This package combines two very different Kilimanjaro experiences into one trip: the Kilimanjaro Marathon, run annually in Moshi (typically late February or March, exact dates confirmed with the marathon organizers each year), and a full 7-day climb of the mountain itself via the Machame Route. The marathon course climbs gently through villages, farms and plantations with Kilimanjaro as a backdrop, while the climb that follows takes you up the mountain's southern flank through rainforest, the Shira Plateau, the Barranco Wall and on to Uhuru Peak at 5,895m.
This is a genuinely demanding combination, race day and a multi-day high-altitude trek in the same trip, and we'd recommend it specifically for runners who are also experienced or well-prepared hikers. The order can be arranged either way: race first then climb, or climb first then race, let us know your preference when booking. If you'd rather pair the marathon with wildlife viewing instead of a climb, see our Kilimanjaro Marathon and Tanzania Safari package.
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$3,104 per person when 1 person travels/climbs alone
$2,558 per person when 2 persons travel/climb together
$2,344 per person when 3 persons travel/climb together
$2,227 per person when 4 persons travel/climb together
$2,212 per person when 5 persons travel/climb together
$2,156 per person when 6 persons travel/climb together
For a more accurate estimate, contact us with your specific requirements and budget. We'll send a detailed quote based on your itinerary, group size, and preferred level of comfort.
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On arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), our representative meets you and assists with the transfer to your accommodation in Moshi, the starting point for both your trek and the marathon.
Distance: Airport transfer, approx. 45 minutes
Activity: Arrival and transfer to Moshi
Accommodation: Hotel in Moshi
Meals: Breakfast
Depart Moshi at 9am for Machame Gate (1,800m), where you'll meet the porters and cooks who'll be with you for the climb. After registration, the trail climbs through dense montane rainforest, often muddy underfoot, to Machame Camp on the forest edge.
Distance: 9 km, 1,200m elevation gain, 5-6 hours walking
Activity: Trek through montane rainforest to Machame Camp
Accommodation: Machame Camp (tented camp, 3,000m)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
The trail leaves the forest behind and climbs into moorland, opening onto the wide, rolling Shira Plateau with your first clear views of Kibo's summit dome. Shira Camp sits on the plateau itself, exposed and often windy.
Distance: 5 km, 4-5 hours walking
Activity: Trek through moorland onto the Shira Plateau
Accommodation: Shira Camp (tented camp, 3,840m)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
The trail climbs steadily across semi-desert terrain to Lava Tower (4,600m), a striking volcanic plug, where you'll stop for lunch, a key acclimatization point putting the 'climb high, sleep low' principle to work, before you descend through a dramatic valley of giant senecios to Barranco Camp, sheltered beneath the Barranco Wall.
Distance: 11 km, 6-8 hours walking
Activity: Acclimatization stop at Lava Tower, then descend to Barranco Camp
Accommodation: Barranco Camp (tented camp, 3,960m)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
The day opens with the Barranco Wall, a steep but non-technical scramble that looks more intimidating than it is, gaining around 300m in roughly an hour. Beyond the wall, the trail undulates across ridges and valleys with constant views of Kibo before a final descent and short climb into Karanga Camp.
Distance: 5 km, 4-5 hours walking
Activity: Scramble up the Barranco Wall, then trek to Karanga Camp
Accommodation: Karanga Camp (tented camp, 3,995m)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
A shorter day than yesterday's, the trail climbs out of the Karanga Valley and crosses a barren, rocky ridge to Barafu Camp, the summit base camp at the foot of the final ascent. Arriving in the early afternoon leaves time to rest, organize gear and have an early dinner before the midnight summit attempt.
Distance: 4-5 km, 3-4 hours walking
Activity: Trek from Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp (summit base camp)
Accommodation: Barafu Camp (tented camp, 4,640m)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & early Dinner
After an early dinner and a short rest at Barafu Camp, you depart around midnight. The ascent climbs steep scree switchbacks to Stella Point (5,756m) on the crater rim, then follows the rim to Uhuru Peak (5,895m), usually arriving around sunrise. After photos and a short rest, you descend back through Barafu to Mweka Camp, dropping over 2,700m in altitude on tired legs.
