Machame Route
About this Tour
- 7 Days
- 6 Nights
The Machame Route, often referred to as the “Whiskey Route,” is one of the most scenic and popular ways to climb Mount Kilimanjaro. This route approaches the mountain from the south and offers a rich variety of landscapes—from lush rainforest and volcanic ridges to alpine deserts and glacier fields near the summit.
It is slightly more physically demanding than other routes but provides excellent acclimatization opportunities, contributing to a high summit success rate. Ideal for adventurous hikers with a good fitness level, the Machame Route balances challenge with unforgettable scenery.
Area to Visit/Destinations to go
Full Itinerary
- Day 1: Arrival | Pick up from Kilimanjaro Int’l Airport
Pick-up from Kilimanjaro International Airport upon arrival and transfer to Moshi for dinner and overnight. In the evening, you will meet your chief guide and review your equipment in preparation for the trek the following day.
- Day 2: Machame Camp
After breakfast, you will be driven to the Machame Gate, where your adventure begins. Once registration and formalities are completed, you’ll enter the lush montane forest and begin your trek through dense vegetation. The trail gradually ascends with occasional clearings that offer glimpses of the summit. You’ll reach Machame Camp by late afternoon, where you’ll enjoy your first night on the mountain.
(3,000 m/9,840 feet), 11 km/7 miles (5 to 7 hours)
- Day 3 : Shira Camp
Today’s trail leads you out of the rainforest and into the heather and moorland zone. As the trees thin out, dramatic views begin to open up behind you. You’ll cross a series of ridges before reaching the Shira Plateau, a wide expanse with panoramic views of the mountain. The trail then leads to Shira Camp, where you will settle in for the night under a star-filled sky.
(3,840 m/12,600 feet), 5 km/3 miles (4 to 6 hours)
- Day 4: Barranco Camp
The day starts with a steady climb toward Lava Tower, a striking volcanic rock formation at higher altitude. This serves as an important acclimatization point. After resting and having lunch near the tower, you’ll descend into the beautiful Barranco Valley, where giant groundsels and lobelias thrive. You’ll camp at the foot of the Barranco Wall, a dramatic cliff that you’ll scale the next day.
(3,960 m/12,990 feet), 10 km/6 miles (6 to 8 hours)
- Day 5: Karanga Camp
You’ll begin the morning by ascending the Barranco Wall—a steep but non-technical scramble that rewards you with incredible views from the top. The trail then follows a series of ridges and valleys before dropping into the Karanga Valley. After a short climb out of the valley, you’ll reach Karanga Camp, where the remainder of the day is spent resting and acclimatizing.
(4,035 m/13,238 feet), 5 km/3 miles (4 to 5 hours)
- Day 6: Barafu High Camp
Today’s trek takes you through a dry and windswept alpine desert as you make your final ascent to Barafu Camp. Arriving around midday, you’ll have plenty of time to rest, hydrate, and prepare for the summit attempt. After an early dinner, you’ll head to bed to catch a few hours of sleep before the midnight push to the summit.
(4,645 m/15,239 feet), 4 km/2.5 miles (3 to 4 hours)
- Day 7: Uhuru Peak
You’ll be woken around midnight to begin the final and most demanding ascent to Uhuru Peak. This challenging stretch takes you up steep switchbacks to reach Stella Point at the crater rim, just in time for sunrise. From there, it’s a relatively gentle walk along the rim to Uhuru Peak—the highest point in Africa. After celebrating at the summit, you’ll descend back to Barafu Camp for a short rest before continuing your descent to Mweka Camp for your final night on the mountain.
(5,895 m/19,340 feet), 5 km/3 miles ascent + 12 km/7 miles descent (10–14 hours)
Price Includes
- All transfers
- Hotel before and after the trek
- Camping equipment
- Professional mountain guides
- Professional chefs
- Porters assistance
- All meals while on the hike
- All park fees
- Unlimited drinking water
Price Excludes
- International flight
- Tanzanian visa
- Travel insurance
- Personal gear rentals
- Lunch and dinner at the hotel
- Gratuity to the trekking crew
- Single supplement
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