Climbers scrambling up the rock of the Barranco Wall, porters among them

7 Days Machame Route

The classic Kilimanjaro adventure

7 days
Duration: 5,895 m
Highest point: Challenging
Difficulty: Machame
Route: Machame Gate → Mweka Gate
Start / finish

Overview

Kilimanjaro’s celebrated southern approach combines dramatic terrain with an effective acclimatization pattern. Our seven-day version adds the time serious climbers need to move conservatively and arrive at summit night better prepared.

This trip is best for

Adventurous trekkers wanting Kilimanjaro’s classic camping route with a strong balance of challenge, scenery and acclimatization.

The altitude profile

Circles mark where you sleep. Those are the altitudes that decide how you feel, not the high points you walk over during the day.

7 Days Machame Route elevation profile Route Sleeping altitude

7 Days Machame Route elevation profile
Day	Location	Altitude (m)	Distance (km)	Overnight
1	Machame Gate	1,800	0	No
1	Machame Camp	3,000	11	Yes
2	Shira Camp	3,840	16	Yes
3	Barranco Camp	3,900	26	Yes
4	Karanga Camp	3,995	31	Yes
5	Barafu Camp	4,673	35	Yes
6	Uhuru Peak	5,895	43.5	No
6	Mweka Camp	3,100	52	Yes
7	Mweka Gate	1,640	62	No

Day by day

Machame Gate to Machame Camp

1,800 m → 3,000 m
11 km
5–7 hrs
Rainforest

↑ 1,200 m gained

Enter dense montane forest on a steady ascent. Guides establish the expedition rhythm from the first hour: pole pole, efficient movement and regular hydration.

From: Machame Gate
To: Machame Camp
Sleeping altitude: 3,000 m (9,843 ft)
Highest point: 3,000 m

Machame Camp to Shira Camp

3,000 m → 3,840 m
5 km
4–6 hrs
Heath and moorland

↑ 840 m gained

Climb onto the Shira Plateau as vegetation becomes lower and views expand toward Kibo and Mount Meru.

From: Machame Camp
To: Shira Camp
Sleeping altitude: 3,840 m (12,598 ft)
Highest point: 3,840 m

Shira via Lava Tower to Barranco Camp

3,840 m → 3,900 m
10 km
6–8 hrs
Alpine desert

↑ 60 m gained

Ascend toward Lava Tower at roughly 4,600 m, then descend to Barranco. The altitude exposure is strategically valuable for acclimatization.

From: Shira via Lava Tower
To: Barranco Camp
Sleeping altitude: 3,900 m (12,795 ft)
Highest point: 3,900 m

Barranco to Karanga Camp

3,900 m → 3,995 m
5 km
4–5 hrs
Alpine desert

↑ 95 m gained

Negotiate the famous Barranco Wall under guide supervision, then traverse ridges and valleys to Karanga.

From: Barranco
To: Karanga Camp
Sleeping altitude: 3,995 m (13,107 ft)
Highest point: 3,995 m

Karanga to Barafu Camp

3,995 m → 4,673 m
4 km
3–4 hrs
High alpine desert

↑ 678 m gained

Reach summit base camp early enough to rest, eat and prepare equipment. The guide conducts the final summit and health briefing.

From: Karanga
To: Barafu Camp
Sleeping altitude: 4,673 m (15,331 ft)
Highest point: 4,673 m

Barafu to Uhuru Peak to Mweka Camp

4,673 m → 3,100 m
17 km
12–16 hrs
Arctic summit to rainforest

↑ 1,222 m gained ↓ 2,795 m descended Sleeps 3,100 m

A midnight ascent leads via Stella Point to Uhuru Peak. After photographs and a controlled descent, continue down to Mweka Camp.

From: Barafu
To: Mweka Camp
Sleeping altitude: 3,100 m (10,171 ft)
Highest point: 5,895 m

Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate

3,100 m → 1,640 m
10 km
3–4 hrs
Rainforest

Descend through the forest, complete park formalities and celebrate with the mountain team before returning to Moshi.

From: Mweka Camp
To: Mweka Gate
Sleeping altitude: 1,640 m (5,381 ft)
Highest point: 1,640 m

Route map

Where this itinerary goes, night by night. Every camp and altitude on the map is the one in the day-by-day above.

