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
7 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 Moshi or Arusha accommodations and make the drive to Kilimanjaro National Park.
Here, you’ll liaise with your guides and begin your ascent through the verdant rainforest that clothes the lower reaches of Kilimanjaro.
Hiking for 5-6 hours through this ancient jungle, you’ll get to go on a miniature safari as you spot wildlife such as black and white colobus monkeys along the way.
You’ll finish your day at Machame Camp (3,000 metres), where your porters will be waiting with your tents pitched, hot water ready for bathing, and food ready to reenergise you for the day to come.
- Elevation: 1830m/6000ft to 3050m/9950ft
- Distance: 11km/7mi
- Hiking Time: 5-6 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: 3050m/9950ft to 3850m/12,600ft
- Distance: 5km/3mi
- Walking Time: 4-5 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: 3850m/12,600ft to 4000m/13,000ft
- Distance: 10km/6mi
- Walking Time: 5-6 hours
- Habitat: Semi-desert
- Meals Provided: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 4 - BARRANCO CAMP - KARANGA 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 for another 3-4 hours until you reach your camp in the Karanga Valley,
Stopping in time for lunch, you’ll have the afternoon to relax and acclimatize.
- Elevation: 4000m/13,000ft to 4050m/13,250ft
- Distance: 5km/3mi
- Climbing Time: 3-4 hours
- Habitat: Alpine Desert
- Meals Provided: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 5 - KARANGA CAMP - BARAFU CAMP
After your breakfast, you’ll continue on for another 2-3 hours until you reach Barafu Camp.
Your hike takes you across an alpine desert, making for a truly otherworldly day of hiking.
As you’ll be summitting tomorrow, it’s important that you eat a full meal and drink plenty of fluids before turning in for the evening.
- Elevation: 4050m/13,250ft to 4700m/15,350ft
- Distance: 4km/2mi
- Climbing Time: 3-4 hours
- Habitat: Alpine Desert
- Meals Provided: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 6 - BARAFU CAMP - UHURU PEAK - MWEKA CAMP
You’re starting your day early today – just after midnight, in fact!
Your climbing team will wake you with a cup of hot tea and a light snack for energy as you get dressed and prepare your daypack for the adventure ahead.
You’ll be hiking in utter darkness for the next 5-7 hours, so take it slow and you’ll arrive at Stella Point a few hours before dawn. From here, there’s another two hours of intense hiking before you reach your ultimate goal: Uhuru Peak.
Standing at 5,985m, you’ll be able to experience a spectacular sunrise and take in the panoramic view. You’ve done it!
After snapping your photos and soaking it all in, you’ll begin the descent back down towards Barafu Camp, where you’ll stop for lunch and some celebration.
After a bit of rest, you’ll continue down to Mweka Camp to overnight.
- Elevation: 4700m/15,350ft to 5895m/19,340ft
- Down to 3090m/10,150ft
- Distance: 5km/3mi up / 13km/8mi down
- Climbing Time: 5-7 hours up / 5-6 hours down
- Habitat: Stone scree and ice-capped summit
- Meals Provided: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 7 - 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: 3090m/10,150ft to 1680m/5500ft
- Distance: 10km/6mi
- Climbing Time: 3-4 hours
- Habitat: Forest
- 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
