Machame at a glance
Machame brings together forest walking, open Shira landscapes and the southern side of Kilimanjaro. It suits active hikers who enjoy camping and a varied trail, including the hands-on Barranco Wall. The seven-day option adds a Karanga night; the six-day option continues through Karanga to Barafu.
From USD 1,765 per person
For six paying climbers booking the 6-day Machame itinerary. Private groups · 2027 · subject to availability.
Choose 6 or 7 mountain days with camping. Your programme includes two hotel nights with breakfast, airport pickup and drop-off, and mountain transfers. The longer option adds a separate Karanga night before Barafu.
Your expedition includes
- Park, camping and rescue fees, with applicable taxes
- Guiding team, cook and porters
- Mountain breakfast, lunch, dinner and daily boiled/treated drinking water
- Shared sleeping tents, mattresses and dining setup
- Private portable toilet
- Two hotel nights with breakfast
- Emergency oxygen, pulse oximeter and first-aid kit
- Airport pickup and drop-off
- Mountain transfers to Machame Gate and from Mweka Gate
Why choose Machame?
- Seven days with a purpose
- The separate Karanga night gives additional time on the mountain before moving to Barafu, supporting acclimatisation and summit preparation.
- The classic southern mountain journey
- Move from rainforest to the Shira Plateau, cross the higher Lava Tower area and descend into Barranco Valley. Continue over the Barranco Wall and through Karanga before the summit approach.
- A rewarding choice for active hikers
- Choose Machame for scenic variety and an energetic camping expedition. Expect shared trails, substantial early climbs and scrambling on the Barranco Wall; discuss your walking experience and comfort with exposure with our team.
Extra time supports acclimatisation; it does not guarantee a summit. Read our altitude and acclimatisation guidance →
- Mountain time
- 7 mountain days · 6 mountain nights
- Approach & finish
- South approach · Mweka Gate finish
- Summit
- Uhuru Peak · 5,895 m
- Sleeping
- Camping
- Trail atmosphere
- Popular; expect shared trails
- Physical demand
- Challenging; steep sections
A busier trail and a relatively demanding early ascent. Like Lemosho, it includes the Barranco Wall.
Mountain days run from the first trailhead walk to the exit gate, including acclimatisation days. Arrival, hotel preparation, post-climb rest and departure are additional.
The route on the mountain
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Illustrative route explorer for your selected itinerary. Camp labels follow the written itinerary; the elevation profile is approximate. Follow your mountain guide on the trail.
The explorer follows your selected mountain duration. Select a day, camp or point on the elevation profile to explore the journey.
Your selected Machame itinerary
Six days combines Barranco, Karanga and Barafu into one longer stage. Seven days retains a separate Karanga overnight. Distances and walking times are approximate.
Seven mountain days · six camp nights
- Mountain day 1
Machame Gate → Machame camp
Begin with a sustained forest ascent rather than a short introductory stroll. The trail follows the southern slopes through lush, often damp vegetation. Find an easy rhythm early and keep an accessible waterproof layer. Arriving at camp is a chance to dry equipment, settle into tent life and prepare for a steeper, more open day.
- Start
- ≈ 1,640 m
- Finish
- ≈ 2,850 m
- Distance
- ≈ 11 km
- Trekking time
- 5–7 hours
- Habitat
- Montane forest
- Overnight
- Machame camp
- Mountain day 2
Machame camp → Shira 2
The forest recedes as the path climbs rocky ground towards the Shira Plateau. This shorter stage has a significant height gain and can feel harder than its distance suggests. Heather, open ridges and expanding views replace the canopy. Use the afternoon to recover, eat and check in with the guide about how you feel.
- Start
- ≈ 2,850 m
- Finish
- ≈ 3,810 m
- Distance
- ≈ 5 km
- Trekking time
- 4–6 hours
- Habitat
- Forest → heath & moorland
- Overnight
- Shira 2 camp
- Mountain day 3
Shira 2 → Lava Tower → Barranco
The day’s high point is Lava Tower, followed by a substantial descent into the Barranco Valley. The contrast between bare volcanic slopes and the valley’s giant groundsels is a highlight of the southern circuit. You walk higher than you sleep, but this remains a demanding day at altitude: tell your guide about symptoms rather than trying to push through them.
