The Best of Machame Route in 6 Days: Your World's Summit Guide

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Overview

Available languages

English

144 hours

Mobile ticket

Discover the ultimate journey on Kilimanjaro's Machame Route with this step-by-step guide in 6-days to conquer the world's highest summit in Africa. The best of 6 days in Machame route is a popular trekking route to the world's summit of Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, Africa known for its scenic beauty & relatively.

The Machame route, part of the 6 Days in Machame approaches the summit from the southwest & descends using the Mweka route, rewarding climbers with views of the expansive Shira Plateau, an optional scramble up Lava Tower, a climb up the Great Barranco Wall and a traverse underneath Kilimanjaro’s southern ice field, showcasing the best of the world's beauty.

The recommended best times of the year to trek Mt. Kilimanjaro in the 6-day Machame Route is during the dry seasons, from December to mid-March and from June to October. During these periods weather conditions are best with clear skies, great views, little to no rain and sunshine making it an enjoyable and safer trek.

Additional Info

Public transportation options are available nearby

Not recommended for pregnant travelers

Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health

Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

What‘s Included

Drop off at the hotel you booked in Moshi town from Mweka gate after descending down from Mountain.

High-quality branded group equipment (dining tent, sleeping pads, table, chairs, crockery & cutlery.

Briefing

Professional climbing crew (Guide, porters, camp masters, cooks)

Trekking certificate

Breakfast, lunch, and dinner during the trekking

pick up from the hotel you booked in Moshi town to Machame Gate.

Vegetarian, vegan, lastose-free, gluten-free, halal and other meal plans are available

All fees collected by the Kilimanjaro National Park

Tips to mountain crew

The hotel accommodations before and after trek in town

Pick up and drop off at the Airport

Other pick-up location's shown in the package not included

Flight ( Domestic & International )

Personal Hiking Gears

Pickup from Arusha to Moshi (Kilimanjaro) is available at an additional cost.

Meeting and Pickup

Pickup points

Select a pickup point

What To Expect

Day 1

Machame Gate to Machame Camp

Accommodations

Machame Camp.

1

Mount Kilimanjaro

On Day 1, you will drive for about 45 minutes from Moshi to Machame Gate, passing through the village of Machame. After departing from the park gate, you'll hike through the rain forest on a winding trail. The elevation will increase from 1830m (6000ft) to 3050m (9950ft) over a distance of 11km (7mi), taking approximately 5-6 hours. The habitat during this hike is montane forest, and you'll enjoy lunch and dinner before overnighting at Machame Camp.

Admission Not Applicable
Day 2

Machame Camp to Shira Camp

Accommodations

Shira Camp.

1

Mount Kilimanjaro

On Day 2, after breakfast, you'll leave the glades of the rain forest and continue on an ascending path. You'll cross a valley along a steep rocky ridge, then turn west onto a river gorge until you reach the Shira campsite. The elevation will rise from 3050m (9950ft) to 3850m (12,600ft) over a distance of 5km (3mi), with a hiking time of 4-5 hours. The habitat changes to moorland, and you'll be provided with breakfast, lunch, and dinner before overnighting at Shira Camp.

6 minutes • Admission Not Included
Day 3

Shira Camp to Lava Tower to Barranco Camp

Accommodations

Barranco Camp.

1

Mount Kilimanjaro

Day 3 begins with a hike from Shira Camp, continuing east up a ridge while passing the junction towards Kibo. You'll change direction southeast towards the Lava Tower, also known as “Shark’s Tooth,” at an elevation of 4650m (15,250ft). After this, you'll descend to Barranco Camp, ending the day around the same elevation as when you started. This day is crucial for acclimatization. The elevation will go from 3850m (12,600ft) to 4000m (13,000ft) over a distance of 10km (6mi), taking about 5-6 hours. The habitat will be semi-desert, and you'll have breakfast, lunch, and dinner before overnighting at Barranco Camp.

6 hours • Admission Not Included
Day 4

Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp

Accommodations

Barafu Camp.

1

Mount Kilimanjaro

On Day 4, after breakfast, you'll leave Barranco and tackle the steep Barranco Wall, reaching an elevation of 4250m (13,900ft). After this challenging ascent, you'll traverse through the Karanga Valley at 4050m (13,250ft) before continuing your hike to Barafu Camp. This segment completes the South Circuit, offering stunning summit views along the way. The elevation will rise from 4000m (13,000ft) to 4700m (15,350ft) over a distance of 9km (6mi), taking 6-8 hours of hiking. The habitat will be an alpine desert, and you'll enjoy breakfast, lunch, and dinner before overnighting at Barafu Camp.

8 hours • Admission Not Included
Day 5

Barafu Camp to Summit to Mweka Camp

Accommodations

Mweka Camp.

1

Mount Kilimanjaro

Day 5 is the most challenging, starting very early in the morning (midnight to 2 am) as you head towards the summit. You'll navigate between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers, ascending through scree to reach Stella Point on the crater rim. This stretch requires mental and physical endurance, but the reward is a breathtaking sunrise. From Stella Point, you'll continue to Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa at 5895m (19,340ft). After summiting, you'll descend to Mweka Camp, stopping at Barafu for lunch. The elevation changes from 4700m (15,350ft) to 5895m (19,340ft) and then down to 3090m (10,150ft), covering 5km (3mi) up and 13km (8mi) down, with a total hiking time of 10-13 hours. You'll enjoy breakfast, lunch, and dinner before overnighting at Mweka Camp.

