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7 Days Kilimanjaro Group Departure Tour – Machame Route

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Machame Group Departure Tour

  • Duration

    7 Days

  • Activities

    Climbing, Hiking, Trekking

  • Group size

    No size limit

  • Location

    Kilimanjaro National Park

  • From Price

    $1,650 / person

Overview

Join fellow European travelers on this scheduled 7-day group departure to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro via the Machame Route, often called the "Whiskey Route." Machame is prized for its scenic variety and strong acclimatization profile, making it a favorite for trekkers who want a genuinely challenging, camping-based climb with a high chance of reaching Uhuru Peak.

The route climbs through montane rainforest, moorland, alpine desert, and the dramatic Barranco Valley before the final push to the summit. Climbers camp each night in tents pitched by the mountain crew, with the famous Barranco Wall scramble on Day 4 a highlight for most groups.

The 7-day itinerary builds in an extra day compared to the standard 6-day Machame schedule, spreading the ascent out for better acclimatization and a stronger summit success rate. Departing on fixed group dates, this tour lets solo travelers and small groups from Europe join a shared team of climbers, guides, and porters for the full trek. With experienced mountain guides, professional support crew, hearty trail meals, and full mountain-park logistics handled for you, this all-inclusive group departure offers a safe, well-paced, and memorable Kilimanjaro adventure.

Included

  • Private pick up and drop off at Kilimanjaro international airport.

  • Pre & Post Trek accommodation

  • Park fees, huts fees & rescue fees 18% VAT on tour fees & services 4 Season big sleeping mountain tents Double layered Sleeping Mats

  • Professional mountain guides, cooks and porters

  • Transportation to & from the mountain gate

  • 3 meals daily while on the mountain

  • Fair wages for the mountain crew as approved by the Kilimanjaro National Park Authority (KINAPA), Kilimanjaro Association of Tour Operators (KIATO)

  • Filtered water throughout the treke

Exclude

  • Flights

  • Items of a personal nature

  • Tips to mountain crew

  • Laundry Services

  • Insurance

Tour Itinerary

Day 1 Machame Gate (1,800m) to Machame Camp (3,000m)

Your group is collected from the hotel after breakfast for the short drive to the Machame Gate, where the crew completes park registration while you meet your fellow climbers. The trail begins in dense montane rainforest, home to colobus monkeys and a thick canopy of ferns and vines. It is a steady, humid climb to Machame Camp, where tents are already pitched and a hot meal waits.

  • 1,800m to 3,000m | 18 km | 6-7 hours | Montane forest
  • Overnight: Mountain tents, Machame Camp
  • Meals: Lunch and Dinner Included.

Day 2 Machame Camp (3,000m) to Shira Camp (3,840m)

The forest thins into heath and moorland as the group climbs onto the Shira Plateau. It's a shorter walking day, which helps the body settle into the altitude, and the group usually reaches camp by mid-afternoon with time to rest before dinner. On clear evenings, Kibo's summit glacier catches the last light directly above camp.

  • 3,000m to 3,840m | 9 km | 5-6 hours | Moorland
  • Overnight: Mountain tents, Shira Camp
  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Included.

Day 3 Shira Camp (3,840m) via Lava Tower (4,630m) to Barranco Camp (3,960m)

This is a classic "climb high, sleep low" acclimatization day. The group ascends to Lava Tower before descending into the Barranco Valley, sleeping at roughly the same altitude as the previous night despite the extra height gained during the day. The valley is dotted with giant lobelia and senecio plants, and Barranco Camp sits beneath the towering Barranco Wall.

  • 3,840m up to 4,630m, down to 3,960m | 15 km | 6-7 hours | Alpine desert
  • Overnight: Mountain tents, Barranco Camp
  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Included.

Day 4 Barranco Camp (3,960m) to Karanga Camp (4,035m)

After breakfast the group tackles the Barranco Wall, a steep but non-technical scramble that requires hands for balance rather than climbing skill. Guides set a careful pace at the trickier sections. Beyond the wall, the trail rolls along ridgelines with Kibo's summit in view before a shorter descent into Karanga Camp for the night.

  • 3,960m to 4,035m | 5 km | 4-5 hours | Alpine desert
  • Overnight: Mountain tents, Karanga Camp
  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Included.

Day 5 Karanga Camp (4,035m) to Barafu Camp (4,640m)

A comparatively short trekking day across barren, moon-like alpine desert brings the group to Barafu Camp, the last stop before the summit push. The afternoon is spent resting, eating an early dinner, and preparing gear and headlamps, with the crew waking climbers around midnight for the ascent.

  • 4,035m to 4,640m | 4 km | 3-4 hours | Alpine desert
  • Overnight: Mountain tents, Barafu Camp
  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Included.

Day 6 Summit Day: Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak (5,895m) then Mweka Camp (3,080m)

The group sets off well before dawn, climbing switchbacks by headlamp through scree and, in colder months, snow, aiming to reach Stella Point and then Uhuru Peak around sunrise. This is the hardest and most rewarding day of the trek. After time at Africa's highest point, the group descends to Barafu for a break, then continues down to the milder, forested air of Mweka Camp for the night.

  • 4,640m to 5,895m ascent, then down to 3,080m | 7 km up / 23 km down | 11-15 hours total | Summit zone and moorland
  • Overnight: Mountain tents, Mweka Camp
  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Included.

Day 7 Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate and transfer to Moshi

A final, gentler descent through lush rainforest brings the group down to the Mweka Gate, where certificates are presented before a short drive to the village and onward transfer back to your hotel. It's a good moment to tip the mountain crew who supported the climb.

  • 3,080m to 1,640m | 10 km | 3-4 hours | Montane forest
  • Meals: Breakfast and Lunch Included.


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Pro Tips for Your Trip

Make the most of your adventure with these expert tips:

  • Pack layers - temperatures can vary significantly throughout the day
  • Stay hydrated - drink plenty of water especially at high altitudes
  • Bring a good quality camera and extra batteries
  • Listen to your guide - they know the terrain and conditions best
  • Take time to acclimatize - don't rush the experience

What's Included

Accommodation

Comfortable tents or lodges depending on your chosen package. All accommodation is carefully selected for quality and location.

Meals

Delicious, nutritious meals prepared fresh daily. We cater to all dietary requirements with advance notice.

Park Fees

All national park entry fees, conservation fees, and camping fees are included in your package.