- Start
- ≈ 3,810 m
- Finish
- ≈ 3,975 m
- Reported high point
- ≈ 4,630 m
- Distance
- ≈ 10 km
- Trekking time
- 6–8 hours
- Habitat
- Moorland → alpine desert
- Overnight
- Barranco camp
- Mountain day 4
Barranco Wall → Karanga
The morning begins with the Barranco Wall. This is a steep scrambling section where hands help with balance, with exposed-feeling passages and potential queues. Follow your guide’s instructions and keep poles stowed where advised. Beyond the wall, the route crosses uneven ridges and drops into Karanga Valley before climbing to camp.
- Start
- ≈ 3,975 m
- Finish
- ≈ 3,995 m
- Distance
- ≈ 5 km
- Trekking time
- 4–5 hours
- Habitat
- Rocky moorland & alpine desert
- Overnight
- Karanga camp
- Mountain day 5
Karanga → Barafu
Vegetation is sparse and the approach becomes increasingly rocky. A relatively short distance still feels significant in thin air. Arrive, organise summit layers and headlamp, eat and rest before the night ascent. Barafu is an exposed camping area; choose stable footing and ask your guide before wandering away from camp.
- Start
- ≈ 3,995 m
- Finish
- ≈ 4,670 m
- Distance
- ≈ 4 km
- Trekking time
- 4–5 hours
- Habitat
- Alpine desert
- Overnight
- Barafu camp
- Mountain day 6
Barafu → Uhuru Peak → Mweka
Typically starting around midnight, climb slowly through cold, dark conditions towards Stella Point and then along the crater rim to Uhuru Peak. Reaching the summit is only part of the day: descend to Barafu for a break, then continue far down to Mweka. The sustained descent demands concentration and tired-leg control. The team decides whether conditions and your health allow continued ascent.
- Start
- ≈ 4,670 m
- Finish
- ≈ 3,070 m
- Reported high point
- 5,895 m
- Distance
- ≈ 5 km up + 12 km down
- Trekking time
- 6–8 hours up + 4–6 hours down
- Habitat
- Alpine desert → summit zone → forest
- Overnight
- Mweka camp
- Mountain day 7
Mweka camp → Mweka Gate
The final trail returns through wetter forest and can be muddy even after dry days higher up. Take care on roots and slippery steps. At the gate, complete park formalities and meet your transfer. A shower, a proper rest and a separate hotel night make a better finish than squeezing a long journey into the same afternoon.
- Start
- ≈ 3,070 m
- Finish
- ≈ 1,640 m
- Distance
- ≈ 10 km
- Trekking time
- 3–4 hours
- Habitat
- Montane forest
- Overnight
- Off the mountain; hotel separately arranged
Six mountain days · five camp nights
- Mountain day 1
Machame Gate → Machame camp
Begin with a sustained forest ascent rather than a short introductory stroll. The trail follows the southern slopes through lush, often damp vegetation. Find an easy rhythm early and keep an accessible waterproof layer. Arriving at camp is a chance to dry equipment, settle into tent life and prepare for a steeper, more open day.
- Start
- ≈ 1,640 m
- Finish
- ≈ 2,850 m
- Distance
- ≈ 11 km
- Trekking time
- 5–7 hours
- Habitat
- Montane forest
- Overnight
- Machame camp
- Mountain day 2
Machame camp → Shira 2
The forest recedes as the path climbs rocky ground towards the Shira Plateau. This shorter stage has a significant height gain and can feel harder than its distance suggests. Heather, open ridges and expanding views replace the canopy. Use the afternoon to recover, eat and check in with the guide about how you feel.
- Start
- ≈ 2,850 m
- Finish
- ≈ 3,810 m
- Distance
- ≈ 5 km
- Trekking time
- 4–6 hours
- Habitat
- Forest → heath & moorland
- Overnight
- Shira 2 camp
- Mountain day 3
Shira 2 → Lava Tower → Barranco
The day’s high point is Lava Tower, followed by a substantial descent into the Barranco Valley. The contrast between bare volcanic slopes and the valley’s giant groundsels is a highlight of the southern circuit. You walk higher than you sleep, but this remains a demanding day at altitude: tell your guide about symptoms rather than trying to push through them.
