6 Day Kilimanjaro Climb from Nairobi (Machame, Rongai and Lemosho)

A 6 day Kilimanjaro climb takes you to Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa at 5,895 m. We run it on the Machame route, which is the most popular choice and we also quote Rongai and Lemosho on request.

You travel from Nairobi to Moshi by road, spend six days on the mountain with a licensed guide, a cook and porters and return to Moshi for a hot shower and a celebration dinner. You do not need climbing skills, but you do need fitness and a steady head for altitude.

This page shows the day by day plan, the fees inside the price and the honest facts about success rates. Send your dates on WhatsApp and we send a written quote the same day.

Highlights

• A 6 day Kilimanjaro climb to Uhuru Peak at 5,895 m, the roof of Africa
• Machame route through rainforest, moorland and alpine desert
• Licensed guide, assistant guides, cook and porters
• Camping with tents, mattresses and hot meals
• Nairobi to Moshi transfers and two Moshi hotel nights included
• Park, camping and rescue fees counted in the price

Day by day plan

1. Day 1

   Nairobi to Moshi

   You leave Nairobi at about 7 am and drive about 6 to 7 hours to Moshi through Namanga, with a border stop on the way. You pass Arusha and see Mount Meru. At your hotel you meet your lead guide for a gear check and briefing. You eat a good dinner and sleep early. This is the last night with a proper bed and shower before the climb.

2. Day 2

   Machame Gate to Machame Camp

   You drive about 45 minutes to Machame Gate at 1,640 m and register. On day two of your 6 day Kilimanjaro climb you walk through thick rainforest for 5 to 6 hours to Machame Camp at 2,980 m. The path is muddy and shaded and you may see blue monkeys and colobus. Your porters reach camp before you and the tents are ready. You eat hot soup and supper and sleep to the sounds of the forest.

3. Day 3

   Machame to Shira Camp

   You climb out of the forest into heather and moorland. The path is steep in places and rewards you with wide views. You cross the Shira Plateau and reach Shira Camp at 3,840 m after 5 to 6 hours. Mount Meru rises above the clouds in the distance. Your guide checks your oxygen levels and asks how you feel. You sleep in cold, clear air.

4. Day 4

   Lava Tower and Barranco

   You walk up to the Lava Tower at 4,630 m, a good height for acclimatisation, then descend to Barranco Camp at 3,950 m. You climb high and sleep low, which helps your body. The walk takes 6 to 7 hours. Barranco sits under the Great Barranco Wall, a cliff you climb tomorrow. The valley holds giant groundsel plants and amazing views of the summit.

5. Day 5

   Barranco to Barafu Camp

   You scramble up the Barranco Wall, which looks scary but is mostly easy hand and foot work. You walk through Karanga Valley and reach Barafu Camp at 4,673 m after about 7 hours. The air is thin and the ground is rocky. You eat early, rest and prepare your gear. You go to bed at about 6 pm, since you wake at midnight for the summit.

6. Day 6

   Summit day and descent to Mweka

   You leave camp at about midnight and climb slowly in the dark, with a headlamp and warm layers. After 6 to 7 hours you reach Stella Point at 5,756 m, then walk another hour to Uhuru Peak at sunrise. You descend to Barafu for a short rest, then continue to Mweka Camp at 3,100 m. The day is long, about 12 to 14 hours and very tiring.

7. Day 7

   Mweka Gate and Moshi

   You walk about 3 hours down through rainforest to Mweka Gate at 1,640 m. You sign out, collect your summit certificate and meet your vehicle. You drive to Moshi for a hot shower and a celebration dinner with the crew. Your legs may hurt, but your pride will outweigh it. You tip the crew at the gate or at dinner.

8. Day 8

   Moshi to Nairobi

   After a late breakfast you drive back to Nairobi, about 6 to 7 hours. You reach the city in the late afternoon or early evening. Plan flights after 9 pm, or add a night in Nairobi to rest. If you want a safari to recover, ask about an Amboseli add on, since Amboseli has the best views of Kilimanjaro from the Kenyan side.

6 Day Kilimanjaro Climb via Machame, guide price per person, USD, from Nairobi

• Guide price per person, confirmed in writing on WhatsApp before any payment
• Park fees of about USD 800 to 850 for 6 days on Machame are included, confirm at booking
• Prices fall as the group grows because guide, cook and porter costs are shared
• Rongai and Lemosho are quoted on request and a 7 day Lemosho climb gives better odds

Get my exact price on WhatsApp

Is a 6 day Kilimanjaro climb Right for You?

A 6 day Kilimanjaro climb on Machame is a balanced plan and it is our most requested route. It is shorter and cheaper than a 7 or 8 day climb, but it gives you a good acclimatisation profile thanks to the Lava Tower day. It suits fit hikers with some altitude experience.

If you have never been above 3,500 m, a longer route gives you better odds. Our Kilimanjaro routes compared guide explains the options. The Kilimanjaro trek and wildlife safari adds days and a safari.

How Much Is a 6 day Kilimanjaro climb?

Our guide prices start at USD 1,950 per person for six people on a budget plan. Two people on the same plan pay about USD 2,440 each. A premium plan with extra support and better hotels runs about USD 2,820 to USD 3,510.

