7 days · Kilimanjaro
The most-walked route, done in the version that works
Seven days on the Machame route, camping. The extra day over the six-day version is an acclimatisation day, and it is the single biggest thing you can do for your summit chances.
- Duration
- 7 days / 6 nights
- Type
- Private safari
- Starts
- Arusha
- Ends
- Arusha
- Best for
- Kilimanjaro
- Indicative from
- Price on request
The route
Why this one
Machame is sold as six days constantly. The seven-day version adds a night at altitude before summit night, and success rates rise sharply with it. Route choice and pacing decide most summits — not fitness.
Day by day
What happens, in order
Machame Gate to Machame Camp
Rainforest, roughly 5–7 hours. 1,800 m to 3,000 m.
Machame Camp to Shira Camp
Out of the forest onto the moorland. 3,000 m to 3,840 m.
Shira to Lava Tower to Barranco
Climb high to 4,600 m, sleep low at 3,960 m. This is the acclimatisation that the whole route is built around.
Barranco to Karanga
The Barranco Wall, then a short day. 3,960 m to 4,035 m.
Karanga to Barafu
To base camp at 4,640 m. Early night.
Summit night, then down to Mweka
Leave around midnight for Uhuru Peak at 5,895 m, then descend all the way to 3,100 m. The longest day by far.
Mweka Camp to the gate
Down through the forest and out.
Included
- Private pop-top 4x4 with a guaranteed window seat each
- Professional guide throughout
- All park, crater and conservation fees
- Accommodation and meals as listed
- Drinking water in the vehicle every day
- Airport transfers
Not included
- International flights
- Tanzania visa
- Travel and medical insurance
- Tips for your guide and crew
- Drinks, laundry and anything personal
- Optional activities such as a balloon flight
Questions
Asked before every departure
What is the summit success rate?
On the seven-day Machame, operators generally report 85–90%. On the six-day version it drops well below that. We do not sell the six-day.
Do I need technical climbing experience?
No. Kilimanjaro is a walk, not a climb. What it demands is the ability to keep walking slowly for six hours at altitude, and the discipline to actually go slowly.
How are the crews paid?
Porter loads and wages follow KPAP guidelines. Ask us for the specifics before you book — if an operator will not tell you, that is your answer.
Similar departures
If this one is not quite right
8 days · 7 nights
8-Day Lemosho Route, Kilimanjaro
Kilimanjaro
Eight days approaching from the west. Quieter in the first days, longer to acclimatise, and the best summit odds of any route we run.…
6 days · 5 nights
6-Day Marangu Route, Kilimanjaro
Kilimanjaro
The only route with permanent huts and a bed each night. It is also the route with the lowest summit success, and we would rather say so up front.…
4 days · 3 nights
4-Day Mount Meru Trek
Arusha National Park
Four days on Tanzania's second mountain, inside a national park, with an armed ranger and game on the lower slopes. The best acclimatisation there is …
Ask about this trip
7-Day Machame Route, Kilimanjaro
Tell us your dates and we will come back with a real price and an honest view on whether this is the right itinerary for you.