6-Day Machame Route: Southern Circuit Kilimanjaro

Check into your included Moshi hotel and meet the mountain team. Review previous mountain experience, personal kit, the five camp nights and the long Barranco-to-Barafu stage. Agree the daily check-in and summit turnaround plan. Your written itinerary identifies the operating team and emergency arrangements; airport transfers and personal gear rental are separately quoted.

Transfer from Moshi to Machame Gate, approximately 1,800 m, for registration. Begin through montane rainforest on a trail that can be muddy underfoot. Walk at the guide’s steady pace towards Machame Camp, around 3,000 m. Allow roughly 5–7 hours of walking, with time added for gate formalities and breaks. Your first mountain evening is spent in camp.

Leave the taller forest behind and climb through heath and moorland towards Shira Camp, approximately 3,840 m. Allow around 4–6 hours on a steeper, more open trail. If the sky clears, pause for views across the plateau and towards Kibo. Settle into the second camp night and discuss the following day’s higher crossing with your guide.

Cross the alpine landscape towards Lava Tower, around 4,630 m, then descend into the Barranco Valley to sleep at approximately 3,960 m. Allow roughly 6–8 hours. This higher daytime crossing followed by a lower overnight is part of the route’s acclimatisation profile; it does not remove altitude risk. Follow your guide’s decisions about pace and the day’s route.

Scramble up the Barranco Wall with your guide, then traverse the ridges and Karanga Valley before continuing to Barafu Camp, about 4,670 m. Expect roughly 7–9 hours, sometimes longer. There is no overnight at Karanga on this six-day Machame plan. Eat early, prepare warm layers and rest; the summit attempt may begin after only a short night.

If the guide judges the group and conditions suitable, start around midnight on the steep ascent towards Stella Point, approximately 5,756 m. Continue to Uhuru Peak, 5,895 m, only as conditions and the guide allow. Return via Barafu for a break, then descend to Mweka Camp, around 3,100 m. Allow roughly 12–16 hours or more overall. Turning back takes priority over the summit.

Descend through the forest to Mweka Gate, approximately 1,640 m, usually in about 3–4 hours of walking. The trail can be slippery. Complete the park exit formalities, say farewell to the mountain crew and transfer to Moshi for your second included hotel night. Take the evening to rest and enjoy a meal at your own pace.

After breakfast at your Moshi hotel, continue with your agreed onward arrangements. Airport transfers, extra recovery nights, a safari or a village day can be quoted separately. Keep the evening after the mountain descent free; this plan does not depend on catching a flight on descent day.

Six days are spent on Kilimanjaro. Add arrival and departure around the climb: this package covers eight calendar days, with a Moshi hotel night before and another after the trek.

No. On mountain day 4, walk from Barranco through Karanga to Barafu. Choose the seven-day Machame package if you want the separate Karanga overnight.

The normal route involves a steep scramble with hands used for balance and some exposed sections. It is usually guided without a technical climbing pitch. Tell David if you are uncomfortable with heights so the team can discuss suitability.

Check your actual group price, the operating team, crew plan, tent and personal kit arrangements, emergency equipment, insurance requirements and current park charges. Your booking follows a written itinerary and total, rather than the guide price alone.