The price covers crew, park, camping and rescue fees, meals, tents, two hotel nights and transfers from Nairobi. Park fees alone are about USD 800 to 850 for a six day Machame climb. Our Kilimanjaro climbing cost page explains how the full cost builds up.

Machame, Rongai or Lemosho

On a 6 day Kilimanjaro climb Machame is the most popular route and is called the Whiskey route. It is steep and scenic with a good acclimatisation profile. Rongai starts in the north near the Kenya border and is quieter and drier. Lemosho starts in the west and has the best views, but a 6 day version moves fast.

We recommend Machame for most climbers on a 6 day Kilimanjaro climb and a 7 or 8 day Lemosho for those who want the best odds. Tell us your fitness and dates and we advise.

Success Rate and Altitude

Summit success on a 6 day Kilimanjaro climb rises with more days on the mountain. A six day climb is workable for fit people, but success is lower than on seven or eight days. Altitude sickness affects fit and unfit climbers alike.

Walk slowly, drink three to four litres of water a day and tell your guide about any symptoms early. Talk to your doctor about altitude medicine before you go. Your guide carries oxygen and descends with anyone in trouble.

Fitness and Training

To enjoy a 6 day Kilimanjaro climb you should be able to hike 6 to 8 hours with a day pack on consecutive days. Train for two to three months with long hill hikes, stairs and weight. Practise in your boots and layers.

Close to Nairobi you can train on our Ngong Hills hike and Mount Longonot hike. A Mount Kenya trek is the best practice of all and our Mount Kenya climbing packages page lists the options.

Weather and Best Months

For a 6 day Kilimanjaro climb the two dry seasons are Jan to Mar and Jun to Oct. These months give clearer skies and firmer trails. Apr to May and Nov are the rainy months, with mud, cloud and cold. The summit is below freezing all year, often minus 10 degrees Celsius at night.

Full moon nights make summit night easier because you see the glaciers. Ask us about full moon dates when you plan.

Crew, Tips and Ethics

Your crew on a 6 day Kilimanjaro climb includes a lead guide, assistant guides, a cook and porters. Porters carry your gear and tents and fair treatment matters. We pay at least the guideline wages and limit the loads.

Tips are a big part of the Kilimanjaro budget. A common guide is about USD 200 to 300 per climber for the whole crew, shared by role. We explain the amounts at your briefing. See our Kenya safari tipping guide for general advice.

Visas, Insurance and Packing

For a 6 day Kilimanjaro climb you need a Tanzania visa and may need a yellow fever certificate when entering from Kenya. Check your insurance covers trekking to 6,000 m and helicopter rescue. Our AMREF Flying Doctors guide explains local cover.

Pack warm layers, a four season sleeping bag and boots you have worn in. Rent heavy gear from us if you prefer.

Book Your 6 day Kilimanjaro climb

Send your dates, group size and fitness background for your 6 day Kilimanjaro climb on WhatsApp at +254 720 731957. We reply with a written quote and a suggested plan. A deposit holds your climb and you can pay the balance in instalments.

Add an Amboseli safari on the way home for the best Kenya view of the mountain. See our 3 day Amboseli safari or browse the full list of safari packages.

How to book your 6 day Kilimanjaro climb

Booking your 6 day Kilimanjaro climb with us takes about five minutes of your time. The rest is our job. Here is exactly what happens, step by step, so there are no surprises along the way.

1. Send your dates. Message us on WhatsApp with your travel dates, how many people are coming and the ages of any children. Tell us if you have a budget in mind. We plan with it, not around it.
2. Get a written quote. We reply with a clear price per person, what it includes and what it does not. No hidden park fees and no vague extras. If a cheaper camp or a shorter route makes more sense, we say so.
3. Tweak it until it fits. Change a camp, add a night or swap a park. Ask as many questions as you like. Changes cost nothing until you confirm.
4. Confirm with a deposit. A deposit holds your vehicle, guide and rooms. You get a written confirmation with every detail and the date the balance is due.
5. Travel day. Your driver guide meets you at your hotel or the airport with a name board. You have their number and ours for the whole trip.

What every trip with us includes

Every 6 day Kilimanjaro climb plan we put together comes with the basics done properly. You ride in a safari vehicle with a pop up roof, with a professional driver guide who knows the parks. Water is in the cooler box and park fees are sorted in advance so you do not stand in a queue at the gate.

We also stay reachable. If something changes on the road, a flat tyre, a closed route or a sudden storm, we sort it and keep you posted on WhatsApp.

Paying safely

We share payment details in writing only and every payment gets a receipt. The payment options and the balance date sit on your written quote, so nothing is left to memory or a phone call.

Why book with a Nairobi team

We live here. We drive these roads all year, we know which camps are honest about their photos and we know when a park is too busy to enjoy. That local knowledge is what turns a good 6 day Kilimanjaro climb into a great one. Our Google rating sits at 5.0 from 46 reviews and we plan to keep it that way.

Ready when you are. Send us a message and we will put a plan together for you shortly.

Questions people ask

Official information: Tanzania National Parks, the official park authority.

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