7 Days Kilimanjaro Machame Route
The Machame Route on Kilimanjaro, often referred to as the “Whiskey” route, is one of the most scenic and popular paths to the summit. This route, usually completed in 7 days, provides a diverse range of landscapes and a challenging but rewarding trek.
Unlike the Marangu Route, there are no sleeping huts along the Machame Route; instead, trekkers camp in tents at designated campsites. This route offers a more rugged and adventurous experience.
The Machame Route begins at Machame Gate and ascends through the lush rainforest to Shira Plateau, then traverses the Barranco Wall and continues to Barafu Camp. The summit is attempted from Barafu Camp, with a final push to Uhuru Peak during the early morning hours.
This route allows for better acclimatization due to its longer itinerary and “climb high, sleep low” approach. Climbers share meals in mess tents, fostering a communal and supportive atmosphere.
The Machame Route is ideal for those seeking a more challenging and scenic trek to Kilimanjaro’s summit.
Scenery
The route offers stunning views and varied terrain, including lush rainforests, moorlands, alpine deserts, and the iconic Barranco Wall
Difficulty
Moderate to challenging, with some steep sections but no technical climbing required
Acclimatization
The route follows a "climb high, sleep low" strategy, which helps improve acclimatization and increases the chances of reaching the summit
Day 1: Machame Gate (1,800m/5,905ft) to Machame Camp (3,000m/9,840ft)
Distance: 11km / 7 miles
Hiking time: 5 – 7 hours
Ascent: 1,200m / 3,935ft
Max. altitude: 3,000m / 9,840ft
Habitat: Rainforest
Accommodation: Tent
Meals included: Lunch / Dinner
Your adventure begins at the Machame Gate, where you’ll complete registration formalities before starting your trek through the lush rainforest. The trail is often muddy and slippery, but the dense vegetation and diverse wildlife make it a fascinating journey. You’ll reach Machame Camp in the late afternoon, where you’ll set up camp and enjoy your first night on the mountain.
Overnight: Machame Camp
Day 2: Machame Camp (3,000m/9,840ft) to Shira Camp (3,750m/12,375ft)
Distance: 5km / 3 miles
Hiking time: 4 – 6 hours
Ascent: 750m / 2,460ft
Max. altitude: 3,750m / 12,375ft
Habitat: Moorland
Accommodation: Tent
Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Today’s trek takes you out of the rainforest and into the moorland zone. The trail becomes steeper and more rocky as you ascend, offering stunning views of the surrounding landscape. You’ll reach Shira Camp in the early afternoon, where you can rest and acclimatize to the higher altitude.
Overnight: Shira Camp
Day 3: Shira Camp (3,750m/12,375ft) to Barranco Camp (3,900m/12,870ft) via Lava Tower (4,600m/15,180ft)
Distance: 10km / 6 miles
Hiking time: 6 – 7 hours
Ascent: 850m / 2,805ft
Max. altitude: 4,600m / 15,180ft
Habitat: Moorland
Accommodation: Tent
Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Your climb today will take you steadily up and over the expansive ridgelines of high desert to Lava Tower. The trek to the base of Lava Tower is about 4 hours (7 km). This tower is a 300 feet high volcanic plug. From Lava Tower, we begin our steep descent into the Barranco Valley, passing large flowering plants which actually look like trees, senecios. This is good practice for your descent from the summit in a few days’ time and will take around 2 hours (3km). Although you will end your day at almost the same elevation as you started, today is very important for acclimatization and will help your body prepare for summit night. Barranco Camp is in a beautiful, sheltered valley below the imposing Barranco Wall.