Ascent Descent Overnight camp Schematic map, not to scale: positions are approximate and not for navigation. Altitudes are from our itineraries. Terrain: SRTM (NASA), via Terrain Tiles on AWS.

What is and is not included

What is included

Transfers

Airport pick-up and drop-off - Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) to/from your hotel
Private transfers to/from the mountain gate - Hotel to Kilimanjaro trailhead and exit gate to hotel

Meals & water

Pre & post-climb accommodation - 2 nights in Moshi (1 night before and 1 night after the climb) on Bed & Breakfast basis
Three freshly prepared meals per day on the mountain - breakfast, lunch and dinner
Nutritious snacks during the trek
Clean, purified drinking water throughout the climb
Hot water for washing each morning and evening where practical

Permits & park fees

Kilimanjaro National Park entrance fees
Camping fees / Hut fees - depending on the selected route
All applicable government taxes & VAT
Kilimanjaro summit certificate for successful climbers

Safety equipment

Kilimanjaro National Park rescue fees
Emergency supplemental oxygen
Pulse oximeter for monitoring blood oxygen saturation and pulse during the climb
First-aid kit and mountain emergency equipment
Daily health monitoring by the mountain guide
24/7 emergency communication support between the mountain team and operations office

Guides & crew

Professional, licensed English-speaking Kilimanjaro mountain guide
Assistant mountain guides - according to group size
Professional mountain chef/cook
Porters - to carry group equipment, food and clients permitted duffel luggage
All mountain crew wages and salaries
Cooking tent and complete camp equipment
Private portable flush/chemical toilet with dedicated toilet tent and porter - throughout the trek on camping routes

Camping equipment

Quality four-season mountain tents - on camping routes
Comfortable sleeping mattresses
Dining/mess tent with tables and chairs

Also included

Pre-climb briefing and equipment check
All logistical and operational support throughout the expedition

What is not included

International and domestic flights
Tanzania entry visa
Travel and medical insurance - clients should have appropriate coverage for high-altitude trekking up to at least 6,000 metres
Helicopter/air evacuation or specialist medical evacuation unless specifically included by the client insurance policy
Personal trekking equipment and clothing, including hiking boots, sleeping bag, down jacket, trekking poles, daypack and other personal gear
Equipment rental, unless specifically included in the quotation
Tips/gratuities for mountain guides, assistant guides, cook and porters
Lunch and dinner at the hotel before or after the climb unless specified
Soft drinks, alcoholic beverages and bottled drinks outside those specifically included
Personal snacks and energy bars brought by the client
Laundry services
Telephone calls, SIM cards, internet/data charges and other communication expenses
Additional hotel nights or transfers caused by flight changes, early arrival or late departure
Single-room or single-tent supplement, where applicable
Extra porter required for luggage exceeding the permitted mountain weight
Personal expenses such as souvenirs and shopping
Any activities, accommodation, meals, transfers or services not specifically stated in the itinerary
Costs arising from itinerary changes requested by the client or circumstances outside the company control

Dates and prices

Private climb prices by party size
Party size	Per person
1 climber Private Solo Expedition — Maximum privacy.	US$3,115

Scheduled group prices by party size
Party size	Per person
2–4 climbers Small Group Rate — Shared value.	US$2,870
5–7 climbers Group Discount Rate — Preferred group rate.	US$2,625
8+ climbers Best Group Rate — Best value per climber.	US$2,450

