Kilimanjaro, Tanzania
Kilimanjaro – Machame Route
Route detail
About this route
A long acclimatisation profile up the Machame Route to Uhuru Peak, run by a Moshi-based local operator.
Daily activity
4–7 hr/day; summit day 12–15 hr.
Terrain
Rainforest, moorland, lava ridges and high volcanic scree.
Best season
June to October; January to March
Your guide office
Operation Kilimanjaro
Based in Moshi, Tanzania
What's included
Local guides and porters, park fees, camping, all meals.
Not included
Flights, visa, tips, personal gear.
Itinerary
- 1
Machame Gate to camp
Time: 6–8 hr
Rainforest walk to Machame Camp at 3,000 m.
- 2
Shira Plateau
Time: 5–7 hr
Moorland and the first views of the glaciers.
- 3
Lava Tower
Time: 4–6 hr
Climb high, sleep low at Barranco Camp.
- 4
Barranco Wall
Time: 3–5 hr
Hands-on scramble to Karanga Camp.
- 5
Barafu Camp
Time: 2–3 hr
Short day, early dinner, sleep before the summit push.
- 6
Uhuru Peak
Time: 7–9 hr
Midnight start, sunrise on the crater rim, long descent.
- 7
Mweka descent
Time: 5–6 hr
Down through the forest to the gate.
- 8
Moshi & certificates
Time: 5–7 hr
Rest day, debrief and summit certificates.
What to pack
Built for this route's terrain, altitude and number of days. Tick items off as you pack — without the right footwear or hard shell, a guide can refuse to take you up.
0 / 37 packed
Footwear and pack
Broken in before the trip — new boots are the most common cause of an abandoned day.
Clothing layers
Three layers, no cotton. Temperatures can swing 20 °C between valley and summit.
Technical equipment
Your guide office (Operation Kilimanjaro) rents most of this locally — ask when you confirm your dates.
Sun, health and altitude
Above 5,500 m you must be able to describe altitude symptoms to your guide in plain language.
Overnight kit
Keep these in a zipped pocket, not the main compartment.
Boots, crampons, ice axe and harness can usually be rented from Operation Kilimanjaro in Moshi, Tanzania — confirm sizes when you agree your dates.
Traveller feedback
Ratings collected from travellers who completed this route with Operation Kilimanjaro.
4.9
★★★★★214 ratings
“Eight days meant we all made Uhuru without feeling wrecked. The Moshi team were outstanding — porters, food, pacing, everything.”
Questions about this route?
Talk to the guides who run it — gear, fitness, weather windows, private dates. We answer within one working day.
€2,760
per person
Local guides and porters, park fees, camping, all meals.
Next departure · 12 September 2027
10 of 10 spots left
Live availability updates daily and after every booking.