Kilimanjaro's most popular route, with the extra night that gives you a much better chance of reaching the summit: rainforest, the Shira Plateau, Lava Tower and the Barranco Wall.
Machame is the most popular way to the top of Kilimanjaro, and the 7-day version is the one we recommend to most first-time climbers. Every day looks different: rainforest, giant heather, the high Shira Plateau, the Lava Tower and the famous Barranco Wall.
The route follows the climb-high, sleep-low pattern that helps your body adapt to the altitude, and the extra night at Karanga Camp means you arrive at base camp rested. The price also includes a hotel night before and after the climb.
We collect you from your hotel after breakfast and drive about an hour to Machame Gate, where your guide completes the park registration. The trail climbs steadily through thick, mossy rainforest, home to blue and colobus monkeys, to a camp at the edge of the heather zone. About 11 km, 5–7 hours.
Leave the forest for giant heather and rocky ridges. The views open up across the Shira Plateau and, on a clear day, to Kibo's glaciers and Mount Meru in the west. A shorter day that lets your body start adjusting. About 5 km, 4–6 hours.
The most important acclimatisation day. Climb to the 4,630 m Lava Tower for lunch, then walk down into the Barranco Valley, past forests of giant groundsels, to sleep almost 700 m lower. Climbing high and sleeping low prepares your body for summit night. About 10 km, 6–8 hours.
Start the day on the Barranco Wall, a short hands-on scramble that looks harder than it is: your guides show you every step. Then follow the ridges and valleys below the southern glaciers to Karanga Camp, with a quiet afternoon to rest. About 5 km, 4–5 hours.
A short climb over rocky ground to Barafu, the base camp for the summit. Arrive by lunchtime, check your gear with your guide, have an early dinner and sleep for a few hours before the summit attempt. About 4 km, 3–4 hours.
Wake around 11 pm for tea and biscuits and start climbing by headlamp at midnight. After 6–7 hours you reach Stella Point on the crater rim as the sun rises, then walk about an hour more to Uhuru Peak, 5,895 m, the highest point in Africa. After photos at the summit sign, walk down to Barafu for a rest and a meal, then on to Mweka Camp. About 17 km, 12–15 hours.
An easy walk down through the rainforest to Mweka Gate, where you receive your summit certificate and say goodbye to your crew. We drive you back to your hotel for a hot shower and a celebration. About 10 km, 3–4 hours.
Two people share a four-season mountain tent with sleeping mats. Your crew carries and sets up camp, and you eat in a mess tent with a table and chairs. Hot water for washing is brought to your tent each morning and evening.
Per person, it costs $1,990 for 1 person, $1,780 each for 2–4 people, $1,625 each for 5–7 people and $1,525 each for 8 or more people. The final price depends on your travel dates, so ask us for an exact quote.
2 nights in a hotel in Arusha or Moshi, before and after the climb, All nights on the mountain, with tents and camping equipment, Professional, experienced mountain guides, Guides', porters' and cook's salaries, All park fees and rescue fees, All meals on the mountain: large portions of fresh, healthy, nutritious food, Clean, purified drinking water, Arrival and departure transfers and Fair and ethical treatment of porters.
International flights, Tanzania visa fees, Travel insurance that covers trekking up to 6,000 m and helicopter evacuation, Tips for your guides, cook and porters, Personal climbing gear (sleeping bags, poles and warm jackets can be rented) and Alcoholic drinks and personal expenses.
January to mid-March and June to October, the driest months. Climbs run all year.
It starts and ends in Moshi or Arusha.
Yes. Every itinerary can be adjusted to your pace and interests: add a night, swap a lodge, or combine it with Kilimanjaro or Zanzibar. Just ask.
The scenic western Lemosho route in seven days: quiet rainforest, the Shira Plateau, Lava Tower and the Barranco Wall.
The only route from the north: drier, quieter and gentler, with a night by the lake beneath Mawenzi's peaks.
The steep, wild Umbwe route with an extra acclimatisation day at Barranco, for a better chance of reaching the summit.
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