Machame route, Kilimanjaro: day by day to Uhuru Peak

Day by day

Machame is climbed in six to eight days. The seven-day plan adds a night at Karanga Camp before the summit:

• Machame Gate to Machame Camp: about 50 minutes' drive from Moshi to the gate at about 1,640 m, then about 11 km and five to seven hours on a winding trail up a ridge through dense rainforest to Machame Camp at about 2,850 m.
• Machame Camp to Shira 2 Camp: about 5 km and four to six hours up a steep, rocky ridge onto the Shira Plateau, through heather and moorland and across a river gorge to camp at about 3,810 m.
• Shira 2 to Barranco Camp via Lava Tower: climb east to the Lava Tower, a volcanic rock about 90 m tall at about 4,630 m, then drop through a forest of giant senecios to Barranco Camp at about 3,980 m. Climbing high and sleeping lower helps you acclimatise.
• Barranco to Karanga Camp: climb the Barranco Wall, a steep but non-technical cliff of nearly 270 m, cross a series of hills and valleys, drop into the Karanga Valley and climb again to Karanga Camp at about 3,995 m. A short day, kept short for acclimatisation.
• Karanga to Barafu Camp: about 4 km and four to five hours, joining the Mweka trail and climbing rocky ground to Barafu at about 4,670 m, the base for the summit.
• Summit night: leave around midnight and climb in the dark to Stella Point on the crater rim, at about 5,760 m, near sunrise, then on to Uhuru Peak. Come back down past Barafu to Mweka Camp at about 3,070 m.
• Last day: Mweka Camp down through the forest to Mweka Gate, about 10 km.

Terrain and how hard it is

Machame is steeper and harder than Marangu, especially on the shorter six-day plan, and suits hikers with some experience of long days or altitude. The Barranco Wall needs your hands in places but no climbing skills.

Its big advantage is the profile: it climbs high to Lava Tower and drops again to sleep, which helps your body adjust before the summit. The descent from Uhuru Peak is very rocky and hard on the knees, so trekking poles help.

On our map the Machame line from Machame Gate to Uhuru Peak covers about 36.9 km. The descent by Mweka is not part of the line.

Best time of year

Kilimanjaro has two dry seasons. The short dry season runs from December to mid-March, with the clearest conditions in January and February. The long dry season runs from late June to October and is the most popular time to climb, with July and August the busiest months.

The long rains, from late March to mid-June, are the worst time to go, and November brings the short rains. In July and August, expect crowds at the popular camps.

What to bring

Your operator provides tents, food and the communal kit. You bring your own clothing and personal gear:

• A waterproof jacket and waterproof trousers.
• An insulated jacket, a fleece and warm base layers for summit night.
• A warm hat, a sun hat, warm gloves and a neck gaiter.
• Warm, waterproof hiking boots and wool or synthetic socks.
• A warm four-season sleeping bag.
• A head torch with spare batteries.
• Trekking poles for the long descent.
• Water bottles or a bladder, sunglasses, sunscreen and lip balm.
• Zip-top bags only for toiletries: Tanzania has a general ban on plastic bags.

Getting there, entry and fees

Machame Gate is about 50 minutes by road from Moshi, through the village of Machame on the lower slopes. Most climbers fly into Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) or Arusha Airport, and operators arrange transfers. You finish at Mweka Gate.

TANAPA rules say every climb must be guided by a licensed operator; solo trekking is not allowed. The Tanzania National Parks (TANAPA) tariff lists these fees for an adult on a camping route such as Machame: entrance TZS 178,850 for non-residents, TZS 89,425 for expatriate residents and TZS 10,000 for East African citizens; public camping fee TZS 127,750 for non-residents and expatriates and TZS 10,000 for East African citizens; rescue fee TZS 51,100 for non-residents and expatriates and TZS 2,000 for East African citizens.

All amounts are in Tanzanian shillings, valid from 1 July 2026 to 30 June 2027, and TANAPA says they include 18% VAT where it applies. Children aged 5 to 15 pay lower rates and children under 5 enter free. Conservation fees are valid for 24 hours from the time of entry. Your operator usually pays these as part of the climb. Official pages: www.tanzaniaparks.go.tz/tourism/visitor-information/tariff and www.tanzaniaparks.go.tz/kilimanjaro/visitor-guide

Checked on 8 November 2026 against the official park website; confirm current fees before you go.

Keep the climb

We print the route on the real terrain, so the mountain rises off the wall in 3D with your line raised in colour. Add your names and summit date and it becomes the record of the climb. The Shira Plateau, the Barranco Valley and the crater rim all stand out in relief.