Overnight: Barranco Camp
Day 4: Barranco Camp (3,900m/12,870ft) to Karanga Camp (4,035m/13,235ft)
Distance: 5km / 3 miles
Hiking time: 4 – 5 hours
Ascent: 135m / 445ft
Max. altitude: 4,035m / 13,235ft
Habitat: Alpine Desert
Accommodation: Tent
Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Your climb today begins with the challenging ascent of the Barranco Wall, a steep and rocky path that requires some scrambling but offers stunning views of the surrounding landscape. Once you conquer the Barranco Wall, you’ll traverse through the alpine desert, crossing several valleys and ridges. The trek to Karanga Camp is relatively short but involves a series of ascents and descents, making it a good acclimatization day. Along the way, you’ll pass by the Karanga Valley, known for its unique vegetation and scenic beauty. The day ends at Karanga Camp, where you can rest and prepare for the higher altitudes ahead.
Overnight: Karanga Camp
Day 5: Karanga Camp (4,035m/13,235ft) to Barafu Camp (4,640m/15,220ft)
Distance: 6km / 3.7 miles
Hiking time: 4 – 5 hours
Ascent: 605m / 1,985ft
Max. altitude: 4,640m / 15,220ft
Habitat: Alpine Desert
Accommodation: Tent
Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Your climb today takes you from Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp, the base camp for your final ascent to the summit. The trek begins with a steady climb through the alpine desert, offering stunning views of the surrounding landscapes. As you ascend, you’ll pass through a series of ridges and valleys, with the terrain becoming increasingly barren and rocky. The path is well-defined but can be challenging due to the altitude and the steepness of the ascent. Upon reaching Barafu Camp, you’ll have time to rest and prepare for the summit attempt. The camp is situated on a narrow, rocky ridge, providing breathtaking views of the Mawenzi and Kibo peaks. This is your last stop before the final push to the summit, so it’s essential to rest and acclimatize properly.
Overnight: Barafu Camp
Day 6: Barafu Camp (4,640m/15,220ft) to Uhuru Peak (5,895m/19,341ft) to Mweka Camp (3,080m/10,105ft)
Distance: 17km / 10.5 miles
Hiking time: 11 – 14 hours
Ascent: 1,255m / 4,121ft
Descent: 2,815m / 9,236ft
Max. altitude: 5,895m / 19,341ft
Habitat: Arctic to Rainforest
Accommodation: Tent
Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Your summit attempt begins around midnight, with a challenging climb through the arctic zone to Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa. The ascent is steep and demanding, but the reward is an unforgettable sunrise over the vast African plains. After celebrating your achievement at the summit, you’ll begin your descent back to Barafu Camp for a short rest before continuing down to Mweka Camp. The descent is long and tiring, but the lower altitude and lush rainforest provide a welcome change of scenery.
Overnight: Mweka Camp
Day 7: Mweka Camp (3,080m/10,105ft) to Mweka Gate (1,640m/5,380ft)
Distance: 10km / 6 miles
Hiking time: 3 – 4 hours
Descent: 1,440m / 4,725ft
Max. altitude: 3,080m / 10,105ft
Habitat: Rainforest
Meals included: Breakfast
On your final day, you’ll continue your descent through the lush rainforest to Mweka Gate. The trail is often muddy and slippery, but the dense vegetation and diverse wildlife make it a fascinating journey. Upon reaching Mweka Gate, you’ll receive your summit certificates and bid farewell to your guides and porters. A vehicle will be waiting to take you back to your hotel, where you can relax and celebrate your incredible achievement.
- Private transport to & from Kilimanjaro International Airport to your Accommodations in Moshi.
- 2 nights of accommodation in Moshi
- Transportation to and from the Kilimanjaro gate
- Park entry fees
- Hut fees
- Team Kilimanjaro Rescue fees
- Oxygen cylinder
- 18% VAT on tour fees & services
- All camping equipment
- Friendly and professional mountain guides, cook, and porters
- 3 hot meals a day while on the mountain
- Enough treated & filtered drinking water throughout the trek
- Hot water for washing
- Fair wages for the mountain crew as approved by the Kilimanjaro National Park Authority (KINAPA), Kilimanjaro Association of Tour Operators (KIATO) Government taxes
- Ox meter
- Emergency first-aid kit
- Lunches, dinners, and drinks at your hotel before and after the climb.
- Travel insurance
- Flights
- Laundry (Available at the hotel)
- Personal items and toiletries
- Tips for guides, porters, and cook