International Mountain Day

Summit 11 December 2026

Start 6 Dec 2026 · gate 12 Dec 2026

Available US$2,625 Join this climb
Full Moon

Summit 24 December 2026

Start 19 Dec 2026 · gate 25 Dec 2026

Available US$2,625 Join this climb
Christmas Day

Summit 25 December 2026

Start 20 Dec 2026 · gate 26 Dec 2026

Available US$2,625 Join this climb

New Year’s Day

Summit 1 January 2027

Start 27 Dec 2026 · gate 2 Jan 2027

Available US$2,625 Join this climb
Full Moon

Summit 22 January 2027

Start 17 Jan 2027 · gate 23 Jan 2027

Available US$2,625 Join this climb

Full Moon

Summit 21 February 2027

Start 16 Feb 2027 · gate 22 Feb 2027

Available US$2,625 Join this climb

International Women’s Day

Summit 8 March 2027

Start 3 Mar 2027 · gate 9 Mar 2027

Available US$2,625 Join this climb
Full Moon

Summit 22 March 2027

Start 17 Mar 2027 · gate 23 Mar 2027

Available US$2,625 Join this climb

World Environment Day

Summit 5 June 2027

Start 31 May 2027 · gate 6 Jun 2027

Available US$2,625 Join this climb
Full Moon

Summit 19 June 2027

Start 14 Jun 2027 · gate 20 Jun 2027

Available US$2,625 Join this climb

Full Moon

Summit 18 July 2027

Start 13 Jul 2027 · gate 19 Jul 2027

Available US$2,625 Join this climb

Full Moon

Summit 17 August 2027

Start 12 Aug 2027 · gate 18 Aug 2027

Available US$2,625 Join this climb

Full Moon

Summit 16 September 2027

Start 11 Sep 2027 · gate 17 Sep 2027

Available US$2,625 Join this climb
World Tourism Day

Summit 27 September 2027

Start 22 Sep 2027 · gate 28 Sep 2027

Available US$2,625 Join this climb

Full Moon

Summit 15 October 2027

Start 10 Oct 2027 · gate 16 Oct 2027

Available US$2,625 Join this climb

International Mountain Day

Summit 11 December 2027

Start 6 Dec 2027 · gate 12 Dec 2027

Available US$2,625 Join this climb
Full Moon

Summit 13 December 2027

Start 8 Dec 2027 · gate 14 Dec 2027

Available US$2,625 Join this climb
Christmas Day

Summit 25 December 2027

Start 20 Dec 2027 · gate 26 Dec 2027

Available US$2,625 Join this climb

New Year’s Day

Summit 1 January 2028

Start 27 Dec 2027 · gate 2 Jan 2028

Available US$2,625 Join this climb
Full Moon

Summit 12 January 2028

Start 7 Jan 2028 · gate 13 Jan 2028

Available US$2,625 Join this climb

Full Moon

Summit 10 February 2028

Start 5 Feb 2028 · gate 11 Feb 2028

Available US$2,625 Join this climb

International Women’s Day

Summit 8 March 2028

Start 3 Mar 2028 · gate 9 Mar 2028

Available US$2,625 Join this climb
Full Moon

Summit 11 March 2028

Start 6 Mar 2028 · gate 12 Mar 2028

Available US$2,625 Join this climb

World Environment Day

Summit 5 June 2028

Start 31 May 2028 · gate 6 Jun 2028

Available US$2,625 Join this climb
Full Moon

Summit 7 June 2028

Start 2 Jun 2028 · gate 8 Jun 2028

Available US$2,625 Join this climb

Full Moon

Summit 6 July 2028

Start 1 Jul 2028 · gate 7 Jul 2028

Available US$2,625 Join this climb

Full Moon

Summit 5 August 2028

Start 31 Jul 2028 · gate 6 Aug 2028

Available US$2,625 Join this climb

Full Moon

Summit 4 September 2028

Start 30 Aug 2028 · gate 5 Sep 2028

Available US$2,625 Join this climb
World Tourism Day

Summit 27 September 2028

Start 22 Sep 2028 · gate 28 Sep 2028

Available US$2,625 Join this climb

Full Moon

Summit 3 October 2028

Start 28 Sep 2028 · gate 4 Oct 2028

Available US$2,625 Join this climb

Full Moon

Summit 2 December 2028

Start 27 Nov 2028 · gate 3 Dec 2028

Available US$2,625 Join this climb
International Mountain Day

Summit 11 December 2028

Start 6 Dec 2028 · gate 12 Dec 2028

Available US$2,625 Join this climb
Christmas Day

Summit 25 December 2028

Start 20 Dec 2028 · gate 26 Dec 2028

Available US$2,625 Join this climb

These are the scheduled dates for this itinerary. See every group departure across all our routes, or ask about your own dates.

What to bring

You will walk through five climate zones in a week, from humid rainforest to sub-zero arctic. Layering is the whole strategy — no single garment solves it.

The full packing list What you can rent locally

From

US$2,450 Per person. The rate falls as the group grows — see the table below.

Next departure 6 Dec 2026

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Download the itinerary (PDF)

Tanzania-based team, not a reseller
A person replies — no automated quotes
No deposit taken until the plan is right

From

US$2,450

Plan this climb