Kilimanjaro – The Roof of Africa

7 Day Machame Route Kilimanjaro Climb

There are six established routes to climb Mount Kilimanjaro – Marangu, Machame, Lemosho, Shira, Rongai, and Umbwe.

The Marangu, Machame, and Umbwe routes all approach from the south of the mountain.
The Lemosho and Shira routes approach from the west.
The Rongai route approaches from the north near Kenya.

All routes except Marangu and Rongai descend via Mweka.

The Machame route, also known as the Whisky Route, is considered one of the most popular and beautiful routes on Mount Kilimanjaro. The Machame route is located closer to Mount Kilimanjaro from the south, commencing with a short drive from Moshi to Machame Gate or from Arusha to the Machame Gate. The route leads climbers through the Montana forest to the Shira Plateau and offers views of Mount Meru and Shira Ridge. The 6-day climbing of Mount Kilimanjaro is highly recommended and used by many climbers. It gives enough time for acclimatization.

Day 0: Arrival in Tanzania

Upon arrival, you will be met timeously at Kilimanjaro Airport by our transfer specialist, who will welcome you and then transfer you to your arranged hotel in Arusha. That evening, you will meet your Mountain guide, who will brief you on your upcoming trek. Overnight stay at a hotel.

Day 1: Machame Gate (1,790 m) to Machame Camp (2,850 m)

Distance: 10 km
Hiking Time: 5–7 hours
Altitude Gained: 1,210 m

After breakfast, you will be picked up at the hotel and head to the Machame entrance Gate of Mount Kilimanjaro (about an hour’s drive). At the gate, your guide will complete registration and weigh the porter’s luggage. While waiting, you will receive a lunchbox and water before starting the hike.

The adventure begins within the beautiful Montana forest, featuring ancient ferns, lichen, vibrant flowers, and endemic species. The Machame Camp is situated above the tree line at 2,850 meters above sea level.

Day 2: Machame Camp (2,850 m) to Shira Camp (3,845 m)

Distance: 6 km
Hiking Time: 4–5 hours
Altitude Gained: 818 m

After an early breakfast, your second day’s hike takes you through moorland and heatherland. The landscape is spectacular, with beautiful mountain views. You will arrive at Shira Camp around mid-afternoon and have a hot lunch at Shira Cave Camp. The camp has an awesome view of the mountain, and you may experience a beautiful sunset.

Day 3: Shira Camp (3,845 m) to Lava Tower (4,640 m) to Barranco Camp (3,960 m)

Distance: 10 km
Hiking Time: 6–7 hours
Altitude Gained: 147 m

After breakfast, you will start the hike to Lava Tower (4,640 m), where you will stop for lunch. After lunch, you will descend to Barranco Camp at 3,960 m. This aids acclimatization. The vegetation changes into alpine desert with unique flowers like Senecio Kilimanjaro and Lobelia.

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

Distance: 3 km
Hiking Time: 4 hours
Altitude Gained: 48 m

The trail includes ascents and descents to improve acclimatization before base camp. At the beginning of the trek, the Barranco Wall stands before you to conquer. While climbing the wall, you will need to use both hands for balance. Your guide will assist you at every step.

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

Distance: 4 km
Hiking Time: 3 hours
Altitude Gained: 628 m

After breakfast, you will trek to the base camp — Barafu Camp — walking through alpine desert with views of Kibo summit on your left. After reaching Barafu Camp, you will be served an early dinner. After dinner, your guide will come for the final briefing.

Day 6: Barafu Camp (4,640 m) to Uhuru Peak (5,895 m) to Mweka Camp (3,080 m)

Distance to Uhuru: 5.5 km (6–7 hours) — Altitude Gained: 1,233 m
Barafu to Mweka: 11.5 km (4–5 hours) — Altitude Lost: 1,560 m

Excitement is building as morning comes with an early start between midnight and 2 a.m. This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek.

We continue our way to the summit between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers, trying to stay warm and focused on the amazing sense of accomplishment that lies ahead. With a switchback motion in a northwesterly direction and ascend through heavy scree towards Stella Point on the crater rim. You will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise during your short rest here. Faster hikers may view the sunrise from the summit. From here on, your remaining 1 hour ascent to Uhuru Peak, you are likely to encounter snow all the way.

Congratulations, one step at a time, you have now reached Uhuru Peak, the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the African continent!

After photos, celebrations, and maybe a few tears of joy, we take a few moments to enjoy this incredible accomplishment. We begin our steep descent down to Mweka Camp, stopping at Barafu for lunch and a very brief rest. We strongly recommend gaiters and trekking poles for uncooperative, loose gravel, and volcanic ash terrain. Well-deserved rest awaits you to enjoy your last evening on the mountain.

Day 7: Mweka Camp (3,080 m) to Mweka Gate (1,630 m) to Moshi

Distance: 10 km
Descending Time: 3–4 hours
Altitude Lost: 1,450 m

On the last day, after a delicious breakfast, you will experience the traditional ceremony from your mountain teams before the final descent to Mweka gate. You will descend back through the rainforest, and you will have another chance to see colobus monkeys. You will finally arrive at Mweka gate. Your guide will present you with your Certificate of accomplishment after successfully reaching the top of Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest Mountain in Africa. The car will be ready to take you back to your arranged hotel.

Kilimanjaro Climb – Price per Adult: Please enquire

The climbing package includes:

• All transfers
• 2 nights’ accommodation in Arusha at Melia Arusha Hotel (Bed & Breakfast)* All meals during the climb (breakfast, lunch, and dinner)
• Professional mountain guides and porters’ services
• Waterproof tents and mattresses
• Oxygen tank
• Entrance fees to national parks
• Rescue fees
• Concession fees
• 18% VAT on entrance fees
• Government taxes, VAT, and service charges related to accommodation and included meals

The climbing package excludes:

• Local and international flights
• Visas
• Private travel insurance
• Climbing gear
• Government-imposed increases in taxes and/or park fees
• Tips
• Optional activities