Overview
Machame is the most popular route on Kilimanjaro. It climbs steeply through rainforest on the southern side, crosses the Shira Plateau and follows the southern circuit under the glaciers. It is busier than Lemosho but offers superb scenery and a good acclimatisation profile over 7 days.
Who it suits
Machame Route is best for
- Fit hikers who want a classic in 7 days
- Travellers on a tighter budget
- Anyone who enjoys a short scramble on the Barranco Wall
Altitude profile
How the climb builds, day by day
- Stage
- Machame Gate to Machame Camp
- Camp
- Machame Camp
- Sleeping altitude
- 2,835 m
- Highest point
- 2,835 m
- Walking
- 5–7 hours
Altitudes are indicative and confirmed per route by your guide.
Itinerary
Day-by-day plan
Day 1Machame Gate to Machame Camp
- Sleep 2,835 m
- High point 2,835 m
- 5–7 hours
- 11 km
Walk through dense rainforest on a steady climb.
Day 2Machame to Shira Cave
- Sleep 3,750 m
- High point 3,750 m
- 4–6 hours
- 5 km
Steeper ground through heath and moorland onto the Shira Plateau.
Day 3Lava Tower to Barranco
- Sleep 3,960 m
- High point 4,630 m
- 6–8 hours
- 10 km
Climb high to Lava Tower, then descend to sleep lower in the Barranco Valley.
Day 4Barranco Wall to Karanga
- Sleep 4,035 m
- High point 4,200 m
- 4–5 hours
- 5 km
Scramble the Barranco Wall, then contour to Karanga.
Day 5Karanga to Barafu
- Sleep 4,673 m
- High point 4,673 m
- 4–5 hours
- 4 km
Short climb to base camp and rest.
Day 6Summit day
- Sleep 3,100 m
- High point 5,895 m
- 12–16 hours
- 17 km
Midnight start, sunrise at Stella Point, Uhuru Peak, then a long descent.
Day 7Mweka Gate
- Sleep 1,640 m
- High point 3,100 m
- 3–4 hours
- 10 km
Final descent through the forest.
Group departures
Join a group on this route
Machame · 7 days
$2,350
Reserve · $200 deposit for Machame · 7 daysMachame · 7 days
$2,350
Reserve · $200 deposit for Machame · 7 daysMachame · 7 days
$2,350
Reserve · $200 deposit for Machame · 7 daysThe price
What's included
Included
- Park, camping and rescue fees
- Licensed lead guide, assistant guides, cook and porters
- All meals on the mountain and filtered drinking water
- Four-season tents, sleeping mats and a mess tent
- Oxygen, pulse oximeter checks twice a day and first-aid kit
- Two nights at a hotel in Moshi or Arusha
- Airport transfers on arrival and departure
Not included
- International flights and Tanzania visa
- Travel insurance with high-altitude cover
- Tips for the mountain crew (guideline provided)
- Personal gear and sleeping bag (rental available)
- Drinks and meals in town not listed
Questions
Frequently asked
How hard is the Machame Route?
No technical climbing is needed. You walk 4–7 hours most days; summit night is the hardest at 12–16 hours. A steady pace and good acclimatisation matter more than raw fitness.
Is 7 days enough to acclimatise?
Longer itineraries give your body more time to adjust and have clearly higher summit rates. Your advisor can add an extra acclimatisation day if you want more margin.
What happens if someone feels unwell?
Guides check oxygen saturation and pulse twice a day. Every group carries bottled oxygen and a stretcher, and anyone showing serious altitude symptoms descends with a guide straight away.
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