Machame Route 7 Days

Overview

The Machame Route, famously known as the “Whiskey Route,” is one of the most popular and scenic trails on Mount Kilimanjaro (Kili). Nearly half of all Kilimanjaro climbers choose this route and for good reason. It offers a perfect balance of challenge, beauty, and excellent acclimatization, making it ideal for group joining treks. As part of a group climb, the Machame Route provides a social, motivating environment where climbers from different backgrounds come together with the same goal—reaching the highest point in Africa, Uhuru Peak.

What's Included

Airport pickup & drop-off at Kilimanjaro International Airport
Pre-climb and post-climb accommodations in Moshi
Park fees, camping fees, and rescue fees; all taxes included
Professional mountain guides, porters, and cooks
All meals while on the mountain (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
High-quality tents, sleeping mats, and trekking gear setup
Filtered drinking water throughout the trek
Fair wages for mountain crew approved by KINAPA & KIATO

What's Excluded

International flights to Tanzania
Tips for guides, porters, and cooks
Travel insurance and medical coverage
Laundry and personal expenses
Optional activities outside the itinerary

Tour Itinerary

Day 1 Machame Gate (1790m) – Machame Camp (3010m)

Hiking time: 7 hours
Distance: Approximately 18 kilometers
Habitat: Montane forest

The Kilimanjaro National Park gate is only a 45-minute drive from your hotel. You will be picked up after breakfast and make your way there for the start of your climb. Once you have arrived your guide will get started with the formalities (entrance forms) while you observe all the different teams and mountain crew getting ready for their expedition. It’s always a fascinating experience for clients to watch them load all the different items for the trip. As soon as everything is prepared your adventure will begin. The destination for today will be the Machame Camp which you should reach in about 5 – 6 hours. On route you will experience a wonderful rainforest with ancient trees, primeval ferns, liana & lichen to mention but a few. Another favourite to look out for on this day is the black and white thumbless colobus monkeys. Once you arrive at your campsite for the night you have time to relax before enjoying a well deserve dinner prepared by our own cook.

Day 2 Machame Camp (3010m) – Shira Camp (3845m)

Hiking time: 6 hours
Distance: Approximately 9 kilometers
Habitat: Moorland

Although today is a shorter stretch then yesterday you will still have an early start which will allow you to reach today’s destination around mid-afternoon. The landscape changes dramatically from the green mountain rainforest into moor and heath land. You will have a beautiful view of the mountain range from your campsite which is situated at the Shira Plateau. The glacier of Kibo also lights up as the sun sets for the evening.

Day 3 Shira Camp (3845m) – Lava Tower Hut (4640m) – Barranco Camp (3960m)

Hiking time: 7 hours
Distance: Approximately 15 kilometers
Habitat: Semi-desert

Today is a good day for the body to acclimatise for the days to follow. You will climb roughly 700m but will sleep on a level not much higher than the night before. We will start at Shira Plateau and make our way up to Lava Tower at around 4640m, after a rest we will continue through the Barranco Valley until we reach our destination for the day the beautiful Barranco Camp. Today’s trek will be approximately 6 – 7 hours, during which time you will experience the alpine desert as well as the Barranco Valley with its small lobelia plants and giant senecio’s. You will sit down for a well-deserved dinner before it’s time to rest in preparation for the next day.

Day 4 Barranco Camp (3960m) – Karanga Camp (4035m)

Hiking time: 4-5 hours
Distance: Approximately 5 kilometers
Habitat: Alpine desert

Just after breakfast we concur the famous Barranco Wall. You might need your hands once in a while for better grip, but with that being said, there are no climbing passages, and as safety is very important please listen to our guides who will ensure you get to the top safely. There will be a lot of ascents and descents today followed by a walk along the mountain ridge. This will reward you will a great view of the glacier of Kibo. Walking time today will be 3 – 4 hours with the Kibo summit all the time on your left accompanying you to your camp for the night.

Day 5 Karanga Camp (4035m) – Barafu Camp (4640m)

Hiking time: 2-3 hours
Distance: Approximately 4 kilometers
Habitat: Alpine desert

Barafu Camp is our destination for today and will be reach after 3-4 hours. Most of this time you will be walking through the moon-like alpine dessert. After a satisfying dinner you will have an early night and a good rest. The highlight of your trip is now only some hours away.

Day 6 Barafu Camp (4640m) – Uhuru Peak (5895m) – Mweka Camp (3080m)

Hiking time: 8 hours to reach Uhuru Peak, 7-8 hours to descend to Mweka
Distance: Approximately 7 kilometer ascent and 23 kilometer descent
Habitat: Stone scree and ice-capped summit

This will be the toughest but also the most rewarding day. We will wake up very very early, during the night, in order to arrive to the peak at sunrise. This will just be a 5 kilometers hike but due to the altitude and steepness (1186 meters ascent) it will take 6 to 7 hours to do. When you reach the summit, you will be at 5986 meters and have the best views of your entire life. You will never in your life forget this moment and it will make you a better person. After some time at the summit, we’ll start our descent to Mweka. Again, we’ll walk for 5 to 7 hours, for a total of 12 kilometers, in order to sleep at a much more comfortable altitude of 3096 meters. Dinner/Overnight at Mweka Camp.

Day 7 Mweka – Mweka Village – Moshi or Arusha

Hiking time: 3 hours
Distance: Approximately 15 kilometers
Habitat: Montane forest

A sustained descent on a well constructed path through lovely tropical forest alive with birdsong and boasting lush undergrowth with considerable botanical interest.
Our route winds down to the National Park gate at Mweka (1650m). Here we sign out from the National Park before walking on for a further 15 minutes through coffee and banana farms to Mweka village where our vehicle awaits.
The shower, the beer, and the swimming pool are tantalisingly close!

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