to 6,000 m and evacuation
Tips for the crewThe largest cost people forget; we send a guideline with your booking
Kit hireSleeping bag, poles, jacket — available in Moshi if you do not bring your own

VIIAdd-ons & changes

The plan is a starting point, not a package.

The changes people ask for most, each with what it costs you in days or hours. Not in the standard price — arranged on request, and most can be combined.

+1 dayprice

Lemosho instead

Starts on the quiet western side and crosses the Shira Plateau more slowly, joining this route at Shira 2. One more day, fewer people, gentler first days.

Makes senseYou can spare the day

The Lemosho Route →

+2 daysprice

The Northern Circuit

The western start, then round the empty northern slopes. The longest route and the most time to adjust.

Makes senseYou want the quietest trail

The Northern Circuit →

Same lengthprice

Compare every route

Six routes, side by side: how long they take, how busy they are, and how each handles the altitude.

Makes senseYou are still choosing

All Kilimanjaro routes →

+1 dayprice

Materuni Waterfall before you start

A half day from Moshi: a walk to the waterfall on the lower slopes and a coffee farm. Easy legs the day before the climb.

Makes senseYou land a day early

Materuni Waterfall →

+1 dayprice

Chemka Hot Springs after

Warm, clear spring water about an hour from Moshi. The obvious thing to do with tired legs.

Makes senseThe day after the climb

Chemka Hot Springs →

+3–5 nightsprice

Zanzibar after

Fly from Kilimanjaro to the island and do nothing for a few days. About an hour in the air.

Makes senseYou have earned it

Zanzibar after →

VIIIWhen to go

Rated for this route, not for the country.

Machame can be climbed in any month, but the first day’s forest path is at its slipperiest in the long rains of April and May. January, February and June to October are drier and clearer. It is one of the most popular routes on the mountain, so in July, August and the Christmas weeks expect company at every camp.

Jan

Dry, clear, cold nights

Feb

Dry, warmer

Mar

Rains building

Apr

Long rains, wet trails

May

Long rains

Jun

Dry, cold, quieter

Jul

Dry, cold, busy

Aug

Dry, busy

Sep

Dry, clear

Oct

Dry, warmer

Nov

Short rains

Dec

Holiday weeks busy

Three bars — the route at its bestTwo — good, with trade-offsOne — possible, and quiet

IXFlights & extras

Getting there.

Arrive

Kilimanjaro International (JRO)

Between Moshi and Arusha, and the closest international airport to the mountain. Plan to land at least a day before the climb: the briefing and the kit check happen the evening before.

Stay before and after

Moshi or Arusha

A night before the climb and a night after are not part of the days shown here; we add them to your quote at the hotel level you choose.

Leave a spare day

Weather and bodies

Nothing is scheduled around the summit day, but a day in hand before an international flight takes the pressure off everyone.

What else to budget.

Not part of the safari price, in order of how much they matter.

Tanzanian visaApply online before travel
Current fee
Travel insuranceMust cover trekking to 6,000 m and evacuation
Typical cost
Crew tipsGuides, cook and porters, for the whole climb
Guideline
Kit hire in MoshiSleeping bag, poles, down jacket
Typical range
Hotel nightsMoshi or Arusha, before and after
Varies

XWhy book with us

Only what we can prove.

Arusha, since 2010

A Tanzanian company, locally owned, running climbs and safaris for more than fifteen years.

Licensed and registered

TALA-licensed through the Tanzania Tourist Board and registered with BRELA. Ask us for the numbers; we will send them.

One lead guide, one crew

The same lead guide, assistant guides, cook and porters from the gate to the gate. Nobody else joins your group.

Every fee on its own line

Conservation, camping or hut, and rescue fees are shown separately on your quote, so you can see exactly what goes to the park.

XIQuestions

The ones we are asked most.

How fit do I need to be?

Fit enough to walk five to seven hours a day on consecutive days with a light pack, including a steep first day and a very long summit day. Fitness does not protect you from the altitude; pace does.

Is Machame good for acclimatisation?

Its shape is good: the Lava Tower day takes you to about 4,630 m and back down to sleep at Barranco. Its first two days climb faster than Lemosho’s, though, so if you can spare an extra day, Lemosho gives the body more time.

What is summit night like?

You leave Barafu around midnight and walk slowly up scree by head torch for several hours, reaching the crater rim around dawn. After the summit you descend to Mweka Camp the same day — about 12 to 14 hours in all. Ask us what to expect for temperature in your month.

What about altitude sickness?

Acute mountain sickness can affect anyone, however fit. Mild symptoms — headache, poor sleep, no appetite — are common. The guide checks everyone each evening, and the answer to symptoms that are getting worse is to go down, at any hour. Whether to take medication such as acetazolamide is a decision for your own doctor, before you travel.

How does tipping work?

Tips for the guides, cook and porters are expected and are a real part of their pay. We send a guideline per role with your booking, and the tipping at the end is done openly.

Can I hire kit in Moshi?

Yes — sleeping bags, poles, down jackets and more. Tell us what you need when you book and it will be ready for the kit check the evening before. Bring your own broken-in boots.

Other safari plans

8 days · KilimanjaroLemosho RouteRead the plan →

6 days · KilimanjaroMarangu RouteRead the plan →

7 days · KilimanjaroRongai RouteRead the plan →

6 days · KilimanjaroUmbwe RouteRead the plan →

Ten parks, three circuits.

Where the trip lands.

The roof of Africa.

The people behind the journey.

How you see it.

Honest reasons a trip costs less.

Out and back before dark.

Machame Route

A steep start, a busy trail, and a shape that works.

Up from the south, across to Shira, round to Barafu.

Every metre up, and every metre down.

Seven days, one at a time.

Into the rainforest

Up onto Shira

Climb high to Lava Tower, sleep low at Barranco

The Barranco Wall

Up to base camp

Summit night, then down to Mweka

Through the forest to Mweka Gate

Priced by group size, because the vehicle is shared.

What moves the price

How many climb together

Days on the mountain

The camp you want

Hotels either side

Park fees

Six nights, six camps, all under canvas.

Machame Camp

Shira 2

Barranco

Karanga

Barafu

Mweka Camp

The properties we use

What ‘standard’ means on this trip

What is in the price, and what isn’t.

✓Included

–Not included

The plan is a starting point, not a package.

Lemosho instead

The Northern Circuit

Compare every route

Materuni Waterfall before you start

Chemka Hot Springs after

Zanzibar after

Rated for this route, not for the country.

Getting there.

Kilimanjaro International (JRO)

Moshi or Arusha

Weather and bodies

What else to budget.

Only what we can prove.

Arusha, since 2010

Licensed and registered

One lead guide, one crew

Every fee on its own line

The ones we are asked most.

How fit do I need to be?

Is Machame good for acclimatisation?

What is summit night like?

What about altitude sickness?

How does tipping work?

Can I hire kit in Moshi?

Send us your dates. We will send you the real version.

Asante — it is with us.