- Start
- ≈ 3,810 m
- Finish
- ≈ 3,975 m
- Reported high point
- ≈ 4,630 m
- Distance
- ≈ 10 km
- Trekking time
- 6–8 hours
- Habitat
- Moorland → alpine desert
- Overnight
- Barranco camp
- Mountain day 4
Barranco Wall → Karanga → Barafu
Climb the Barranco Wall with your guide, then cross the ridges and Karanga Valley before continuing to Barafu. The six-day itinerary passes through Karanga without an overnight stop, combining the two approach stages into one longer walking day. At Barafu, organise your summit equipment, eat and rest before the night ascent.
- Start
- Approximately 3,975 m
- Finish
- Approximately 4,670 m
- Overnight
- Barafu camp
- Mountain day 5
Barafu → Uhuru Peak → Mweka
Typically starting around midnight, climb slowly through cold, dark conditions towards Stella Point and then along the crater rim to Uhuru Peak. Reaching the summit is only part of the day: descend to Barafu for a break, then continue far down to Mweka. The sustained descent demands concentration and tired-leg control. The team decides whether conditions and your health allow continued ascent.
- Start
- ≈ 4,670 m
- Finish
- ≈ 3,070 m
- Reported high point
- 5,895 m
- Distance
- ≈ 5 km up + 12 km down
- Trekking time
- 6–8 hours up + 4–6 hours down
- Habitat
- Alpine desert → summit zone → forest
- Overnight
- Mweka camp
- Mountain day 6
Mweka camp → Mweka Gate
The final trail returns through wetter forest and can be muddy even after dry days higher up. Take care on roots and slippery steps. At the gate, complete park formalities and meet your transfer. A shower, a proper rest and a separate hotel night make a better finish than squeezing a long journey into the same afternoon.
- Start
- ≈ 3,070 m
- Finish
- ≈ 1,640 m
- Distance
- ≈ 10 km
- Trekking time
- 3–4 hours
- Habitat
- Montane forest
- Overnight
- Off the mountain; hotel separately arranged
Elevation & acclimatisation
7-day overnight elevations
Machame → Shira 2 → Barranco → Karanga → Barafu → Mweka → Mweka Gate
Approximate sleeping elevations from the existing route itinerary. Summit stages reach Uhuru Peak at 5,895 m before descending.
6-day overnight elevations
Machame → Shira 2 → Barranco → Barafu → Mweka → Mweka Gate
Approximate sleeping elevations from the existing route itinerary. Summit stages reach Uhuru Peak at 5,895 m before descending.
The seven-day option gives more time before the summit approach. Neither itinerary guarantees a summit; your guides assess your condition throughout.
Camps & mountain nights
Six mountain nights in tents at Machame, Shira 2, Barranco, Karanga, Barafu and Mweka.
Five mountain nights in tents at Machame, Shira 2, Barranco, Barafu and Mweka. Karanga is a daytime passage rather than an overnight stop.
Two climbers share a mountain sleeping tent, with a mattress for each climber. Dining setup and a private portable toilet are included. Campsites and trails are shared with other mountain groups.
The landscapes you’ll cross
- 01Rainforest on the southern foothills.
- 02Heath and the open Shira Plateau.
- 03Lava Tower, giant groundsels and the Barranco Wall.
- 04Barafu’s stark rock, the summit rim and the descent into Mweka forest.
What to know before choosing
- Expect shared trails and occasional waiting at the Barranco Wall.
- Early days gain altitude quickly even when the horizontal distance is short.
- Summit day includes a long descent: leave energy for the journey below Barafu.
Prepare for this route
Build hill endurance and practise repeated ascents and descents over consecutive days. Walk in your actual boots and daypack. Include rocky footing and short hands-on steps in preparation where you can do so safely.
Your 2027 private Machame package
| Paying climbers | Per person | Group total |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $2,950 | $2,950 |
| 2 | $2,330 | $4,660 |
| 3 | $2,170 | $6,510 |
| 4 | $2,070 | $8,280 |
| 5 | $2,050 | $10,250 |
| 6 | $2,010 | $12,060 |
Prices follow the selected mountain duration. Private groups booking together; 7+ paying climbers receive an individual quotation. All applicable taxes included.
