Kilimanjaro Machame Route 7 Days

Mount Kilimanjaro

From

$2250.00

Duration

7 days

Tour Type

4

Tour Overview

The second most popular option among the routes on Kilimanjaro is the Machame route, also known as “the Whiskey Route”. This route offers a wide variety of views, landscapes and experiences. Located on the southern slope of Mt Kilimanjaro, Machame Gate will lead you to the top of Kilimanjaro along the exciting footpath which starts at the tropical forest, then runs through all the climate zones and finishes with the Arctic desert in the summit area.

Camps along the trek are favourably located for a smooth and gradual acclimatization transition process. On the 3rd day Machame Route converges with Lemosho and Umbwe at Barranco camp.

Arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport

After arriving at the Airport, you will be picked up and transferred to your hotel in Moshi. Later on, your guide will come to brief you about the trek and do an equipment check to make sure you have all the necessary mountain gear

Tour Plan

Day 1 Arrival in Moshi

Upon your arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport, you'll be warmly welcomed and transferred to your hotel in Moshi. This day is reserved for rest and preparation. In the evening, you'll meet your trekking guide for a detailed briefing about the upcoming adventure. They will also conduct an equipment check to ensure you're fully prepared for the climb. Missing gear can be rented at this time.

Accommodation: Hotel in Moshi
Meals: Dinner
Elevation: Approximately 800 meters (2,625 feet)

Day 2 Machame Gate (1800m) to Machame Camp (2835m)

Distance covered: 11 km

Approximate time taken: 7 hours

Habitat: Montane forest

Meal: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner included

After breakfast, you will be picked up at the hotel around 8:00 am and transferred to Machame gate. On the way, you will see coffee and banana plantations grown by the Chagga people. After arriving at Machame gate you will go through some park formalities such as registration, then you will start your Mount Kilimanjaro climbing at the Machame gate. Your first day hike is through a tropical rain forest up to Machame camp (2835 m). On the route you will have a picnic lunch. Overnight at Machame camp.

Day 3 Machame Camp (2835m) to Shira Cave Camp (3750m)

Distance covered: 5 km

Approximate time taken: 3 hours

Habitat: Moorland

Meal: Breakfast, lunch and dinner included

You start to hike around 8:00 am. You will climb for an hour to the top of the forest and then 1 hour at a gentler gradient through the moorland zone. After a short lunch (snacks) and break, you continue up a rocky ridge, the Shira plateau. At this point you will be able to see an eastern direction, the western breach with its stunning glacier. Overnight at Shira Campsite (3750m).

Day 4 Shira Cave Camp (3750m) to Barranco camp (3900m)

Distance covered: 10 km

Approximate time taken: 6 hours

Habitat: Alpine desert

Meal: Breakfast, lunch and dinner included

To take advantage of acclimatization, we will hike to high altitude and then descend to a lower altitude. The trek will take us into the alpine desert up to lava tower (4600 m) before descending to Baranco Camp (3900 m). This descent to Barranco Camp takes about 3 hours and offers great opportunities to take some beautiful pictures of the Western Breach and Barranco wall. The campsite is situated in a valley below the Barranco wall which should provide you with a memorable sunset while waiting for dinner. Overnight at Barranco Camp (3900m).

Day 5 Barranco Camp (3900m) to Karanga Camp (4000m)

Distance covered: 6 km

Approximate time taken: 4 hours

Habitat: Alpine desert

Meal: Breakfast, lunch and dinner included

After breakfast we continue up a steep ridge to the great Barranco wall, then you climb this imposing obstacle which turns out to be easier than it looks. Topping out just below the item 6 lacer you can now appreciate just how beautiful Kilimanjaro really is. With Kibo glaciers soaring overhead, you descend into the lush Karanga Valley camp site. From the camp you can look east and see the jugged peaks of Mawenzi. After a hot lunch in camp, your afternoon is at leisure for resting. This short day is very important for your acclimatization since your summit push is about to start.

Day 6 Karanga Camp (4000m) to Barafu Camp (4640m)

Distance covered: 4 km

Approximate time taken: 3 hours

Habitat: Alpine desert

Meal: Breakfast, lunch and dinner included

After breakfast you will start hiking to Barafu Camp (4640 m). On the way you will have a good view of the Kibo and Mawenzi peaks. After arriving at the campsite, we have lunch and a long rest waiting for a long night and a day ahead. Dinner will be early and then try to get some sleep as we will be getting up around midnight to start climbing to the summit.

Day 7: Barafu Camp (4637m) to UHURU PEAK (5895m) then down to Millennium Camp (3950m)

Distance covered: 15 km

Approximate time taken: 12-15 hours

Habitat: Glacier/Moorland

Meal: Breakfast, lunch and dinner included

We will wake up very early, at around 00:00, some light tea with cookies will be ready for you. We will climb scree for 4 to 5 hours but gain incredible height over a short distance. The view is spectacular. We should be on the crater rim at Stella point (5756 m) as the first rays of the sun hit us. Then it will take us 1 hour from Stella point to Uhuru peak (5895m) where you take some photos for a few minutes before we start descending to Barafu Camp for lunch and some rest, and then walk down to Millennium Camp (3950m) for dinner and overnight.

Day 8 Millennium Camp (3950m) to Mweka Gate (1630m)

Distance covered: 14 km

Approximate time taken: 6 hours

Habitat: Moorland/Rainforest

Meal: Breakfast, and lunch included

After breakfast you continue the final descend, it’s a couple of hours further now from Millennium Campsite to Mweka Gate, where you will collect your certificates. After completing park formalities and receiving the certificates, a private car will take you back to your hotel where you can have a warm shower. It’s definitely time to celebrate!

