The experience
A journey to remember.
Approach Kilimanjaro from the south through rainforest, moorland and dramatic volcanic terrain. The seven-day version allows a more measured ascent than the shorter Machame itinerary. 7 mountain trekking days within 9 calendar days / 8 nights. Arrival and departure are separate from the trekking-day count.
- Total duration
- 9 calendar days · 8 nights
- Mountain trek
- 7 trekking days
- Route
- Machame
- Destination
- Mount Kilimanjaro
- Starting point
- Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO); the confirmed itinerary will specify pickup and transfer arrangements.
- Places covered
- Machame Gate
- Machame Camp
- Shira Camp and Shira Plateau
- Lava Tower
- Barranco Camp and Barranco Wall
- Karanga Camp
- Barafu Camp
- Stella Point
- Uhuru Peak (summit attempt)
- Millennium Camp
- Mweka Gate
- Kilimanjaro foothills
Request a quotation for your dates, group size and accommodation arrangement. The written quote will state the currency, price basis, inclusions, exclusions and validity period. For 8 or more guests, request a group quotation.
Moments to look forward to
Journey highlights
- Lush rainforest from Machame Gate.
- Shira Plateau, Lava Tower and Barranco Wall.
- Southern Circuit views and summit attempt.
- Descent through Mweka forest.
About this journey
Approach Kilimanjaro from the south through rainforest, moorland and dramatic volcanic terrain. The seven-day version allows a more measured ascent than the shorter Machame itinerary. This camping itinerary starts at Machame Gate and climbs from rainforest into heath and moorland. The route reaches Shira, makes the Lava Tower acclimatisation traverse to Barranco and crosses the Barranco Wall before separate nights at Karanga and Barafu. The summit attempt continues through Stella Point towards Uhuru Peak when conditions allow, followed by descent through Millennium Camp and Mweka forest. The seven trekking days sit within a nine-day, eight-night programme. Arrival is reserved for settling into the proposed hotel, meeting your guide and checking equipment. After the final descent, a hotel night gives time to shower and rest before the airport transfer the following day. Aishi Machame Hotel or Shose Farmhouse Chalets are proposed pre- and post-climb options, with the actual property and room category confirmed for your dates. A coffee experience is not assumed in this itinerary.
One day at a time
Your journey unfolds.
Day 1Arrival · Hotel and trek briefing
Airport pickup, transfer to selected accommodation, rest, trek briefing and equipment check. Aishi Machame Hotel or Shose Farmhouse Chalets is proposed, subject to availability and confirmation of the room category.
- Stay
- Proposed Aishi Machame Hotel or Shose Farmhouse Chalets; property, room category and availability subject to confirmation.
- Meals
- Hotel meal plan to be confirmed in your quotation.
Day 2Trek day 1 · Machame Gate to Machame Camp
Register at the gate and trek through montane rainforest. The trail gradually climbs towards the heath zone and Machame Camp.
- Stay
- Machame Camp
- Meals
- Mountain meals and treated drinking water as confirmed; any pre-trek hotel meal plan is confirmed separately.
Day 3Trek day 2 · Machame Camp to Shira Camp
Climb through heath and moorland towards the Shira Plateau, with views of Kibo in clear weather.
- Stay
- Shira Camp
- Meals
- Mountain breakfast, lunch and dinner, with treated drinking water, as specified in the confirmed package.
Day 4Trek day 3 · Shira Camp via Lava Tower to Barranco
Ascend towards Lava Tower for an acclimatisation stop, then descend to Barranco Camp.
- Stay
- Barranco Camp
- Meals
- Mountain breakfast, lunch and dinner, with treated drinking water, as specified in the confirmed package.
Day 5Trek day 4 · Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp
Climb the Barranco Wall and continue across ridges and valleys to Karanga Camp.
- Stay
- Karanga Camp
- Meals
- Mountain breakfast, lunch and dinner, with treated drinking water, as specified in the confirmed package.
Day 6Trek day 5 · Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp
Continue through alpine desert to Barafu Camp. Have an early meal and prepare for the summit attempt.
- Stay
- Barafu Camp
- Meals
- Mountain breakfast, lunch and dinner, with treated drinking water, as specified in the confirmed package.
Day 7Trek day 6 · Summit attempt - Uhuru Peak - Millennium Camp
Begin the night climb towards Stella Point and Uhuru Peak (5,895 m), if safe and feasible. Descend to Millennium Camp. The attempt depends on weather, health, acclimatisation and the guide’s safety decision; reaching the summit is never guaranteed.
- Stay
- Millennium Camp
- Meals
- Mountain breakfast, lunch and dinner, with treated drinking water, as specified in the confirmed package.
Day 8Trek day 7 · Millennium Camp to Mweka Gate - hotel
Descend through forest to Mweka Gate, complete park formalities and transfer to your hotel for a shower and rest. Your post-climb hotel or lodge is proposed and subject to confirmation.
- Stay
- Proposed Aishi Machame Hotel or Shose Farmhouse Chalets; property, room category and availability subject to confirmation.
- Meals
- Mountain meals while trekking; hotel meal plan to be confirmed in your quotation.
Day 9Departure · Airport transfer
Breakfast and transfer to Kilimanjaro International Airport timed to your flight.
- Stay
- No overnight stay; departure on this day.
- Meals
- Breakfast is scheduled; confirm the hotel meal plan and any other meals in your quotation.
