6-day Kilimanjaro Trek via the Machame Route (8-day trip)

Yes! You can join a published group departure or request your preferred dates, whether you are travelling solo, as a couple or with friends.

There is no minimum number of participants: your confirmed departure will run even if you are the only person booked. However, we cannot guarantee that other climbers will join you.

The price per person stays the same regardless of the final group size, for both shared and private bookings.

Unless you specifically request a private trip, other climbers may join your departure, including when you choose a date outside the published group schedule. If you want an exclusively private trip, please state this clearly when sending your booking request, so we can confirm that no other participants will join you.

Yes. We provide all essential camping equipment required for the trek, including high-quality mountain tents, sleeping mats, dining tents, tables, chairs, and eating utensils. However, climbers are required to bring their own personal sleeping bag and clothing. Sleeping bags and other personal trekking equipment can be rented in before the climb.

The Machame Route offers varied scenery, taking you through rainforest, across the Shira Plateau, past Lava Tower and over the Barranco Wall before your summit attempt.

The six-day itinerary follows the same main route as the seven-day version but combines the Barranco-to-Karanga and Karanga-to-Barafu stages into one longer day, without an overnight stay at Karanga. It suits fit hikers comfortable with a more demanding schedule, although the seven-day option allows more time for acclimatisation.

Machame is popular, so expect to share trails and camps with other groups.

You do not need technical climbing experience, but you need strong hiking fitness. Barranco Wall involves easy scrambling and occasional use of your hands.

Prepare for consecutive walking days, a long trek from Barranco to Barafu via Karanga, and a summit stage lasting approximately 10–14 hours, including the descent to your overnight camp.

Regular hill walks, progressively longer hikes and back-to-back walking days are useful preparation. The six-day schedule provides less acclimatisation time than the seven-day option, and excellent fitness does not guarantee that you will adapt well to altitude.

Yes. We strongly recommend travel insurance covering guided trekking up to at least 6,000 metres. It should include altitude-related illness, emergency medical treatment, search and rescue, evacuation, including helicopter evacuation where available, and repatriation.

Ask your insurer to confirm coverage for Kilimanjaro, and carry your policy details and emergency assistance number. Included park rescue fees do not replace travel insurance.

Tipping is customary on Kilimanjaro and is not included in the trip price. As a budgeting guideline, allow the following amounts in USD per crew member, per trekking day, shared by the entire group:

• Lead guide: $20–25

• Assistant guide: $15–20

• Cook: $12–15

• Waiter: $10–12

• Porter: $8–10

• Summit porter: $12–15

• Toilet crew member: $10–12

Your personal contribution depends on your group size and the crew supporting your six-day trek.

Tips are usually given at the end of the climb. We recommend pooling the group’s contributions and distributing them directly to each crew member in separate envelopes. Currencies accepted are US dolars, Euros, and Tanzanian schillings.

Yes. Rental equipment can be arranged before the climb. Send us a list of the items you need and your sizes so we can confirm availability, prices and collection arrangements.

Bring your own broken-in hiking boots wherever possible.

We recommend waterproof hiking boots with good grip and ankle support. Break them in before travelling and check that they fit comfortably with warm socks, leaving enough toe room for long descents.

Some hikers use lighter hiking shoes on the lower stages before switching to boots. This is optional, and you can wear your boots throughout.

Bring Crocs, sandals or lightweight shoes for camp so you can rest your feet after walking. Choose something comfortable to wear with warm socks. Technical mountaineering boots are unnecessary for this route.

Carry water, snacks, waterproof layers, a warm layer, sun protection, gloves, a hat, personal medication and a headlamp in your daypack. Keep valuables and essential documents with you.

Pack your sleeping bag, spare clothing, toiletries and overnight equipment in the duffel carried by our porters. You should not expect access to it during the day’s walk.

We recommend a comfortable 30–40-litre daypack with a hip belt, rain cover and waterproof liner.

Use a soft duffel for your porter-carried equipment. Around 60–100 litres is a practical size, depending on the bulk of your belongings. Your packed duffel must weigh no more than 15 kg.

Budget for crew tips, personal equipment rentals, additional snacks, drinks and other personal purchases.

Breakfast is included during your two hotel nights, but hotel lunches and dinners are excluded. If you request a portable toilet, additional charge applies.

We arrange the park permits and registration. Park entrance, camping and rescue fees are included, together with the applicable government taxes and conservation fees.

Send us the personal and passport details requested before departure. Your visa and other Tanzanian entry requirements remain your responsibility.

The itinerary includes an ascent towards Lava Tower followed by a lower overnight stay at Barranco. On the six-day route, you then continue via Karanga to Barafu in one day, without sleeping at Karanga. This gives you less time to acclimatise than the seven-day programme.

Follow your guide’s slow, steady pace, eat regularly, avoid alcohol and stay hydrated without forcing excessive amounts of water. Fitness does not prevent altitude illness.

Discuss any altitude medication, including Diamox (acetazolamide), with your doctor before travelling. Medication does not replace gradual ascent.

Tell your guide promptly about headaches, nausea, dizziness or unusual fatigue. Do not ascend higher with altitude illness symptoms, and follow instructions to descend if symptoms worsen.

We generally recommend January to March or June to October for drier trekking conditions. January to March can be less busy, while June to October is a popular climbing period.

April and May are usually wetter, and November commonly brings shorter rains. Whatever your dates, prepare for rain on the lower slopes and freezing conditions higher up.