Distance: Approx. 15 km (5 km ascent, 10 km descent), 10-12 hours
Activity: Summit climb to Uhuru Peak via Stella Point, then descent to Mweka Camp
Accommodation: Mweka Camp (tented camp, 3,100m)
Meals: Breakfast (early), Lunch & late snack on return
A final, more gentle descent through rainforest brings you to Mweka Gate, where you'll receive your summit certificate. Your driver transfers you back to your hotel in Moshi for a hot shower and a proper bed.
Distance: 7 km, 3-4 hours walking, plus approx. 1 hour drive back to Moshi
Activity: Descend to Mweka Gate, summit certificate ceremony, transfer to Moshi
Accommodation: Hotel in Moshi
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch (on the mountain)
A day to recover from the climb, collect your race number, and explore Moshi at your own pace ahead of race day.
Distance: At leisure in Moshi
Activity: Rest, recovery and race-number collection
Accommodation: Hotel in Moshi
Meals: Breakfast
Race day itself. You'll join runners from around the world on a course through local villages and plantations with the mountain you just climbed visible in the background, fully supported with water and aid stations and medical support throughout, finishing at the stadium in Moshi with bands, spectators and prizes.
Distance: Race distances: 42.2km (full marathon), 21.1km (half marathon), or 5km (fun run)
Activity: Run the Kilimanjaro Marathon, Half Marathon or 5K Fun Run
Accommodation: Hotel in Moshi
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
After breakfast, we'll arrange your transfer to Kilimanjaro International Airport for your onward flight.
Distance: Airport transfer, approx. 45 minutes
Activity: Departure transfer
Accommodation: N/A, end of package
Meals: Breakfast
Please note: the order of the climb and the race can be swapped (race first, then climb) to suit your preference, and the itinerary is subject to change based on accommodation availability. Exact race dates are confirmed with the marathon organizers each year, we'll provide current dates at the time of booking.
Yes, but it's genuinely demanding, and we recommend this combination specifically for travelers who are both trained runners and experienced or well-prepared hikers. Most people in this package climb first and race second, since the climb is the more physically taxing of the two and you'll want decent recovery time before race day, this itinerary is built that way by default, but the order can be swapped on request.
The race is held annually in Moshi, typically at the end of February or in March. Exact dates are set by the marathon organizers each year and we confirm the current date with you at the time of booking, since this package is built around both race weekend and the climb schedule fitting together.
This package uses our 7-Day Machame Route Climb, which includes a night at Karanga Camp before continuing to Barafu, splitting what would otherwise be one long day into two shorter ones for better acclimatization. This typically achieves summit success in the low-to-mid 90 percent range, similar to our standalone 7-Day Machame itinerary, though no operator can guarantee a summit and individual fitness and how your body handles altitude both play a role.
The price covers hotel accommodation in Moshi before and after the climb and around race weekend, airport transfers, all climbing logistics (guide, porters, cook, camping equipment, park fees, camping fees and rescue fees, meals on the mountain, and safety equipment including a pulse oximeter and emergency oxygen), and assistance with race-number collection. Race entry fees, international flights, Tanzania visa, travel insurance, and tips for your mountain crew are not included. See the full "What's included" and "Not included" sections on this page for the complete breakdown.
Yes, we'd suggest building both running fitness and hiking endurance with a loaded daypack in the months before you travel, rather than focusing on just one. Recovery matters too, plan for at least the rest day built into this itinerary between the climb and the race, and consider that your legs will be more fatigued going into race day than they would be on a standalone marathon trip.
Yes, this is a flexible package and we can run the marathon before the Machame climb if you'd prefer. Many people choose to climb first to avoid racing on tired legs, but if you'd rather get the race out of the way before tackling the mountain, just let us know when booking.
Most nationalities can obtain a Tanzania tourist visa online via the eTA system before travel, or on arrival at Kilimanjaro Airport (JRO). The visa costs USD 50 for most nationalities and USD 100 for US citizens. Yellow fever vaccination is only required if you're arriving from a yellow-fever-endemic country. Comprehensive travel insurance covering both high-altitude trekking and general medical evacuation is required for the climbing portion of this trip, we cannot accept bookings without it.
That's a real possibility with this combination, and there's no shame in treating the race as a fun run or simply finishing at your own pace if the climb has taken more out of you than expected. Our guides and the marathon's own medical support are both there to help you make sensible decisions on the day. The itinerary's built-in rest day (Day 9) is specifically there to give your legs a chance to recover before race day.
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