Kilimanjaro climbs
Kilimanjaro: 8-day Lemosho Route
Our highest-success route. Eight days from the remote western forests across the Shira Plateau, with the best acclimatisation profile on the mountain.
Kilimanjaro climbs
Kilimanjaro: 7-day Machame Route
The classic 'Whiskey Route': the most scenic way up Kilimanjaro, with a seventh day that makes a real difference to your summit chances.
- Duration7 days
- DifficultyChallenging
- RouteMachame
- Max altitude5,895 m
- Best timeJan to Mar, Jun to Oct
- GroupPrivate, 1 to 12 climbers
- Starts / endsMoshi or Arusha
Machame is the route most of our guides would choose for themselves. It climbs through five distinct climate zones, crosses the dramatic Barranco Wall, and follows the golden rule of altitude: climb high, sleep low. Adding a seventh day splits the long Barranco-to-Barafu stretch in two, giving your body an extra night to adjust before summit night.
You will be on the mountain with your own crew: a lead guide, assistant guides, a cook and porters, all employed directly by Neeko and paid to Kilimanjaro Porters Assistance Project standards. We carry a pulse oximeter and check everyone twice a day.
Highlights
- Sunrise from Uhuru Peak, the roof of Africa at 5,895 m
- Scramble the Barranco Wall with the Western Breach above you
- Five climate zones, from rainforest to arctic summit
- Extra acclimatisation day at Karanga for a stronger summit bid
- Your own guide team, cook and porters
Day by day
Morning transfer from Moshi to Machame Gate for registration. The trail climbs steadily through dense montane forest, where colobus monkeys are common. Camp is set up for you at the forest edge.
Out of the forest and into moorland. A steep ridge leads to the Shira Plateau, with your first big views of Kibo and Mount Meru floating above the clouds to the west.
The key acclimatisation day. You climb to Lava Tower at 4,630 m for lunch, then descend into the Barranco Valley through giant groundsels. You sleep lower than you climbed, which is exactly what your body needs.
The morning starts with the Barranco Wall, a fun hands-on scramble that looks worse than it is. From the top the trail rolls through valleys to Karanga. A short day on purpose: rest, eat, acclimatise.
A gentle climb to Barafu, base camp for the summit. You arrive by early afternoon, eat early and sleep early. Your guide briefs you on the night ahead and checks your kit.
Wake around midnight. Climb by headtorch up the scree to Stella Point on the crater rim for sunrise, then along the rim to Uhuru Peak. After photos you descend all the way to Mweka Camp in the forest, a long but joyful day.
A final walk down through the rainforest to Mweka Gate, where you collect your summit certificate and say goodbye to the crew. Transfer to your hotel in Moshi for a long shower and a cold Kilimanjaro beer.
What's included
Included
- 2 nights hotel in Moshi (before and after the climb), bed and breakfast
- Transfers between Moshi and the park gates
- All Kilimanjaro National Park fees, camping fees and rescue fees
- Professional licensed mountain guide, assistant guides, cook and porters
- Quality mountain tents, sleeping mats, mess tent, tables and chairs
- Three hot meals a day on the mountain and boiled drinking water
- Pulse oximeter checks twice daily and a first-aid kit
- Portable toilet tent
Not included
- International flights and Tanzanian visa
- Travel insurance (must cover trekking to 6,000 m)
- Personal climbing gear (available to rent in Moshi)
- Tips for the mountain crew (we give you the guideline before you book)
- Lunch and dinner at the hotel, drinks and personal items
Questions people ask
Six days or seven?
Seven. The extra night at Karanga is the single best thing you can do for your summit chances and your enjoyment of the climb. We only run the 6-day version for experienced high-altitude trekkers.
How cold does it get?
Summit night can be minus 10 to minus 20 Celsius with wind. A good down jacket, warm gloves and a four-season sleeping bag are essential. Everything can be rented in Moshi if you do not want to buy it.
Can I climb solo?
Yes. All our climbs are private, so a solo climber gets their own crew. We can also try to pair you with another solo climber on similar dates to share costs, if you prefer.
What climbers say
★★★★★
I had the pleasure to take part at a wonderful 7 Days Safari and to climb Kilimanjaro with Neeko Tours and it was an unforgettable time! The staff and team-member did all an excellent job and we worked all together. Especially I enjoyed the great service by Neeko tours, whenever we had a problem they tried to solve it. I can recommend Neeko Tours to everyone who is looking for an authentic and well organised Tour in Tanzania! It was truly amazing!
★★★★★
I visited Tanzania for the first time, doing both a 6 day Kilimanjaro trek and 5 day safari with Neeko Tours. I could not have had a better experience! Both my mountain guide and safari guide were absolutely fantastic. I was safe, happy, and well-fed the entire time! I plan on returning and exploring with them again in the future. By traveling with them, you’re supporting a local community, making the experience even more meaningful.
★★★★★
I was recommended Neeko Tours by a friend who had done the Lemosho Kilimanjaro trek with them. I am so glad I did because we had the most amazing experience with the kindest, strongest and energetic guides, cook and porters! Our guides Harold and Andrew supported us every step of the way up, shared their stories and knowledge with us and gave us the encouragement we needed to keep going on summit night. Our cook gave us hot water bottles at night, made ginger tea when we felt a bit sick and even made us a cake on the mountain to congratulate us on summiting! We were well fed with nutritious and filling meals that I always looked forward to. Lastly, our superhuman porters who do all the hard work to make the experience comfortable for us! They sang us songs, gave us fist bumps and danced with us throughout the trek and on the bus ride back. I highly recommend that you book your Kili trek with Neeko Tours because Gasper and the crew will be sure to keep you safe and give you an experience you won't forget. Their hospitality started long before our trek and continues even after!
Climb for a reason
Make this climb count for Ikirwa School
Gasper, who runs Neeko, founded a primary school in his home village on land his family gave. Around 200 children learn there. Charity climbers get a discount on the climb, a fundraising page, and a visit to the school to see what they paid for.
Keeping the school buses running
$0 of $6,000 raised
A dining hall for 200 children
$0 of $25,000 raised
Eight classrooms and a dormitory
Completed
$508 sponsors a pupil for a year
$800 furnishes a classroom
$15,000 builds one
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