7 minutes • Admission Not Included
Day 6

Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate to Hotel

1

Mount Kilimanjaro

On the final day, you'll have breakfast before descending to Mweka Park Gate to receive your summit certificates. The descent can be wet and muddy at lower elevations, so gaiters and trekking poles are advisable. After completing the 10km (6mi) hike down from 3090m (10,150ft) to 1680m (5500ft), taking 3-4 hours, you will be greeted by the Monkey Adventures vehicle at Mweka Gate for your return drive to the hotel in Moshi, which takes about 60 minutes. You'll have breakfast before concluding your trek.

3 minutes • Admission Not Included

Options

Africa Natural Tours

Pickup included

Reviews

5.00

44 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

44
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  • Tanzania trip

    T1535RAfrankd,

    Sep 20, 2024

    - Review from Tripadvisor

    5.00

    We had the Kilimanjaro's complete and comprehensive guide from Africa Natural Tours. My very best Kilimanjaro experience with Africa Natural Tours made me discover everything about climbing Kilimanjaro. This unforgettable experience of climbing Kilimanjaro with Africa Natural Tours the top - rated operator made me discover the world. From the smallest city of Moshi to the Kilimanjaro's main gate then to the summit of Kilimanjaro and then to the final and point.

  • Well trained staff

    539samyf,

    Feb 18, 2024

    - Review from Tripadvisor

    5.00

    It was really nice and every people on the staff were friendly and very professional, they really helped us to achieve our goal of reaching the summit.

  • Enhanced support

    雄二郎 高,

    Jul 7, 2023

    - Review from Tripadvisor

    5.00

    They gave us clients solid support. That allowed me to climb the mountain. Asante.

  • Great Experience for Kilimanjaro

    LoisToh,

    Jun 14, 2023

    - Review from Tripadvisor

    5.00

    It was my first Kilimanjaro climb and selected the 6 days Machame route within short notice. Godfrey confirmed and arranged the trip promptly, and he was responsive to my many questions. I was taken care of by the crew throughout the trip with great service, and Gabriel as my guide looked after my welfare. He even went out of his way to bring me around Moshi town after we successfully summited and returned! Great experience for my first trip to Tanzania.

  • Kilimanjaro by road Machame

    jeanmichelc443,

    Jun 12, 2023

    - Review from Tripadvisor

    5.00

    We made the Kilimanjaro by the Machame way. We had 2 guides, Calvin and Regis very professional and very friendly who brought us to the top. The contact was very good, they explained well what would happen every day and walked "paulé, paulé" indispensable condition to go to the top. They also explained elements of fauna and flora. The kitchen was well prepared by the cook and the team of porters (who were also very friendly) was indispensable to our success. So I recommend Calvin and Régis who work for shah tours.

  • Amazing!

    Raul N,

    Apr 19, 2023

    - Review from Tripadvisor

    5.00

    It was wonderful to live this experience! Definitely one of the most beautiful things in my life! (Just always read the fine print, so you don't get surprises) Great team! Thank you all!

    Raul N's photo 1
  • 6 days Kilimanjaro Machame route

    Vastina V,

    Feb 28, 2023

    - Review from Tripadvisor

    5.00

    I and my partner we did Kilimanjaro machame 6 days in this 2023. This Kilimanjaro hiking with Africa Natural tours done from Arusha with the best Kilimanjaro guide. Kilimanjaro hiking to the summit was so easily with this best tour operator

    Vastina V's photo 1
    Vastina V's photo 2
  • Amazing group to do Kili with!

    G8093IEjoshuac,

    Feb 24, 2023

    - Review from Tripadvisor

    5.00

    We had a great time exploring Kili with the crew at Africa Natural Tours. Our guides, Edwin, Kajia, and Rocky, were all excellent. They were fantastic people to get to know and explained everything thoroughly on the hike. Our servers, Mashrek and Rahima, were also wonderful. Mashrek, in particular, went above and beyond on multiple occasions to make our time on the mountain as comfortable and memorable as possible. I am sure he will make an outstanding guide and team leader one day. The rest of the porters and chef team were also excellent and worked hard to make sure we had a great time. As a side note (unrelated to the team), I recommend booking at least a 7-day tour for Kili. Summiting on day 5 of the 6-day tour was difficult (even with Diamox) and would have been more enjoyable with the extra acclimatization afforded by a 7+ day tour. At the end of our tour, we went on a one-day Safari at Ngorongoro crater with Joseph. This was a fantastic experience. We could see some amazing animals, and Joseph went above and beyond to ensure we had the best time possible. We were thrilled that we had this extra time to see the animals!

    G8093IEjoshuac's photo 1
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    G8093IEjoshuac's photo 3
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  • Lemosho route + 2 day Safari

    Dave L,

    Dec 12, 2022

    - Review from Tripadvisor

    5.00

    Last July (2022) I trekked Kilimanjaro, Lemosho route over 6 days with Africa Natural Tours. I highly recommend using this well organized and accommodating company. One the best experiences of my life. I also used this company to go on a two day Safari which was also awesome.

  • Kilimanjaro machame 6 days

    travel-wise-safari,

    Sep 18, 2022

    - Review from Tripadvisor

    5.00

    Thanks so so much for organizing our trip to Kilimanjaro at a reasonable price and real qualified guide and best cook. The food was so amazing and also posters were so hard worker and friendly

    travel-wise-safari's photo 1
    travel-wise-safari's photo 2
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From US$1,150.00

5.00
44 reviews

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