7-Day Machame Route Backpacker Kilimanjaro Climb
The 7 day Machame Route Backpacker Kilimanjaro Climb takes you from tropical rainforest to Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa at 5,895 metres. Designed for adventurous travellers who enjoy camping and sharing the mountain experience, this itinerary combines varied scenery with an additional acclimatisation day compared with the 6 day Machame route.
You will trek through changing landscapes, sleep in mountain camps and climb with the support of guides, a cook and porters. Although this is a backpacker adventure, you carry your daily essentials while the crew transports your main duffel and communal camping equipment.
Trip Overview
- Duration: 7 days on the mountain
- Destination: Mount Kilimanjaro, Tanzania
- Route: Machame ascent and Mweka descent
- Highest point: Uhuru Peak, 5,895 metres
- Accommodation: Mountain camping
- Starting and finishing base: Moshi
- Travel style: Supported trekking and camping
- Difficulty: Challenging, with high altitude and a demanding summit night
Detailed Itinerary
Arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport and transfer to your comfortable mid-range hotel in Moshi. Meet your team, relax, and prepare for your climb.
Elevation: 1,800 m → 3,000 m | Trekking: 5–7 hours
After breakfast, drive to Machame Gate for registration and begin your trek through the lush rainforest to Machame Camp.
Elevation: 3,000 m → 3,840 m | Trekking: 4–6 hours
Continue through the rainforest and moorland toward Shira Plateau, enjoying beautiful mountain scenery and views of Kilimanjaro.
Lava Tower: 4,640 m | Barranco Camp: 3,960 m | Trekking: 6–8 hours
Trek to Lava Tower for acclimatization, then descend to Barranco Camp following the “climb high, sleep low” principle.
Elevation: 3,960 m → 4,035 m | Trekking: 4–5 hours
Climb the famous Barranco Wall and continue across the alpine desert to Karanga Camp for rest and acclimatization.
Elevation: 4,035 m → 4,640 m | Trekking: 4–5 hours
Continue to Barafu Camp, the base for your summit attempt. Rest and prepare for the midnight climb.
Barafu: 4,640 m | Uhuru Peak: 5,895 m | Mweka Camp: 3,080 m | Trekking: 12–15 hours
Begin the summit climb around midnight and reach Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa. Spend a short time at the summit celebrating your achievement and taking photos, then descend to Barafu Camp for a short rest before continuing to Mweka Camp for the night.
Mweka Camp: 3,080 m | Mweka Gate: 1,640 m | Trekking: 3–4 hours
After breakfast, descend through the lush rainforest to Mweka Gate. Complete the park formalities and receive your Kilimanjaro summit certificate, then transfer to your Moshi hotel for a well-deserved rest.
After breakfast, enjoy your final morning in Moshi before your transfer to Kilimanjaro International Airport or your next destination, marking the end of your Kilimanjaro adventure.
What's Included & Excluded
Included
- All Kilimanjaro National Park fees — park entry, conservation, camping and rescue fees.
- Quality four-season camping tents for clients and mountain crew.
- Comfortable sleeping mattress/pad for each client.
- 2 nights in a comfortable and safe mid-range hotel in Moshi — before and after the climb.
- Airport pickup and drop-off included.
- Professional licensed Kilimanjaro mountain guide throughout the trek.
- Dedicated porters and professional mountain chef to support your climb.
- Hotel-to-gate and gate-to-hotel transfers.
- 3 freshly prepared meals per day during the climb.
- Purified drinking water throughout the trek.
- Emergency oxygen tank and first-aid kit carried by the mountain team.
- Altitude and health monitoring during the climb
- Camping equipment and mountain dining setup for comfortable meals on the mountain.
- Kilimanjaro summit certificate after successfully reaching the summit.
Not Included
- International or domestic flights
- Tanzania visa fees
- Travel and medical insurance
- Personal trekking clothes and equipment
- Alcoholic and bottled beverages
- Personal expenses and laundry
- Tips for the mountain crew
- Optional hotel upgrade
- Personal porter
- Medical treatment or helicopter evacuation costs
- Any service not specifically listed under “What’s Included”