Rest between adventures
Accommodation plan
Your written proposal confirms the final properties, room categories and meal arrangements for your travel dates. Named properties are planned stays, subject to availability.
- Night 1Proposed Aishi Machame Hotel or Shose Farmhouse Chalets; property, room category and availability subject to confirmation.Property to be confirmed
- Night 2Machame CampProperty to be confirmed
- Night 3Shira CampProperty to be confirmed
- Night 4Barranco CampProperty to be confirmed
- Night 5Karanga CampProperty to be confirmed
- Night 6Barafu CampProperty to be confirmed
- Night 7Millennium CampProperty to be confirmed
- Night 8Proposed Aishi Machame Hotel or Shose Farmhouse Chalets; property, room category and availability subject to confirmation.Property to be confirmed
Included in your journey
- Kilimanjaro park, camping and applicable conservation fees for the selected route, as specified in the confirmed package.
- Private airport and mountain-gate transfers as specified in the confirmed package.
- Professional English-speaking mountain guide team, cook and registered porters.
- Mountain meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner, plus treated drinking water.
- Tents, dining tent and group camping equipment for the mountain camping itinerary.
- Porter support within park regulations, rescue fee and trek coordination.
- Pre-climb briefing, equipment check and summit certificate where issued.
- Proposed arrival and post-climb hotel nights only when itemised in the confirmed quotation.
Plan for separately
- International flights, visa and travel insurance.
- Personal trekking clothing/equipment, sleeping bag and optional gear hire.
- Tips for guides, assistant guides, porters and cooks.
- Personal expenses, laundry, snacks, alcoholic drinks and souvenirs.
- Extra hotel nights, room upgrades or optional services not shown in the quote.
- Personal medical costs and costs arising from itinerary changes or delays.
Find your fit
Who this journey suits
Trekkers looking for the southern Machame approach with camping, a Lava Tower acclimatisation traverse and separate Karanga and Barafu stages. Preparation should reflect consecutive walking days, the Barranco Wall and a demanding high-altitude summit attempt.
Fitness, age and accessibility
This is a demanding high-altitude itinerary, even with acclimatisation time built into the route. Share your walking experience, preparation and any practical support needs with the team. Discuss individual health concerns with an appropriate healthcare professional before the trip. The summit attempt is always subject to weather, health, acclimatisation and the guide's safety decision.
Before you travel
A little preparation
Availability
Departures are arranged by enquiry. Your dates depend on current park arrangements, mountain-team availability, proposed hotel or lodge availability and transfer logistics. Weather and group condition can change the mountain programme; confirm the final plan and services in writing.
What to pack
- Personal trekking clothing and equipment, checked with your guide before departure.
- Warm layers suitable for cold mountain conditions, including warm headwear and gloves.
- Waterproof rain protection for you and the items you carry.
- Comfortable walking boots and appropriate trekking socks.
- Sleeping bag; any hire arrangement must be confirmed separately.
- Headlamp and the power or batteries needed for the trek.
- Drinking-water containers agreed with the mountain team.
- Sun protection and personal toiletries.
- Personal medicines and health arrangements discussed with your own clinician where appropriate.
- Travel documents, insurance details and the final confirmed itinerary.
Travel requirements
Check current official passport, entry, visa and health requirements for your nationality and complete journey before travel. Ask your insurer to confirm cover for this trek, including the planned summit altitude of 5,895 m and any emergency evacuation arrangements. Share flight details for the arrival and departure transfers, and complete the pre-climb briefing and equipment check. Follow the mountain guide’s instructions and report any symptoms or concerns promptly.
Booking with confidence
Payment and cancellation
We will share payment and cancellation terms in your written quote before payment.
A little clarity before you go
Your journey questions
How many days and nights should I allow?
7 mountain trekking days within 9 calendar days / 8 nights. Arrival and departure are separate from the trekking-day count.
How does this differ from the eight-day Machame climb?
The eight-day version adds an acclimatisation day and a second night at Karanga Camp before continuing to Barafu. This seven-day version has one night at Karanga; the full programme is nine calendar days and eight nights.
Where will I sleep?
Aishi Machame Hotel or Shose Farmhouse Chalets is proposed for the pre- and post-climb nights. The mountain nights use the camps listed in the itinerary. Property, room category and availability need confirmation.
Is reaching the summit guaranteed?
No. The summit attempt depends on weather, health, acclimatisation and the guide's safety decision. The guide may change the programme or turn the group around when necessary.
Which meals are included?
The proposed package includes mountain breakfast, lunch and dinner with treated drinking water, as confirmed in your quotation. Hotel meal plans and meals outside the trek must be stated in the confirmed quotation; do not assume a lodge stay includes every meal.
Is the Chagga coffee experience part of this programme?
It is not included in this itinerary. Tell the team if you would like to discuss a separate extension; timing, provider availability, transfers and price would need confirmation.
How do I get the price for my group?
Send your preferred dates, number of climbers and room-sharing needs to Wild Pulse Tours. The team will confirm availability and provide a written quotation for this specific route and duration. Groups of eight or more should request a group quotation.
What should I confirm before accepting the proposal?
Review the named accommodation and room category, transfer schedule, mountain services, meal plan, insurance arrangements, final price, payment schedule and cancellation terms. Share preparation needs and any concerns about the altitude itinerary before deciding.
