Kilimanjaro climb · Private crew
Kilimanjaro: Machame Route, 7 Days
The most popular route up Kilimanjaro: rainforest, the Shira Plateau, the Barranco Wall and a sunrise summit at Uhuru Peak, 5,895 m.
- 7 days
- Uhuru Peak, 5,895 m
- Private guide and crew
From$2,821per climber, group of six
Climb overview
Your climb at a glance
- Length7 days on the mountain
- SummitUhuru Peak, 5,895 m
- DifficultyChallenging
- DistanceAbout 62 km
- Starts and endsMachame Gate → Mweka Gate
- Best monthsJan – Mar, Jun – Oct
- Five distinct climate zones — rainforest, moorland, alpine desert, and arctic summit.
- The dramatic Barranco Wall scramble — a highlight for most climbers, easier than it looks.
- A "climb high, sleep low" acclimatisation day via the Lava Tower.
- Private guide and porter crew throughout, carrying camp gear and setting up each site.
Where you walk
Route map
Your route, camp by camp
- 1Start Machame GateDay 1 · start · 1,800 m
- 2Machame CampDay 1 · Night 1 · 2,850 m
- 3Shira CampDay 2 · Night 2 · 3,840 m
- 4Lava TowerDay 3 · acclimatisation stop · 4,630 m
- 5Barranco CampDay 3 · Night 3 · 3,960 m
- 6Karanga CampDay 4 · Night 4 · 4,035 m
- 7Barafu CampDay 5 · Night 5 · 4,673 m
- 8Uhuru PeakDay 6 · summit · 5,895 m
- 9Mweka CampDay 6 · Night 6 · 3,100 m
- 10End Mweka GateDay 7 · finish · 1,640 m
Approximate route between camps.
Itinerary
Day by day
Register at Machame Gate, then climb through montane rainforest to Machame Camp — typically around 5–6 hours of walking.
TonightMachame Camp (2,850m)Full board
Climb out of the forest onto the open moorland of the Shira Plateau, with your first clear views of Kibo's summit on a fine day — around 5 hours.
TonightShira Camp (3,840m)Full board
A key acclimatisation day: climb up to the Lava Tower (4,630m) for lunch, then descend to camp at a lower altitude — "climb high, sleep low." Around 6–7 hours.
TonightBarranco Camp (3,960m)Full board
A short but memorable day — scramble up the Barranco Wall (easier than it looks, no technical climbing) then continue to Karanga Camp. Around 4–5 hours.
TonightKaranga Camp (4,035m)Full board
A shorter day to Barafu ("Ice Camp") — your base camp for the summit push. Rest and prepare through the afternoon before an early night. Around 4 hours.
TonightBarafu Camp (4,673m)Full boardDepart around midnight for the summit push, reaching Uhuru Peak (5,895m) around sunrise, then descend all the way to Mweka Camp — a long day, typically 12–14 hours in total.
TonightMweka Camp (3,100m)Full boardA final descent through rainforest to Mweka Gate, where you'll receive your summit certificate before transferring back to your Arusha or Moshi hotel. Around 3–4 hours.
Want an extra acclimatisation day or a safari after the climb? Ask us to adjust it
Where you sleep
Camps on this climb
Mountain camp · 2,850m
Machame Camp
About this campTents pitched by your crew · Dining tent · Hot meals
1 nightMountain camp · 3,850m
Shira 2 Camp
About this campTents pitched by your crew · Dining tent · Hot meals
1 nightMountain camp · 3,960m
Barranco Camp
About this campTents pitched by your crew · Dining tent · Hot meals
1 nightMountain camp · 4,035m
Karanga Camp
About this campTents pitched by your crew · Dining tent · Hot meals
1 nightMountain camp · 4,673m
Barafu Camp
About this campTents pitched by your crew · Dining tent · Hot meals
1 nightMountain camp · 3,100m
Mweka Camp
About this campTents pitched by your crew · Dining tent · Hot meals
1 night
On every climb: a head guide, a cook, a waiter, a toilet porter and four porters per climber.
What it costs
Climb pricing
| Climb | 1 climber | 2 climbers | 3 climbers | 4 climbers | 5 climbers | 6+ climbersBest value | Quote |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Private climb, full crew | $4,266 | $3,351 | $3,072 | $3,010 | $2,951 | $2,821 | Get quote |
- Per climber. Crew size depends on group size, so the price per person falls as more of you climb together.
- Deposit to confirm: 20% for camping safaris, 40% for lodge safaris.
The fine print
What the price covers
Included
- Your own guide and porter crew for the full climb
- Park entry & camping fees
- Tents, sleeping mats and camp meals throughout the trek
- Transfers between your hotel and the gates
- Summit certificate on completion
Not included
- International & domestic flights
- Tanzania visa fees
- Sleeping bag & personal trekking gear
- Tips for your guide and porter crew
- Travel & medical/evacuation insurance
Tipping your crew Tipping guide
- Head guideUS$20–25 per day
- Assistant guideUS$15–20 per day
- CookUS$15–20 per day
- Assistant cookUS$10–15 per day
- PorterUS$10–15 per day
In pictures
Photo gallery
Good to know
Questions about this climb
Do I need climbing experience?
No. It is a long walk at altitude with one easy scramble (the Barranco Wall). Good fitness and a steady pace matter more.
Which route should I choose?
Lemosho for the best acclimatisation and a quieter start. Machame for great scenery in fewer days. Marangu if you prefer huts to tents.
When is the best time to climb?
January to March and June to October are the driest months on the mountain.
What if I feel ill at altitude?
Your guide checks your oxygen and pulse every evening. If symptoms get worse, you descend with a member of the crew; going down is the treatment.
Is a sleeping bag included?
No. Bring a four-season bag, or ask us to rent one in Moshi.
How much should we tip the crew?
Roughly US$20–25 a day for the head guide and US$10–15 a day per porter. The full table is on our tipping page.
Before you go
What to pack
Mountain packing listSleeping and warmth
- Four-season sleeping bag (rated −10 °C or lower)
- Waterproof jacket and trousers
- Insulated down jacket for summit night
- Warm hat, gloves and buff
On your feet
- Broken-in waterproof hiking boots
- Trekking poles
Gear
- Head torch with spare batteries
- 2–3 litres of water capacity
- Daypack of about 30 litres
Sun and health
- Sun hat, sunglasses, high-SPF sunscreen
- Personal medication
- Hand sanitiser
Guest reviews
Travellers on travelling with Makini
5.0Excellent · 105+ reviews
The communication with the company was very good, and we were in good hands from the minute we arrived… we got a lot of value for the money.
Saudat N. TripAdvisor The communication with Lucas via WhatsApp was always very friendly, direct and immediate… our tour guide Aboh was very familiar with all animals and plants.
Godfrey M. TripAdvisor Great value local Tanzanian operator that provided an unforgettable safari experience.
Damas F. TripAdvisor
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Make this climb your own
Tell us your dates and how many are climbing. We’ll send the plan back with your price, and add a safari or Zanzibar if you’d like.