Day 9 Departure

Depending on your flight schedule, you may have time to explore Moshi or relax at the hotel. When it's time, you'll be transferred to Kilimanjaro International Airport for your departure flight, marking the end of your unforgettable adventure.

Meals: Breakfast

Included/Exclude

Transfers: Round-trip airport transfers and transportation to/from the mountain gate.
Accommodation: 2 nights in a hotel (pre- and post-trek) with breakfast. Quality, waterproof, four-season mountain tents with sleeping mats.
Meals: 3 nutritious meals daily while on the mountain; breakfast at the hotel.
Water: Filtered and purified drinking water throughout the trek.
Professional Team: Experienced, English-speaking guides certified in wilderness first aid. Cooks and porters to support the trek.
Equipment: Dining tent with tables and chairs. Emergency oxygen cylinder and oximeter.
Permits and Fees: Kilimanjaro National Park entry, camping, and rescue fees. 18% VAT on tour fees and services.
Support Staff Compensation: Fair wages for the mountain crew as approved by relevant authorities.

Flights: International and domestic airfare.
Visa: Tanzania entry visa fees.
Personal Expenses:
Travel insurance (mandatory).
Tips for guides, cooks, and porters.
Personal trekking gear (available for rent upon request).
Meals not specified in the itinerary (e.g., lunch and dinner in Moshi).
Beverages, laundry, and other personal items.
Optional Add-ons: Portable flush toilet with a toilet tent.
Additional hotel nights or excursions (e.g., safaris, Zanzibar trips).

Tour Map

Find a route from your location

Mode of Travel:

Book / Enquire

Max Guests

120

Min Age

12+

Tour Location

Mount Kilimanjaro

Languages Support

English, French, German, Spanish

Last Minute Deals

Kilimanjaro Marangu Route 5 Days

4.6 by 3 reviews

Quality4.67
Location5
Amenities4.33
Services5
Price4

Kilimanjaro Marangu Route 5 Days

From $1750.00

Kilimanjaro Marangu Route 6 Days

4.6 by 3 reviews

Quality4.67
Location5
Amenities4.33
Services5
Price4

Kilimanjaro Marangu Route 6 Days

From $1950.00

Kilimanjaro Rongai Route 6 Days

Kilimanjaro Rongai Route 6 Days

From $1950.00

Kilimanjaro Rongai Route 7 Days

Kilimanjaro Rongai Route 7 Days

From $2250.00

Great Migration

Serengeti National Park

Climbing Kilimanjaro in Style

Mout KilimanjaroNational Park

Relax In White Sand

Zanzibar Beach

Related Tours

Photography

You should always ask permission before taking anyone’s photograph. Many of the people in places that receive a steady stream of travelers are used to having their pictures taken and some may ask for money. You can usually tell the people who will ask for money, as they pose for pictures as their “job” and will be standing around looking for tourists, asking if you want to photograph them.

Do we need a tourist visa to enter Tanzania?

A valid visa is required for travel to Tanzania. A passport with a minimum validity of 6 months prior to expiry is required.

A single-entry visa is valid for 3 months from the date of issue. Visas-on-arrival are available at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO)for US$50. (For U.S. Citizens, the cost is US$100 for a multiple entry visa.) However, it is advised that visitors traveling from a country where visa services are available should obtain a visa prior to arrival in order to avoid potential delays at the airport.

When is the best time to climb Kilimanjaro?

Mount Kilimanjaro can be climbed anytime throughout the year. Most travelers prefer climbing during the dry seasons: December to March, June to October. Many consider the best months to climb Kilimanjaro to be January, February, and September.

Will I see wildlife?

Prior to the climb, you’ll enjoy an acclimatization day with wildlife viewing and nature walks. Trekking through the rain forest, you’re likely to spot black-and-white Colobus monkeys, tropical birds and more.

What kind of food will I eat?

Highly-trained chefs prepare three hot nutritious meals daily, as well as trail snacks and afternoon tea each day. You’ll eat all your meals in a solar-lit dining tent with your fellow trekkers and head guide. Delicious vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and other specialty meals can be provided (with advance request). We’re happy to send you a sample menu—just ask!

What are the Kilimanjaro accommodations like?

Your mountain camps are set up and broken down each day by expert camp porters. You’ll stay in double occupancy all-weather tents with full-ground pads to keep you and your gear dry. Private toilet tents, solar-lit dining tents with tables and chairs, and basins of hot water for washing are provided in every camp. Grand Traverse treks include upgraded solar-lit walk-in-height sleeping tents with mountaineering beds and mattresses for additional comfort.

How high is Kilimanjaro?

Mount Kilimanjaro is the highest freestanding mountain in the world and the highest mountain in Africa. Its highest point is Uhuru Peak on the Kibo crater at 5895m above sea level.

What kind of experience do I need?

None, but previous hiking or climbing experience will help. You need to be fit and healthy and have a good pair of worn-in hiking boots. The fitter you are the more you are likely to enjoy it.

How long is the hike?

There are at least six routes to the top, Uhuru peak. You will hike between 53 and 73km depending on which route you choose. The shortest and toughest is the 5-day Umbwe route. Allowing extra days will help you to acclimatize better and improve your chances of reaching the summit. The easiest and most popular route is Marangu (which can be done in five), but we use six days for this route.