7 Day Kilimanjaro Machame Route + 2Nights before & after climb
About This Route
The Machame route, also referred to as the Whiskey route, is one of the most popular routes on Kilimanjaro and a favorite for Africa joy Tours Despite being a tough climb compared to the Marangu route, the Machame route has one of the highest summit success rates given the topography of the route which allows climbers to “trek high & sleep low” hence making it a more favorable route for acclimatization. Different the Marangu route which is a gradual ascent, the Machame route is has steeper trails and climbers walk longer distances. This route offers some of the most spectacular scenery while on the mountain. The Machame route starts in the south west side of the mountain and proceeds steeply north, traversing the Shira plateau and eventually joining the Shira and Lemosho routes at the Shira camp. The Machame route can be done in lowest 6 days but a 7 day trek is optional so climbers are well rested and acclimatized before making the final ascent to the summit.
Climbing Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Tanzania
You will be picked up at the Kilimanjaro International Airport and transferred to your hotel in Arusha town; you will meet your guide who will brief you on your upcoming trek and do an equipment check to make sure you have all the necessary mountain gear. Gear which is missing can be rented on this day. Overnight at Mvuli hotel (or alternative)
Meals: No Meals Included
Day 2: Machame Gate (1790m) to Machame Camp (3010m)
One hour’s drive from Moshi lies the gate to the Machame route, where we complete park formalities, meet our crew of porters and start to climb! The first section of the route climbs steadily and passes through magnificent, dense rainforest. This path is less well-trodden so it can get somewhat overgrown in places and it is often wet and muddy underfoot.
Distance covered: 10.8km / 6.7mi
Approx. time taken: 6 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
Day 3: Machame Camp (3010m) to Shira Camp (3845m)
Our route continues on up through the forest until we reach the steep ascent onto the Shira Plateau, where there are rewarding views of the mountain. Looking back, you will be able to see Mt Meru rising high above Arusha town in the distance.
Distance covered: 5.4km / 3.4mi
Approx. time taken: 5 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
Day 4: Shira Cave (3845m) to Barranco Camp (3960m)
Walking now on high moorland, the landscape changes the entire character of the trek. We traverse the southwest side of Kilimanjaro, passing underneath the Lava Tower and the final section of the Western Breach and finally reach camp The day has been spent at altitude (up to 4600m), but we have followed the mountaineering code of ‘walk high, sleep low’ to aid your body’s acclimatization to altitude.
Distance covered: 10.8km / 6.7mi
Approx. time taken: 8 hrs
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
Day 5: Barranco Camp (3960m) to Karanga Camp (3963m)
Our day starts by descending into the start of the Great Barranco, a huge ravine. We then exit steeply, up the Great Barranco Wall, which divides us from the southeastern slopes of Kibo. It’s a climb over rock, not technical but long and tiring. Passing underneath the Heim and Kersten glaciers, we head towards the Karanga valley. From here we have a steep climb up from Karanga valley to our night’s camp at Karanga camp, set at 3963m. For those feeling strong we will go for a mid-afternoon acclimatization trek up to around 4200m before descending back to camp for the night.
Distance covered: 5.5km / 3.4mi
Approx. time taken: 5 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
Day 6: Karanga Camp (3963) to Barafu Camp (4640m)
After a good night’s rest and breakfast, we set off on our walk to Barafu camp at 4640m. The climb will take us across desolate scree slopes with no vegetation around us at all. It’s a tough steep walk made more difficult by the altitude. On arriving at camp we eat and spend the afternoon resting as we prepare for a long night and day ahead. It is important to keep hydrated and warm. We have an early dinner and then try to get some sleep as we will be getting up at between 11pm and 12pm to start the climb to the summit.
Distance covered: 3km / 1.9mi
Approx. time taken: 3 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
Day 7: Barafu Camp (4640m) to UHURU PEAK (5895m) & down to Millennium Camp (3790m)
We start off at around midnight, and walk steeply upwards to the summit glaciers. We will be climbing scree for 4 to 5 hours but gain incredible height over a short distance. The views are spectacular. We should be on the crater rim at Stella Point (5739m) as the first rays of the sun hit us. Spectacular ice cliffs within the crater surround us and the views to jagged Mawenzi peak and beyond are breathtaking. Another hour’s walking takes us to the summit, Uhuru Peak (5895m). We begin our descent by returning to Stella Point and then descending on scree slope and track back to Barafu Camp for breakfast, before finally heading down to Millennium Camp for a long well-earned rest.
Distance covered: 13.4km / 8.3mi
Approx. time taken: 12 – 15 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
Day 8: Trek Millennium Camp (3790m) to Mweka Gate (1630m)
A gentle trek takes us down through the rainforest to Mweka Gate, where we complete park formalities and receive certificates, which you can hang up with pride! We are then met by our vehicles and return to the hotel in Arusha, where you can treat yourself to a welcome shower (and a cold beer or two!) before our big celebration. Overnight at the Mvuli Hotel (or alternative
Distance covered: 12.1km / 7.5mi
Approx. time taken: 6 hours
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch Included
Day 9: Depart Tanzania
The day is left free to wind down after the trek before your flight home. Depending on flight times you could go and explore Arusha town and grab some souvenirs before heading to the airport.
* We also welcome you spare an hour of your day to visit orphans home, as part of our community support after climb Kilimanjaro
* Safari and Zanzibar add-ons are available if you wish to continue exploring Tanzania
Meals: Breakfast Included
Please find below the prices for organizing a private trek. The prices are based on your group size.
Solo Trekker | USD 1837 per person |
Group of 2 | USD 1797 per person |
Group of 3 | USD 1712 per person |
Group of 4 | USD 1661 per person |
Group of 5 | USD 1616 per person |
Group of 6 | USD 1599 per person |
Group of 7 | USD 1596 per person |
Group of 8 | USD 1585 per person |
Group of 9 | USD 1577 per person |
Group of 10 and above | USD 1588 per person |
Available Discounts Available discounts for Machame route – 7 days
Children between 5 years and 15 years old | USD 690 per person |
Expatriates/Residents living in Tanzania | USD 245 per person |
East African Citizens | USD 880 per person |
Daily Hot Lunch & Hot water / tea on mountain
– meet and greets at airport
-All land transfers
-3 meals per day while trekking – Vegetarian/Non-Vegetarian
-Two nights at outpost lodge in Arusha. BB booked
-All park entrance fees and government levies
-English speaking mountain Guide and assistant guide
-Mess Tent, tables, chairs, Sleeping tents, private toilet Emergency Oxygen, Ox meters, First Aid Kit with Diamox and other related medicines, Rescue fees
Government taxThe Price does not include:
Gloves, Sun glasses, Sleeping bag, Hats, Rain suits, Warm Jacket, Heavy boots, Scarf’s, Rain Trousers,
Extras at the lodges i.e. drinks, telephone, laundry etc.
-Visa and Travel Insurance
-Tips to mountain crew (highly recommended)
Per potter per day is from 6-8 USD
Assistance guide / cook – per day is from 12-15 USD
Guides per day is from 20-25 USD