Trip overview
Considered to be the most beautiful and scenic of the various routes up Mount Kilimanjaro, the Machame Route is appropriate for more adventurous hikers who wish for a more physically demanding climb than Marangu or Rongai can offer. You can choose to complete this route in either six days or seven days.
One of the most breathtaking and popular routes on Mount Kilimanjaro, the Machame (or ‘Whiskey’) route contains some tough climbing that rewards those who prepare and endure when the going gets tough.
With the addition of an additional day for acclimatization, this route perfectly blends the challenge of the climb with Machame’s natural beauty.
Tour Highlights
- Stunning scenery as the route passes through five distinct climatic zones
- High summit success rates thanks to a strong acclimatization profile
- Diverse landscapes and varied hiking terrain throughout the climb
Machame route map
Itinerary
6 days Machame route
Arrive in Tanzania
You will be picked up at Kilimanjaro International Airport and transferred to your arranged hotel in Moshi town. Upon arrival, you will meet your mountain guide who will brief you on the upcoming trek and conduct a full equipment check to ensure you have all the necessary mountain gear. Any missing items can be rented on this day. You will spend the night at the hotel on a bed and breakfast basis, allowing time to rest and prepare for the climb.
- Driving distance: 55 km
- Driving time: Approximately 1 hour
- Habitat: Cultivated zone
- Accommodation: Hotel (Bed & Breakfast
Day 1 - MOSHI - MACHAME CAMP
You’ll be picked up from your accommodations and transferred to Kilimanjaro National Park. Upon arrival, you’ll meet your guides and begin your trek through the lush rainforest that blankets the lower slopes of the mountain.
Over the course of 5–6 hours, you’ll hike through this ancient jungle, enjoying a miniature safari experience as you spot wildlife such as black-and-white colobus monkeys along the way. Your day concludes at Machame Camp (3,000 m), where your porters will have your tents set up, hot water ready for bathing, and a delicious meal prepared to re-energize you for the next day’s adventure.
- Elevation: 1,800 meters to 2,835 meters
- Distance covered: 11 km
- Approximate time taken: 7 hours
- Habitat: Montane forest
- Meals Provided: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 2 - MACHAME CAMP - SHIRA CAMP
You’ll be up bright and early today, but it’s a shorter day of hiking. The lush forest gives way to scrubby moorland today, making for an entirely different hiking experience.
You’ll arrive at Shira Camp by the mid-afternoon, giving you time to relax and soak in the stunning views of the Kibo glacier from the Shira Plateau.
- Elevation: 2,835 meters to 3,750 meters
- Distance covered: 5 km
- Approximate time taken: 3 hours
- Habitat: Moorland
- Meals Provided: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 3 - SHIRA CAMP - LAVA TOWER - BARRANCO CAMP
Your first goal today will be the intimidating form of the Lava Tower (4,640m) and you’ll set off for this distinctive landmark immediately after breakfast.
After ascending 700m to the Lava Tower, you’ll descend gradually towards Barranco Camp at 4,500m.
Your trek again takes you through different vegetation zones and you’ll set up camp at the scenic Barranco Camp in the shadows of the imposing Barranco Wall. Considered the most beautiful of all of the camps on Kilimanjaro, Barranco will be your base for the evening.
- Elevation: 3,750 meters to 3,900meters
- Distance covered: 10 km
- Approximate time taken: 6 hours
- Habitat: Alpine desert
- Meals Provided: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 4 - BARRANCO CAMP - barafu CAMP
You’ll get your first real taste of mountain climbing today, as you’ll tackle Barranco Wall for a bit of old-fashioned rock climbing.
After this initial trial, you’ll continue towards the Karanga Valley, where you’ll stop for lunch.
After your meal, you’ll continue on for another 2-3 hours until you reach Barafu Camp.
As you’ll be submitting tomorrow, it’s important that you eat a full meal and drink plenty of fluids before turning in for the evening.
- Elevation: 3,900 meters to 4,673 meters
- Distance covered: 8 km
- Approximate time taken: 8 hours
- Habitat: Alpine desert
- Meals Provided: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 5 - BARAFU CAMP - UHURU PEAK - millenium CAMP
Today starts very early — just after midnight! Your climbing team will wake you with a cup of hot tea and a light snack to energize you as you prepare your daypack for the summit attempt.
You’ll hike in darkness for 5–7 hours, taking it steady to reach Stella Point a few hours before dawn. From Stella Point, it’s another two hours of challenging hiking to reach your ultimate goal: Uhuru Peak. Standing at 5,895 m, you’ll be rewarded with a spectacular sunrise and breathtaking panoramic views — a moment to celebrate your achievement!
After taking photos and soaking in the experience, you’ll descend back to Barafu Camp for lunch and some rest. The descent continues to Mellinium Camp, where you’ll spend the night.
- Elevation: 4,673 meters to 5,895 meters
- Down to 3,950
- Distance covered: 15 km
- Approximate time taken: 12-15 hours
- Habitat: Glacier/Moorland
- Meals Provided: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 6 - MWEKA CAMP - MOSHI
It’s a day of celebration today, as you’ll enjoy one last breakfast on the mountain before descending to the Mweka Gate.
Here, you’ll get to celebrate with your porters and guides, provide them with their tips for their hard work, and collect your certificate of completion.
Your driver will then whisk you away to your Moshi or Arusha hotel to get some well-earned rest.
- Elevation: 3,590 meters to 2,835 meters
- Distance covered: 14 km
- Approximate time taken: 6 hours
- Habitat: Moorland/Rainforest
- Meals Provided: Breakfast
Included
- Park fees, camping fees & rescue fees
- 18% VAT on tour fees & services
- 3 Season mountain tents
- Double layered Sleeping Mats
- Transportation to & from the mountain gate
- Professional mountain guides, cooks, and porters
- 3 meals daily while on the mountain
- Filtered water throughout the trek
- Pre & Post Trek accommodation at the Parkview Inn
- Fair wages for the mountain crew as approved by the Kilimanjaro National Park Authority (KINAPA), Kilimanjaro Association of Tour Operators (KIATO)
- 2- way private airport transfers
- Oxygen cylinder
- Oximeter
Excluded
- Flights
- Tips to mountain crew
- Items of a personal nature
- Laundry Services
- Travel Insurance
