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Most Popular
7-Day Machame Route Kilimanjaro Climb
- 7 days / 6 nights on mountain
- Max altitude: 5,895 m (Uhuru Peak)
- Moshi, Kilimanjaro, Tanzania
- Difficulty: Challenging
Overview:
The 7-day Machame Route is our most popular Kilimanjaro package. The additional day compared to the 6-day option comes as an extra night at Karanga Camp (4,035 m), which gives the body more time to acclimatise before the Barafu high camp and the summit push. This extra acclimatisation night makes a measurable difference to summit success rates and is the primary reason we recommend the 7-day to most climbers on this route. The route is a full traverse of the southern face — ascending via Machame Gate and descending via Mweka Gate through all five ecological zones.
Trip Facts:
| Route | Machame (south approach, Mweka descent) |
| Duration | 7 days / 6 nights on the mountain |
| Accommodation | Tented camping at all camps |
| Start | Machame Gate (1,800 m) |
| End | Mweka Gate (1,650 m) |
| Summit | Uhuru Peak (5,895 m) |
| Difficulty | Challenging |
| Best months | January–February, July–September |
Price per person
Starting from $2,030 USD
Mid-range accommodation · price varies with group size
Day-by-Day Itinerary — 7-Day Machame Route Kilimanjaro Climb
01
Day 1: Machame Gate to Machame Camp
- Altitude: 1,800 m → 3,028 m Distance: 11 km Hiking time: 5–7 hours
Drive from Moshi to Machame Gate (1,800 m) for registration. Enter the dense rainforest — colobus monkeys, turaco birds, and moss-draped trees. A steady uphill through forest, then heath, to Machame Camp (3,028 m) for dinner and overnight.
02
Day 2: Machame Camp to Shira Camp
- Altitude: 3,028 m → 3,840 m Distance: 5 km Hiking time: 4–6 hours
A shorter, steeper day exiting the forest into open heath and moorland. The Shira Plateau opens up dramatically ahead of you. The summit cone of Kibo becomes clearly visible for the first time. Shira Camp (3,840 m) for dinner and overnight.
03
Day 3: Shira Camp to Barranco Camp via Lava Tower
- Altitude: 3,840 m → 4,600 m → 3,976 m Distance: 14 km Hiking time: 6–8 hours
The most important acclimatisation day. Ascend to Lava Tower (4,600 m) for lunch — your highest point to date — then descend to Barranco Camp (3,976 m). The altitude gain and loss triggers beneficial acclimatisation responses while you sleep at a manageable elevation. Giant groundsels line the descent to Barranco.
04
Day 4: Barranco Camp over Barranco Wall to Karanga Camp
- Altitude: 3,976 m → 4,035 m Distance: 5 km Hiking time: 4–5 hours
The Barranco Wall first thing in the morning — a steep, hands-on scramble that takes most groups about 1.5 hours and is the most technically demanding section of the route (but requires no ropes or prior climbing experience). Above the wall, traverse the southern face to Karanga Camp (4,035 m) for an early arrival and afternoon rest.
05
Day 5: Acclimatisation Day at Karanga Camp
- Altitude: 4,035 m (extra night) Distance: Optional short walk Hiking time: Optional
This extra night at Karanga Camp is the defining difference between the 6 and 7-day Machame options. Spend the day resting, eating well, and hydrating. Your guide may lead a short acclimatisation walk to a slightly higher altitude before returning to camp. Pulse oximeter checks continue. The extra 24 hours at this altitude meaningfully improves your body's oxygen-carrying capacity before the final push.
06
Day 6: Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp
- Altitude: 4,035 m → 4,673 m Distance: 4 km Hiking time: 3–5 hours
Short ascent to Barafu Camp (4,673 m) — the summit high camp. Arrive early afternoon. Eat a full meal, drink 3+ litres of water, rest. Summit briefing with your guide. Early bedtime — the wake-up call is typically 11 pm to midnight.
07
Day 7: Barafu Camp — Summit — Mweka Camp
- Altitude: 4,673 m → 5,895 m → 3,100 m Distance: 18 km Hiking time: 13–16 hours total
Depart Barafu at midnight for the summit push. Ascend steep volcanic scree to Stella Point on the crater rim (5,752 m), then along the crater rim to Uhuru Peak (5,895 m). After summit photographs, descend to Barafu for rest and food, then continue to Mweka Camp (3,100 m) for overnight. The descent from Barafu to Mweka is long — trekking poles and knee strength matter here.
Included
Kilimanjaro National Park entry fees
Camping/hut fees for all nights on the mountain
Rescue fee contribution (mandatory TANAPA fee)
Licensed lead guide
Assistant guide (1 per 3 climbers)
Porters (1 porter per climber, plus cook team)
Cook and all meals on the mountain (3 meals + snacks daily)
Camping equipment (tents, dining tent, toilet tent, sleeping mats)
Emergency supplemental oxygen
Pulse oximeter health monitoring at camps
Hotel pickup and drop-off in Moshi
Pre-climb briefing in Moshi
Not Included
International flights
Tanzania visa fees
Personal travel and medical insurance (required)
Sleeping bag (available to rent in Moshi)
Trekking poles (available to rent in Moshi)
Personal clothing and equipment
Tips for guides, porters, and cook (expected — we advise on amounts)
Accommodation in Moshi before/after the climb
Drinks beyond drinking water (sodas, beer, etc.)
