Machame Route Kilimanjaro Climb
The most popular way up Africa's highest mountain: six or seven days of camping through rainforest, moorland, the Barranco Wall and a midnight summit push to Uhuru Peak.
Kilimanjaro (Tanzania)
Mount Kilimanjaro & Moshi
Mount Kilimanjaro rises to 5,895 metres above the town of Moshi, and this guide is built around climbing it: the Machame, Lemosho, Marangu, Rongai, Umbwe, Shira and Northern Circuit routes, private departures for your own party, a climb and safari combination and the neighbouring mountains of Meru and Ol Doinyo Lengai.
It also covers the days around a climb, from Chagga village stays, Marangu walks and bike rides on the lower slopes to the Usambara hills and a stay in the villages. Ten places to stay are matched to the way you travel, in Moshi town, in Marangu village and near Machame Gate. Six guides cover first-time planning, choosing a route, where to sleep, preparation, seasons and things to do without climbing. The Materuni waterfalls, coffee and hot spring days, the Kilimanjaro day hikes and the Moshi hotels already described on our Arusha pages are not repeated here. Park fees are charged per day and change, so always ask what a climb includes.
Don't miss
Machame Route Kilimanjaro Climb
The most popular way up Africa's highest mountain: six or seven days of camping through rainforest, moorland, the Barranco Wall and a midnight summit push to Uhuru Peak.
Lemosho Route Kilimanjaro Climb
A longer, quieter western approach to Uhuru Peak, with forest wildlife on day one, the open Shira Plateau and an extra day or two to adapt to altitude.
Chagga Culture Experience: Cooking, Banana Beer and Village Hiking
A three-day immersion in Chagga life on Kilimanjaro's slopes, with home cooking, banana beer, community projects and walks between farms and furrows.
Marangu Route Kilimanjaro Climb
The hut route up Kilimanjaro, with dormitory beds instead of tents, a steady gradient and five or six days to Uhuru Peak from the Marangu side.
Things to do in Mount Kilimanjaro & Moshi
Hand-picked: every experience here has strong traveler reviews and a verified booking link.
Lemosho Route Kilimanjaro Climb
A longer, quieter western approach to Uhuru Peak, with forest wildlife on day one, the open Shira Plateau and an extra day or two to adapt to altitude.
Marangu Route Kilimanjaro Climb
The hut route up Kilimanjaro, with dormitory beds instead of tents, a steady gradient and five or six days to Uhuru Peak from the Marangu side.
Rongai Route Kilimanjaro Climb
The quiet northern approach near the Kenyan border: a gentle, drier climb with fewer people and a return down the Marangu side.
Umbwe Route Kilimanjaro Climb
The steepest and most direct line up Kilimanjaro, for experienced and very fit trekkers who want a hard, quiet climb from the south.
Northern Circuit Kilimanjaro Climb
The longest route on the mountain: nine or ten days looping around the quiet north side before the summit, with the best acclimatization and fewest people.
Shira Route Kilimanjaro Climb
A western-side route that starts on the high Shira Plateau, saving time on the approach but needing extra care with altitude.
Private Machame Route Kilimanjaro Climb
A Machame climb for your own party only, with a dedicated guide team, your own pace and flexible dates.
Private Lemosho Route Kilimanjaro Climb
An eight-day Lemosho trek for your own party, with the slow western approach, a dedicated crew and flexible dates.
Private Marangu Route Kilimanjaro Climb
A private hut-based trek on the Marangu route, with a guide and cook just for your party.
Private Rongai Route Kilimanjaro Climb
A seven-day private Rongai trek from the quiet north side, with a dedicated crew and a descent through Marangu.
Kilimanjaro Climb and Safari Combination
A twelve-day itinerary that pairs a Lemosho Kilimanjaro trek with a Tanzanian wildlife safari, so you reach the summit and then see the animals.
Where to stay
Hotels we would book ourselves, from splurges to good-value bases.
Weru Weru River Lodge
Weru Weru, near Moshi
A riverside lodge on the edge of Moshi, a quieter alternative to a town-centre hotel and a popular stop for climbers.
Check rates →Nyumbani Hotels and Resorts Moshi
Moshi
A Moshi hotel and resort property suited to travellers who want a comfortable base with a relaxed, resort-style feel.
Check rates →Osy Grand Hotel
Central Moshi
A central Moshi hotel suited to travellers who want to be close to the town's shops, restaurants and tour offices.
Check rates →Mbugani Hotel
Moshi
A simple Moshi hotel suited to budget-minded travellers who need a clean bed close to town.
Check rates →Selig Hotel
Moshi
A Moshi hotel for travellers who want a straightforward base within reach of the town and the mountain gates.
Check rates →The Secret Garden Hotel Moshi
Moshi
A garden-themed hotel in Moshi that suits travellers wanting a calm, green setting between climbs and day trips.
Check rates →Aishi Machame Hotel
Machame (near Machame Gate)
A hotel in the Machame foothills, close to the Machame trailhead, for climbers who want to start the route from a quiet base.
Check rates →Babylon Lodge
Marangu
A lodge in Marangu village for climbers on the hut route and visitors exploring Chagga farms and waterfalls.
Check rates →Kilimanjaro Mountain Resorts Marangu
Marangu
A resort-style property in Marangu on the slopes of Kilimanjaro, good for a comfortable stay before or after the Marangu route.
Check rates →Kilimanjaro Resort Marangu
Marangu
A Marangu resort for travellers who want a simple base close to the gate, the village and the Marangu waterfalls.
Check rates →Tour + stay
Ready-made pairings: a top sight and a hotel that suits it. Add both to your trip and book each when you are ready.
Do
Machame Route Kilimanjaro ClimbStay
Aishi Machame HotelMachame (near Machame Gate)
Do
Lemosho Route Kilimanjaro ClimbStay
Babylon LodgeMarangu
Do
Chagga Culture Experience: Cooking, Banana Beer and Village HikingStay
Kilimanjaro Resort MaranguMarangu
Mount Kilimanjaro & Moshi guides
First-Timer's Guide to Climbing Kilimanjaro
What to know before you book a Kilimanjaro climb: the mountain, the routes, how many days to allow, what a climb includes and how Moshi fits in.
Choosing Your Kilimanjaro Route: Machame, Lemosho, Marangu and More
Compare the main Kilimanjaro routes by scenery, crowds, difficulty and success: Machame, Lemosho, Marangu, Rongai, Umbwe, Shira and the Northern Circuit.
Where to Stay Around Kilimanjaro: Moshi, Marangu and Machame
How to choose between Moshi town, Marangu village and the Machame foothills for the nights before and after a Kilimanjaro climb.
Preparing for a Kilimanjaro Climb: Fitness, Kit and Altitude
How to train, what to pack and how to manage altitude on Kilimanjaro, with practical tips from months before to summit night.
Best Time to Climb Kilimanjaro: Seasons, Weather and Crowds
When to climb Kilimanjaro: the dry seasons, the rains, moon and crowds, and how weather differs between routes and slopes.
Things to Do Around Moshi Besides Climbing
Villages, bike rides, Chagga cooking, Marangu, the Usambaras and Ol Doinyo Lengai: how to fill days around Moshi if you are not climbing, or after you come down.
