Kilimanjaro trek
6 Day Kilimanjaro Trek — Machame Route, with 2 Hotel Nights
The scenic southern approach, camping rather than huts, with a better acclimatisation profile.
- Route
- Machame
- Trekking days
- 6
- Total trip length
- 8 days, including 2 hotel nights in Arusha
- Summit
- Uhuru Peak, 5,895 m
- Accommodation on the mountain
- Tented camps
- Starts and ends
- Kilimanjaro International Airport
- Price
- On request
Overview
What this trip is.
Machame approaches Kilimanjaro from the south-west and is the more scenic of the two routes we run. It is a camping route — tents rather than huts — and the walking is steeper in places than Marangu.
Its profile suits acclimatisation better. The route climbs to the Lava Tower at around 4,600 m and then descends to sleep lower at Barranco, which is the classic climb-high-sleep-low pattern. Summit success rates on Machame are generally reported as higher than on Marangu.
The Barranco Wall on the fourth morning is the one section people ask about: a steep scramble with hands on rock, but not technical climbing.
Highlights
What you get out of it.
- A better acclimatisation profile than Marangu
- The Lava Tower at around 4,600 m, then a descent to sleep at Barranco
- The Barranco Wall scramble
- More varied scenery than the hut route
- Two hotel nights in Arusha either side of the trek
Before quoting
Confirmed with your quotation.
Confirm the current mountain-operator itinerary, elevations, meal basis, park and rescue fee treatment, hut or camp arrangements, equipment, crew and transfers before quoting.
Day by day
How the days run.
This operational outline is confirmed with your quotation. Your mountain operator sets the final sequence and pace for the conditions and the group.
Day 1Kilimanjaro Airport → Arusha
Arrive and settle.
You are met at Kilimanjaro International Airport and transferred to your hotel in Arusha. Your guide runs an equipment and briefing check the same evening.
- Activities
- Airport transfer · Kit check and briefing
- Meals
- Dinner
- Overnight
- Arusha
Day 2Machame Gate → Machame Camp
Up through the rainforest.
A transfer to Machame Gate at 1,800 m for registration, then a long first day climbing through dense montane rainforest. The path is often muddy and the canopy rarely opens. Machame Camp sits at around 3,000 m, just above the treeline.
- Activities
- Registration at Machame Gate · Rainforest trek to Machame Camp
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Overnight
- On the mountain
Day 3Machame Camp → Shira Camp
Onto the Shira Plateau.
A shorter but steeper day climbing out of the heath onto the open Shira Plateau at around 3,850 m. Kibo comes into full view for the first time, and the afternoon is usually free for a short acclimatisation walk.
- Activities
- Trek to Shira Camp · Optional acclimatisation walk
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Overnight
- On the mountain
Day 4Shira Camp → Lava Tower → Barranco Camp
Climb high, sleep low.
The most useful day on the route. You climb east across the alpine desert to the Lava Tower at around 4,600 m, eat lunch there, and then descend to Barranco Camp at 3,960 m to sleep. Losing that altitude before bed is what makes the difference on summit night.
- Activities
- Ascent to the Lava Tower · Descent to Barranco Camp
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Overnight
- On the mountain
Day 5Barranco Camp → Karanga → Barafu Camp
The Barranco Wall, then the ridge.
The morning starts with the Barranco Wall — a steep scramble with hands on rock, but not technical climbing. Beyond it the route crosses the Karanga Valley and climbs the ridge to Barafu Camp at 4,670 m. You eat early and sleep early.
- Activities
- Barranco Wall scramble · Karanga Valley crossing · Ascent to Barafu Camp
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Overnight
- On the mountain
Day 6Barafu Camp → Uhuru Peak → Mweka Camp
Summit night, and a long way down.
You leave around midnight for the slow climb to Stella Point on the crater rim, usually near sunrise, then round the rim to Uhuru Peak at 5,895 m. The descent is long: back to Barafu, then on down to Mweka Camp at 3,100 m for the night.
- Activities
- Summit attempt to Uhuru Peak · Descent to Mweka Camp
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Overnight
- On the mountain
Day 7Mweka Camp → Mweka Gate → Arusha
Back down through the forest.
A steady descent through moorland and back into the rainforest to Mweka Gate, where summit certificates are issued. A transfer takes you to your hotel in Arusha.
- Activities
- Descent to Mweka Gate · Transfer to Arusha
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Overnight
- Arusha
Day 8Arusha → Kilimanjaro Airport
Departure.
A transfer to Kilimanjaro International Airport for your onward flight.
- Activities
- Departure transfer
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Overnight
- The trip ends today
Package detail
What the price covers.
What’s included
- Two hotel nights; the property and meal basis are confirmed with your quotation
Not included
- International flights
- Tanzania visa and entry fees
- Travel and high-altitude insurance
- Personal trekking equipment and sleeping bag
- Tips for the mountain crew
- Drinks and items of a personal nature
Pricing
Clear before you commit.
We have not loaded a contracted rate for this tier yet, and we would rather quote you accurately than estimate. Price depends on dates, occupancy, park fees, vehicle arrangements and accommodation availability.
Request this tripPlan your safari
Add this to a safari.
6 Day Kilimanjaro Trek — Machame Route, with 2 Hotel Nights works alongside a safari as well as on its own. Tell us what else you are planning and we will build the whole trip around it.
A guided enquiry, not an instant booking. No obligation.