Included
- 6- or 7-day guided Machame expedition, with the selected mountain-night schedule
- Applicable park, camping and rescue fees, including applicable taxes
- Lead guide, supporting mountain guides, cook and porters
- Mountain breakfast, lunch, dinner and daily boiled/treated drinking water
- Two hotel nights with breakfast; single room for solo, twin/triple sharing for groups
- Airport pickup and drop-off, plus mountain transfers to Machame Gate and from Mweka Gate
- Emergency oxygen, pulse oximeter and first-aid equipment
- Shared mountain sleeping tents, mattresses, dining and kitchen setup, tables and chairs
- Private portable toilet
Excluded
- International flights, entry documents and appropriate travel insurance
- Tips and personal spending
- Personal trekking equipment, sleeping bag and rentals
- Extra hotel nights, itinerary changes and extensions unless quoted
- PAC / hyperbaric chamber
Twin/triple hotel sharing · two nights with breakfast
Your written quotation identifies the hotel and your pickup and transfer schedule.
Get your free quoteBooking & payment.
Your private climb, your requested dates
This is a private expedition on requested dates, not a fixed-date shared departure. Travel throughout 2027 is subject to availability. Send your preferred start date and group size; we confirm availability and final arrangements in writing before requesting your deposit.
Get your free quote- Send your enquiry.
- Receive availability confirmation and your written quotation.
- Pay the USD 200 per-person deposit after confirmation.
- Pay the remaining balance 60 days before arrival. Bookings within 60 days require full payment on confirmation.
Legal booking operator and payment recipient: Eyes of Tanzania Limited. Pay through the official payment instructions on your company invoice. The EOK expedition terms below apply.
Operated and contracted by Eyes of Tanzania Limited. Your written quotation and invoice confirm the final arrangements and official payment instructions.
- Deposit
- USD 200 per person · USD 400 group deposit
- Balance
- USD 2,130 per person · USD 4,260 group balance · due 60 days before arrival
Bookings within 60 days of arrival require full payment on confirmation. If your group size changes, we provide a revised quotation for written acceptance before applying a different price.
Cancellation charges
| Notice | Charge |
|---|---|
| 61+ days | 0% |
| 46–60 days | 25% |
| 30–45 days | 50% |
| 7–29 days | 75% |
| 0–6 days or no-show | 100% |
Eligible payments are refunded less permissible documented bank/refund charges. Refunds are limited to sums paid. Where an accepted cancellation charge exceeds payments received, the difference remains payable under the booking agreement, subject to applicable law.
Postponement & date changes
All date changes are subject to availability and written approval. Eligible payments transfer to the revised climb, subject to agreed rate or arrangement changes.
- 30+ days before arrival: one change without an EOK administration fee.
- 14–29 days: USD 150 per person.
- 8–13 days: USD 200 per person.
- 1–7 days: contact the office; approval is not guaranteed.
For arrival-day requests, later changes or the permitted rescheduling period, contact the office for written confirmation before relying on a change.
Refunds, changes & travel requirements
Refunds due are processed within 14 business days after entitlement and refund details are established. Actual documented costs caused by client payment errors may be deducted where permitted; EOK covers correction charges caused by its own errors.
If EOK cancels for reasons within its control, choose a full refund of payments received or a mutually agreed alternative. Extraordinary events are addressed under the accepted booking terms and applicable law.
Guests are responsible for passports, visas and required inbound insurance. Appropriate personal medical and evacuation insurance covering your planned altitude is required; cancellation and interruption cover is strongly recommended.
Weather, park directives, availability or safety can require itinerary changes. Material changes are communicated. Follow the lead guide’s safety decisions. Identifiable guest photographs are used for promotion only with appropriate consent. Raise problems promptly with the guide or office; unresolved complaints may be submitted in writing.
Private group prices, rooms & payment
The price follows your selected route duration and the number of paying climbers booking together. See the group-rate table in Price & inclusions above. More than six paying climbers requires an individual quotation. These are private-group rates, not join-in departures.
Solo climbers have a single hotel room; groups use twin/triple sharing, including triple sharing for odd-sized groups. Both lodge nights include breakfast.
The deposit is USD 200 per person. The remaining balance is the confirmed price less that deposit, due 60 days before arrival. Travel validity is throughout 2027, subject to availability. EOK booking terms apply to this expedition.
Questions? info@eyesofkilimanjaro.com
info@eyes-of-tanzania.com