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KILIMANJARO / MACHAME / 6 DAYS

6-Day Kilimanjaro Climb – Machame Route

From the south, cross rainforest and Shira Plateau via Lava Tower, Barranco Wall and Barafu towards Uhuru Peak.

6 days / 5 nights · Tented campsUhuru Peak 5,895 mDescent via Mweka
Trekkers in the Machame source

Overview

Machame approaches from the south through rainforest, moorland, volcanic terrain and alpine desert. Lava Tower to Barranco follows a climb-high, sleep-low stage; six days allows less acclimatisation time than a seven-day itinerary.

DAY BY DAY

Day-by-day itinerary

  1. 01

    Day 1: Machame Gate → Machame Camp

    Register at the gate and follow rainforest trails among tall trees, moss and dense vegetation towards Machame Camp.

    Trekking guide · 1,800 → 2,835 m · ~11 km · 5–7 h

    Accommodation
    Machame Camp
    Meals
    Lunch and dinner
  2. 02

    Day 2: Machame Camp → Shira Camp

    Leave the rainforest for heath and moorland, ascending to Shira Plateau for an afternoon of rest and acclimatisation.

    Trekking guide · 2,835 → 3,750 m · ~5 km · 4–6 h

    Accommodation
    Shira Camp
    Meals
    Breakfast, lunch and dinner
  3. 03

    Day 3: Shira → Lava Tower → Barranco

    Climb to Lava Tower at approximately 4,630 metres, then descend to Barranco Valley after lunch, following a climb-high, sleep-low acclimatisation stage.

    Trekking guide · 3,750 → 4,630 → 3,900 m · ~10 km · 6–8 h

    Accommodation
    Barranco Camp
    Meals
    Breakfast, lunch and dinner
  4. 04

    Day 4: Barranco → Karanga → Barafu

    Climb Barranco Wall, pass through Karanga Valley for lunch and continue to Barafu. Prepare summit equipment, eat early and rest.

    Trekking guide · 3,900 → 3,995 → 4,673 m · ~9 km · 7–9 h

    Accommodation
    Barafu Camp
    Meals
    Breakfast, lunch and dinner
  5. 05

    Day 5: Barafu → Uhuru Peak → Mweka

    Start around midnight via Stella Point towards Uhuru Peak. Descend to Barafu for a short rest, then continue to Mweka as weather, health and progress permit.

    Trekking guide · 4,673 → 5,895 → 3,100 m · ~16 km · 12–16 h

    Accommodation
    Mweka Camp
    Meals
    Breakfast, lunch and dinner, with summit snacks and fluids
  6. 06

    Day 6: Mweka Camp → Mweka Gate

    Descend through rainforest to Mweka Gate, complete exit formalities and receive certificates where eligible, then transfer to Arusha or Moshi.

    Trekking guide · 3,100 → 1,640 m · ~10 km · 3–4 h

    Accommodation
    Departure; no overnight stay
    Meals
    Breakfast and lunch

Included

  • National park entry, applicable camping or hut fees and rescue fees
  • Return transfers between Arusha or Moshi and the mountain gates
  • Professional mountain guides, porters and cooks
  • Mountain accommodation, meals and drinking water as described
  • Basic first-aid supplies and routine monitoring by the mountain crew
  • Summit certificate where the qualifying summit point is reached

Excluded

  • International and domestic flights
  • Visa fees and travel insurance with appropriate high-altitude cover
  • Hotels before and after the climb, unless specified
  • Personal trekking clothing, boots, sleeping bag, poles and headlamp
  • Tips for guides, porters and cooks
  • Alcoholic and other personal drinks
  • Laundry and other personal expenses
  • Other services not specifically listed as included

Elevations, distances and walking times are approximate and may change with weather, trail conditions and the group’s pace. High-altitude trekking is demanding and the summit is not guaranteed; guides may adjust the plan to conditions. Confirm preparation, equipment, high-altitude insurance, transfers and inclusions before departure. Hotels before and after the climb require separate confirmation.

Photos from the supplied itinerary illustrate the route.

PHOTO CREDITS

Views of the wild and the mountains

Hero photograph: Gijs Tool / Unsplash ↗

Plains photograph: Husha Bilimale / Unsplash ↗

Kilimanjaro photograph: Sergey Pesterev / Unsplash ↗

Photographs illustrate travel ideas, not specific itineraries, accommodation or guaranteed wildlife sightings. The summit photograph was taken from Amboseli, Kenya.