Kilimanjaro Machame Route (7 Days)

Please refer to price guide for a list of our upcoming Machame fixed departures. For private climb rates, please contact us.

Kilimanjaro Machame Route (7 Days)

OPEN GROUPS AVAILABLE | The seven-day Machame route sees you climb to Kilimanjaro’s summit via Shira Plateau, the Southern Flank, Barranco Wall and Barafu. The descent is via the wilderness Mweka Route. This is a popular and approachable trek, offering a good acclimatisation profile.

Outline Itinerary

  1. Day 1: Arrive Arusha (1 night, Moivaro Coffee Lodge)

    On arrival at the airport, you will be met by our driver/guide and transferred to Moivaro Lodge for one night (half-board).

  2. Day 2: Start the 7-Day Machame Route climb

    Depart Moivaro Lodge after breakfast and transfer approx. 3 hours to the Machame trailhead (1,800m), on the south-western face of Kilimanjaro. After a final orientation and kit check, we register at Machame Gate, then begin the 7-day Machame Route climb.

  3. Day 3: To Shira Hut

    This morning’s trek is steep to begin with, as we leave the forest belt and ascend a high ridge to reach Shira Plateau. The rest of the route is on more level terrain, as we make our way through the heath and moorland that characterises Kilimanjaro’s low Alpine zone to reach our camp at Shira Hut (3,895m).

  4. Day 4: To Barranco Camp

    A superb day’s trek that takes us to the southern flank, then down the spectacularly scenic Barranco Valley to our camp at 3,900m, Barranco Huts.

  5. Day 5: To Karanga Valley Camp

    Early morning climb up Barranco Wall (4,270m), with 800ft. of steep climbing and 400ft. of easy ascent, to admire the views of Meru and the plains far below.

  6. Day 6: To Barafu Camp

    We leave the Karanga Valley this morning, following an easy path on compact scree, and gaining altitude rapidly as we approach Barafu campsite (4,680m).

  7. Day 7: Summit Night

    We start our ascent by torchlight just after midnight so that we can be up on the Crater rim by sunrise. The steep climb over loose volcanic scree has some well-graded zigzags.

  8. Day 8: Descend Mountain (1 night, Moivaro Coffee Lodge)

    A sustained descent on a well-trodden path through tropical rainforest to the National Park gate at Mweka (1,650m), and then on to Mweka village. [3-5 hours walking].

  9. Day 9: International Departure

    This morning is spent at leisure at Moivaro Lodge until your scheduled transfer to Kilimanjaro Airport for your homeward flight or onward connection.

Price guide

Price applicable to our open group departures, which depart at fixed dates throughout the year - see available departure dates below. For private departures, please see our rates chart.
Pricing

9 days from £2434pp

  • Date: 08/01/2025 - 16/01/2025

    Pricing: 9 days from £2,434pp

  • Date: 09/03/2025 - 17/03/2025

    Pricing: 9 days from £2,434pp

  • Date: 03/07/2025 - 11/07/2025

    Pricing: 9 days from £2,434pp

  • Date: 02/08/2025 - 10/08/2025

    Pricing: 9 days from £2,434pp

  • Date: 31/08/2025 - 08/09/2025

    Pricing: 9 days from £2,434pp

  • Date: 30/09/2025 - 08/10/2025

    Pricing: 9 days from £2,434pp

Pricing

9 days from £2434pp

Father and Son at the summit of Kilimanjaro

Everything went according to plan, in fact there wasn't a single hitch, so well done for that!

Steve and Ryan

Self-drive holiday in South Africa

Thank you for organising such a wonderful holiday. From the start to the finish it exceeded all expectations.

Beth and Phil